At the luncheon celebrating the founding of the Allied Knight Order, Landen left in a hurry after delivering his speech. If there hadn't been so many Legends at the luncheon, he would even have asked Yavenni to take his place.
He passed through the Teleportation Portal in the underground Ruins of Night-Kirin City and arrived at the door of the room where Lily's father had once been sealed away. The door to the sealed chamber now stood wide open, and the black Exquisite Orb that had hung in the middle of the room was gone.
That was why Landen had rushed back: Lily's father had escaped, and Lily had let him go herself.
"What happened?"
Landen had only heard a brief explanation from Fanil through the Magic Mirror. Lily had suddenly entered the underground Ruins and opened a door that was usually kept shut, then traveled through the Ruins' Teleportation Portal to Dragon Tooth City. She had seemed fine there, but when she returned, she was mentally exhausted.
"Sir, you're finally back!" Fanil ran over to Landen and grabbed him. "That Mind Mentor from the Ancient God faction escaped!"
"I already know about that." Landen asked, "How is Lily? Is she hurt?"
"Lily's recovered. Great Fairy Hestia of the Holy Fire just checked on her. She thinks the Devil Race must have controlled Lily, briefly taking away her control over herself!"
"The Devil Race?" Landen asked, puzzled.
"Yes, the Devil Race," the Fox Girl said confidently. "It wasn't that Witch, but I already know who it was!"
When Landen and Fanil reached the lounge in the Imperial Palace district, Wendy, Sophia, Johnny, and the old Mage Gandalf were gathered around Lily.
Lily was curled up on the sofa. The moment she saw Landen, she burst into tears, feeling wronged. By