Angela's Heart, the Reminiscer

When Angela awoke from her deep sleep, it was already late at night.

Beside her, Li Lin was sleeping. He didn't seem to react to the little one waking up. Angela quietly raised her head and looked to the other side of Li Lin, where Nia was tightly hugging his other arm and closing her eyes happily.

Happiness?

Angela couldn't help but smile. And what about herself? Did she feel happy?

Thinking of this, the little guy gently reached out and stroked Li Lin's cheek. After completing that weapon, Li Lin adopted a somewhat "do your best and leave the rest to fate" attitude. He no longer managed the mages and the army, but instead began his daily life, taking Angela around to show her the past, present, and future of the Magic Empire. He also made a promise with Angela that after the war ended and everything was back on track, he would accompany Angela to the Astral Plane again. Perhaps if he had time, he would take Angela to the City of Doors —according to Li Lin, it was definitely the most unpredictable place in the entire multiverse.

However, once this war is over... Angela frowned. She didn't like this way of speaking, but Li Lin obviously didn't care. He didn't think that such a so-called "forbidden phrase" could pose any threat to him. In Li Lin's view, everything was going according to his plan. Everything was going smoothly with Catherine, and everything was going smoothly with the Magic Empire. Although there were still a few unstable elements, they were within his control, and their uncertainty was completely tolerable in Li Lin's view.

As a Vampire Species, Angela never quite understood Li Lin's penchant for control. It was the same on Earth. Although he didn't have enemies like the Five-Nation Alliance there, Li Lin still preferred to keep everything under his control. Even the human girl's feelings for him had developed within Li Lin's expectations, without exceeding his expectations. Therefore, Li Lin wasn't surprised at all by the girl's confession and had already prepared a response.

However, perhaps the only thing that surprised him was himself.

Angela remembered it all very clearly. When she first "ambushed" Li Lin, he was just a boy not much older than her. She remembered the events of that night vividly. At first, Li Lin only saw her as a playmate he secretly teased, but Angela's powerful strength quickly made him realize something was wrong. Moreover, when she saw the confusion and panic in the boy's eyes, Angela felt extremely pleased. She even planned to imitate the behavior of men towards women that she had witnessed thousands of times over the years, to "rape and then kill" the boy. Perhaps, from a certain perspective, this could be considered Angela's rebellion against male chauvinism.

However... things then changed, and Angela realized that the other party was not simply a boy with immense Magic Power.

Although the Vampire Species's powerful Magic Power resistance negated some of the spell the opponent hastily cast, Angela still felt that a part of her soul had been permanently connected to him. This discovery greatly surprised Angela. Having lived on Earth for thousands of years, she had witnessed all sorts of witchcraft, magic, and even strange rituals of some Angela tribes. However, the power wielded by this boy was completely unheard of. Therefore, she quickly became interested in him.

Later, when faced with Angela's questions, the boy didn't hide his identity. Although his explanation sounded somewhat unbelievable, Angela ultimately decided to believe him. After all, she sensed that his energy wasn't as simple as she had imagined. Moreover, after Li Lin demonstrated a few spells to Angela, she immediately became quite interested. According to Li Lin, this was magic from another world, unlike the deceptive stories in books. In that world, dragons truly flew in the sky, elves ran on the ground, and there was magic, knights, and gods.

Angela was immediately captivated by Li Lin's description. As an being, one who possessed knowledge of the Root, she had already explored many places on Earth alone, even those considered forbidden zones by humans. The little one was full of interest, as she wasn't afraid of radiation, and the intense pressure and thin air posed no problem for Angela. However, the little one had had enough of this mundane life. She desperately wanted to find new excitement, and this time, Angela discovered that she had finally found it.

At first, Angela merely used Li Lin as a tool to achieve her goals. In the little girl's view, once he took her to that world, they could go their separate ways; Angela could travel and enjoy herself, while Li Lin could carry out his plans. Of course, if Li Lin disagreed with the idea, she wouldn't mind creating a loyal slave for herself—although Li Lin said that this master-slave contract would weaken the other's power when one party suffered great harm, Angela, who controlled the Root life and death, clearly didn't care. Even if Li Lin died, and the contract brought her annihilation, so what? Even if she was reduced to ashes, as long as life existed in the world, she would be resurrected.

