As Hua’an and Tres used rather physical means to open the door of the biological Spirit Energy laboratory in the northern sewers of Azure City,
the first thing they felt was an icy chill so cold it seemed almost to come from a forest.
Fairy Miss lifted her head, looking towards the dark underground lab hall. The seemingly vast space somehow imparted a claustrophobic sensation.
Especially within the range of Fairy Perception, inscriptions of ’prohibition,’ ’closure,’ and ’fortification’ could be found throughout the lab; it was also saturated with the stench of suffering and despair. Countless Humans, beasts, and Magical Beasts had endured torture here before dying.
It made all life, whether Fae or Humans, instinctively feel a shiver of fear...or rather, one might say.
A chill of death climbed up the spine.
"How many people have died in this place..."
Hua’an shivered, hugging the nearby Frost Butterfly and complaining, "It’s even colder than my Frost Butterfly!"
"Holy smokes, is this a slaughterhouse?"
On the other hand, Tres subconsciously assumed a combat stance. Clutching the hilt of the sword at his waist, he frowned deeply: "I’d believe it if you told me this place is a nest for Phantoms."
But just as everyone remained on guard, in the corridor not far away,
two silvery blue points of light lit up, accompanied by the steady sound of footsteps, dispersing all the ominous atmosphere.
"They’re here."
Ian approached slowly, sheathing his Iron Pattern Sword with an air of composure, and greeted all his teammates with a smile: "The cleanup is almost complete, and they even conveniently organized the data for us—we can just take the data and leave."
"That’s good," said Tres, who, upon seeing the box of data in Ian’s hands, nodded without hesitation, ready to declare the mission over and leave.
Clearly, Ian’s solo mission must have been connected to Michael’s task.
And now that the mission was complete, it was time for them to leave.
As for the content of the mission...
Tres may have preferred not to think too hard, yet he was at the Second Energy Level, and had a soul; he wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake—not even with a million guts would he dare to ask or even contemplate these matters.
Ignorance is not an error, getting it yet not getting it, right?
"Eh?"
However, Hua’an furrowed her brows, her expression dubious as she hugged the Frost Butterfly and circled Ian. Only then, when the boy seemed somewhat troubled, did she ask, "You don’t want us to go inside... indeed, have you found something you want to hide from us?"
"No... you want to hide it from me and Morphia, even from the Frost Butterfly!"
Fairy Miss, relying on her instincts, declared confidently: "This matter concerns us Fae!"
"...Indeed."
Ian hesitated, but after a moment of silence, he sighed and admitted, "Alright, Hua’an, come with me alone with Morphia... but don’t bring the Frost Butterfly."
Frost Butterfly: "0⌒0?"
Although somewhat unhappy, Frost Butterfly was still obedient and willing to listen. Like Tres, she watched as Ian led the two Fae, Hua’an and Morphia, into the depths of the lab.
"What in the world is so important that you have to call me over?"
Morphia, having just finished writing a report, was a bit confused. The Wind Fairy Miss didn’t even know that the team had already fought several encounters, as with Hua’an and Tres, and an entire exceptionally capable Patrol Knight Squad around, they hadn’t encountered anything that could trouble her.
But they also knew Ian wouldn’t act as an enigma or specially call on them without good reason.
Upon reaching the depths of the laboratory, Hua’an and Morphia understood why Ian insisted Frost Butterfly, the Little Fairy, shouldn’t come.
Because...
Laid out in the depths of the lab were the ’corpses’ of several Fae.
Theoretically, Fae, as Spirit Energy creatures, should not have ’corpses.’ However, similar to how Fae might even sell their remains, the material shells are essentially their bodies after death.
But a carapace contaminated by a Fairy’s death energy is different from one shed voluntarily by a Fae.
The former’s Origin Quality imparts a ’disgust’ to all Fae, and as this feeling spreads, all Fae would come to understand that these materials for ascension and Magic Potion were obtained through the killing of a Fairy.
At that point, the consequences would not be pleasant. It can even be said... those responsible would witness one of the darkest scenes in Terra.
Fae may lack caution and often appear cute and endearing, but this does not mean they are a ’harmless and kind-hearted’ race as a whole.
On the contrary, the very reason nations treat the Fae of Falling Star City with such decorum, even allowing them to establish the Fairy Homeland within their territories... was fought for!
Although the final outcome was a stalemate, everyone knows that to offend these seemingly fragile beings comes with consequences beyond what the ordinary person could withstand.
Yet, in the underground lab of Azure City, Ian led Hua’an and Morphia to witness this row of ’corpses.’
"Chenyao! And Huan Lan?!"
Upon seeing the appearance of the two leading Fae, Hua’an was taken aback for a moment before quickly approaching to observe, "They... they’re really dead! And judging by the traces of Spirit Substance, their souls haven’t fully detached!"
"This is bad, after they reincarnate, they’re bound to lose a lot of memories... They might not even remember me..."
"Huan Lan..."
Morphia also widened her eyes, placing a hand over her mouth, tears welling in her eyes and large droplets sliding down her cheeks, but soon her expression turned cold and icy, "Damn it..."
A swirl of pitch-black winds wrapped around the seemingly gentle Fae scholar, churning rapidly, and even the alloy table turned to fine powder under her power in an instant.
For a moment, Ian could only see a small, dark face with two fierce purple lights flickering within.
The tangible killing intent seemed to surge out, condensing into waves.