"What was that just now..."
Only after the images in his mind receded like the tide did Greg's perspective return to reality.
He blinked, feeling as though his consciousness had surfaced from the depths of the sea, leaving him with a contrast between dazed confusion and vivid reality.
He was still in the same secluded corner. The sounds of battle continued in the distance, and Wendy stood before him, her cheeks flushed as she watched him anxiously.
"Um, Bishop..."
Wendy's voice carried a hint of cautious uncertainty:
"You went completely stiff just now... Did you really hate me doing that to you?"
Greg answered immediately, "Of course not. If it's you, Wendy, I don't mind at all. In fact, I'm pretty happy about it."
His tone sounded lighthearted, but deep down, worries were quietly taking root.
Everything that had just happened proved that Wendy was far more than simply the Fifth Imperial Princess.
Greg had originally thought the third floor's lord boss had targeted Wendy only to remove the greatest political obstacle to the Crown Prince's succession.
But now, it seemed Wendy herself might have been one of its reasons for leaving the Dungeon.
For someone who could make a lord of the Imperial Dungeon risk venturing to the surface, and who bore similarities to the Broken Mother, Greg could think of only one explanation.
Wendy might have some connection to the Mother of the Clepsydra.
"Really?"
Genuine joy blossomed across Wendy's face, but she soon reined it in a little and asked with concern:
"Then how do you feel now, Bishop? Has anything changed in your body?"
Greg glanced at the notifications that had appeared on his system panel:
``` [Absorbed a large quantity of special magic power]
[Level 3 World-Devouring Black Flame advanced to Level 4 Seed of