The Administrator

The caravan set off again, leaving the Kasos City. Li Lin noticed that the fat merchant riding on the Deep Lizard was unusually looking back every few steps, seemingly with a lingering reluctance and disbelief as he gazed at the dilapidated city walls that were being rebuilt.

"Sir businessman, it seems you're reluctant to leave?"

"No, Master."

Upon hearing Li Lin's words, the merchant finally turned around, but judging from his expression, he still seemed quite reluctant to leave.

"But... this might be my first and last time coming to the city of the Dark Elf in the Underdark. Just thinking about it makes me unable to hold back..."

"This won't be the last time."

"Why?"

The fat businessman looked up in surprise at Li Lin, who was staring ahead, as if what he had just heard was just an illusion.

But soon, he heard the next sentence, confirming that he wasn't dreaming.

"There will be other opportunities, believe me."

The caravan's journey this time went very smoothly, but the atmosphere within the group was far less tense than before. The reason for this change was the addition of a new member.

"Hey, you over there, that bow of yours looks pretty good. How about I take a look?"

"Hey, don't keep that long face. We're traveling in the dark underground, and you're still wearing that deadpan expression. Be careful, or you might actually become dead and then you'll be left with nothing but burial paperwork!"

"Huh? What's wrong? My dear lady, why do you have such a deadpan expression?"

"Get out of my way, you brainless little devil."

"How rude of me! I have a brain, and... rolling around isn't bad either. How about I hold you in my arms and we roll around together?"

This can't go on.

Li Lin's head started to hurt again.

"Master... um..."

Fina, unusually, put down her magic notebook.

"Is it really okay for you not to stop that lady?"

"It seems Miss Angela is about to be driven crazy by her."

Mina stood beside Fina, hesitantly observing the figure that everyone else was deliberately avoiding. It wasn't that she was afraid the elf would harm her, but rather that the little creature could potentially pose a life-threatening threat to her.

"Li Lin, think of something."

Nia closed the book in her hand.

"I won't be able to read at this rate."

"... You can go too."

"That's too much trouble, I don't want to. I'm not Suoxiate, I don't have the confidence to control her."

Does that mean I can?

Li Lin's lips twitched slightly, and he swallowed his words. Indeed, he was Kalin's creator; if even he couldn't control her, then the whole situation would be far too ridiculous. Moreover, Li Lin had already realized that while Kalin genuinely meant no harm, Angela was undeniably on the verge of a rampage. Although she had obeyed Li Lin's orders and hadn't laid a hand on Kalin, everyone has their limits. While Kalin found Angela's expression amusing, those familiar with Angela personality found it far less amusing.

"Kalin, that's enough."

Li Lin finally raised his hand in protest, despite the disapproving looks from the other three girls.

"I told you, Angela is my familiar. It's not a good thing for you to bully your master's familiar like this."

"It's just a simple intimate exchange, sir, there's no need to take it so seriously."

Kalin spoke somewhat casually, but quickly jumped back, and then her next target turned to the fat merchant in front of her.

"Hey, you're a businessman, right? Then you must have traveled to quite a few places. How about we chat?"

Things have finally calmed down.

The mercenaries breathed a sigh of relief, releasing their hands from their waists. Fina also sighed softly, carefully reopening her magic notebook to read the intricate and complex spells. Mina glanced here and there, ultimately not daring to approach Angela as she had before. As for Nia, she indifferently reopened her book; undisturbed, she naturally paid no heed.

"Okay, come here."

Looking at the little one still sulking behind him, Li Lin smiled helplessly, then waved to Angela. Angela hesitated for a moment, but finally came to Li Lin's side and climbed into his arms as if she knew the ropes.

"Master, I despise that woman."

She buried her face in Li Lin's arms, clearly very angry.

I know I've made you suffer.

Li Lin stroked Angela's silver hair and shook his head helplessly. He knew Angela's personality all too well; for the little one to be so patient was quite a concession for her. Normally, she would have chased after Kalin and given her a good beating.

