The passage was narrow and cramped, filled with dust and a musty odor, as if time had solidified into something tangible here, making each breath heavy with history. Luna walked ahead, her small figure appearing particularly resolute, while Lucius followed closely behind, the magical light they held in hand illuminating the way forward.
"I vaguely remember..." Luna's voice echoed in the empty corridor, carrying a subtle tremor. "Back then, to change the family's destiny, I... I did many things."
She recalled how, as an infant, she had used the advantage of rebirth to gradually shift the gears of fate. She had made Lady Aelia aware of Leonard's betrayal, triggering a series of upheavals within the Magic Castle. Those events were like a line of dominoes; one push set off a chain reaction that ultimately led the entire Magic Castle toward an unknown abyss.
"I don't know if what I did was right or wrong..." Luna murmured to herself, her tone filled with confusion and unease. "I just wanted to protect my family from the tragic fate in the Original. But now it seems things have become increasingly complicated."
Lucius remained silent, sensing Luna's inner turmoil. He understood that this seemingly fragile infant bore wisdom and responsibility far beyond her years.
"What we can do now is face it," Lucius said in a low but firm voice. "No matter what lies ahead, we will bear it together."
They continued onward, and a glimmer of light appeared at the end of the passage. They quickened their pace and passed through a narrow stone door, stepping into a vast underground space. The walls were adorned with ancient Magic Runes, and the air was thick with Magical Energy.
In the center of the space, a massive Magic Circle was slowly rotating, emitting an unsettling glow. Luna's complexion turned pale as she felt a strong sense of crisis. She knew that this Magic Circle concealed great secrets, secrets that were likely intertwined with the future of the Magic Castle.
Meanwhile, in the Main Hall of the Magic Castle, the atmosphere was equally tense. Lady Aelia sat at the head of the table, her face pale but her gaze unwavering. Surrounding her were key members of the Magic Castle: her elder brother, Second Brother, Brother San, and the loyal Qin Si.
"We can no longer sit idly by!" The elder brother's voice was loud and powerful. Though he had lost his Twin Legs due to a Magic Backlash, his resolve was stronger than ever. "I will break this curse! I will regain my power to protect my family!"
His words struck with conviction and hope.
Second Brother sighed, regret etched on his face. "If only I hadn't trusted that false gentleman back then, perhaps we wouldn't be in this situation..." He had been deceived by his most trusted friend and trapped in a Magic Dilemma from which he could not escape.
"Let bygones be bygones," Lady Aelia comforted him gently yet firmly. "What matters is that we learn from past errors and do not repeat them."
Brother San nodded in agreement; he had once been complacent due to his strong Magical Talent and neglected his training, resulting in mediocre abilities.
"I can’t go on like this any longer." He clenched his fists, his eyes filled with determination. "I must work hard to cultivate; I cannot let my talent go to waste!"
At that moment, Qin Si entered, holding a delicate fruit platter.
"Madam, these are Ling Guo sent by Luna," she said softly, a hint of a smile on her face. "She said these Ling Guo are good for your health."
Lady Aelia took the platter and saw several translucent Ling Guo emitting an enticing Cedar Fragrance. Her mood instantly brightened.
"This child is always so thoughtful," she said with a smile, her tone filled with affection and gratitude.
She picked up a Ling Guo and gently bit into it. Immediately, a cool sensation spread through her body, soothing her tired mind and spirit.
"This... this is..." Lady Aelia's eyes widened in disbelief. "Could this be the legendary..."
Meanwhile, in the back garden of the Magic Castle, a mysterious figure appeared quietly.
Dressed in a black cloak and wearing a mask that obscured his true identity, he spoke in a low, hoarse voice tinged with barely perceptible mockery. "Lady Aelia, we meet again. There are some things you should perhaps know the truth about..."
Qin Si carefully placed the fruit platter at the center of the discussion table, and the Ling Guo immediately captured everyone's attention.
They were round and plump, their skin crystal clear as if sculpted from the purest gems, radiating a faint Seven-Colored Halo.
A refreshing fragrance wafted through the air, prompting everyone to take a deep breath, feeling their pores open up in indescribable comfort.
