0133 Return to Icathia

Andy smiled and thanked the soldiers guarding the gate: "Thank you for your trouble."

The soldiers, drenched in a cold sweat, hurriedly shook their heads, uttering politeries about how it was no trouble at all and that it was their honor, their heads bowed low in respect, not daring to lift them again.

Andy did not mind. He nodded, signaling the two behind him to proceed. Moumou, quick-witted, took hold of Andy’s wheelchair and began to push. Huanluo, having been pushed aside, did not care; she simply walked to Andy’s side and followed in step with Moumou.

After passing through the gates of the Qilin Pass, a path stretched before them, a canyon trail so long it seemed endless. As previously mentioned, the Qilin Pass was a typical basin, flanked by towering mountains. Aside from the main natural road leading toward the Imperial City, the only other way through was a path to Akasia, partially natural and partially carved by hand.

It was the dead of night, thick with mist. Given the length of the path to Akasia, torches had been placed every few meters for the safety and guidance of travelers. Yet, in the heavy, oppressive darkness, these small torches looked fragile and feeble—like a line of fireflies from a distance, tempting one to scoff. But the three travelers were in no mood for laughter; they marched on with stiff, grim expressions, walking mechanically.

"There are no guards here," Moumou, the most impatient of the group, was the first to break the silence. Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt the other two exhale a long sigh of relief as she spoke, the atmosphere shifting from rigid to alive.

"There are," Andy explained. "But based on the defensive strategy of Qilin Pass, the tactical guard is positioned on the cliffs above. That way, enemies entering through the path are simply sitting ducks. After all, even the most agile magical beasts couldn't effortlessly leap up the Transverse Mountains at the entrance of the pass, unless they were winged beasts."

"Then there’s really no problem with me taking her away, right? Since the defensive conditions here are so good," Moumou asked Andy in a low voice, tugging at Huanluo’s sleeve. "It won't cause you any trouble, will it?"

"Well..." Andy looked at Huanluo’s stoic face and smiled helplessly. "There will be some trouble, of course. After all... well, you know. But I have already sent a secret report to the superiors. I trust the worst-case scenario will be exactly what I’ve anticipated."

Moumou choked back a response. Seeing her awkward hesitation, Huanluo finally reacted. She leaned down and whispered into Moumou’s ear: "Don't worry. I will return, and you will return." She then cast a warning glance at Andy. Under her gaze, Andy, who had just begun to relax, couldn't help but laugh.

"You really are protective of her," Andy said, his trembling laughter annoying Moumou so much she longed to slap him into silence. "But in doing so, her wings will never fully grow."

Huanluo did not want to engage further. "I know what must be done," she said coldly, then walked ahead without looking back.

Seeing Huanluo accelerate, Andy could only touch his nose in an attempt to hide the awkwardness of being left behind. Moumou was in a panic, looking back and forth between Huanluo’s retreating figure and the immobile Andy, unsure of what to do. Andy, observing her bewilderment, kindly said, "Go on and catch up with her. I have people coming to collect me."

"All right," Moumou nodded slowly, walking forward while glancing back every three steps. Andy waved his hand generously, signaling her to hurry. Moumou lingered as if struggling with a difficult decision. Finally, on her fourth glance back, she stood still and addressed Andy: "About my situation... you won’t tell anyone, will you?" She twisted her fingers anxiously, awaiting his reply.

Indeed, she was referring to Andy’s discovery that she was a four-element mage.

Andy, however, seemed unwilling to give a direct answer. He spread his hands in a classic "I’m just an innocent bystander" gesture, tilted his head, and played dumb: "What situation? I have no idea what you're talking about."

Feeling Andy’s harmless feigned ignorance, Moumou could only nod happily. She bowed ninety degrees to him and, like Huanluo, ran toward Akasia without looking back.

The path ahead would be the most difficult.

As they pressed on, Moumou and Huanluo finally approached Akasia. Using a wind magic barrier, Moumou masked their presence, hiding in the darkness. Less than a hundred meters away lay the guard post of the magical beasts.

According to reliable intelligence from Andy, that scoundrel Lance had no intention of continuing to attack the White Tower Kingdom after conquering Akasia. Not only did he release the surrendered soldiers of Akasia in accordance with the post-war agreement, but he also allowed all the civilians who couldn't escape in time to return to the White Tower Kingdom. His generosity was so baffling that no one knew what he was truly after. In fact, the Qilin Pass, which received the returning citizens, was so startled by Lance’s actions that they formed a special inspection team to screen the civilians, fearing Lance was playing a game of espionage.

However, to everyone’s surprise, none of the civilians were problematic. Every one of them had complete identities, acquaintances who could vouch for them, and official records. No one showed any suspicious reactions during the magical beast detection tests. This forced the authorities to confine them to a designated area for food and housing, though they dared not grant them freedom of movement. Fortunately, the people of Akasia, having survived the fires of war, were very rational; most understood the authorities' actions under the guidance of officials. Otherwise, the effort required to pacify the refugees would have been enough to exhaust the local leadership.

Furthermore, according to the returning soldiers and civilians, Lance had made no significant changes to Akasia. Apart from rebuilding the house he had lived in during his time there, he had ordered no repairs to any other buildings. The magical beast soldiers didn't care; they stayed wherever they were assigned without a word of complaint. Akasia remained a post-war ruin, with beast soldiers patrolling daily and guards stationed at various perimeter points. Lance had even brought in reinforcements from the forest, but they did nothing of substance, spending their days patrolling Akasia as if searching for some hidden treasure—a truly baffling endeavor.