"You can do whatever you want to her?" Ethan raised an eyebrow, glancing slightly downward from Miss Black's face before shaking his head regretfully. "You should know, Miss Black, many gods prefer to eat thin ones."
Eve stared at him in confusion: "???"
She froze for a second, then realised what he meant, her cheeks instantly flushing red! Gritting her teeth, she growled in embarrassment: "Where am I fat?!"
Ethan's teasing succeeded as he laughed heartily. Seeing this insufferable boy's demonic expression, Eve ground her back teeth in frustration.
Then her shoulders slumped as a shadow crossed her beautiful face. She thought of those children who had evacuated through the back gate. According to the goblins, they were already dead. It was all her fault for poor command.
Eve clenched her fists, nails digging deep into her flesh, wishing she could personally dismember those damned goblins again!
Just then—
"Hey! Are you all okay? What's happening here?!" A shout came from nearby.
Eve and the others turned to look. The next second, her pupils contracted sharply! She saw those children and other support staff with their cats running quickly toward them!
"Sister Eve!" Little Amy with her twin braids charged like a cannonball into the stunned Eve's arms, crying as she spoke.
After a while, Eve finally understood. That "Light's" servant had discovered the ambush early and saved them. No one had died. Everyone was still alive and well.
Eve's eyes welled up with tears of relief. She hugged little Amy tightly, her shoulders shaking with emotion.
High in the sky, countless skulls gazed down with dark eye sockets at the reunited people below. Clouds parted, and sunlight poured down on the tear-streaked faces full of joy.
Lupin watched this scene, feeling a tremendous sense of accomplishment. But simultaneously, seeing those reunited people, he felt somewhat lonely. If only I weren't a werewolf...
Suddenly—
"Clap Clap Clap ." Accompanied by dull sounds, a bloodthirsty killing aura shot skyward, making Lupin's hair stand on end!
Another enemy attack?! Lupin gripped his wand tightly and spun around!
He saw Ethan's Cerberus standing upright with a look of resignation, clapping its front paws like it was performing tricks.
Ethan wiped away tears beside it, looking at the touching scene with sparkling eyes, murmuring: "What a moving scene... the righteous knight drove away the villains, restoring peace to the village!"
Ethan glanced at the Cerberus, smiling: "The applause seems a bit quiet?"
The Cerberus's eyes widened in disbelief. Maybe I'm not human, but you're truly something else.
"Woof!" The massive, fierce three-headed dog whimpered once, then had to submit to tyranny and clapped its front paws even more enthusiastically.
Lupin stared at the scene: "..." Very well. All those melancholy feelings were completely gone. Truly worthy of Ethan.
Miss Black wiped away tears, looking at Ethan hoarsely: "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you. You saved our entire camp. You and your companions are true heroes!"
Though it was hard to say if they were 'righteous' heroes.
She strode up to Ethan. Then—
"Ah!" Everyone gasped! The noble Miss Black actually knelt on one knee!
This surprised even Ethan, raising his eyebrows. He looked at Miss Black kneeling before him. Even in this submissive position, her spine remained straight, her face showing determined light.
"You saved me, saved all of us, 'Light'," Eve Black said. "I represent the Black family in paying you the highest respect!"
Her voice rang clear as striking iron, powerful and resonant. This scene made Professor Lupin envision a knight swearing loyalty to a king.
Ethan really does have natural leadership ability.
Eve lowered her head: "Now I have nothing to give you. I think you've already obtained what you wanted from the camp. The most valuable thing I have on me now is only this."
Saying this, Miss Black removed the shield-shaped emblem carved with two grey dogs from her left chest over her heart. Taking Ethan's hand, she solemnly placed it in his palm.
"This is the Black family crest, inscribed with magical runes. It will only shatter, never be discarded. Possessing this crest means this person has shown great kindness to the Black family."
[You obtained the Black Family Crest!]
[Show this crest to any Black family member to immediately change their attitude and request their assistance.]
Assistance from me? Well, that could be useful.
Ethan looked down at the exquisite emblem in his hand. It was stained with drops of blood, the cold, hard edges pressing against his skin.
This counts as an ancient relic too!
"Thank you, Miss Black. I'll put it to good use." Ethan smiled joyfully and pocketed the emblem.
Looking up at Miss Black before him, she was gazing intently at him. Her face remained beautiful despite the grime and exhaustion.
Somehow, Ethan anticipated what she would say next.
"Since your goal is also ancient magic, would you join us in fighting the goblins?" Miss Black asked.
Afraid Ethan would refuse, she hurriedly added: "I've heard that goblin leader Ragnok also possesses ancient magic. The evil power he wields rivals even that of a dragon! With iron-fisted rule, he dominates an entire goblin tribe!"
"Although I've witnessed your incredible strength, I don't believe you alone can face all the goblins plus leader Ragnok."
