But unlike his still silent footsteps, there was a trace of heaviness on his face.

As a Legendary Mage, despite the blocked sky routes, his traveling speed was far beyond that of an ordinary Chocobo.

After deciding to venture out, it didn't take him long to reach the Western Realm and step into the forbidden area where the Ancient Royal City was located.

However, what he faced was the catastrophic disaster that had replaced the Kingdom's Capital.

No matter how rational he tried to be, in the face of the Kingdom's impending destruction, his pace involuntarily quickened a little.

"Let's head towards the center."

His gaze was cast into the distance, the place where the miasma of Magic Element was the densest, also the direction the Winged People would not go.

"Perhaps there might be something there."

His brother gripped the sword-staff in his hand.

[What his brother saw was——(Noble Lady Extreme Failure)]

1.5. Single-winged Divine Consort

2.6. God Zhi's Puppet

3.7. Intact Noble Lady

4. Noble Lady on the Verge of Death

8. Divine Knowledge Saintess

9. Divine Egg

10. Great Success/Great Failure

D10=d10(7)=7

♛: Intact Noble Lady

1. Standing ♛

2. Lying down

D2=d2(1)=1

→☆→☆→☆→✧←★←★←★←

"The aura of the central palace... Could it be the Great Demon? We can't get any closer."

Under the concealment of many magic techniques, his brother smoothly reached the center of the Ancient Royal City,

and his skillful manipulation of the Wind Element made the pollution of Magic Element unable to obstruct him.

Despite this, once he stepped into the center, a chilling coldness suddenly rose behind him.

"If I go further in——"

I'll die.

The result of future calculation was absolutely clear.

"Is it the same situation as the border? They want to release this Great Demon and then replace it with the Capital?"

He stopped moving, a calm gleam flashed in his emerald green eyes.

The sudden disaster, the frightening center of Magic Power...

The young man with an indifferent expression frowned slightly, this familiar scene reminding him of experiences his sister had told the family about.

He wasn't surprised by the presence of the Great Demon. Not to mention the many ancient mysterious legends about the Ancient Royal City, only a catastrophe of this magnitude was worthy of the Black Gate's grand moves.

But... what a terrifying oppressive force.

Without a doubt, it was strength even his father couldn't possess.

Even with the assistance of ancient Heroic Spirits and border troops, being able to directly raise a fist against the Great Demon under such pressure... did she not think much about it?

"However, it's somewhat different."

The young man's gaze swept over the surrounding ruined buildings.

"No Winged People, no Black Gate, and no rituals set up, nothing that could break the seal... Is the Divine Knowledge Saintess in a deeper place?

"In any case, let's explore the surroundings first."

As a Mystic Master, using the aid of Magic and powerful Perception, his exploration speed was far beyond that of ordinary professionals or academy students.

Even while exploring with attention to restraining his presence, it didn't take him half a day to discover a tall church building.

The church stood amidst the ruins of the center, with a gigantic arch and intricate carvings, all of which revealed its former glory and solemnity.

"A sanctuary, huh..."

His brother narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly walked inside.

The interior of the church was also in ruins, with many pillars already broken, and upon entering, a huge mural could be seen right at the front.

It was mostly intact, occupying the entire wall, with its content still vividly lifelike.

"It seems to record the history of the Winged People's ancestors—hmm, the breath of life?"

His brother's gaze suddenly turned to a corner of the church, a cold light appearing in his emerald eye, as his hand moved unobtrusively close to the sword-staff, then slowly approached.

[His brother activated the skill: Seeking Pupil]

D201+50=d201(85)+50=135

"A young girl, pure black hair, not dyed, wine-red pupils, noble bloodline, academy uniform, scattered and already damaged jewelry, protective-type arcane artifacts, were they damaged."

His brother's emerald eye brightened slightly, capturing every detail at a glance, and scanning a large amount of information all at once.

"Border nobles... the Border Count's princess?"

With raised eyebrows in slight surprise, the young man cautiously approached the girl standing motionless.

