NOVPUBAt noon, eleven people gathered around the large writing desk in the library of Lichtenstein Castle, silent and focused.
The subtle noise indoors seemed to be absorbed by the densely packed books on the shelves and walls. Looking at the expressions and demeanors of the challengers, the topic at hand was of utmost importance.
Their gazes were concentrated, everyone deep in thought.
After a moment of silence.
"Does anyone understand Demon Magic Text?"
Seeing that the Empire Royal Girl Mage from the Cerryti Empire had already closed the book, the Young Master of the Business Association from Canberra Kingdom could only look around and ask.
The three clergymen from the Northern Continent were the first to shake their heads. Clergy are not allowed to privately study magic texts of other races, let alone Demon Magic Text, which is considered taboo for humans.
The Young Master of the Business Association knew that his escort siblings, although smart and strong, did not understand Demon Magic Text at all.
And the three from Cerryti Empire, if the royal girl mage who is most proficient in magic didn’t know it, the knight and the apprentice priest certainly wouldn’t.
Then the only hope now lies with the black-haired, green-eyed lawyer and the silver-haired girl who always accompanies him.
As for the missing detective, even if he knows, he won’t be back in the next couple of days.
In the worst case scenario, they could only refer to other reference books in the library to decipher the meaning of the Demon Magic Text, and make conjectures and interpretations about this sealed magic book.
But how long it would take, how much key information could be deciphered, and would it be taken away by a traitor at night during the lengthy interpreting process, was all uncertain.
"I only know a little bit of Demon Magic Text."
Hyperion looked up at Lanci and said softly, seemingly apologetic that she could not contribute.
Normally, those who can read two kinds of magic text are supposed to be her, who has half-demon blood. But ever since she could remember, her mother had left the Hutton Kingdom, so no one had taught her Demon Clan Magic.
If it was due to her inability that led to the impediment of crucial information retrieval step, she felt she was a burden again.
However, Hyperion remembered that Lanci once mentioned that he studied Demon Magic Text, so there was still a glimmer of hope with Lanci.
"Never mind, I know a bit."
As expected, Lanci nodded and smiled, as stable as ever, just like back in the difficult painting classroom at the Demon Academy.
This familiar sense of reassurance made her feel that the situation in the Shadow World had stabilized again.
He truly was versatile.
"Okay."
Hyperion quickly nodded and went forward to take the book from the girl mage of the Cerryti Empire to give to Lanci.
She knew that Lanci was not fit to be close to anyone else, and the risky tasks needed to be undertaken by her, who had various abilities to preserve her life.
Lanci took the book from Hyperion, thanked her as he usually did when they were in class together, and then began to read the book without a word.
Unlike what the Young Master of the Business Association and the Empire Royal Girl Mage had done before, Lanci’s brow was always relaxed, as if he was just leisurely reading a book amidst an afternoon.
Typically.
Such abstruse magic books should not be read in this manner.
Most likely, you cannot understand it at all, so you can casually flip through it page by page.
The psychological pressure on everyone began to gradually intensify again, as if the dawn they were about to see was firmly blocked by a brick.
Even if the detective comes back and can find out the identities of the two traitors and complete [Task Objective 1: Find the Traitors 0/2], the real core challenge in the Shadow World has always been Task Objective 2.
The larger Shadow Worlds operate with one main storyline and multiple hidden ones.
While all challengers are moving forward with the main tasks, the hidden storyline, unbeknownst to them, is also quietly progressing over time, bringing about changes they are unaware of.
Task Objective 2 often has to do with the hidden storyline.
If they fail to notice the content of the hidden plot and its latest progress in time, and take the lead, it is very probable that by the time they have completed Task Objective 1 and solved the riddle, the Shadow World is already moving into an irreversible, out-of-control mode.
"What ’the power of the sun’ refers to is not explained in this ancient book, but it probably means that sealing needs to be done during the day when there’s sun."
At a moment when everyone felt like they were at their wits end, Lanci suddenly made a comment while flipping through the book, which surprised everyone.
Can he really understand?
Or is he just pretending to know something to reassure everyone?
This was everyone’s first reaction.
"’The power of the moon’ refers to werewolf, but the already rare Wolf Clan neared extinction in this era."
Lanci continued slowly,
"Werewolves are not weakened during the day, but can be strengthened under moonlight. Combined with strong regenerative power, even if they fought a Blood Clan member single-handedly all night, they might not necessarily lose."
"But ’regenerative power’ ultimately cannot compete with ’immortality,’ so over time, werewolves were almost exterminated by the Blood Clan, who became the only ruler of the night."
The "Wolf Clan" that Lanci mentioned was a race that had completely become extinct in the current world, and is even rarely mentioned in many ancient Shadow Worlds from thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago. This made all the challengers feel unfamiliar.
So, the extinction of this race was due to the Blood Clan.
Then this Shadow World where the Wolf Clan is still recorded...
How long ago was this era?
Just successfully managing to clear such an ultra-ancient Shadow World would likely provoke a huge wave in various academies due to its academic value, while the copyright value of the information contained in their [Shadow Realm Recording Program] is even more incalculable.
