Cardinal · Obsidian Elder

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[Prison Star Calendar]

[May 23, 187]

[8:17 AM]

[Countdown to Confession Death: 28 days remaining]

━━━━━━━━━

In the center of Gudetown stood a 30-meter-tall spire known as the Gude Spire. According to legend, the Gude Spire was originally used for surveillance. After the Wester Kingdom ended the war, Gudetown was established around the Gude Spire.

At this moment, at the top of the Gude Spire, Viviana Scarlet and her attendant Albert were waiting for someone.

"My lord, you need not be anxious. Failure to find the Pigeon Blood Ruby this time is not your responsibility."

"Uh...okay..."

Albert's comfort could not dispel Viviana's concerns. Viviana already had PTSD over the two elders.

Viviana knew the temperaments of the two elders. After being "teased" by the Divination Rabbit this time, they would never let it go.

Although Viviana knew that the anger of the two elders was not directed at her, she was still very afraid.

A few dozen days ago, the Scarlet Family spent a lot of money to find the Divination Rabbit Nevina, the most famous "Divination Goddess" in this world who was said to have never made a mistake.

The Divination Rabbit Spirit Nevina was known for two absolute "nevers":

1. She would never divine incorrectly.

2. She would never divulge her clients' privacy.

It was precisely because of these two absolutes that the Scarlet Family sought her divination to find the whereabouts of the Pigeon Blood Ruby Phylia.

At that time, the divination result given by the Divination Rabbit Spirit was:

On May 15th, Year 187, the Pigeon Blood Ruby Phylia will appear in Gudetown, in the territory of Lord Azure Lizard, in the Wester Forest Kingdom.

The Scarlet Family fully believed in this result. Not only did they send Viviana, who could sense the Pigeon Blood Ruby, but they also secretly dispatched the two strongest elders of the family.

However, today is already May 23rd, and Viviana and the others have not even seen the shadow of the Pigeon Blood Ruby.

If this matter were to spread, it would be another disgrace for the Scarlet Family.

"Us the Scarlet Family..."

"Revenge must be taken for enmity, and kindness must be repaid."

In the shadows, the voices of the two elders suddenly appeared. Their outfits, one red and one black, matched their titles:

Cardinal Elder - Rodrygo;

Obsidian Elder - Augusto;

Upon seeing the two elders, Viviana and Albert immediately stood at attention and bowed their heads in salute.

"Revenge must be taken for enmity, and kindness must be repaid.", Viviana and Albert said in unison.

The two elders stopped in front of Viviana. Under this invisible pressure, Viviana had to exert all her strength to restrain her body from trembling.

"You still haven't sensed the aura of the Pigeon Blood Ruby, have you, Viviana?", asked Cardinal Elder Rodrygo

"No, none at all..."

"Oh."

Cardinal Elder Rodrygo just softly responded, and then the surrounding walls cracked open in several places due to his anger.

"More than a week wasted here..."

"Forget it, Rodrygo. Viviana and the others are innocent. Don't frighten them."

Seeing that Rodrygo was about to explode, Obsidian Elder Augusto stopped him.

Then, Obsidian Elder Augusto turned around and patted Viviana, giving new instructions to her and Albert.

"Viviana, you two stay in Gudetown to continue observing the situation. We will settle the bill with that Divination Rabbit.", said Obsidian Elder Augusto.

"Yes, sir!"

"We shall obey the orders of the Obsidian Elder."

After asking what needed to be asked and explaining what needed to be explained, the Cardinal and Obsidian elders disappeared into thin air without another word. Even Viviana did not have the ability to see clearly how the two elders left.

·

Thus, the perilous encounter with the Cardinal and Obsidian elders came to an end. Viviana gazed upon the Gudetown below, her heart still pounding.

To quell this restlessness, Viviana once again yearned for battle.

Ever since she lost the pigeon's blood, she hadn't engaged in combat with monsters on the front lines for a long time.

"Albert..."

"My Lady, I'm afraid that won't be possible."

"But I haven't even said anything yet."

"You wish to venture to the Sandrift Gorge to vanquish the Rock Shadow Demon, don't you?"

"...Very well, you never cease to amaze me."

Albert was well aware of Viviana's intentions, but she wouldn't be deterred so easily.

These days, Viviana had heard about the Rock Shadow Demon in Gudetown, a creature she had never encountered before.

Viviana speculated that the Rock Shadow Demon's level shouldn't be too high, probably ranging from 30 to 50, making it an ideal "rehabilitation sparring partner."

"Oh, Albert, listen to me. The Cardinal and Obsidian elders have gone to settle accounts with the divination rabbit spirit. It will certainly take them at least ten days, maybe even half a month, to return. So, here's my proposal: I'll be away for eight days. Within that time, I will definitely return to Gudetown. What do you think?"

Viviana persisted, engaging in negotiations with Albert.

Sighing, Albert knew he couldn't prevail over his restless young mistress this time either.

"Five days. You must return within five days."

"Agreed!"

"My Lady, please remember not to trigger the Guardian Magic Seal."

"Don't worry. What could possibly happen in such a peaceful area behind the front lines?"

Albert, like a concerned mother, repeatedly advised and cautioned, while Viviana exuded confidence and impatience.

The so-called Magic Seal referred to the hidden conditional trigger magic engraved on Viviana by the Cardinal and Obsidian elders.

This magic had a prerequisite: Viviana had to be within the borders of the Wildforest Kingdom. Then, when Viviana's life force diminished to a certain extent or when Viviana activated it herself, the Cardinal and Obsidian elders would be able to reach her side within a maximum of five seconds.

The Scarlet Family bestowed such a magic seal upon Viviana not because she was adorable, but because she was the sole Divine Heir of the Scarlet Family.

"Alright, Albert, I understand. Then, I entrust you to remain here."

Viviana grew tired of Albert's admonitions and prepared to make her escape.

"My Lady, I emphasize once more, if you fail to return within five days, I will directly head to the Sandrift Gorge to find you. If our departure from our duties is discovered within the clan, the responsibility... I will certainly shift it onto you."

No matter how many more admonitions Albert offered, it was this final threat that held weight.

Viviana swallowed nervously and obediently promised to return to Gudetown within five days.

·

At the same moment, Tyler was seated in the carriage of the Traveling Merchant Caravan, having just entered the Sandrift Gorge.

Inside the carriage, only Tyler and Tocchini were present. Tocchini removed her hat, revealing a pair of immaculate, soft, and fluffy bunny ears, as she lay contentedly on Tyler's lap, sleeping soundly.

Tyler gently rested his hand on Tocchini's body, occasionally rubbing and pinching her, inadvertently touching peculiar areas that elicited soft murmurs from Tocchini.

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