Although Violet had some doubts about whether the contract actually existed, she wasn’t the type to blab secrets around.
Since she had promised Tiyelu, she definitely wouldn’t go around spreading it. After all, this matter was indeed far-reaching, and mishandling it could throw the entire Ten Thousand Demons Mountains into chaos and even bring about catastrophic disaster.
Next, it was time to head to the true 【Sanctuary】.
According to Tiyelu, the places she had summoned elsewhere could only be considered projections of the 【Sanctuary】, while the one harboring the great secret was not in this world at all.
That’s right, the core area of the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains, the 【Sanctuary】, essentially served as the portal between the “Illusionary Realm” and the present world, built upon the foundation of the Demon God’s divine kingdom. The barrier seen by outsiders was actually the impenetrable wall between these two worlds.
And there were two gates.
The first was the 【Outer Gate】, guarded by the Gatekeeper Minchen, which provided access to the 【Sanctuary】 and was located in a special space between the Illusionary Realm and the present world.
The second was the 【Inner Gate】, the 【Sanctuary】 itself, situated within the Illusionary Realm. It securely sealed the true passage between the two worlds, and this gate was guarded by Tiyelu. Thus, the hidden path on Spirit Butterfly Peak could bypass the Gatekeeper and lead directly into the true Illusionary Realm.
Of course, even entering this way would normally require immediately facing the powerful 【Sanctuary】 guardian, Tiyelu’s true form, which was by no means undefended.
These were things Minchen had already told Violet back in the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains, and with Butterfly Girl’s additional details, she now had a more comprehensive understanding.
“This is the place. The hidden passage to the 【Sanctuary】 is down here.”
Under Tiyelu’s guidance, the three of them arrived at a cliff on Butterfly Peak that towered thousands of feet high. Butterfly Girl pointed to the cliff edge, where even just looking down could make one dizzy, especially with the mist shrouding the bottom. She gestured for the other two girls to come closer and look.
“The gateway. Can it really exist in this form? Lord Tiyelu, there’s something I still don’t quite understand. Since the Outer Gate guarded by the Gatekeeper is impenetrable, why would you leave such a back door on Butterfly Peak, allowing thieves to take advantage?” Miss Slime said, taking a few steps back instinctively.
After all, no one knew if there were special conditions needed to access the passage below the cliff. If someone fell down for no reason, even a creature with strong resistance to physical damage like Little Blue, as long as it couldn’t fly, would likely end up shattered.
Hearing this, Tiyelu just smirked nonchalantly.
“Well... it’s not really a big deal. To put it plainly, it’s just that I can’t fully trust him. Minchen is a half-demon. And by ‘demon,’ I don’t mean a monster. Besides, his background is quite peculiar. Although I don’t have any racial prejudices, suppose he managed to intercept all four gates to the 【Sanctuary】. If he were to have any ill intentions, wouldn’t I and the 【Sanctuary】 be in trouble?”
“Just like that guy often says, ‘You can’t have a heart that harms others, but you can’t lack a heart to guard against others.’ This is something we all tacitly understand.”
“Hey, wait... Tiyelu, did you just say Minchen is a half-demon? Are you sure?”
The Butterfly Girl turned her head in confusion, glancing at Violet, who suddenly exclaimed, “Oh my god!” without any intention of hiding or denying it.
“Yeah, Minchen is a half-demon. Didn’t I ask him to meet you? Didn’t he mention it himself?”
“Um... maybe he forgot.”
Half-demon... traveler... Tears of the Moon... swordsman...
So it’s him, indeed it’s him...
“Alright! Stop dawdling! Although nothing should happen for the time being, this concerns the Twilight Council, and Silvester has been planning for a long time. No one can guarantee what might happen. Let’s hurry and set off!”
Urging loudly for a few more words, Tiyelu quickly added as if suddenly remembering something.
“Oh, right, only Violet can enter alone. The Illusionary Realm is different from the mortal world, the harsh environment there is unbearable for ordinary creatures. Even Little Blue wouldn’t make it. So you’ll stay outside with me to prepare for the worst-case scenario that may come.”
“What... does Lady Violet think?” Without immediately responding to Tiyelu, Little Blue just directed her inquiring gaze to the priestess, who nodded shortly thereafter.
“Let’s go along with what she said. The Illusionary Realm is indeed full of dangers. I’ve gathered some information from various sources. Going in alone will also make it easier to act. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
“...Alright, I’ll follow your wishes.”
Watching the Slime girl express concern despite her words, Violet smiled and tousled her peculiar jelly-like hair gently, speaking softly.
“Don’t be like this. I’m very strong, and I won’t act rashly. Even if I fail, I can at least preserve my life. And don’t you have faith in the object of your belief?”
【Also, after I leave, you...】
Feeling the oracle-like thoughts coming from the realm of belief, the Slime Girl’s eyes flashed with a golden light, and she obediently lowered her head.
Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.
“Well... I understand, Lady Violet. Then, Little Blue will wait outside to welcome your triumphant return.”
“Haha, that’s the spirit! Well then, I’m off!”
With a wave of her hand and a smile, the priestess girl in black hair and white robes strode forward amidst the cold mountain wind, leaping into the air and quickly disappearing into the mist.
..................
In another part of the world.
“The Illusionary Realm... hehe, I’ve finally returned here again. Everything, absolutely everything, will come to an end here.”
Silvester Bullwer, also known as the Alchemist of Summoning, stood up, brushing off the dust from his robe, his face hidden behind a half-mask showing a smile of abandon.
“Hmm...”
There came a cute whimper beside him. Eileen, the girl who had fallen to the ground alongside him, gradually got up, looking around in confusion.
“This place... ah! Silvester, have we arrived!?”
Silvester turned back, extending his hand to the girl.
“Yes, Eileen, after so much effort, we’ve finally taken the last step to the door. Come, let’s retrieve the buried power of a thousand years and fulfill our respective wishes together.”
“Although... Silvester, do you think I can really do it, even with...?”
Without saying much, the Summoner just gently embraced the slender body of the girl, giving her warm encouragement.
“You can definitely do it, I believe in you.”
“But before we get there, remember not to stray too far from me. The laws in the Illusionary Realm are different from the real world, and there are countless terrifying things. Only within the range of the Demon God Artifact can I ensure your safety.”
“Of course, I’ll remember.”
Supporting each other, the two lonely figures stepped forward on the barren land.
.......................................
“Hmm... Have we arrived already?”
The white figure falling from the invisible doorway in the sky, midway through, unfolded dazzling snow-white wings to maintain balance. As she floated down slowly, Violet curiously looked around.
Here, it was a desolate land.
All around, front, back, left, right, were all the same, devoid of life and civilization, except for a mountain rising from the ground not far away, remarkably similar to the Spirit Butterfly Peak, standing firm like a sentinel stone.
And on the other side of the mountain, further away, the sky presented a colorful and fantastical scene.
Violet knew that this was an incredible sight that could only appear when magic elements were filled to the extreme.
Yes, this was the 【Sanctuary】, along with the ‘Illusionary Realm’ it has protected for millennia.