As for this interesting fellow? Although it would be a pity to lose him, it doesn't mean the little guy will cry and grieve. Throughout the long history, Angela has experienced too many separations and deaths, and has become very indifferent to death itself.

However, in her subsequent interactions with this man, Angela discovered that she was gradually becoming attracted to him.

He was calm, composed, methodical, and confident in everything he did, never failing. Unlike the men Angela had met before, he wasn't hesitant about matters of the heart, always half-heartedly rejecting advances even when offered. Angela had overheard some men joking that when women said "no," they actually meant "yes," and based on the young man's experience, men were the same. In fact, Li Lin tried his best to fulfill Angela's requests—and his skills were exceptionally good.

Of course, Angela was still very proud, considering that her partner was a man who could even sleep with goddesses.

But now... Angela finds that her feelings for him don't seem to be the same as before.

"Owner..."

She gently stroked Li Lin's cheek, a surge of unprecedented emotion welling up inside her, and then a voice echoed in her mind.

"You've finally found what you were looking for, darling."

"What I desire?"

Angela didn't speak, but frowned slightly, then responded to the other person's words in her mind. She was familiar with this voice, because it was the other "Angela" hiding deep within her heart, the one she protected, the one Angela Li Lin had once seen deep within Angela's heart. Her personality wasn't as violent as Angela's; in fact, that other personality had always been hiding in the most vulnerable part of Angela's soul, slowly recovering its strength.

"Yes, that's what we want."

Angela's voice carried a deep sense of attachment and affection.

Isn't this exactly what we've been searching for?

"..."

Angela fell silent.

"What we're looking for?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"It is you who has been searching for this, isn't it? I was merely protecting you... Those arrogant humans must be trampled upon. What have they done to you, to me? Have you forgotten? Of course, my master is not among them; he is not one of those foolish humans, but..."

"See, you admit it too."

Angela chuckled softly.

"I hate those humans. They bully me, they're afraid of me, and then they hurt me... But, Li Lin, Master, Master, he's not like that. Hasn't he always accepted our actions? Even when we vented our anger on those humans, he never stopped us, did he? And he likes us very much, doesn't he? He accepted everything about us and never hated us. What we've been searching for, we've found..."

"Snort!"

Hearing this, Angela slightly, gave a cold snort, and then buried her head in Li Lin's chest again.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. All I know is that my master is what I want, and he must maintain this way. If he fails, I will destroy him with my own hands! This is just the beginning. You're thinking far too simply. Do you expect to be strapped to a cross? Fool!"

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."

The "Angela" clearly had no intention of arguing with her anymore. After letting out a few soft laughs, she once again slipped into Angela's heart.

"I'm not that stupid... you're such an idiot!"

Angela muttered something under her breath, as if grumbling, and then closed her eyes.

She began to enjoy once again the peace and warmth she had always longed for but never acknowledged.

"Then, everything is ready."

Finally, as spring turned to summer, Li Lin's preparations were also nearing completion.

According to the gods, Mount Celestia has broken through four levels of its realm, and the remaining three levels are on the verge of collapse. Of course, the Prime Material Plane has also felt these aftershocks. Fortunately, compared to the first time, these are only very small fluctuations, and the resulting earthquakes are quite minor, without causing any frightening scenes like tsunamis or volcanic eruptions. However, the continuous tremors still aroused suspicion. Princess Shirley and the Kingdom of Serei have sent people to inquire more than once about what happened. In their view, such an unusual disaster must be related to the Magic Empire. However, Li Lin's answer was quite official and formal. He admitted that something was happening, but it was not appropriate to say it outright. If they really wanted to know what had happened, then let them come here themselves to find out the answer.

In any case, the concept of a divine plane is far beyond the comprehension of these nations. Even if they knew the truth, they could only wait helplessly.

By this time, the army of the Magic Empire was also ready.

To date, 3,500 mages who survived the Magic Empire era have chosen to live with physical bodies and finite lifespans. While this means they may face death again, it also grants them the right to fight. These mages have all been assigned by Li Lin to Yi Aier's Magic Weapon Construct Department. The ground fortress has already mass-produced fifteen of these weapons, enough to sustain them until the end of the war. Of course, these weapons serve more as a deterrent against ground threats, but their most important purpose is to deal with the Angel Legion. If the Angel Legion intervenes, only magic and angelic power can harm them. The Undead Army? Those things are only good for killing people in the early stages; they have little chance against Holy Light.