"The stars represent witches, the origin of human magic, referring to demons but also seeming to refer to humans, I roughly glanced through it and found that the author of this book should be a witch."
At this point, Lanci closed the book in his hands.
For him, who has always studied the Demon Magic Text and Human Magic Text together, he unexpectedly could understand this magic book written in half-Demon Magic Text and half-transformed Human Magic Text.
He did not carefully look at the specific magic part, but interpreted its information.
As the challengers in the library looked at each other in confusion, thinking that Lanci’s interpretation was mysterious and strange, and even doubted its authenticity.
[Task Objective 2: Explore the secrets and dangers hidden in the old castle — hidden information has appeared, challengers please protect the werewolf and witch.]
...
Ichrite Academy, on Jera Memorial Square.
The clock on the ancient clock tower had just passed the topmost twelve, accompanied by twelve echos from the campus bell that had not completely faded away, the outdoor giant screen surrounded by many distant classrooms was currently broadcasting the Shadow World challenge of today.
It was much livelier than usual, with students already filling up the steps, and even many passersby stopping on the surrounding roads.
"Is he just making things up?"
"Check his background thoroughly!!"
Many students thought Lanci was merely playing psychological games, making up intelligence on the spot.
They didn’t expect him to really know.
The information for mission target 2 changed, indicating successful decryption.
Although many students at Ichrite Academy had heard that Lanci had the power of the sealing skill, that he made all Sealing System cards during the Registered Card-making Master exam.
But why was he also so proficient with Demon Magic Text?
Very much like a demon spy!
...
In the Shadow World, inside the library on the second floor of Lichtenstein Castle.
This ancient library seemed to hold its breath for a moment.
The several people surrounding the central writing desk were frozen, their gaze fixed on the magic book in Lanci’s hands by the window. Their expressions changed from confusion to understanding, and then from understanding to shock, as if they could feel each other’s heartbeats accelerating.
The challengers looked at each other, their gazes met, and some people seemed to want to utter something but didn’t know how to start.
"Brother, are you a half-demon?"
The Young Master of the Business Association asked, looking at Lanci with a combination of surprise and excitement, breaking the silence which made the male guard behind him cough slightly.
This young master wasn’t worried about offending the lawyer.
Generally, in the Southern Continent, suspecting someone of having demon lineage is easily offensive.
This made Hyperion feel extremely awkward.
She is the real half-demon.
But since she stayed by Lanci, no one else has questioned her bloodline.
It was a feeling Hyperion had never experienced before.
As if Lanci’s demon-like brilliance shielded her, and she became a true human.
"My human lineage is beyond reproach, as the priest can attest to."
Lanci laughed and responded without much concern.
The innocent have nothing to hide.
Lanci has always believed in this principle.
He didn’t explain further why he would.
"..."
Other people felt like he knew a little about everything without needing a reason.
Adding his personal charisma, it seemed very reasonable.
"We trust you."
The Priest took the lead and said, paying his respects to Lanci with a slight nod.
Everyone else didn’t ask for more from Lanci, they just felt that besides being a "Detective," this "Lawyer" was also an expert.
He was not only good at coordinating and relieving everyone’s emotions but also had vast knowledge.
Rapid decryption added a great psychological burden to the traitor.
"What’s the relationship between the werewolf and the witch? Why do we need to protect them?"
The Young Master of the Business Association asked Lanci, still somewhat confused.
"The werewolf and the witch are clearly our allies, as they are key to the sealing or unsealing of the Blood Clan. The real goal of the two traitors who trapped us here is likely to find the werewolf and the witch among us. As for why they didn’t summon their blood master, there might be other hidden reasons."
Lanci responded, holding the magic book like a headmaster answering a student’s question.
"No wonder you’re a lawyer!"
The Young Master of the Business Association suddenly understood and began praising Lanci. He was now convinced of Lanci’s caliber as a scholar; possessing a quality he admired but could never attain as a rich fool.
By now, all challengers had an idea.
The information revealed by mission target 2 made it not too difficult to infer one of the traitor’s mission targets -
The Challenger’s goal is to find the hidden traitor "Blood Clan Member" among the challengers.
And the traitors have to find the hidden "Werewolf" and "Witch" among the non-traitors!
This mental game has been upgraded for both sides.
As everyone prepared to leave the place and return to the basics layer cathedral hall.
Under the noon sunlight by the library curtain.
Lanci looked at Hyperion by his side, sensing her unease.
"Lanci..."
Hyperion met Lanci’s calm gaze, seemingly ready to express something to him.
Lanci simply nodded slightly.
Indicating to her that he knew.
And not to worry.
Even if Lanci couldn’t see her information panel, he could guess.
She was the witch, and arguably one of the most dangerous people in this Shadow World.
It was a self-narration from the witch on the magic book that Lanci didn’t read out loud -
"I am neither a demon nor a human, but I will help and protect kind people, so please do not fear me."
In the era known as the Blood Moon Bad World.
The term witch was actually referring to a born half-demon, a mage who could use even crude Human Magic Text without backlash.
