Chapter 223

With a professional support character like Sona, you can heal yourself and give yourself buffs, so it's a win-win situation to have her.

Furthermore, based on Lux's account and the scenes witnessed while "spying" on her, Nocturne in the real world possesses a rather outrageous skill—

Summon an army of demons.

If it actually uses this tactic, even if you can defeat it, you should consider whether to handle it according to the "third scenario".

In conclusion, it is essential to proceed with caution when information is insufficient.

Prepare for the worst, be ready to flee, and take only one person with you.

More importantly, Sona and her harp have another important function—the ability to break the "Nightmare Curse."

Hmm... but the most important thing to pay attention to right now is...

"Be careful, these people don't have good intentions..." Walking at the back of the group, Chen Ce whispered a reminder to the girl beside him.

[Okay...] Sona responded with magic. At this moment, she was completely covered up—a veil on her face, a coat on her body, a belt around her waist... even her most "signature" 36D breasts were less noticeable under the special underwear.

It's fine, but it's a bit too tight and uncomfortable.

I can't breathe...

"I'll have to trouble you for a little while... We'll be there soon." Chen Ce glanced at the Mageseekers walking ahead.

They seemed to be watching him, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

These are all "teammates" who are carrying out the same mission, but none of them are from the same squad—squad leader Jonathan couldn't even say a word when selecting people; these people were all directly recommended by the regional liaison officer.

Without a doubt, they were all personally selected by Eldred, the commander of the Mageseeker Order —or Grand Marshal Tianna.

Their purpose... is self-evident.

"But you don't need to worry too much. If they bare their fangs, I'll naturally shut them up." Chen Ce moved slightly closer to the girl, making her feel safe enough. "I'll do it cleanly... the 'strange presence' of Fossbarrow is the best cover."

[It would be best if they didn't tell anyone...] The innocent and kind-hearted Sona didn't seem to realize the true meaning of "shut up".

However... Mr. Chen Ce should prioritize his own safety... After all, their target is you, whether they discover my problem is secondary...

"You don't need to worry about me at all." Chen Ce smiled, touching the longsword at his waist, and then used a wisp of magic to glance at Sona's stunningly beautiful face beneath her veil. "Speaking of which, a phrase suddenly came to mind—the darkest place is under the lamp."

How could those Mageseekers have imagined that the "harpist who was kidnapped by Black Mage" they had been searching for was right before their eyes?

Who would have thought that even that "despicable and terrifying Black Mage" was beside them?

It's actually kind of ridiculous.

[Mmm~] Sona also showed a gentle smile.

The two continued walking with the group.

Then they stopped at a post station.

"You can change to horses here." A Mageseekers turned to look at Chen Ce with a friendly smile. "The official road ahead is flat, so you won't have to measure our great Demacia territory on foot."

"Hmm." Chen Ce smiled in response, and then, following the other party's directions, asked the post station manager for a horse.

"You only need one horse?" the Mageseekers asked with a smile, then glanced at Sona was bundled up tightly. "But there are two of you."

"She can't ride a horse," Chen Ce replied, affectionately taking Sona's hand. "We can share one."

"Alright then." The Mageseekers didn't press further, simply smiling and saying, "Bringing your girlfriend along on a mission, your loving relationship is truly enviable."

"It's alright." Chen Ce smiled and helped the slightly blushing Sona onto her horse.

[You could have said I was your sister...] Sona's voice was soft and gentle.

"But I think this is more believable—what's wrong? Are you bothered by this excuse? It's not like there's no chance to change it." Chen Ce replied softly, while simultaneously mounting his horse—his hands encircling the girl's waist and grasping the reins.

Sona was a little shy at the gesture that was tantamount to being hugged from behind, and her pretty face under the veil turned even redder.

[Changing how you address someone now would easily arouse suspicion... so, let's just leave it at that... I don't really mind...]

"I'm glad you don't mind." Chen Ce hugged the girl even more naturally, a sweet smile on his face like that of a boyfriend in the honeymoon phase.

But his eyes were secretly observing the Mageseekers ahead.

Them...

Whispering

Eldred's "reminder" to them.

Freezing rain poured down from the north, washing over the jagged mountains. The mountains behind Fossbarrow formed a natural barrier between Demacia and Freljord.

At this moment, a storm is brewing behind the northern mountains, but the high mountains block out the dark clouds, and the lower slopes are gradually covered with a green carpet of Demacia pines. Although the pines are not afraid of the cold and grow tenaciously, they are bent over by the constant north wind.

Looking east and west, the endless mountains are gradually covered by azure haze, while the sky is a somber black. To the north, the mountainside of the plateau is covered by forests, dotted with cliffs and ravines. This is a treacherous land, teeming with ferocious creatures and wild monsters.

Chen Ce had been traveling with the Mageseekers for two days. From the Great City of Demacia to Edessa, they passed through Pinara and then to Risos, then from Risos to Viros, finally arriving at the city of dragons— Mithral City. They stayed overnight at the inn at the foot of Knight's Rock, and then continued deeper into the northwestern border of Demacia.

The heart of Demacia has been left behind, like a flag torn apart by a fierce wind, leaving only a bare flagpole swaying alone.

Finally, Chen Ce saw the Fossbarrow Tower appear on the horizon.

The lead Mageseekers spurred his horse and broke away from the group to the city gate, where he identified himself to the gatekeeper. Moments later, the city gate swung open.

Clearly, everyone in this town, shrouded in the terror of the "Black Mage," was hoping the kingdom would send help.

They were greeted by Mageseekers who had traveled all the way from Great City.

Not only the guards at the gate, but even the street vendors lined the street to welcome them.

