Chapter 47 – Secret Base

Using Mage Hand to carry the “tightly bound” archer girl, Punk carefully avoided the scattered charred flesh and broken stones as he returned behind the stone wall where they had initially “rested.” On the other side, both the dire wolf and Mainaixi were waiting.

“Thud”!

Punk threw the girl onto the ground, then performed a formal salute to Mainaixi and said, “Respected Lord Mainaixi, would you like to absorb this enemy’s life force for recovery?”

Though Punk kept his head lowered, his senses were stretched to their limits, his entire body taut like a drawn bowstring, fully alert. This was yet another test Punk had devised for Mainaixi. If Mainaixi truly could absorb others’ life force to recover quickly, Punk would have to seriously consider whether to take the immense risk of ambushing this half-crippled official mage after entering the Secret Passage. Remaining for long near a mage capable of absorbing life force was like sleeping with one’s head in a lion’s mouth—dangerous and insane! Punk could not tolerate such a perilous situation!

Mainaixi paid no attention to the girl on the ground, who was showing signs of regaining consciousness. Instead, he gazed deeply at Punk with an inscrutable expression, as if Punk were some incomprehensible monster that needed to be thoroughly understood as soon as possible.

After a long while, Mainaixi finally opened his mouth and spoke in a hoarse voice, “My path of life element cultivation is ‘creation,’ not ‘acquisition.’ Her life force is meaningless to me.”

“I see. It seems I overstepped.”

Punk gave a “respectful” reply. While he wasn’t entirely convinced by Mainaixi’s words, at least for now, their cooperation could continue. Calmly, he lifted his head and grabbed the now-conscious girl.

The archer girl dangled in mid-air, and as she realized something terrible was about to happen, she began struggling futilely against the vines binding her, cursing and shouting, “You pervert, let me down! May you die a horrible death…”

However, neither Punk nor Mainaixi paid any attention to the “delicate” girl. Punk walked to the edge of the stone wall, yanked the ruby necklace from the girl’s neck. The rough motion immediately left a bruised mark on her fair skin. At the same time, with the low murmur of a few incantations, a pale purple Mage Hand materialized in front of the girl’s head…

Punk completely ignored the girl’s tearful, pleading gaze. Without hesitation, he controlled the Mage Hand to exert force…

“Squelch…”

Torrents of blood stained the entire stone wall dark red. Then, with a casual kick from Punk, a round object bounced twice on the ground before disappearing into a crack in the ruins, out of sight…

“We need to hurry. The inn is just ahead!”

Mainaixi watched coldly as Punk tucked the Divine Necklace into his Mage Robe pocket before calmly reminding him.

“As you command, Lord Mainaixi.”

————————Divider————————Mainaixi’s secret hideout was actually hidden in the cellar of the inn. What was originally only large enough to hold a few sacks of potatoes had now been magically expanded to the size of a basketball court.

Upon entering this dim and oppressive cellar, Punk noticed numerous magical runes carved into the walls, which seemed to provide decent reinforcement. One had to admit that a Formal-Level Mage truly operated on a grand scale—such semi-permanent enchantments covering such a vast area were impressive. Though the enchanted structure appeared crude, its sturdiness far surpassed that of ornate but impractical castles. However… the lighting here was rather… pitiful. Only two feeble Dancing Lights clung to the ceiling as illumination, lending the cellar an exceptionally “clandestine hideout” atmosphere.

Greeting Mainaixi and Punk was the alchemical puppet responsible for reception at the Mage Guild. After not seeing it for some time, the little fellow seemed even more dull-witted. While performing some cleaning tasks, it froze for a long moment upon seeing Punk enter the cellar before loudly screeching in a somewhat grating, raspy voice, “Someone’s here! Someone’s here!”

Fortunately, the soldiers reacted swiftly. Soon, two Apprentice Rank warriors rushed to the entrance, tightly gripping their weapons and shields to form a “welcoming corridor.” Though they appeared imposing, their initial delight at seeing Mainaixi quickly turned to shock at his “horrifying” wounds.

Mainaixi, who had just cast Levitation on himself, was visibly displeased by his soldiers’ “disgraceful” reaction. Punk couldn’t help but complain—had he never considered how terrifying it was to float around like a ghost with half his body drifting in mid-air?

However, the soldiers still recognized their superior despite Mainaixi missing half his body. Upon learning of Mainaixi’s return, all remaining loyal elites gathered in a room that could barely be called a parlor. Her Highness the Princess clung to Mainaixi tearfully, refusing to let go, resembling a frightened kitten afraid of abandonment—a far cry from her heroic demeanor during the plaza speech.

Watching the Princess weep bitterly while embracing Mainaixi, the surrounding warriors discreetly wiped their tears. Punk, however, only wanted to ask if they could hurry and open the Secret Passage to escape—they could always cry outside later. But seeing the Old Mage beside him weeping like a child, Punk silently decided to remain quiet.

“Sir, you…”

The Princess tried to stop the “half-present” Mainaixi from rising, but he gently pushed her arm aside, intent on interrupting this sorrowful “feast.”

“Warriors…” Mainaixi scanned the few remaining soldiers with eyes burning with determination.

“…We have lost this battle, but! Our Princess remains! The spirit of our Kamos Kingdom endures! And you—are still here!”

Mainaixi’s words rang with resolute force.

“Will you join me in following Her Highness the Princess until our dying breath?!”

“WE WILL!!!”

All the soldiers snapped to attention simultaneously, delivering the most standard military salute representing loyalty with maximum strength, powerful voices, and perfect posture. The Old Mage beside Punk even shouted himself hoarse.”Fine… You’re all impressive, now! First, we leave Konola City, but one day! We will return! Back here! Back to Konola City! To reclaim our glory”!

Due to the urgency, even Mainaixi could only hold a brief rally. After delivering this “inspirational speech,” amidst the soldiers’ deafening roars, Mainaixi deftly manipulated Levitation to lift himself. As the soldiers instinctively cleared a path, he calmly and confidently approached a seemingly unremarkable wall.

Then… there was no dazzling brilliance, no rumbling echoes—only a dark opening silently appearing on the wall. Most importantly… including Punk, who possessed the System, no one could detect even the slightest sign of magic or traces of spellcasting, as if the opening had instantly materialized there!

As he followed the impassioned warriors into the opening, Punk remained deeply wary of Mainaixi’s methods. A Formal-Level powerhouse was indeed a Formal-Level powerhouse—even in an awkward, near-death state, he was not to be underestimated!

(End of Chapter)