"I don't care, because she is your weapon, Master. Although she may not be as lovable as Sister Nia, she is at least an asset to you, and I won't mind."

If it weren't for Angela's clenched teeth expression, these words would have been quite pleasant to hear overall.

"Just be patient a little longer."

However, seeing the little guy's unusually helpless expression, Li Lin found it amusing. Normally, Angela would do whatever she wanted, and when had she ever been so tolerant of anyone other than him? To put it extremely, it was commonplace for Angela to kill someone simply because they bumped into her or were verbally abused. Yet now, facing Kalin's "offensive," she was able to remain rational instead of resorting to violence. Although, according to common sense, such tolerance could only be considered within acceptable limits, even judgments must be made based on the individual.

"Once we find Suoxiate, you won't have to worry about her anymore."

"Suoxiate?"

Angela looked up curiously, all the anger on her face vanishing.

"This name sounds familiar. I heard you mention it before, Master, in the City of a Thousand Towers. Is it such a powerful weapon?"

"Impressive... As a weapon, Suoxiate's value is practically zero; in fact, she has absolutely no combat skills."

Li Lin scratched his head, seemingly considering how to explain it to Angela.

"You've seen how Nia and the book look, haven't you? While they could be considered perfect, they're not without their flaws. Like now, they lose track of time and their surroundings whenever they're reading, making them unsuitable for managing the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys. Therefore, to manage and integrate their existence, I created an object specifically— Suoxiate. At least, under her command, even the most eccentric weapon will obey. Furthermore, she's responsible for contacting all the weapons; no matter where they are, I can easily sense their presence."

"That was in the past, Li Lin."

Nia flipped through the book in her hands, but for some reason, there was a hint of coldness hidden in her words.

"We kept her by your side because we trusted her, but in the end, we lost that trust. She failed in her duty to protect you, and she didn't call upon us."

"... We don't know the full story yet, so let's not jump to conclusions, Nia."

Li Lin turned to Nia in front of him and sighed softly. The reason why six of the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys could leave him without worry was precisely because of Suoxiate's presence. Her special ability could have ignored space and summoned the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys back to Luoxia's (Li Lin's ) side to serve him. In other words, during the final battle of the Magic Empire, Suoxiate should have fulfilled her duty and summoned the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys back. However, the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys only learned of the Magic Empire's fall after Luoxia's death, which inevitably affected and puzzled them.

The Seven Ring Spirit Envoys always been closely united around Li Lin —their loyalty to their master has made them a solid team. Although, in reality, Nia practically came from the same background as the other six weapons, is undoubtedly the leader of the team, Nia herself has neither the interest nor the inclination to do so. Therefore, the actual task of managing the entire team falls to Suoxiate was created specifically for this purpose.

"However, it is also true that we did not feel her call when you were in danger, Your Excellency."

Even Kalin, who had been chatting with the merchant, now revealed dissatisfaction and coldness in her words.

Originally, it was because of her that they felt safe leaving the Empire to carry out their missions. However, because of this trust, they were betrayed; their master, whom they had always served, was killed, the Magic Empire fell, and the familiar world underwent earth-shattering changes. This was not a cause for celebration for the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys —except perhaps for Li Lin's resurrection.

This does not mean that the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys will forgive Suoxiate.

Li Lin let out a long sigh. Even Kalin, who was naturally calm and carefree, was speaking in such a serious tone. He never expected things to develop to this point.

"Facts are not the whole truth. Don't just focus on what you see without investigating what's hidden behind the scenes."

Recalling the scene before his death, Li Lin shook his head and said nothing. He had originally wanted to tell the truth, but seeing that both of them were clearly in a bad mood, he decided not to bring it up for the time being. He believed that by then, the two of them would be able to understand Suoxiate.

"You'll understand then. All I can say is that, in the end, she did her duty just as diligently as you did."