Several Mageseekers hunters smiled and waved like triumphant heroes, basking in the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, as if they had already won a victory upon their arrival.

Chen Ce and Sona, who possessed magical powers, remained silent.

Not long after entering the town, they immediately sensed a dark magical force surging in the shadows, as if something was watching everything from the shadows... The cheering pedestrians on the street looked excited, but all of them walked with heavy steps and were exhausted.

A terrifying curtain fell over Fossbarrow; the situation was worse than Chen Ce had imagined.

The lord of Fossbarrow quickly arranged rooms for everyone to rest and agreed to meet again in the square the next day to discuss a plan to deal with the "Black Mage".

So, before dawn the next day, Chen Ce would naturally have to stay in the same room as his "little girlfriend".

As night fell and darkness deepened outside the window, Sona's complexion did not look good.

[I think I can understand little Lux's feelings now...] She stood by the window, her gaze meeting only a deep, endless darkness. [Ever since I entered Fossbarrow, I've had this uneasy feeling... The shadow of that "monster" looms over this place... I even have trouble sleeping.]

"Yes." Chen Ce nodded. "If nothing unexpected happens, you'll still have nightmares even when you're asleep at night."

[Like Lux said? That kind of nightmare?]

"Hmm, if it really is Nocturne... its specialty is entering other people's dreams and then inflicting endless fear within them."

[That sounds terrifying...] Sona retreated back to the bed, almost instinctively hugging her knees and curling up—a position that gave her a sense of security.

Seeing this, Chen Ce smiled and said, "But don't worry, I won't let that monster succeed."

[Huh...?]

"I have a way to deal with its nightmares."

What method?

"I need to find someone to help me—I know someone who also has the ability to enter other people's dreams, and she used to do it often." Chen Ce stood up and stretched. "But before I contact her, I need to do a test first."

[Test...?] Sona couldn't understand at all.

But it doesn't matter, as long as Chen Ce understands.

He ran straight outside.

Then, using the power of the demon— the Raven's Eyes —he saw Sona in the room and the harp she was holding.

Etwahl... without a doubt, this zither is also a [magical item belonging to one of our heroes].

Moreover, this is much more substantial than the prince's military banner.

If even the prince's flag can be used...

"Teleport..." Chen Ce whispered two words from dozens of meters away outside the house.

Sona was wondering about this when that familiar figure suddenly appeared in front of her again.

The kind of instantaneous teleportation.

[Huh...? Huh...?]

Sona glanced at Chen Ce, then at the tightly closed door—he really did run out just now, didn't he?

They ran a long way without saying a word!

This is...?

"It seems there are no problems." Chen Ce breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled and hugged the girl. "Miss Sona, I really like you so much."

[Eh...? What...?] Sona, confused, blushed again.

Chen Ce continued speaking to himself:

"Fossbarrow is located near the Demacia border, and it's not far from Freljord to the north..."

As night deepened, the figures deep in the forest began to move once again.

Dark clouds that blotted out the sun blocked out all light, even the moonlight that used to filter through the pine needles disappeared, and the dappled shadows of the trees turned into complete darkness.

The woman raised her lantern and approached a centuries-old statue. Its left arm was broken off at the shoulder, but its right hand was outstretched, as if inviting all who saw it to come forward. Above its head, there must have once been an exquisite veil, but now it was covered by vines.

Its shoulders bore a pair of feathered, mangled limbs, giving it a dilapidated and ravaged appearance. Part of its face had been deliberately mutilated, sending a chill down one's spine. The remaining half of its face was not beautiful either—one eye was filled with filth, and its expression was full of disgust, as if it had been born with a deep-seated resentment towards the world.

This is deliberate slander.

But the woman didn't care.

She shook her head and extinguished the lantern.

The last remaining light gradually faded, replaced by Shimmer emanating from her eyes.

She saw her reflection in the almost dried-up stream.

She bears some resemblance to that statue—but it's clear that the real her is infinitely more beautiful.

But she never realized it.

Since that battle... she wore a veil, no longer showing her true face. She knew her face had become a symbol of sin and debauchery in this country, so she never considered herself beautiful.

But she never felt that she was ugly.

Like her withered black wings.

"A fallen angel..."

"The Veiled Lady..."

Morgana.

Chapter 84 Lissandra: I Explain Your Dream

Northern Freljord experiences frequent snowstorms year-round.

In that cold and silent night, the magnificent aurora overhead can completely obliterate the brief daylight, leaving only endless darkness.

Fortunately, the aurora also provided a glimmer of light for the people living on this frozen land.

But there are also some... that cannot even be seen with the aurora borealis.

The winding, zigzagging rock walls blocked out the light of the sky, and the deep, deathly abyss cut off all external sounds... Beneath the frigid ice, perhaps only the whistling of the cold wind whistling through the cracks in the rocks could be heard.

Like the mournful, piercing cry of some kind of life.

Yes, that's why the Howling Abyss got its name.

Beneath the abyss, above the bottom, within the True Ice, two terrifying beings trapped here are eternally locked in battle, each vying to bestow upon the other the gift of death.

But they were like ghosts and spirits that could never be killed... They left countless wounds on each other, even tearing through flesh and pulling out bones several times... yet they still did not die.

Their lifespan is as eternal as the stars in the sky; their existence will last until the end of the world... They are immortal.

So they roar, they fight, and they can only find a trace of "existence" in pain and blood—eternal lifespan is sometimes more tragic than a child who dies young. After a long period of meaningless existence, one can no longer even find the feeling of being alive.

How many days and nights have passed? Aatrox couldn't remember. Here, time seemed to have no meaning; the passing of each minute and second went unnoticed.