Trap, Hidden Shadow

These Red Robe Mage were the first targets Li Lin and his group needed to deal with. After all, if they actually showed up during the riot, it would likely incite discontent among most of the people in City of a Thousand Towers. Even if the old mages ultimately thwarted the plot, they would still have to break ties with the Mages' Association. City of a Thousand Towers was, after all, a nominally autonomous city; if they were left speechless after such a mess, not only would the old mages' reputation suffer, but it wouldn't be good for the future development of City of a Thousand Towers either.

Since the other side was coming into the city to cause a riot, they naturally wouldn't be very conspicuous. And as Li Lin and the old mages had predicted, with the help of magic, these Red Robe Mage easily evaded the gaze of others and entered the city. Now, all they needed to do was find a suitable place to stay and wait for the plan to begin.

They were very satisfied, and Li Lin was also very satisfied.

Because this way, killing people won't seem so troublesome.

Of course, the fact that the opponent is a mage is still troublesome enough.

While mages generally aren't physically strong, this doesn't mean they're as fragile as paper. In fact, their vulnerability makes them the class with the strongest escape methods. Almost every mage has two or three ways to save their life, making it extremely difficult to truly kill one. This is why Li Lin always uses Dimensional Lock first; once the mage's connection to space is severed, they can't get very far.

There were five Red Robe Mages in total. According to Nia's observation, there were two high-level mages and two mid-level mages. They were led by the archmage Isabel. Nia and Angela each dealt with the two high-level mages, while Mina and Fina dealt with the two mid-level mages. Isabel, the archmage, was left to Li Lin's care. The three old mages didn't need to move; they simply needed to sit quietly on the top floor and pretend nothing had happened. After all, the lower-ranking nobles were also keeping a close eye on things, and if the three old mages made any move, it could create unnecessary complications, which was certainly not the situation Li Lin wanted to see.

Angela was unhappy about assigning the two sisters to this task. In her view, these two little girls hadn't even fully matured yet, and asking them to kill someone now would likely ruin everything. Fina, though hesitant, eventually agreed. Mina, on the other hand, seemed to have completely given up resistance, doing whatever Li Lin said.

"While I do indeed wish to see them revel in the pleasure of killing, this matter is of utmost importance, Master."

Angela frowned.

"Are you sure this is really a good idea? It could be very troublesome if they mess things up."

Although the little one likes to do things her own way, she won't cause trouble for Li Lin when it comes to the big picture.

"With their current strength, dealing with those two mid-level mages shouldn't be a problem."

After careful consideration, Li Lin gave his answer.

"I believe they have the ability."

"Yes, little girls."

Angela glared fiercely at the two sisters who stood rooted to the spot, too afraid to even breathe because of her menacing gaze.

"If you disappoint your master, then I will absolutely not hesitate to punish you. Vampire Species have many methods of punishment, some of which even those of my kind who have lived for a thousand years cannot endure. I wonder if you can withstand them? But rest assured, if you fail, I will have prepared the best punishment for you."

At this point, there's practically no turning back.

"Of course, I won't send you to the battlefield like this."

As he spoke, Li Lin reached into his hand, pulled out a scroll, and handed it to Fina.

"This is the scroll of the Dimensional Anchor. You should know how to use it. Once you use it, you won't have to worry about those mages taking the opportunity to escape. As for Mina... your swordsmanship is enough to help you complete the mission. Remember my words: if you're not confident you can kill with one blow, then attack the mage's hand first. That's a mage's second life; once it's injured, it will have a significant impact on the mage."

Li Lin paused for a moment before continuing.

"This is all I can do to help you. With your abilities, you should be able to handle it. Of course, if any problems arise... after Angela's punishment, I will still have a lot for you to do."

Looking at her sisters, whose faces were as pale as paper, Li Lin still wore that gentle, quiet smile.

"Believe me, the punishment for a mage won't be much worse than that for Vampire Species."

Amidst fierce competition, both in front and behind.

Now, the two sisters have no choice but to fight tooth and nail.

Although Angela doesn't know the magic of this world, based on Li Lin's understanding of her, the little one's abilities are so powerful that even he himself would find them troublesome, let alone dealing with these ordinary mages.

According to Nia's spell, it was quickly determined that the four mages were staying at a high-end hotel not far from here, while Isabel was nowhere to be found, and finding her didn't seem easy. Perhaps the previous spying had alerted the female mage. In any case, although Nia could find her again now, the changes brought about by the shift in magical power might make the female mage more cautious or change her plans. This was not a good sign, but since it was entrusted to Li Lin, all the troubles wouldn't be too great.

One of the mid-level mages went to contact Ailas, while the other waited in the inn. The two high-level mages seemed to have nothing to do, so they stayed in their rooms, which was a very unfavorable situation for an assassination. Because the three rooms were very close together, if someone heard the sounds coming from next door, all their efforts could be in vain.