The light in his emerald eye became even more concentrated, always locked onto the girl, as if trying to see through the fleshly shell to observe a deeper scene.

"Such excellent talent, converting the surrounding Magic Element. Still alive, but——"

1. It's better not to approach here anymore (Noble Lady acquired skill: Holy Word Puppet Rhyme)

2. Hello, is there anything I can help you with? (Noble Lady's status changed to: Heartless)♛

D2=d2(2)=2

The distance between the two gradually shortened, the Magic Power in the brother's eyes almost tangible.

But in the next moment, the image of death suddenly flashed through his mind, and he immediately stopped in his tracks, quickly closing his eyes.

'If I keep looking, will I be discovered?'

A moment later, the Emerald Eye opened again, the light within subdued.

'However, even though I saw nothing, that in itself is an answer.'

The brother stood quietly in place, then lifted a magic technique from himself, continuing to approach the girl while deliberately making the sound of footsteps.

Upon hearing the footsteps, the black-haired Noble Lady turned around.

"Oh my, I didn't expect to run into someone else here."

Upon seeing the stranger, she neither panicked nor became wary, instead offering a polite smile in greeting to the brother.

"Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"

Her tone was gentle yet detached, cheek muscles pulling, curving her mouth into a graceful arc, revealing an inorganic smile.

The once lively eyes now bore no light within them.

"...Has the soul been taken away? It seems it's too late."

Facing those spiritless red eyes, the brother shook his head slightly with regret, utterly ignoring the Noble Lady's words.

"What a waste of such talent."

He no longer focused on her nor chose to respond, instead turning his attention to the massive mural before him.

The moment the ruins of the Angel Magic Text came into view, a subtle pricking sensation spread through his nerves.

"Although it's been destroyed, under the surrounding Magic Element's influence, these texts still retain the traits of High-level Magic Text." The brother lowered his gaze, analyzing to himself.

"These are High-level Languages that can cause Magic Power changes just by being spoken. Inscribed as text, they're equivalent to an Array. Her strength was too weak, and she looked for too long, that's why her soul was captured."

Beside him, the Noble Lady maintained her graceful smile, like a soulless puppet.

She showed no annoyance at being ignored, nor did she respond to the young man's words in any way.

She simply stood there quietly, wearing a mechanical smile, her wine-colored eyes hollow and lifeless, as if a machine waiting for instructions.

"...There's value in investing time here, but let's look at other places first."

"Okay, I'll wait here for your return."

Paying no mind to the Noble Lady's response, devoid of any ripple, the brother turned to leave, his movements without hesitation.

Yet for some reason, a past conversation suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

"——Won't you think we're despicable and hateful for 'not saving' her?"

"——I've never thought that way."

The brother's steps halted, his body stopping.

His emerald green pupils narrowed slightly, and a few seconds later, he turned to look at the Noble Lady again.

"Hey, you have a letter in your pocket, right? Let me take a look."

"Alright, here you go."

Smiling, the Noble Lady retrieved the letter from her pocket, intended for her father but never successfully delivered to the counter, and handed it to the brother with both hands.

The young man took the envelope, gently slicing it open with a sharp surge of magic power.

He casually pulled out the letter, eyes scanning swiftly, absorbing the content at a glance.

"Hmph... Just as I thought, a friend of that guy, huh."

The brother tossed the letter back to the Noble Lady.

"Forget it. Since I promised her, this is just a side task."

He turned in another direction, stepping forward.

"Daughter of the Border Count, follow me."

1. Find a way back to the Capital

2. On the outskirts of the city♛

D2=d2(2)=2

"I'll call your friend over, then you can be handed over to her."

"Alright." The Noble Lady took back the letter, nodded compliantly, and followed the young man.

The two of them left the center of the Ancient Royal City.

Their figures disappeared at the end of the desolate street, while at the heart of the palace complex, the Radiance of the soul continued to illuminate the dreary sky.

[Brother activates Ritual Magic: Hero Summon]

[Next perspective]

1-4. Brother

5-8. Hero♛

9. Lost Holy Word

10. Great Success/Great Failure

D10=d10(5)=5

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