High atop the collapsing spiral tower, rubble fell like a torrential rain as piercing sunlight flooded into the massive gaps of the ancient ruins.
Bathed in this light, the young man and woman held each other tightly, kissing passionately.
Celia’s kiss was inexperienced and clumsy, yet it carried an indisputable dominance.
She drank in Ansu’s presence almost greedily, as if trying to confirm his existence through this act and soothe the terror and unease in her heart.
Whatever Ansu had intended to say was completely stifled.
It seemed all his careful calculations and the emotions he had cautiously suppressed were shattered in an instant... He sighed inwardly, closed his eyes, and responded to her with equal fervor.
The two continued to kiss, moving from initial awkwardness to a practiced rhythm.
Amidst that sweet and tender stir, the deafening sounds of collapse around them seemed to fade away; the world was reduced to their rapid heartbeats and burning breath.
"Ansu..." Celia lifted her head. This beautiful, almost magical atmosphere made her dizzy, and a flush quickly spread across her cheeks.
"Thank you. Thank you for being alive... A world where you still exist is truly wonderful..."
She could feel her own heart pounding violently.
The joy of having him back was indescribable; now that she was certain Ansu was alive, it felt as though she had come back to life as well...
It was truly wonderful...
"Didn't I promise you? I'll stay with you forever." Ansu held her slender waist, smiling brightly. "See? Didn't I keep my word?"
"Mm!" Celia stared at him intently and began to smile too. "I believe you! I've always believed you!"
They held each other tightly, embracing one another.
A warm atmosphere lingered between them.
"Ansu..."
"Hmm?"
Celia leaned against Ansu’s shoulder, her laughter sounding a bit raspy.
"You're so good to me."
Ansu gently stroked Celia’s silver hair, his heart filled with softness. "Of course I am..."
"Ansu... what exactly happened just now?" Celia finally found the presence of mind to ponder the situation. She looked up, her expression already turning into one of lingering resentment.
Seeing the World Ending Witch's reproachful little gaze, Ansu gave a sheepish laugh. "It was just a 3rd Circle necromancy magic, Feign Death... Actually, with your level of magic, you would have noticed the problem sooner or later. You were just..."
Blinded by concern.
To the point that upon seeing his 'death,' she had instantly lost all reason...
"Oh..." Celia’s mind was so full of Ansu that she found it difficult to think about complex problems. "Then... why did you do that... shouldn't we hurry and leave this place...?"
"We won't get the rewards if we leave now." Ansu patted the head of the suddenly dazed Miss Witch, his gaze turning toward the depths of the underground again. "Take me down there. Be quick!"
"Mm... okay." Celia nodded and immediately flew back the way they had come, carrying Ansu with her.
Upon arriving at the circular altar, their faces were instantly illuminated by a flickering, golden light.
Ansu showed a look of surprise, and Celia beside him widened her eyes.
"Are these all..."
"The secret treasures left behind by the demon army?"
"That's right!" Ansu rushed forward, as excited as if he had just pulled a gold in a gacha. "This goddamn dungeon is finally cleared! This is awesome!!"
A twisting magic crack seemed to tear through space. The two stepped through it one after another, and the golden light grew even more intense, nearly blinding them.
It was no wonder they couldn't see these treasures at first; this place was a hidden barrier. It was as if they were clearing a dungeon, and only after truly completing it would there be a 'dungeon clear rewards' screen.
Inside this hidden barrier, everything seemed frozen in time. Various treasures, looking as clean as new, were displayed here in an endless array. Mountains of finely carved ancient coins and various precious magic pearls were piled high. Ansu was, in every sense of the word, about to 'strike it rich.'
Celia watched Ansu tossing coins around, looking as excited as a child. She smiled along with him; a money-grubbing Ansu was quite cute in her eyes.
"With these treasures, what's an Echoes of Truth cult? We could rebuild the Magic Empire without any trouble!" Ansu walked over excitedly, already having all sorts of fantasies about their future 'great cause.'
"Celia, are you happy! This is the startup capital for our business! All of this belongs to the two of us!"
"Mm, mm, okay..." Celia was helplessly picked up and held by him, getting dizzy after being spun around several times.
