Exchange and Departure

"Isn't it about time?"

Gazing at the cold, dark seawater before him, Li Lin murmured to himself.

"... Who exactly are you people?"

Rolandis stood beside him, gazing at the man's profile, and finally couldn't help but ask her question. She knew very well that her current status was extremely special, and whether the outcome was good or bad was no longer something she could worry about. Therefore, she could now set aside her burdens and ask this question that she had pondered for a long time without finding an answer.

In Rolandis's eyes, Li Lin and his group were clearly strange. Since they had kidnapped her, the granddaughter of a high mage, it meant they had done something terrible. But all Rolandis had heard was about this man and his strange Dark Elf caravan. If the man had committed some offense against the Dark Elf, then his haste to leave would be understandable. However, in any case, it had nothing to do with kidnapping her. After all, if the Dark Elf caused trouble, not only the king but even the Temple would intervene. Although her grandfather was powerful, Rolandis knew very well that he couldn't control the Temple. Trying to force her grandfather and the Temple to stop in this way would obviously be counterproductive.

Aside from that, Rolandis knew nothing about the man before her. Rolandis did, however, understand a little about the little girl beside him. Although she appeared as a lovely and beautiful angel, the ruthlessness and malice hidden within her were probably unmatched even by the devil. Moreover, while the little girl appeared perfectly human, Rolandis didn't believe it. But Rolandis couldn't see through this man at all. Rumor had it that he had killed the Empire's genius mage, Noah, with a mere flick of his wrist, as easily as drinking tea or eating. This man must possess immense power, yet that seemed impossible given his age. Rolandis considered herself not much older than him, but she couldn't fathom his true strength. However, the fact that he carried a talking book greatly surprised Rolandis. She had seen many strange magical artifacts, but this was the first time she had ever seen one that could speak like a human.

It's obvious that this black-haired man possesses immense power... but why...?

"Hey, woman."

Just then, Angela's cold voice interrupted Rolandis's thoughts.

"Who gave you permission to stare at your master? What, seeing a good man makes you want to make love to him?"

"Nonsense! Nonsense!!"

Rolandis was startled, realizing that she had been staring at Li Lin's profile without his noticing. It wasn't admiration, but rather the gaze of someone surveying an enemy or something unknown. However, Angela couldn't understand such a possibility. She quickly lowered her head, silently scolding him; she didn't want to be misunderstood. Fortunately, Li Lin seemed to be enjoying the sea view and hadn't noticed Rolandis, or perhaps he had but chose not to.

In reality, Li Lin was completely oblivious to the two people beside him. He was simply gazing silently at the vast, boundless sea, letting his memories carry him into that ancient Abyss.

"So much time has passed..."

He sighed softly.

But the sea is still the sea... nothing has changed...

People die, nations perish, and even the grandest buildings turn to dust in the winds of time. But some things remain constant.

A faint ripple appeared, causing Li Lin, who had been somewhat lost in thought, to snap back to reality. He quietly gazed at the empty ground before him and murmured to himself.

"They've arrived."

As Li Lin spoke, the space in front of them began to distort. The scenery seemed to be grasped by an invisible force, gradually changing its original shape. Multicolored light appeared from the middle, expanding into a doorway that could allow people to pass through. Then, an old mage walked out from inside. He was wearing a white robe and looked somewhat haggard and tired.

"Grandfather!!"

Upon seeing the old mage, Rolandis instinctively wanted to run towards him, but Angela grabbed her hand. Although it looked like a younger sister holding her older sister's hand affectionately, the piercing pain from her palm reminded Roland of her status. Rolandis hesitated. She could easily use magic to break free from Angela, but the scene of Angela passing through the Flame Shield barehanded was still fresh in her mind, reminding Rolandis that it was best not to act rashly for now.

"Hello, Master."

"Your Excellency, the Arcane Mage."

The old man had clearly been having a difficult time lately. Not only did he have to worry about his granddaughter, but he also had to help Li Lin cover up their disappearance while avoiding arousing the king's suspicion. Even as a great mage, it would be difficult for him to do so many things at the same time.

"As per your request, I have completed your commission."

"Angela."

Li Lin didn't answer immediately, but turned to look at Angela standing beside him. After hearing Li Lin's words, Angela closed her eyes, and after a while, she slowly opened them, nodding slightly reluctantly. Then she released her small hand.

"Grandfather!!"

The restraints had been lifted, and Rolandis could no longer hold back. She rushed to her grandfather's side and threw herself into his arms.

"As you can see, I have returned your granddaughter to you unharmed."

