Chapter 693: Chapter 26: Swordsman Once Again

“Philis, senior!” Lynch’s eyes showed a hint of surprise as he stepped forward, a polite smile on his face: “It’s really you! I didn’t expect to meet you here!”

Encountering an old acquaintance in a foreign land, especially after just experiencing the eerie pressure and threat brought by Al Fredo, meeting this senior who had once kindly guided him made Lynch feel much more at ease.

Philis walked closer, smiling as he looked Lynch up and down, his eyes showing great surprise: “Not bad, not bad!”

He exclaimed: “Even though when I last saw you, I knew you would surely go far on the Wizard’s Road, this progress is still surprising, Domain… Tsk tsk, it hasn’t been that many years since we last met…”

Lynch smiled modestly: “You flatter me, senior. It’s just luck and some opportunities.” He had always liked this straightforward senior.

Philis waved his hand, clearly disliking these formalities. Like remembering something, his gaze casually glanced in the direction Alfred and the Tower of Order’s men had left, and he asked, seemingly offhandedly: “I noticed the atmosphere here wasn’t quite right; did you run into trouble? Those fellows from the Land of Freedom… especially that gray-eyed kid, seemed not very friendly to you?”

His tone was relaxed, yet a sharp glint appeared in those seemingly cloudy old eyes. Clearly, he wasn’t just casually observing; he had fully taken in the brief and tense confrontation earlier.

Lynch’s expression became a bit peculiar; he hadn’t expected this senior, who once pursued Al Fredo, not to recognize him now. He lowered his voice and straightforwardly said: “You… don’t know who that guy just now was?”

Philis raised his white eyebrows, a bit puzzled: “What? Is he famous? A new talent from the Land of Freedom? Looks a bit problematic…”

Lynch shook his head, firmly stating the name: “He is the one you hunted for a long time in the West—Fear Reaper, Al Fredo.”

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“What?!”

Philis’s relaxed smile instantly vanished, replaced by true shock and perplexity. He even subconsciously tightened his grip on the Cross Sword’s hilt, his eyes bursting with a sharp, tangible light: “It’s him?! The madman who wiped out several human nations?!”

This name, and the bloody crimes it represented, how could he forget! Motivated by the generous bounty and the Truth Church’s task, he had spent great time and effort pursuing in the West back then.

Seeing his reaction, Lynch became even more puzzled: “You… Have never seen him in person?”

Philis’s face darkened, he snorted heavily, a mix of anger from a pursuer being played with: “Hmph! If I had seen him in person, knowing he was Fear Reaper, do you think he’d still be able to stand here, even advance to Domain?”

This statement was bold and confident but indeed factual. With Philis’s strength as a Mystical Wizard back then, if he had really pinpointed Al Fredo, who was merely Wizard Level, he could’ve captured him easily.

Philis seemed to think of something, his gaze turning even colder: “No wonder… After tracking some clues back then, it was like an invisible hand was secretly obstructing, soon all clues were lost.”

“Later, even the Supreme Council’s warrant was silently revoked… Turns out he fled to the Land of Freedom, got protection from the Tower of Order and even the Domain of Freedom behind it! Those damned fellows!”

Though this hadn’t caused him substantial loss, being outsmarted under his nose and wasting precious pursuit time still made this veteran strongman very displeased. For a Wizard, time is undoubtedly the most precious resource.

Philis turned back to Lynch, his gaze becoming much more serious: “It seems your grudge with him… is no simple matter?”

Lynch shrugged helplessly, his tone flat yet carrying a cold decisiveness: “It’s a long story. To put it simply, it’s… a fight to the death.”

Philis was momentarily choked by his words.

At this moment, Kong and Vanilla also stepped forward. Kong spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of familiarity: “Councillor Philis, long time no see.”

Lynch was slightly surprised: “You know each other?”

Kong rolled his eyes, explaining: “For Domain Level Wizards, unless they’re newcomers like you who almost never attend Supreme Council routine meetings, it’s quite normal for everyone to have had some interactions at the council. Is it strange to know each other?”

Lynch came to realization, awkwardly scratching his nose. He had been immersed in cultivation and research, indeed never attending those meetings he found quite bothersome.

Vanilla, standing by, added, arms crossed: “Moreover, this is the famous ’Swordsman’ Philis senior from the Truth Church. As a fellow sword bearer, not knowing him would actually be rude.” Her tone carried a basic respect for powerful beings.

Philis showed a smile again, nodding lightly to Vanilla: “Miss Vanilla’s Sword God’s Power has also become increasingly refined, admirable. If possible, my old self would like to challenge it sometime.”

Then he changed his tone, patting Lynch’s shoulder, introducing him to the two women: “But you might not know, my friend Lynch here, his swordsmanship is exceptionally remarkable too.”

Vanilla’s lips curled into a proud curve: “We’ve already crossed swords. Though not entirely satisfying, it was… roughly a draw.” She seemed still slightly irked by the interrupted match.

“Oh?!” Philis was genuinely surprised this time, turning to appraise Lynch anew: “Tsk tsk! In just how many years? Your swordsmanship has advanced enough to reach this level with her? It seems your progress over the years is far beyond my expectation!”

Lynch smiled modestly again: “Just a little progress, senior overpraises.”

Philis was suddenly very interested, his eyes glowing with keen excitement, almost itching for action: “Good good! Once this Lost Tower matter is settled, we must find a chance, have a proper duel! You mustn’t refuse!”

Feeling the senior’s enthusiasm and sincerity, Lynch also smiled and nodded in agreement: “Of course.”

Just as the group was having a pleasant conversation, the atmosphere gradually softening—

“DONG——!”

A grand, distant bell sound, as if penetrating the soul, suddenly echoed above the Atlantis ruin plaza, resonating in every corner, instantly overwhelming all the bustling chatter.

Immediately, an eerie scene unfolded.

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