81. Action Begins
"This handsome white-haired man is Merlin," Xiling pointed at the smiling white-robed magus beside him, then gestured to the petite figure shrouded in a hooded cloak, her presence slightly less noticeable.
"And this lovely little girl is Anna. They will both fight alongside us from now on."
After informing everyone in the chat group that they should gather back inside, Xiling introduced the two people he had brought back to the chat group member and the Chaldea team.
Merlin maintained a smile and waved. When his gaze passed over Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash, his smile widened.
"Hello everyone!" Merlin's voice carried his usual cheerful tone, even winking at the crowd.
"I'm Merlin, the Magus of Flower. You can call me the friendly Merlin-san."
When everyone saw this scene, they were stunned.
[I Am a Witch]: ...This guy feels a bit...disgusting.
[Fire Moth Warrior]: ...Is this the legendary Grand Caster? His image...is a bit disillusioned.
[I Am the Savior]: Hmm...! This deviates quite a bit from the image of a wise and profound legendary mage in my mind!
[I Don't Want to Be a Hero]: I'm just expecting...
[Great Mage Tarnished]: Do you think this magician's physique is...a little too muscular? With those arm lines...I'd believe he's a warrior!
[I Don't Want to Be a Hero]: It's an ancient truth: A magician who can't wield weapons in close combat isn't a good magician!
Everyone chatted quietly in the group chat.
Merlin felt it was a little too quiet and coughed twice, still smiling.
"Um...everyone, is there anything I can help you with?"
Even he didn't understand the current situation.
The silent chatter in the chat group instantly ceased, everyone's attention fully drawn back to reality.
First, everyone introduced themselves. After the introductions were completed,
Xiling spoke first, "The plan was very simple. You heard what I said when I was talking to the king. It's basically like this."
Merlin subconsciously raised a hand to scratch his smooth white hair with a perfectly balanced look of embarrassment on his face.
"I heard it, but how can I really just go to the goddess directly?"
After all, she was a goddess. Merlin didn't know the background of Xiling and the others. If he rashly went there, and something went wrong, it would be a disaster. Xiling nodded in understanding, a confident smile curling his lips.
"I know what you're worried about, and I understand your current situation."
"Leave it to me. Even if something unexpected happens ahead, I, and all of us here, have the power to turn it around."
Merlin's eyes flickered with surprise, his voice tinged with doubt.
"You... know about me?"
"Yes," Xiling replied firmly, without a moment's hesitation.
Merlin gasped.
How did he know? He'd done things that few others should know about. Seeing Xiling's apparent lack of deception, Merlin forced down his turbulent emotions, a smile reappearing.
"Oh my!" He exaggeratedly covered half his face, as if embarrassed by having his secret exposed.
"I've been discovered! I was hoping to play this secret role to the end, to be the unsung hero who silently contributed behind the scenes, concealing his achievements and fame~"
Xiling, unfazed by the deliberately relaxed atmosphere he created, spoke with uncharacteristic earnestness and sincerity, "Haven't you already been a hero, Merlin?"
"...Huh!" Merlin was stunned by Xiling's sincere expression. Xiling continued, "King Gilgamesh and you have contributed greatly to the survival of this singularity, on the brink of collapse! It could be said that without the perseverance of either of you, it would have ceased to exist long ago. From the moment you chose to shoulder this responsibility and silently guard it until now, you were a true hero."
"Is...is that so?" Merlin scratched his cheek, seeming a little unaccustomed to Xiling's blunt words.
Xiling smiled and steered the conversation back on track.
"Let me tell you about our work."
"Merlin, as I said earlier, I know about you, so I need your eyes. You should know the locations of those goddesses, right?"
Merlin's skill, "Clairvoyance EX," is known as the Magus of Flower.
Since the other party had said this, what else could Merlin say? Besides, he had no intention of hiding anything—especially after Xiling had acknowledged him in that way. Yes... he really does look like him when he's praising himself... The one who knows who he is, yet always praises himself with such a serious expression.
Merlin raised his eyes again, his almost perfect, magician-like smile reappearing on his face.
"The goddess's location," he said in a steady, clear voice, with a sense of control.
"Of course I know."
Xiling nodded.
"Very good."
Xiling looked at the chat group member.
"This time, we'll split up. I'll go solo. One of you will search for the goddess with Merlin, and the other will stay in the city for convenience."
Xiling raised his right hand and said, "Then raise your hands if you're searching for the goddess!"
"Oh, that's right!" Xiling added, as if reflecting on something. "Could you two from Chaldea please also join the team searching for the goddess?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash were clearly caught off guard by Xiling's mention of them. After a moment's pause, Ritsuka immediately stepped forward, her eyes firm.
"Understood. Leave it to us!" Mash nodded vigorously, "Yes! Senior and I will definitely give it our all!"
Xiling nodded at them, "Thank you for your help."
Seeing Xiling finish, Kevin raised his hand, "Add me to the team searching for the goddess."
Lemuen followed suit, gracefully raising her hand.
Dan Heng remained silent, but his movements were sharp and decisive, his arm raised firmly to express his intention.
Xiling nodded and looked at the others, especially at a certain savior. Xiling was surprised that the other person hadn't raised their hand.
Houraiji Kyuushou saw Xiling's pleased look and said with some annoyance, "Hey! Xiling, what's with that look in your eyes?"
"I didn't expect you didn't go with them, but stay in the city instead."
"Hmph! The savior has to do more than just fight. I can do so much more in the city," Houraiji Kyuushou said, puffing out her chest.
Xiling nodded in approval. Although he didn't know what the other person was talking about, it didn't stop him from nodding in agreement. "Then let's arrange it this way."