"So, what do we do now?"

Angela stood in the shadows not far from the inn, her black shadow like wings enveloping her. On the other side, Nia quietly observed the inn, carefully considering her options and waiting for an opportunity. Magical light concealed her and Fina's figures, making them invisible to everyone.

The mystery of magic.

"Hoo hoo hoo... Let me make the first move."

Angela made a gesture and said with a cold smile.

"Dealing with these foolish trash, I could take care of them in just a few seconds. Although Sister Nia's tricks were indeed interesting, Vampire Species also have their Vampire Species fighting style. The Vampire Clan isn't called the Dark Nobles for nothing... Fina, open your eyes wide and watch carefully, this is how Vampire Species fight."

The first unfortunate victim is about to appear.

As a high-ranking mage with some renown within the Red Robe Association, he was currently gazing out the window at the land, imagining himself as the ruler of this place. In truth, when the Mages' Association issued a decree transferring him to the side of the most disliked woman in the association, he already knew he had become the target of retaliation. No member of the Mages' Association was unaware that Isabel was a viper, utterly devoid of any likable qualities—insidious, selfish, and cunning. Although her beautiful exterior concealed her true nature, anyone who worked by her side for a while would realize that a woman's outer layer was the most unreliable thing.

But now? The Mages' Association sent her here, and she's ultimately alone and outnumbered. Facing those three archmages won't be easy, even though they've already accepted their orders and will help Isabel carry out her ridiculous plan. But that doesn't mean he's without ulterior motives—after all, battles between mages are unpredictable. If something unexpected happens during the fight with the three archmages, causing Isabel to lose her fighting ability or die, then he wouldn't mind taking over the city's administration from her. Of course, if possible, it would be best to spare her life. Then, casting a permanent Feeblemind on this woman and watching that once-proud female mage kneel before him like a bitch wouldn't be a bad choice...

Thinking of this, the monk felt his throat become dry. Just as he was hesitating whether to ask the bartender to find him a woman to quell his thirst, a string of almost inaudible, silvery laughter came from behind him.

"Yes..."

He turned away, swallowing back the words he was about to say.

On the large bed behind him, a petite and adorable girl sat, her body draped in a gorgeous and beautiful dress, her long white stockings peeking out from beneath the skirt. Her round and delicate feet dangled idly, exuding a touch of innocence and allure. Her silver-white hair cascaded down her back, complementing her incredibly beautiful features and creating an unusual aesthetic.

Hello, big brother.

The girl's sweet, gentle voice seemed to enter the mage's mind directly, suppressing the dangerous thoughts that were about to surface in him.

"Angela is bored. Want to play a game with Angela?"

"Games? What games?"

Gazing at Angela's slender and beautiful legs revealed through her skirt, the mage couldn't help but swallow hard, lowering his voice to ask, as if someone in his mind was instructing him to do so.

"It's a fun game... Angela can't play it alone... It's a game of arranging dolls, would you like to play together, big brother?"

Angela chuckled, placing her small hand lightly on her leg before sliding it upwards, stopping at the hem of her skirt. If she took just one more step, she would see the girl's inner secret.

"Big brother, can you help Angela? Please..."

"Oh... of course..."

Gazing into those blood-red eyes, the mage felt his consciousness fading. Though his instincts warned him of imminent danger, the burning, uncontrollable flames of desire clearly suppressed his rationality for a moment. The mage even forgot he was long past the age of being called "brother," and slowly walked up to Angela. Looking at the delicate, adorable girl before him, like a doll, he was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Kneel down, big brother."

Angela spoke softly, seemingly guiding the conversation.

"Looking at Angela, very good, big brother... come closer to me..."

Faced with that sweet, alluring, childlike voice, the mage could hardly resist any longer. He desperately reached out, trying to tear open the girl's dress and then completely violate her body—until a flash of blue light appeared, and Angela's velvet folding fan, which had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, pierced the mage's throat without the slightest deviation, shattering his trachea and piercing through his entire neck. Before the mage could even struggle or sigh, the folding fan in Angela's hand snapped open, and the mage's head was severed, falling onto the bed with a bewildered, dazed expression.

"Hoo hoo hoo, you stupid stray dog."

Angela cradled the mage's head in her hands, a victorious smile on her face as she murmured to herself. Then she neatly laid the still-dripping head on the pillow, followed by the headless body. She then embraced the head with the body's gradually cooling hands, making them appear very loving and affectionate.

"Playing with dolls is really fun!"

Angela reached out and covered the mage's open eyes, gazing with satisfaction at her masterpiece of art, and chuckled softly.

The wind swept in through the window, carrying with it the smell of dust and blood.

The bedroom was empty.