CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 64: REUNION

The secret passage up ahead began to feature ascending stairs. It was the first time Li Ang encountered such a situation.

Most of the previous route sections relied on the city’s underground sewer system, extended into interlayers. Following the upward stairs, the feeling of leaving the underground for the surface was palpable.

Observing through the system map, the secret passage had already deeply entered the interior of the Feinat family’s luxurious mansion building, with the walls on both sides made of bricks for constructing the mansion, no longer large stone bricks.

This was enough to prove that the entire city’s secret passage was built by the Feinat family, perhaps even planned during their house’s construction.

"There’s a fork ahead," Dorothy stopped in her tracks.

She pointed at one path going forward and one going upwards.

Li Ang had previously encountered forked roads, deciding on the general direction at that time, while now, it was about deciding on which level of the Feinat family’s three-story mansion to explore first.

"If we want to figure out the secrets inside the Count’s Mansion, let’s do it systematically, from bottom to top."

"Alright."

The first secret passage exit on the first floor led to the kitchen. It was after nine at night, the time when servants were cleaning up after the dinner party, and the chef might even prepare potential late-night snacks. From beyond the secret door, you could hear the clash of pots and pans, and the smells of oil, smoke, and detergent.

Apparently, this exit was set up for the servants to leave the mansion.

The other exit led to the garden behind the mansion, where beyond the door one could sense the evening breeze and the scent of grass, with no sign of human activity. The two of them opened the door. The front yard that Li Ang had visited before focused on gardening, while the back featured a gentle slope covered with soft young grass.

Part of it served as a playground, equipped with various sports equipment and magical locomotives manufactured by Makena Island; another part was a broad riding training area, seemingly with an animal enclosure.

"How extravagant, these rich folks," Li Ang remarked softly.

The most lacking resource in the Nebis World was land.

After the guild was established, it connected with the world, maintaining order, and wars seldom occurred. In the four peaceful aerial realms, the situation of changing land ownership was almost nonexistent, making it difficult to procure land from long-standing residents or lords who lived on sky islands.

Thus, regardless of these landlords’ strength, the ability to freely use so much land certainly designated them as wealthy.

"A bit smaller than my home," Dorothy spoke as casually as if discussing today’s meal.

"I don’t want to talk about this with you."

"The inheritance rights don’t fall to me, so there’s no difference. And even the vastest land wouldn’t matter if one lives unhappily," Dorothy said lackadaisically, turning back into the secret passage.

"How was your life over the past eight years? Do you have a place to settle?" Dorothy pondered and inquired.

"I spent most of my time living in the Holy City, mainly rented houses. But if I wanted to buy a house, I’d rather craft a fine ship, turning it into my home, which better suits the Sky Knight lifestyle."

"A large ship sounds good. Can you build a huge bathroom? Preferably a spacious tea room too, and a swimming pool. Remember to construct an animal enclosure—if a Salamander hatches, I won’t have to walk on foot till my soles ache..."

"Hold on, hold on, even the biggest luxury airship of Contan Helm can’t meet your requirements, and yet you’ve already started planning?"

With a smile, Dorothy turned her head.

"I just realized I’ve never asked which Sky Cavalry you’re in now. From your tone, it seems like you’re the one making all the decisions?"

"Preparing to form a new group, not yet registered."

"Oh? Are you testing me; I thought it was some impressive group?"

With a soft smile, Dorothy quickly explained: "Ah, I don’t have an objection. It’s quite fine like this, and I’m one of the founding elders."

Ascending the upward staircase within the secret passage, the second floor was broader in activity scope than the first, featuring three exits.

The first floor center of this three-story house is a spacious foyer, directly opening up to the second floor, so the rooms on the second floor are arranged in a circular layout surrounding the foyer.

Numerous large sculpture decorations were placed on the second floor, with a passage existing behind them, one exit discreetly hidden behind the door.

Carefully and slowly opening the gap, Li Ang saw servants passing in the corridor, immediately closing it again.

But there’s nothing particularly worth checking here, no need to return later.

Reaching the other side of the second floor from the secret passage, Li Ang suddenly stopped.

"What’s wrong?" Dorothy looked at him.

Frowning, Li Ang sensed a faint resonance in magic power frequency, Lanslow was nearby.

Another secret passage side, also behind a statue, estimated that the second-floor passage structure was designed to facilitate retreat from high ground when enemies break through the front.

Li Ang opened the secret door just a crack, seeing Lanslow crouched behind a statue’s pedestal, using the statue’s posture to hide himself.

Upon Li Ang’s sudden emergence from the wall, he widened his eyes, but his trained experience kept him from making a sound.

With a wave of his hand, Lanslow bounded into the secret door like an anxious monkey.

Once the door closed, his expression was joyous again, speaking in a suppressed yet excited tone: "Hey, what is all this, did you encounter that Black Armored Niu Nan?"

"I ran away quickly."

The young man had sustained several injuries, with the most severe at his chest, where his standard silver armor was slashed, leaving the wound slightly scorched.

In his hand, he clutched a silver metal badge called the Healing Badge, a cure artefact blessed by Healing Professions, its spirituality could harness magic power for healing, serving as a standard tool when lacking healers.

Li Ang released multiple advanced Mage-grade Healing Water Waves for Lanslow.

"Ah, feels good, a witch can do this? How did you know about the secret passage?"

"Discovered using witch’s ability."

"Witches are that skilled? Never knew before; thank goodness it’s you who managed to hone to the pinnacle of excellence."

Li Ang wouldn’t disclose that his Mage level had reached Tier 4, simply letting ordinary folks confuse anything with a witch.

Gaining his breath, Lanslow spoke: "That Black Armored Knight is here to kill me—I’m certain he has ties with the Empire. Damn them, it’s been a while since such arrogant local forces were heard of."

The Annihilation Knight, under the amplification of peculiar purple flesh, could use magic summoned creatures exclusive to Tier Eight Powerhouses, while Order Corps standard armor was only at the pinnacle of Transcendent Realm, its awakened multi-layer metal barriers still breached by pure magic creations.

Staring at the armor’s deep slash, Dorothy asked, "What’s a Black Armored Knight?"

"An Excellence Realm powerhouse sent by the Empire to prevent us from capturing Wendes. A bit scared?" Li Ang looked at her.

"The Order Knight is injured; how could I not be scared?" the lady pouted.

"Who might this be?" Lanslow inquired.

"A friend," Li Ang replied.

Dorothy and Lanslow nodded at each other, exchanging names.

"Friend?" Lanslow took stock of Li Ang: "You just parted with two ladies, and now have another by your side? And they’re all so outstanding, I’m getting increasingly suspicious of you."

To Dorothy, he said: "Lady, if you’re deceived or kidnapped, you can seek my help; no need to fear his power. He’s a witch, not good at direct combat—"

"Get some rest," Li Ang stopped Lanslow’s words by gently pressing his head down.

"No, I’m joining his Sky Cavalry," Dorothy said.

Li Ang shook his head: "You’re not joined yet."

Dorothy’s slightly raised lips parted, refraining from pursuing this topic, instead reorganizing her words: "’And those two ladies’—are they your teammates too?"

"Just one."

"So that means I’m not the first member, huh?"

Dorothy gradually assumed an expressionless face.

Swatting Li Ang’s hand from him, Lanslow grasped Li Ang’s shoulder: "You really have an issue, don’t you?"

"Stop, stop, stop,"

Li Ang halted their words, "Let’s first discuss how we’re going to leave Spark Island."