CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57: WHAT ARE THEY SUMMONING?

The soft silk shoes stepped on the soft dark red carpet in the corridor, with exquisitely crafted brass wall lamps lined up one by one along the corridor, and on the right wall, various precious artworks were embedded in gilded frames.

If Lin Jun were here, he’d probably mutter under his breath, "Damn nobles," but to Inanna, all this was nothing more than her familiar home.

She walked from her bedroom on the third floor to the study on the second floor.

Her teacher, Julian Daniels, was invited by her father from the Relic Association. According to the butler, what the teacher requested in return was the privilege to browse the family’s collection of books in addition to teaching.

In fact, since the teacher arrived, he had practically moved into the study.

Even when teaching her magic, except during practical lessons when they would go to the training ground, she would always have her lessons in the study.

However, today, it seemed someone had arrived before her, as she heard the sounds of a conversation from inside the study.

Of course, Inanna would never resort to an unseemly behavior like secretly eavesdropping outside the door.

She gently pushed open the side door.

"Teacher, you have no idea! Back then, they put such a big thing in my mouth to blow air, forcibly waking me up..."

The voice was cut off abruptly as the study door opened.

Inanna looked up and saw a familiar face beside the desk—someone gesturing wildly while saying something outrageous. It was her teacher’s other student, Calvin.

An overly energetic fellow who was either being punished by the teacher for causing trouble or on his way to cause trouble.

"Inanna, you’re quite early today." Teacher Julian smiled as he beckoned Inanna to sit down.

The man with a small mustache that anyone meeting for the first time would probably mistake for a pampered middle-aged noble. Little would they realize he was actually a mage nearing fifty at the Diamond Level.

"Good day, teacher."

Once Inanna sat down, Julian turned back to Calvin and asked:

"So what does all this have to do with your failed potion? I’ve never seen a Truth Potion brew to this color before."

Saying this, he picked up the bottle on the table and gave it a little shake, the liquid inside as black as ink.

Mentioning the potion, Calvin’s face immediately turned into one of a bitter gourd.

"Those Puki rescued us and even gave us something!

Teacher, don’t look at me like that. I’m serious!

Gray’s enchanted longsword was given by them.

Among them was even a Parasite Tree Seed, which I naturally used for alchemy.

How was I supposed to know it was a dead seed whose properties had all dissipated over time?"

Julian supported himself on the table and rubbed his brow.

"Fine, I won’t debate whether your story about the Puki is true or not.

Haven’t I taught you that before mixing potions, you need to test the properties of all the materials?"

Calvin opened his mouth and, after a long while, timidly said: "You did teach that... but I was in a hurry to turn in the assignment..."

"Copy the Magic Potion Mixing Guidelines thirty times and show them to me tomorrow."

Unable to argue, Calvin could only lower his head and say, "Yes."

At this moment, Inanna suddenly leaned over with a curious expression and asked Calvin:

"So, what’s this about the Puki? Can you tell me more?"

The Duke’s Daughter’s delicate little face was a bit too close, causing Calvin to shyly inch back before he enthusiastically elaborated on his and Gray’s journey in the Underground City.

He described how they managed to reach the fifth level relying on Calvin’s intelligence.

Then, after a fierce battle of three hundred rounds with a sudden attack from a Dragon Man, they narrowly escaped after an honorable defeat, and how a group of fluorescent Puki saved him when he was seriously injured.

He specifically emphasized that when he mentioned being inserted into the mouth, he was referring to being saved by the mycelium tentacles, not anything else weird.

To Inanna, it seemed like she was hearing a novel story. She would gasp in amazement from time to time or nod in agreement, which made Calvin even more animated in his narration.

After Calvin finished speaking, Inanna suddenly proposed:

"How amazing! I really want to see it with my own eyes!

Teacher, can we go to the Underground City for our next practical lesson?"

Julian looked at the slightly guilty Inanna, stroked his chin, and said:

"Well, it wouldn’t be impossible, but you’d need Mr. Eric’s consent first."

As soon as he finished speaking, Inanna cheered and ran off to find Eric for permission, disregarding the lesson altogether.

Leaving Calvin looking dumbfounded: Was my story really that fascinating!?

----------------

"I’m afraid I must refuse your request, Miss Inanna."

"Why?"

Eric’s unexpected refusal left Inanna bewildered.

"With the teacher accompanying me, we’d only go down to the fifth level; there wouldn’t be any danger.

Why not come along, Eric? That way, everything would be fine!"

Eric sighed, furrowing his brow in thought.

After a while, he took a Magic Pendant from a drawer.

Once the pendant was activated, a translucent membrane enveloped both him and Inanna.

Inanna felt as if she had suddenly entered a soundproof chamber, with all outside noises completely shut off.

It was then that Eric spoke:

"Miss Inanna, it’s not that I wish to hinder your travels, but the timing is unfavorable right now.

What I’m about to say is for your ears only; please don’t let it spread."

Eric looked at Inanna, who nodded slightly in puzzlement before he continued:

"You may not know, but on the border, the Hermit Empire has recently been making increasingly significant moves.

There are even reports that small groups of the Demon Race have infiltrated the borders.

Everything indicates they are preparing to reignite the war.

The Supreme Council, under the pressure of war, has passed a resolution to summon the Hero..."

"Hero?"

Inanna found it somewhat unbelievable.

That term was as legendary to her as "Demon King," something she had only seen in tales and legends.

They had been active three hundred years ago, a far distant time from Inanna.

Now suddenly hearing that the United Kingdom was summoning a Hero?

She wasn’t sure what summoning a Hero exactly entailed, but it felt rather surreal.

Eric’s words continued:

"We are still in the preparatory phase, gathering resources under the guise of military readiness to prepare for the summoning.

The true information is contained within the upper echelons.

But really, can anything be kept from the Empire’s knowledge?

The Duke and I are not optimistic, as the nobility is never short of those who would betray for immortality.

A traitor might send word or discover clues from the movement of resources.

No matter how it’s perceived, if the Empire senses something amiss, they would not remain idle.

Assassinations, sabotage, or even initiating a full-scale war prematurely are not out of the question.

You are the Duke’s sole heir. This matter, of course, you should be aware of, but we’ve refrained from informing you to protect your magic studies."

Suddenly faced with such a reason, Inanna felt her head spinning, unable to form a coherent "no."

In the end, she just asked:

"Wouldn’t a summoned Hero need time to grow?

If the danger is imminent, why not simply resurrect the Hero from three hundred years ago, Link?"

Regrettably, Eric shook his head. Clearly, he did not know everything either.

This question would remain a mystery for Inanna.

-----------------

Meanwhile, a certain Hero.

"Speak! What else are you hiding?! Xiao Hai, increase the strength!"

[I really have confessed everything; please stop!]

[Sob sob sob sob]