Li Lin spoke in a deep voice, but the old mage did not respond. Instead, he began to chant incantations, then simply hugged his granddaughter. Magical light appeared on Rolandis's body; clearly, the old mage was checking whether Rolandis had been cursed or poisoned. This action made Angela narrow her eyes in dissatisfaction. She looked at Li Lin, but Li Lin's outstretched hand pressed down on Angela's small head, forcing her to suppress her anger.

"Indeed, esteemed Arcane Mage."

After confirming that his granddaughter was alright, the old mage sent her into the teleportation portal, then turned around and bowed deeply to Li Lin.

"Arcane Mage always keep their word."

Li Lin raised an eyebrow.

"So, I have now fulfilled my promise. There is no longer any contractual relationship between us."

"That's right."

Li Lin nodded in response to the old mage's clearly pointed words.

"What you want to do next is your own business."

As Li Lin spoke, he twirled his fingers, while Angela licked her lips, revealing an excited expression.

The hostages have been returned, meaning the biggest constraint has been lifted. Furthermore, the agreement between Li Lin and the old mage only lasted until Rolandis was returned. After that, they had no further connection. Therefore, whether the old mage wants to fight or leave is entirely his decision.

"... Then, please allow me to take my leave."

"Random."

Li Lin wasn't surprised by the old mage's choice. Clearly, the old mage's face showed he hadn't been having a good time lately, and his mental state wasn't good. Moreover, the safe return of Rolandis had put him at ease, leaving him with no will to fight. Under these circumstances, choosing to fight Li Lin would obviously be a death sentence. Therefore, the old mage ultimately chose to retreat. After all, Li Lin hadn't done anything to harm the empire. Although his identity as Arcane Mage meant he wouldn't let the Kingdom of Kudel so easily, at least for now, he hadn't done anything to actually harm the empire's interests. Of course, in the past, facing a potential future threat, the old mage would have chosen to eliminate him before he grew stronger. But Li Lin's power had already exceeded what he could eliminate.

"Arcane Mage."

The old mage walked to the portal, stopped, turned his head, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He simply turned back, lowered his head, sighed, and then stepped into the portal.

"Master, you really shouldn't have let that old man go."

Watching the old mage disappear into the portal, Angela spoke with an unfriendly expression.

"Once he gets back, he'll surely remind that idiot king to be more vigilant."

"That possibility cannot be ruled out."

Li Lin finally removed his hand from Angela's head, and Angela hurriedly shook her hair and tidied it up again.

"However, I highly doubt how many people would believe him, Angela. If on Earth a doctor appeared before the president and told him that Egypt king from a thousand years ago had been resurrected and was preparing to attack with his army of mummies, how credible do you think that news would be?"

"Probably around 10%."

Angela replied with dissatisfaction. Although she could sometimes appear very radical, Angela, after all, Vampire Species had lived for thousands of years, and her experience was naturally far beyond that of ordinary people. She also understood that even if the old mage had issued a warning, given the scale of the Kingdom of Kudel's current strategic plan against Lalia, it was neither possible nor interesting for them to spare the time to deal with some undead from a thousand years ago. Moreover, the old mage did not have sufficient evidence to prove his claim, and to take defensive measures against it would be a huge waste. For a nation, wasting its energy on a vague and uncertain crisis was a very foolish thing to do.

Angela wasn't unaware of these principles, but all she wanted to do was kill.

Some things cannot be changed by the passage of time.

When a person is young, they may insist on their own opinions and beliefs, believing that only they are right. This can be seen as youthful ignorance, because at this stage, they are just establishing their own world and values, and naturally, they will not allow others to contradict their views. As they grow, society and the world around them will have enough influence to change them. They will try to reconcile and change their views and attitudes, and adapt to their surroundings. However, when they mature, they will no longer be changed by the world. Because in the process of growing up, they have learned to observe and decide everything with their own perspective, their own standpoint, and their own thinking, thus forming their own values. After that, no matter how the world changes, their values are difficult to change. Because they have become an indispensable part of their individuality, denying their own values is equivalent to denying the hardships they have endured and the results they have achieved, which is equivalent to denying and changing their own life.

Angela is the same.

Li Lin was no exception.

"Stop being so childish here."

Li Lin patted Angela's head again.

"I told you, there will be plenty of people for you to kill in the future, so just bear with it for now."

There's really no way around it.

Angela frowned. She had to admit that Li Lin was right, but seeing fish in front of her but not being able to eat it was torture for a cat. Seeing that Angela's expression softened again, Li Lin smiled and turned around, then saw the two sisters walking towards them.

"And we should get going... Angela? You're not afraid of water, are you?"