Speaking of the Scourge Legion, we must mention Angela again. Sensing that the final battle is approaching, the little one is becoming increasingly excited. She even personally led the charge once more, gathering all the undead creatures from the Federation, Kudel, and Lalia Continent to the heart of the Federation, totaling over a million! The dark mass of undead roamed below the city, a sight that even made Li Lin a little apprehensive. This army, even if sent to the Lower Planes, would be enough to give those demons a run for their money.

"A report has already been sent to Catherine!"

Standing in front of the map, Li Lin's expression was unusually serious.

"She's done a great job. According to Catherine's report, she has successfully gathered the people of the United Kingdom within a region centered on the capital city. What we need to do is wage a siege!"

"Encirclement?"

Miu'erkasi frowned.

"Your Majesty, this siege..."

"Anna, Yi Aier, Miu'erkasi."

Li Lin waved his hand and then moved the map to a different location.

"I need you to move your floating cities to these three directions. Then, I will move the Ringwraith City directly in front of the Dideyasi Royal City, and prepare for a direct confrontation. Of course, I don't think the outcome will change. I will activate the 'Virgin Goddess's Jewelry' immediately to inflict maximum damage on them, and at the same time, they will inevitably scatter and flee. My requirement is that the three of you must completely surround these guys and use your full strength to inflict area-of-effect damage. I'm not worried about Yi Aier and Miu'erkasi; the problem is you, Anna."

As he spoke, Li Lin turned his gaze to the petite girl standing beside him.

"You don't have enough troops, so I will send a Scourge Legion to you. However, they can only sustain you until the God of Justice opens the dimensional portal and releases the Angel Legion and the Book. I will try to delay this process as much as possible, but there's always a limit. You must eliminate most of the Alliance before then! Do your utmost! Because once the portal opens, you must return to Ringwraith City. I have no doubt that the God of Justice will attack us. Therefore, if you haven't returned by then, things could become very complicated. I don't want to see you or the city you govern suffer any damage, understand?!"

"Yes!"

The three nodded quickly, but then Miu'erkasi frowned.

"Your Majesty, such a Great Book of Law..."

Let's take it one step at a time.

Li Lin replied somewhat angrily. In fact, based on the information he received from the gods, they were clearly not as reckless as Li Lin had imagined. They were unwilling to use their divine realms to collide with and hinder the progress of the God of Justice. This infuriated Li Lin, and he even issued a death order to the gods at the Astral Plane Meeting: if they could not contribute to stopping the God of Justice, Li Lin would proceed with the original plan to seal off the Prime Material Plane, and might even leave their current location sooner, leaving them to play this game themselves. As for the outcome, only heaven knew.

Hopefully his threats will work.

In Li Lin's plan, before the dimensional collision, he would proactively declare war on the United Kingdom. At that time, the God of Justice would inevitably open a portal for a final, desperate fight. Li Lin would then need to use a vast amount of magic and his Angel Legion to combat the enemy's power and the warriors on the ground. However, the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys remained by his side, waiting for the Goddess of Theft to bring him the Great Book of Law —this was the crucial point. Without the Great Book of Law, the outcome of the battle—whether the God of Justice or Li Lin —would be irrelevant; Li Lin would ultimately lose. Because at that point, he would have no way to destroy the God of Justice. Therefore, for Li Lin, the Great Book of Law was essential. He had to obtain this artifact, which only Arcane Mage could use, to finally restore order to the path disrupted by the God of Justice.

However, this is not easy.

Various unforeseen events could occur. For instance, Mount Celestia might collide with the Prime Material Plane earlier than Li Lin anticipated, in which case he might seal off the Prime Material Plane earlier and relocate. Or perhaps the opposing force would be too strong—after all, the God of Justice still wields supreme divine power, and it's hard to say whether he might create something else like the Pointer of Fate. Besides, even if the God of Justice were to give up, he understands that Li Lin currently has no way to kill him. Therefore, even if he is as weak as a scoundrel, Li Lin cannot completely take his life.

Unless you obtain the Great Book of Law.

And...

"Angela."

As he spoke, Li Lin turned his gaze to the girl standing beside him, who had a bright, excited smile on her face.

"In the final stages of this war, I will need your help, and I will desperately need it."

"Of course, Master."

Angela revealed a smug, proud smile.

"Whatever you want me to do, I will perfectly fulfill your wishes."