"I will go alone to find the Beast Goddess, while Merlin, Anna, Kevin, Dan Heng, Lemuen, Ritsuka, and Mash will search for the other goddess."
"Those remaining in the city are the Tarnished, Elaina, Tianyi, and Kyuushou."
"Although you will remain in the city, please pay attention to the chat groups. If you need help or anything, be sure to speak up."
Everyone nodded.
Finally, there was one more troublesome person waiting for Xiling's attention.
Xiling looked at Ishtar, his eyes constantly sizing her up. Ishtar shuddered and instinctively hugged her arms.
"Why are you looking at me?" Ishtar's voice was a touch panicked.
Xiling stroked her chin and spoke thoughtfully, "Hmm... I'm thinking about how to deal with you."
"Deal with!" The two words boomed like thunder in Ishtar's ears.
"Wait, wait, wait! What do you mean by 'deal with'?! I didn't do anything! Why are you punishing me?" She was nearly on the verge of tears, her mind racing with all sorts of terrifying "dealing" scenarios.
Looking at the terrified, tearful goddess before her, Xiling rolled his eyes helplessly and explained, "I meant, which team should we assign you to? What were you thinking about?"
"Ah! Ah..." Ishtar finally realized she had overreacted. She breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest to calm her pounding heart.
"I was scared to death... So that's how it is!"
Ishtar's eyes rolled, and she immediately put on a trustworthy expression. She volunteered, "Of course I'm going to help find the goddess! I'm a goddess after all, so I'm sure I'll be very helpful in this kind of operation! Don't worry, I'll definitely help! Don't accuse me of not working!"
Ishtar was genuinely afraid of being punished, so she quickly found a way to contribute. As for staying in the city? Please, don't be silly. Although she often acted a bit dull, she was actually quite intelligent.
How could the other party possibly let her stay in the city? If she didn't make a choice, she'd have to leave with them.
Hearing Ishtar's choice, Xiling raised an eyebrow.
"Alright."
Xiling looked at everyone again.
"That's the arrangement. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to ask now."
Kevin raised his hand.
"By the way, let's try to convince that lady. How do we convince her?"
Xiling smiled brightly and raised both fists.
Well, Kevin watched Xiling's gesture speechlessly.
Okay, he already knew that, but whatever.
After all, he was quite good at it.
Just then, a voice rang out.
Anna raised her hand, the small portion of her face visible from beneath her hood revealing a certain determination.
"Um... Xiling, can I... go with you?"
Her voice was quiet, but it reached everyone clearly. Xiling's gaze shifted to Anna. Without a pause, he slowly shook his head, his tone gentle yet unwavering.
"I'm sorry, Anna. I don't plan to take anyone with me, because..."
"Once I find her, the battle will be over quickly."
Xiling's voice remained calm, as if he were stating a simple fact like the weather being fine.
However, beneath this calmness lay an absolute confidence that left no room for doubt.
"...I'm sorry." Anna lowered her hood again.
"You don't need to apologize." Xiling's voice softened slightly. As he walked past Anna, he paused, reached out, and gently rubbed her lowered head. The gesture held a strangely soothing power.
"I know about your situation. But believe me, it's not necessary."
Leaving these pointed words, Xiling made his way straight to the door without stopping. At the doorway, Xiling suddenly turned around, a smile breaking out on his face. He waved to the everyone inside: "Alright, everyone! The operation has begun! Arrange yourselves for the operation—"
Xiling's voice rose slightly, a hint of teasing in his voice. "I won't wait for you, okay? If I'm done here, I'll be right there with you!"
With these words, Xiling's figure instantly transformed into a streak of light, disappearing from sight...
Kevin shook his head and came to Merlin's side.
"It seems we need to speed up, Sir Merlin. If someone really gets ahead of us, or if he returns and finds us still on the way, it would be so embarrassing."
Merlin chuckled at this.
"Hahaha, don't worry, everyone. Our speed—we won't disappoint anyone."
He raised his staff and gently tapped the ground with the end of it.
Dong!
A crisp, yet magical, ringing sound spread out. A vast, yet gentle magical energy instantly emanated from Merlin, like a blooming, invisible petal, gently yet irresistibly enveloping Anna, Kevin, Dan Heng, Lemuen, Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mash, and Ishtar, who was still patting her chest in awe at the close call. In a flash of light, their figures vanished instantly, as if erased by an eraser, leaving only a faint lingering lingering lingering of magic in the air.
"I'm so envious! It's teleportation magic! I wonder if you'd be willing to teach me?" The Tarnished gazed longingly at the place where Merlin and the others had disappeared, his tone thick with longing as he walked towards the gate.
"Well, I have some things to attend here too. You three, please be careful even in the city." With that, a faint purple gravity ripple emanated from the Tarnished's body. His body floated lightly, then soared towards the sky above Uruk.
Only three girls remained in the room. Their gazes met in the air, needless to say.
Houraiji Kyuushou was the first to speak, "We too must take action!"
Luo Tianyi and Elaina nodded.
Even if Xiling and Merlin's team succeeded in defeating the three goddesses—no, rather, precisely because they were certain of Xiling and the team's victory—the scene after victory would be anything but celebration.
The Mother, who nurtured the Sea of Life, would soon descend. Her very presence, the ocean of life she brought with her, symbolizing a return to its original state, would overwhelm everything, bringing a final catastrophe to Uruk.
Their power might be insignificant in the face of god-level beings.
But the three of them, working together, could accomplish much.
For example—building a sanctuary.
A place of refuge that could accommodate as many of Uruk's people as possible, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation. They didn't yet know how effective this plan would be, but they had to try, right?
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