"What... what kind of fruit is this?" Brother San was the first to ask, unable to contain his curiosity. He was known for his love of pleasure and had a particular interest in these unusual items.
"This is Ling Guo that Luna specially sought out; she said it’s extremely beneficial for health," Lady Aelia explained softly, her tone carrying a hint of pride.
"Ling Guo?" Leonard’s previously indifferent expression shifted slightly as he set down his teacup and examined the Ling Guo on the table closely.
Though well-versed in many things, he had never seen Ling Guo of such quality before.
"Madam, this Ling Guo looks extraordinary," his elder brother remarked in admiration. Despite his disability with Twin Legs, his keen eyesight remained sharp.
He could sense the powerful spiritual energy contained within the Ling Guo; for mages like them, it was truly invaluable.
Lady Aelia smiled slightly and gestured for everyone to taste it.
She herself took a Ling Guo first and gently bit into it.
Instantly, a cool and sweet Blue Blood Fern Juice burst in her mouth, nourishing every cell like sweet rain.
A surge of powerful spiritual energy coursed through her body; her previously exhausted state was immediately revitalized.
"What... such powerful spiritual energy!" Lady Aelia exclaimed involuntarily. She could feel her magical power rapidly recovering, even showing signs of healing from the Dark Injury that had troubled her for years.
Others also picked up Ling Guo to taste it, all equally astonished by its immense spiritual energy.
The elder brother's originally pale face began to flush with color. He felt his waning magical energy rapidly recovering, and even his legs tingled with a strange sensation. He trembled with excitement.
The second brother, whose sunken eye sockets had become fuller, felt the magical energy that had been imprisoned within him slowly breaking free. It was as if he could see a glimmer of hope for liberation.
Brother San was even more exhilarated, dancing with joy as he sensed the stagnation in his cultivation showing faint signs of breakthrough.
Leonard picked up a Ling Guo and placed it in his mouth. Initially, he approached it with a sense of skepticism, but the moment he tasted the Ling Guo, he was overwhelmed by its powerful spiritual energy. He could feel his magical power surging wildly, and even his body felt lighter.
"This... this is actually a Supreme Spirit Fruit!" Leonard exclaimed in astonishment. He finally became aware of how much he had underestimated Luna before.
He had never encountered a Ling Guo of this caliber, even in his extensive experience. His face turned slightly awkward; just moments ago, he had looked down on Luna, considering her an inconsequential infant. But now it seemed that this infant had brought him immense surprise.
Lady Aelia observed Leonard's changing expression with a cold smile in her heart, though her face remained calm.
"Does the Lord also find this Ling Guo impressive?" she asked lightly, her tone carrying an almost imperceptible distance.
Leonard quickly masked his embarrassment with a smile and replied, "Madam is joking; this Ling Guo is truly rare and invaluable. It is indeed a blessing for our Magic Castle that Luna could find such a Ling Guo."
He attempted to ease the tension between himself and Lady Aelia, but she seemed unresponsive to his overtures.
"The Lord overestimates it; Luna is just a child—what can she do? Isn't all of this thanks to your protection?" Lady Aelia said flatly, yet each word was filled with weight that made Leonard wary.
Internally groaning, Leonard recognized that Lady Aelia was subtly reminding him not to forget his position. Taking a deep breath to suppress his dissatisfaction, he respectfully stated, "Madam speaks true; I will do my utmost to protect the peace of Magic Castle."
At that moment, Luna suddenly stood up and said, "Mother, I’m feeling a bit tired; I want to go back and rest."
"Alright, Qin Si, please escort Luna back to rest," Lady Aelia instructed.
"Yes, Madam," Qin Si replied respectfully before walking over to Luna and softly saying, "Luna, please follow me."
Luna nodded and followed Qin Si out of the Assembly Hall. She knew there were some things she had to face on her own.
Watching Luna's departing figure, Lady Aelia felt an unsettling premonition that something bad was about to happen.
Meanwhile, in the back garden of the Magic Castle, a mysterious figure slowly removed his mask, revealing a handsome yet weathered face. It was Lucius.
