Long Time No See

Although the Main Universe's lock prevented Lin Yu's consciousness and Magic Power from spreading beyond ten miles, the magical beasts under his command had no such restriction.

Rolycoly in particular had already grown to an astonishing extent.

Using the traces of Magic Power left behind, it could even sense activity hundreds of miles away.

So, in the spirit of never wasting anything, Lin Yu had Rolycoly leave its nest and use its road-roller-like feet to widen the roads for the people of Spine Peak Territory.

It could be said that every broad avenue in the entire Spine Peak Territory had been stamped out step by step beneath its feet.

Rolycoly's Magic Power lingered on the roads. As long as any creature possessing Magic Power passed through, whether Demon Race or human, it could not escape Rolycoly's magical senses.

With this ability, Lin Yu extended his vision beyond the ten-mile limit.

The moment Flamme and her disciple stepped onto the avenue, he had already learned of it through Rolycoly and waited in advance at the northern edge, ten miles away.

Unfortunately, Flamme had not come in this direction. Instead, she had first followed the avenue to Ridge Peak City...

Ridge Peak City was no longer the little village it had once been.

Under the morning sunlight, the damp scent of pine resin drifted through the mist.

More than a dozen masons were laying crushed stone along the city roads, while Earth-Walking Dragon carts, driven by quarry merchants, roared past on the already paved Central Avenue, testing the results of their labor.

Quite a few shops and houses had already risen on both sides of the road.

A burnt-sweet aroma wafted from Old Hoke's bakery, drawing over young men working on oak beams in the carpenter's shop.

Amid the roar of the blacksmith shop's bellows, a young blacksmith rhythmically swung his hammer, gradually shaping a red-hot steel bar under the guidance of his old father beside him.

All kinds of sounds gathered and intertwined above this newly built town, forming its peaceful daily life.

In an era where humans and the Demon Race, humans and humans, were locked in fierce conflict, nothing was more important than this!

Soon, the Earth-Walking Dragon caravan stopped beneath the city wall, which was only half-built. A heavily bearded merchant jumped down from his cart and cheerfully shook hands with Wol Stone, the old village chief who had come to oversee the wall's construction.

The old village chief had now been promoted to governor of Spine Peak Territory.

He held tremendous prestige in Spine Peak Territory, and he also had a son serving as captain of the Lord's Guard. In the eyes of those outside merchants, he was practically the second most powerful man in the territory!

But Wol knew his own situation well. He understood the Lord's attitude clearly.

The only reason he could remain in this position was because he had demonstrated enough value.

The moment he did anything foolish or incompetent, the Lord would surely replace him without hesitation.

Therefore, no matter how much outsiders flattered him, Wol maintained an approachable image. The way he treated the people of Spine Peak Territory was no different from when he had been a village chief.

As Wol chatted and laughed with the quarry merchant, the strong young men behind him did not remain idle either.

They sprang into action, climbing onto the dragon carts one after another and unloading the enormous cut stone blocks.

When Flamme and Frieren arrived at the northern city gate, this was the bustling sight that greeted them.

"It's already become like this..."

Flamme stared in surprise at the towering city wall before her.

Though the elf girl behind her remained calm, her gaze kept moving across the faces of the townspeople.

On their journey south from the north, they had grown accustomed to lifeless towns and expressionless residents. Yet this was the first time they had seen sincere smiles on the faces of laborers.

This town seemed a little different...

The corners of the elf girl's lips lifted slightly. She seemed to like this thriving atmosphere.

Soon, the patrolling guards noticed the two women and approached with solemn expressions.

Frieren silently observed the guards before her and was surprised to discover that both their armor and spears were engraved with intricate, profound magical inscriptions. They were clearly an extremely expensive set of magical equipment.

On the northern front, only the strongest warriors would have been qualified to possess equipment like this.

Yet in this obscure southern town, it had been issued to ordinary guards—and every one of them had a full set!

Did the Lord here have so much money he did not know where to spend it?!

Frieren was deeply puzzled, but her teacher Flamme found it perfectly normal.

To that New World god beyond all understanding, mere magical equipment was nothing worth mentioning.

Compared to that, Flamme was more interested in the badges on the guards' chests. They bore miniature unicorn head reliefs, clearly modeled after Rolycoly's image.

"Outsiders, state your origins and purpose."

A steady yet cautious voice rang out again.

Frieren came back to her senses. Seeing that her teacher showed no reaction, she softly said, "We are Adventurers from the north. We wish to pay a visit to the Lord here."

"..."

The patrolling guards frowned. After exchanging glances, the leading guard shook his head. "The governor has ordered that Ridge Peak City welcomes every Adventurer who has fought the Demon Race. However, the Lord is not someone you can meet simply because you wish to."

"If that is your only purpose, then I am sorry, but please turn around and leave!"

So it really would not work...

Frieren sighed, then turned to Flamme. "Stop watching the show. I know you have a way."

Flamme smiled. "What's the rush? I only wanted to see whether I could get in on my face, but unfortunately, it seems that guy didn't list me as an honored guest of Ridge Peak City..."

As she complained, she took a Holy Scripture from her travel pack.

"Do you recognize this?"

Flamme raised the Holy Scripture and asked with a smile.

The guards looked at the Holy Scripture in confusion.

When they saw the familiar Unicorn Giant Beast relief on its cover, their expressions changed dramatically.

"So it is Lord Fulamei!"

The leading guard hurriedly bowed, apologizing for failing to recognize Flamme.

...So did that guy ever mention me or not?

Seeing the enormous difference in the guards' attitudes, Flamme asked curiously.

The leading guard respectfully explained, "The Lord has always disliked going out, and we have never had the fortune of receiving his teachings. However, Captain Daimon once instructed us that any human woman carrying this Holy Scripture must be Lord Fulamei!"

So it was Daimon...

Then there was no problem!

Flamme nodded, put away the Holy Scripture, and asked with a smile, "Can we enter now?"

The guards quickly stepped aside and said respectfully, "Please enter, my lady!"

"You're quite good. A dutiful guard!"

Flamme patted the flattered guard, then walked through the city gate with a beaming smile, seemingly in a fine mood.

Frieren sighed and followed after her.

After taking only two steps, the two women stopped again. Old Wol beneath the city wall had been drawn by the commotion. Taking a closer look, he recognized Flamme and hurried over to greet her.

"Lord Fulamei!"

"Old Wol?"

Flamme looked uncertainly at the sturdy old man before her.

Old Wol puffed out his chest and declared proudly, "Wol Stone, the family name bestowed by the Lord!"

"Really?"

Flamme said in surprise, "Congratulations, congratulations!"

Wol looked proud as he chuckled. "Lord Fulamei, when do you plan to visit the Lord?"

"No rush... Where is Daimon?"

"He is still patrolling the eastern side. The city wall there has only had its foundations laid and offers no protection."

"I see!"

Flamme nodded as she walked along City Main Road, surveying her surroundings.

Looking at the busy residents and shops around her, Flamme could not help praising him. "To achieve so much in only ten years, it seems I underestimated you back then!"

Wol hurriedly said, "It is all the Lord's blessing. It has nothing to do with me..."

Flamme eyed him skeptically. "Is that so?"

"Of course not!"

A familiar voice came from behind them.

Flamme froze slightly, then turned around. Sure enough, she saw a black-haired young man smiling at her.

"Long time no see... Flamme!"