Lian left, just as suddenly as she arrived, like a flash of lightning across the sky, instantly vanishing into the distance. If not for the inability to use teleportation spells within the secret realm, a true dragon, a god among mortals, could return to the imperial capital in an instant.
Faust and the girls exchanged glances. He said, “Well then, everyone, how should we explain this situation? Let's discuss it.”
The beautiful Midwinter princess furrowed her delicate brows, slightly raised her chin, and said, “Before we discuss this, could you please stop smiling so happily? If you go out with that expression, no one will believe anything you say.”
Faust quickly covered his mouth, composed his expression, then lightly coughed and said, “Ahem, then we'll just stick to a single story and tell the truth: Alexander exhausted himself to death in a skirmish, right?”
As for what happened before that, it was not for outsiders to know. Anyway, no lies were fabricated; it was merely a selective telling of the truth.
“Whatever.”
“Your Highness is truly farsighted.”
Selena and Viviana had no objections. Compared to the potential consequence of facing the entire world as enemies, they were probably more concerned about Faust's relationship with that dragon-maiden.
Having a fantasy about dragons was too far beyond common sense. Even knowing Faust's debauchery, this was just too perverted.
Alkin, meanwhile, happily swung her arms, skipping to where the 【Blade of Praising Gods】 had been flung, and pulled the greatsword out.
Although the greatsword, its radiance faded, had been crushed by Lian, it quickly repaired itself.
“If its original owner is dead, is this sword now ownerless?”
Faust said seriously, “Of course, whoever picks it up, it's theirs. I said the heavens' will has changed, divine artifacts shift owners, and go to the virtuous! Alkin, you are virtuous!”
Alkin agreed with this logic. The wolf-girl, with her strong principles, would never forcibly take someone else's belongings, but since it had become ownerless, then she picked it up!
After all, the 【Blade of Praising Gods】 was not property, but a qualification.
The white wolf gripped the greatsword, mimicking Alexander's usage, and whispered, “I praise... the heroic spirit.”
The greatsword transformed and shifted, bursting forth with crimson embers.
However, the reassembled blade seemed to lack the power it had when in Alexander's hands before, and Alkin's own aura hadn't significantly increased.
She swung the blade twice and said, “It seems heavily damaged, and its effect is very weak now.”
Faust was not surprised by this. The 【Blade of Praising Gods】 was originally a divine artifact exclusive to the Brave One. After the previous Brave One died, this divine-era relic no longer possessed the power to guarantee the Brave One's qualification, only degenerating into an ordinary mysterious artifact.
“But the chanting ability is still there, so that's fine.”
Alkin listened to the rhythmic melody emanating from the blade and nodded joyfully.
She had never favored the 【Blade of Praising Gods】 for its power or beauty as a divine artifact; she simply loved weapons that automatically chanted poems and hymns.
Because the wolf-girl saw herself as a bard who would forever sing praises to the beauty of the world, she needed such a flavorful weapon!
“Faust was right, making a wish really does bring good things.”
The prince couldn't help but feel a little strained upon hearing this. Although he was technically the instigator who planned all of this, Faust genuinely hadn't expected the continuation effect of the 【witches' feast】 to be realized in such a way.
His original guess was that Alexander might suddenly change his mind, or for some reason, the 【Blade of Praising Gods】 would be temporarily unusable, forcing Alkin to activate it.
The actual solution, however, was simple and brutal: Alexander directly crashed into a true dragon and literally killed himself from exhaustion.
Moreover, the process was incredibly natural, because a dragonfall fairy, as the greatest fate-defier, was unlikely to be eroded by providence. Lian truly was inspecting the seal as per her routine, happened to discover the secret realm prison opened by the Sanctuary, and naturally entered it, where she met Faust.
Then she was discovered by Alexander, who harbored extreme hatred for evil dragons and took his mission seriously. Even though the dragon-maiden herself had no intention of acting, she couldn't stop the young Brave One's suicidal attack.
But it was precisely this natural and reasonable development that made Faust sigh with emotion.
“Is this really okay?”
“Although the Brave One is a tool, they are one of the most important tools, directly sacrificed for the Lady Witch.”
This was not like the duel at the banquet before; although he was a stepping stone, it wasn't a big deal. Losing only meant losing some face and didn't affect the Brave One's ability to fulfill his mission.
But to die prematurely before even achieving success was another matter entirely. Even the prince of Qingxi, who regarded the Brave One as an imaginary enemy, had never expected to deal with a Brave One so easily.
【Because there isn't just one Brave One, they can certainly be used as stepping stones. But this also means that the remaining Brave One fate-star holders will receive benefits. For the dragonslaying mission, it is actually beneficial; throughout history, solo dragonslaying feats have been much easier than team efforts.】
What gu-raising? Enough, don't tell me such a dark and heavy secret!
Faust felt another headache coming on after hearing this information. If it was a gu-raising method like this, it wasn't a good thing, because.....
“Clap, clap, clap, clap—”
The prince's thoughts were interrupted by a series of crisp claps. The Imperial Princess, emerging from who knows where, fixed her dark purple eyes on the direction Lian had left, and on Alexander, kneeling on the ground, burned to ash. A flush crept onto her pretty, exquisite face.
“Ah, truly splendid! I never imagined such an interesting event would occur in this boring trial. Indeed, tracking you was an absolutely correct decision.”
Faust was not surprised by this. Since only the Brave One could approach, any Brave One fate-star holder nearby couldn't possibly remain indifferent.
He just hadn't expected the Imperial Princess to be so idle, actually monitoring him all this time:
“How long have you been watching there?”
Artedinis tilted her head, her pale jade finger caressing her lips.
“Hmm... let me think. Probably since the very beginning, when Lady Lian appeared... Ah, don't worry, I'll keep your secret.”
“After all, Faust, you wouldn't want news of colluding with an evil dragon to get out, would you?”
Faust was furious at this, turning the tables, “From the very beginning? That means you were just watching while Alexander fought desperately? I can't believe it! The esteemed Imperial Princess, a Brave One candidate, so cowardly!”
Artedinis looked surprised. “Your first concern isn't about being exposed, but to accuse me of standing by? Faust, you are truly shamelessly unbelievable.”
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