Ethan snorted: "Putting yourself down while building up others? Do you have some special preference for that?"
Miss Black's teeth clenched tightly again: "..."
Ethan waved grandly: "Don't worry about that. I have ways to handle it."
Just goblins. Could they be stronger than the monsters guarding the advancement gate? Anyone who tries to stop me from learning ancient magic can be destroyed.
Besides, he was about to return to the present world.
Hearing this, Miss Black assumed it was Ethan's polite refusal. She bit her lip in frustration, glancing at the blonde girl behind him.
They look about the same age. How nice.
"Alright, I respect your choice." Eve concealed the disappointment flashing in her eyes and stood back up.
Shivering, she rubbed her arms while looking up with lingering fear at that terrifying creation suspended in the sky.
Maybe it was her imagination, but she always felt those hollow, dark eye sockets were watching her.
[Your artwork left a deep impression on everyone!]
[Soul fusion increased by 1%]
With the text's appearance, Ethan felt a torrent of magic surge from within. His drained body immediately felt full again.
Ethan sighed comfortably, feeling he could handle several more goblin squads. Simultaneously, he sensed that the higher he progressed, the harder it became to increase soul fusion.
Like levelling up in a game—higher levels require more experience. Indeed, still need to go bigger.
After packing up, the three prepared to use the silver key to return to the present world. To meet the higher being—the Maiden in the Mirror.
Before leaving, Ethan turned back, looking at the demoralised, confused wizards. Frowning, he said quietly: "I'm leaving."
"But what I want to say is—our struggle, our fight for a better world, isn't over!"
A great shout shook everyone! They stared at this half-grown youth in amazement.
Ethan looked at little Amy nestled in an adult's arms. "Believe me, a peaceful future will surely come. Children won't have to wander homeless. Won't have to worry about goblins breaking into their homes."
"This peaceful, beautiful future will be created by you. Beat those invaders until they flee with their tails between their legs, never daring to invade again!"
His stirring words rang in their ears like battlefield drums, making their emotions involuntarily rise! Ethan's certainty sounded as if he'd personally witnessed that beautiful future, making them feel inspired!
"Well said!" One voice responded. Then more voices joined!
"That's right, we're fired up! What are goblins anyway?!"
"The future is in our hands!"
"Beat those damned invaders so they can never rise again!"
One voice after another rang out. Hands raised in passionate determination.
If not for this mysterious [Mr Lamp], they would have lost this battle. But not anymore. Never again! Next time, they would personally win victory!
[You spread the doctrine of "Lamp"—the light of Lamp has lit up in people's minds.]
[You have greater influence in the past.]
[When you appear, human forces gain 10% boost, and you can slowly absorb emotional energy from allies to replenish magic.]
[Lamp brightness increased.]
Amid the thunderous shouts, Ethan smiled. His cobalt-blue eyes reflected those excited faces, as if he'd suddenly become a war leader.
Professor Lupin stared at this scene in amazement, watching these warriors who seemed bewitched, their emotions suddenly soaring from Ethan's few words!
This isn't magic. Yet it's more terrifying than magic! No wonder the Minister of Magic and Headmaster Dumbledore pay such attention to Ethan. Not just his powerful, mysterious abilities, but this terrifying power to incite and rally people.
One careless moment could start another revolution in the wizarding world, like Voldemort before.
When the three figures disappeared into the dense forest, Miss Black's gaze lingered long after.
"In the end, I never learnt his real name..." Eve murmured, red lips slightly pursed.
Like a sudden wind across a field, brushing past her cheek, then unhesitatingly pulling away at an uncatchable speed, rushing toward the distance.
But she wasn't sad. Because she had a premonition—she would meet this mysterious "Light", this [Mr Lamp] pursuing ancient magic, again!
Meanwhile, at goblin headquarters in the steel fortress protected by powerful alchemical barriers—
"BANG!" A tremendous crash echoed through the halls.
A goblin was slammed heavily against the wall, immediately exploding into gore!
Goblin leader Ragnok slowly lowered his arm, his palm flickering with heart-stopping crimson light. He was covered in heavy armour inscribed with alchemical runes.
His weathered face radiated cold, bloodthirsty evil. Under ancient and dark magic's influence, his eyes had turned black, with crimson pupils at their centre blazing with infinite fury!
"I abandoned other battlefields, deployed forces far exceeding the wizard camp, and equipped them with alchemical cannons and bombs capable of levelling an entire forest..." Ragnok's gaze swept over his subordinates kneeling below.
"Now you tell me. Mission failed. Not only did we fail to seize ancient magic—we suffered total annihilation... while the wizards had virtually no casualties."
He spoke slowly: "Are you... joking with me?!"
"BOOM!" Tremendous magical power exploded throughout the fortress!