Ansu gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, then took her hand and walked toward the stacks of magic texts located at the very center.
Celia touched her cheek, feeling it start to burn slightly.
He's becoming more and more proactive with me...
That's nice.
Suppressing her joy, she followed Ansu into the piles of texts with blushing cheeks.
"Wait, these..."
Celia’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she quickly picked up a thick volume.
"Do you like them?" Ansu turned back with a smile.
"Yes! I like them! Of course I do!" Celia nodded repeatedly.
Her original purpose for seeking the demon army's treasure was the ancient magic texts that the demon army had looted back then.
The Second Era was the peak of magic civilization. Different races had gained unimaginable power by exploring the mysteries of magic and established many magic kingdoms across the continent.
During the Demon Calamity War, the Enus Empire of the demon race swept across the entire continent. In addition to acquiring a large population, craftsmen, and slaves, they also looted countless magic texts.
Thousands of years had passed, and all the magic civilizations on the continent had vanished. Most ancient magic had long since been lost.
Yet, the crimes of the demon race back then had actually preserved these lost magics, leaving behind a spark for the revival of magic. It was quite ironic.
At this moment, after his initial excitement, Ansu didn't forget his 'core plan.'
He flipped through the ancient texts one by one, tossing each aside after looking at it, urgently searching through the mountain of books.
"Ansu..."
Celia put down the text in her hand and watched Ansu’s behavior in surprise.
"What... what are you doing?"
"Learning!" Ansu was so busy he didn't even have time to look up.
【Ancient Enus (Unlearned) (Learning Progress: 0/500)】
This was the fundamental language for learning many ancient magics, equivalent to a prerequisite skill.
The moment Ansu flipped through this text, a gray icon flashed. This meant he had effectively 'unlocked' the skill, and he could grind the progress bar later.
Ansu had tried this before; although items from the simulation couldn't be brought back, knowledge could!
The skills and proficiency gained in the simulation could be taken back to reality. This was why he had insisted on Celia 'clearing' the dungeon no matter what.
This way, he not only had the advantage of information but could also easily dismantle the other party's magic. Once he returned to reality, he could handle the Echoes of Truth cult and the old witch herself with absolute composure.
Then, he would open the barrier again and reclaim all the treasures.
A speedrun of the second playthrough!
【Disintegration (Conjuration, 6th Circle magic)】
【(Unlearned) (Learning Progress: 0/1000)】
A high-level magic that could one-shot people! This was great; better unlock it quickly!
【Spell Counter (Abjuration, 5th Circle magic)】
【(Unlearned) (Learning Progress: 0/800)】
This one was also good. It felt like using the opponent's strength against them, deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces. It had a very master-like feel to it...
【Slaughter Sacrifice (Large-scale magic ritual)】
【(Prerequisite skills: Ancient Enus, Sacrifice technique, General Ritual Magic Knowledge; Other prerequisites: demon blood, altar, a large number of sacrifices...)(Unlearned)】
After reading the relevant skill description, Ansu realized that this magic ritual was the same one the cult and those two demons had used on him.
The casting conditions for a large-scale magic ritual were quite strict, and more importantly...
The more sacrifices for this ritual, the better. The ancient Enus Empire had to kill at least three hundred people at a time to sacrifice to the god; that was the bare minimum.
Only when enough people were sacrificed would the very sleepy Ersos barely wake up and give you a glance...
Ansu seemed to understand why he and Celia had worked so hard without catching the evil god's attention. It was because they hadn't even met the conditions of the original sacrificial ritual. Elder John and his group had only used this ritual as a means to kill him.
In the end, it was only because of Celia’s blackened state—that intense hatred and obsession—that the evil god had been startled awake.
Thinking of this, a plan gradually formed in Ansu’s mind...
If next time I beat them to it and start the sacrificial ritual here in advance...
That way, I won't need Miss Witch to turn black, I can deal with the cult pursuers, and I can reclaim the treasures...
It’s another triple win!
However...
Ansu clicked his tongue inwardly. The number of cult pursuers didn't seem to be enough?
I still need to sacrifice more people...
It would be best to have as many pursuers as possible. If I could even lure the remnants of the demon army here, that would be even better.
Rate on N.U.