“Madam, it has been a long time,” Lucius said, his voice deep and hoarse, carrying a hint of unnoticeable affection.
Lady Aelia looked at Lucius before her, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that this man had quietly protected her and sacrificed much for her.
“Lucius, how did you come to be here?” Lady Aelia asked, her tone tinged with confusion.
“I have always been here; you simply did not notice,” Lucius replied softly, his gaze gentle and filled with deep emotion.
At that moment, a servant approached respectfully and said, “My lord, everything is ready.”
Lucius nodded and then turned to Lady Aelia. “Madam, there are some things you should perhaps know the truth about.”
He waved his hand, and the servant immediately understood, stepping in front of Lady Aelia and respectfully saying, “Madam, please follow me.”
Lady Aelia hesitated for a moment but ultimately followed the servant away. She knew that Lucius must have something important to tell her.
The servant led Lady Aelia to a secluded courtyard filled with various exotic flowers and plants, the air fragrant with a subtle aroma.
“Madam, please wait here for a moment; my lord will be here shortly,” the servant said before respectfully stepping aside.
Lady Aelia stood alone in the courtyard, her mind swirling with questions. She had no idea what Lucius wanted to tell her or what would happen next.
Just then, an aging voice came from deep within the courtyard.
“Madam, I come at my lord’s command to share some past events concerning Lord Leonard.”
An elderly servant slowly approached, his face lined with wrinkles but his eyes sparkling with wisdom.
“I know these matters may cause you pain, but for your happiness, I must speak,” the servant’s voice was low and hoarse, tinged with sorrow.
He began recounting Leonard’s past to Lady Aelia—how he met Leonard's Concubine, their emotional development, and the harm he caused to his family.
Lady Aelia listened quietly as her complexion grew paler and her body began to tremble slightly.
She could hardly believe that the husband she loved so dearly was such a hypocritical and selfish man.
She had always thought that Leonard married her solely for power and status but never imagined that he harbored feelings for another woman in his heart.
The servant continued his tale, his voice filled with sadness and helplessness.
He told Lady Aelia that Leonard was willing to sacrifice his own family and even betray the Magic Castle for the sake of Leonard's Concubine.
Lady Aelia's heart felt as if it had been cut by a knife; she realized that all her years of dedication and trust had become a joke. She had always believed she was the most important person in Leonard's heart, but now it seemed she was merely a tool for his use. Tears blurred Lady Aelia's vision, and she felt her life had completely collapsed.
At that moment, Lucius slowly approached. Seeing Lady Aelia with tears streaming down her face filled him with compassion. "My lady, are you alright?" he asked softly, his tone full of concern.
Lady Aelia looked up at Lucius, her voice trembling as she asked, "Lucius, tell me, is this all true?"
Lucius nodded and replied gently, "My lady, I know this is hard to accept, but it is the truth. Leonard..."
Just then, a voice suddenly interrupted them. "Master, the lady already knows all the truth. What should we do next?"
A servant stood respectfully behind Lucius, his face expressionless and his tone unusually cold.
Lucius turned to face the servant, his gaze becoming deep and complex. "Next..." he said slowly, his eyes involuntarily drifting toward the Assembly Hall as if he could see through barriers to a figure that haunted his dreams. "Next, it is time for her to make a choice."
At that moment, the door to the Assembly Hall was gently pushed open, revealing a familiar figure standing at the entrance. She looked shyly in their direction, her eyes filled with anticipation.
The servant replied respectfully, "Yes, master." His tone remained cold, as if the sympathetic servant from moments ago was not the same person at all.
In front of different people, he displayed entirely different attitudes, making him difficult to read. Was this loyalty or mere pretense?
"Lady Aelia, we meet again," he said in a low and hoarse voice laced with an imperceptible mockery. "There are some things you should perhaps know the truth about..."
"Alright, Qin Si, please take Luna back to rest," Lady Aelia instructed.
The servant responded respectfully, "Yes, my lady." His tone remained indifferent, as if he were still that same cold figure from before.
In front of different people, he exhibited contrasting attitudes that left others guessing. Was this loyalty or mere pretense?
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