Prajna spoke silently, "I will protect everyone."

Jeanne said with a smile, "Of course, you can always trust the Heavy Iron Guard."

Losa nodded slightly, "However, the series of magic books promised by Anna earlier is still very tempting, especially the Transformation Technique."

"Our Blood Magic can also transform into bats!"

"But I'm not skilled enough in Blood Magic. To be precise, my spiritual power is insufficient."

Because he never had much skill to speak of.

Jeanne frowned, "Are you coming with us, sir?"

"Yes, the four of us, plus Hans—according to Anna, this Ragman belongs to the scholar faction of the wizard world, not strong in combat himself, but that doesn't mean scholar wizards aren't dangerous."

"So, we'll give it our all."

Losa said to Jeanne, "At the very least, I possess Prajna's talent, Dragon Scale Armor, and the 'Cast Iron Body.' Frankly, I might be tougher than you."

"Alright, what does Miss Prajna think?"

"Let's go together."

The group mounted their rides, leaving behind the Winged Cavalry and other guards. Although they were top cavalry in the mundane military, they were still too fragile in extraordinary battles.

If there were a group of longbowmen using Demon-Blocking Golden Arrows, perhaps they could exert some impact.

"When did that 'You Fool' lady go missing?"

"Last night."

"A pity. Ordinarily, even if we rush over now, we'd probably only be able to collect her corpse, and the scene might be quite grim."

"Do the best you can, and leave the rest to fate."

Losa said simply.

...

Inside the room.

Pitch black.

When Nishaya awoke from unconsciousness, a short man was standing beside her, with unkempt but neatly maintained beard—at least, she didn't see fleas crawling in and out.

"You're awake, Miss Witch."

His voice wasn't unpleasant, at least better than the hoarse voice emanating from Nidhogg.

Nishaya struggled, finding herself shackled by Demon-Blocking Gold to a wooden bed, hard and uncomfortable, her struggles proving utterly futile.

Nishaya gave up.

She looked at the little man beside her and sneered, "Ha, Ragman, did your real body's height compel you to make your new body so tall and big?"

Ragman smiled, "Miss Witch, as a wizard, you should know that I can possess the most handsome form with the aid of potions and Transformation Technique any time I wish."

"Such shallow words without any attack will never anger me."

Nishaya suddenly felt a helplessness.

But she quickly realized, this creature could be a century-old demon, never devoid of desires, so she changed her approach and mocked him:

"Ha, you won't succeed. Your ambition is too grand. If it were just an ordinary body, you might be able to revive it using the Tree of Life's vitality, but you greedily added many powerful creatures' body parts, which can only increase its internal rejection."

Ragman's eyes grew lost for a moment, as if transported back to the days of debating human transmutation with ten or more like-minded friends at a gathering.

"You're correct."

"But you don't know the real potential of that tree—know why I haven't acted yet? Because I'm waiting for it to grow stronger."

The Tree of Life is about to enter its youth phase and will experience its first transformation within these few days; it'll need years or fertilizer akin to an Earth Dragon to mature.

Nishaya's face showed a trace of confusion; she had once passed by New Habsburg and seen that Tree of Life, but never observed closely.

In fact, the Tree of Life's true name is the Ancient Tree of Life, with lifespan measured in millennia, its potential nearly infinite.

"Ha, young one, your insight at your age is quite remarkable. Anna must value you a lot, right?"

Ragman admired Nishaya's face, "This means your potential is immense, which, embedded into a new body, would give Nidhogg decent casting ability."

Only then did Nishaya's face relent into a visible terror.

Even through death, she wouldn't want to become a jot of a "fusion monster."

Ragman clearly took pleasure in Nishaya's terror, teasing, "Young one, are you waiting for someone to rescue you?"

Nishaya's demeanor stiffened.

"You didn't think we were still in that little village in Durham, did you?"

Ragman boasted proudly, "Ha, let me guess, is the witch by Count Losa's side from your guild? Otherwise, how could you come looking so quickly."

"So, you're hoping for Count Losa and your mentor Anna, who likely came from Constantinople, to rescue you, right?"

"But they can't find me. I've erased all traces I've left."

Seeing Nishaya nearly sink into utter despair, Ragman's pride overflowed, laughing, "Young one, just a pitiably naive kid."

A soft sobbing rose in the dark room.

Ragman's smile gradually faded, turning sullen, "Once my 'Nidhogg' devours that Tree of Life and reaches legendary status, no matter how many come, they'll all be materials for 'Nidhogg'."

...

Durham Village.

Hans led the charge, kicking open the door of a wooden cabin incongruous with the village.

The villagers detailed a man who shrouded himself in a black robe and rarely emerged.

Indeed suspicious.

The room was empty.

Only sunlight from the window clearly revealed airborne dust particles, along with several dilapidated pieces of furniture and cured meat drying outside, indicating someone once lived here.

"Sir, nobody's here."

Losa frowned, surveying the scene, "Seems he's fled, everything's tidily packed—Hans, can you track him?"

Hans paused silently.

Tempted to say, Sir, your words made me feel like a hound.

But he deeply sniffed the lingering air's scent, "A peculiar smell, wild, primal, savage, and somewhat familiar—like the werewolves of this world."

"Again with werewolves?"

Losa frowned; since arriving in this world, he frequently dealt with werewolves as dark creatures.

But that was good!

If the enemy is a dark creature, he could wield the Holy Spear, coordinating with Jeanne for a double strike.

"No, at least not purely."

Hans furrowed his brow, "Anyway, follow me, sir."

Prajna stood by, stone-faced, though deep down she likened the scene before her to Erlang Shen and the Heaven-Barking Dog.

Hans being the Heaven-Barking Dog.

She pressed her lips to suppress a smile, refocused her mind, and vigilantly surveyed the surroundings.

...

Footsteps above alarmed Nishaya, "You moved underground?"

Ragman nodded smilingly, "Look, they came after all."

"But don't get happy too soon, for I've prepared a soundproof barrier.

If you attempt to shout, it'll be useless and you'll face punishment from me—I hope your final stage of life can have less suffering."

"Underground!"

"Help me!"

Nishaya shouted abruptly.

But Ragman's face showed no fear, he merely frowned, "You're really not being obedient."

Pfft—

The sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh followed by a high-pitched scream amused Ragman with slight sympathy.

He withdrew the dagger from Nishaya's hand and tossed it aside.

"There better not be a next time. My patience has limits."

Ragman sighed lightly, "Just endure for two days, then you'll find relief.

You should consider it an honor to become part of wizard world's past hundred years of the greatest achievement."

Nishaya's gaze turned unfocused, the receding footsteps above extinguishing her last shred of hope.

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