Chapter 8: The Delusion of the Void Bubble

Lost in thought, a loud “bang” suddenly caught my attention, and it seemed the battle before me had decided its victor.

A wooden sword flew high into the air and fell to the ground, while Sylvania rubbed her wrist, irritated that she had just been hit. She said nothing, merely clicking her tongue in annoyance before turning on her heel and heading inside without looking back.

Surprisingly, Min Chen, who had just defeated her, didn’t display the joy typical of a victor. After shaking his head helplessly, he shifted his gaze to the Priestess and others who had been watching for a while.

With his strength, he knew an outsider had entered the portal long ago, but he had no time to pay attention. After all, Sylvania had fought her way through the streets alone for years, and her battle experience and skills were far beyond that of Aileen, who had barely lifted a weapon before—Min Chen couldn’t confidently claim a steady victory, needing to focus on the duel.

His clear yet weathered eyes met those of the black-haired girl, and a smile broke across his face.

“Miss Vilyric, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Well, umm… neither particularly good nor bad, I suppose. It’s been peaceful, but I haven’t had much to do… it’s quite boring.”

At her words, Min Chen paused briefly before laughing again.

“For an ordinary person in this world, living a peaceful life is already a great blessing. Yet, Miss Vilyric, you seem to be too restless for such tranquility; it suits you to be an adventurer.”

“Eh? How did you know I registered as an adventurer in the United Kingdom?”

Feigning surprise, the Priestess laughed and patted her unimpressive chest.

“Don’t let my appearance fool you; I’m a legendary adventurer in the United Kingdom, officially recognized and everything!”

“A legendary adventurer, huh… With your abilities, Miss Vilyric, it seems fitting. But adventuring… it’s been a long time since I thought of that.”

It seemed some memories stirred inside him, and a hint of nostalgia crossed Min Chen’s young face, followed by a gentle shake of his head.

“Alas, being young and ignorant. Let’s not dwell on that. You’ve come today, I assume, to resolve the issue of the Source of Magic? It seems you’ve found a way?”

“Sort of. Shall we discuss it in a different location?”

Min Chen wasn’t one to procrastinate, and since the serious matter was already on the table, he didn’t waste more breath. He nodded gravely.

“Alright, please wait a moment.”

Instead of heading into the small house behind him, the young man waved his sleeve, and a toy-like model of a building soared through the air, rapidly inflating into a three-story exquisite villa that landed steadily on the ground before everyone.

“Whoa… what is this? So impressive!”

Seeing this, Tilysha’s eyes sparkled in awe. Leila and Renée exchanged glances, both unable to conceal their surprise. Only the Little Dragon Daughter maintained a neutral expression, while Vilyric showed a faint hint of contemplation.

Xiao Lan and Lulu, who had also just opened her eyes after the battle, showed no change in reaction, evidently having seen such things before.

Watching everyone’s reactions, Min Chen remained calm and collected, smiling slightly.

“Forgive my showiness; this is a magic item I obtained years ago. As you can see, while it doesn’t have great power, it can provide significant convenience when out and about. Now that the portal is in need of rebuilding, this long-stored little gadget can finally be of use.”

Obtained years ago, huh…

The Priestess mused quietly to herself.

This item is likely another one from the “Fantasy World.”

Though Vilyric hadn’t seen it herself, this technology to resize objects proportionally should not exist in the world as she had witnessed it. Still, such effects were plentiful in games.

For instance, her own holy artifact, Noah’s Ark, usually maintained a miniature form, only transforming back to its true shape when needed.

The Priestess didn’t understand all the details, but this villa that could freely enlarge or shrink likely operated on the same principle.

“Alright, alright, stop showing off your little house and let’s get down to business. We don’t need too many participants; just Vilyric, you, and me will suffice. Others can rest on the first floor for now.”

Lulu stepped forward and rolled her eyes at the Gatekeeper’s invisible showboating, casting a questioning glance at Vilyric.

Understanding her meaning, the Priestess nodded slightly.

“Yes, I also have matters to discuss privately with Min Chen, so let’s follow your suggestion.”

“Xiao Guang, we leave this to you.”

“Yes, master.”

The Little Dragon Daughter, already in sync through their contract, nodded affirmatively before walking straight toward Aileen.

Though there was a contract with Tiyelu in place, Vilyric, as a Priestess, preferred to keep the situation within her control, even if Aileen likely bore no ill intentions—as they had only just been enemies recently.

The Priestess recalled the dramatic acts that took place when they approached to find her in Demon Town with the girl with bangs; she remembered those performances keenly, and caution was necessary.

Everyone wasn’t foolish; some things were understood instinctively. Aileen said nothing and simply sat down on the sofa once they entered, taking out a book and starting to read silently.

This indicated she wouldn’t engage in anything.

Afterward, the three most powerful individuals present—Vilyric, Min Chen, and Tiyelu, all of different backgrounds—ascended to the second floor, entering a small room that seemed designated for discussions and closed the door.

Min Chen took out a “Silent Mother Statue” designed to prevent information leaks. Vilyric set up a barrier, gently placing the somewhat restless little wolf cub into a nearby basket before leading the conversation.

“Alright, we’re all familiar faces here, so I won’t waste words. Let’s get straight to the most important question: if the Source of Magic is removed from Noviya, will it have any negative effects on her?”

“…?”

Tiyelu and the Gatekeeper exchanged glances, the former quickly catching on to what the Priestess intended.

“Are you suggesting transferring the Source of Magic away from her to a more stable individual who can remain nearby? Do you have a candidate in mind?”

The White Robed Girl slightly nodded.

“Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be asking. So, is it possible?”

Miss Butterfly was silent for a moment, then nodded but quickly shook her head.

“This… is indeed a feasible plan, but to be honest, I oppose it.”

“?”

At her words, the Priestess raised an eyebrow but kept her composure.

“And the reason?”

“The fusion between Noviya Moonshadow and the Source of Magic is extraordinary. I’ve never thought that a being below god-level could withstand the burden of the Source. I intended to remove it as soon as possible afterward.”

“But now, though it’s unbelievable, the expected rejection has not occurred, and there have even been some… positive changes. Therefore, I don’t believe there’s anyone better suited to bear this power than Noviya.”

Upon hearing this, Vilyric finally furrowed her brow.

“Even if the cost is her being imprisoned in the portal for life, forever separated from her mother, kin, and homeland? Don’t you think it’s a bit tyrannical to unilaterally make such a decision?”

Tiyelu immediately raised her head, her eyes fierce and unyielding.

“Someone must make sacrifices, right? I, too, have done so, and so has Min Chen; we’ve imprisoned ourselves for hundreds of years to maintain the stability of the Home! If we can do it, why can’t others?!”

“…”

The White Robed Girl fell silent.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t think of a rebuttal; on the contrary, the forceful argument from Tiyelu was too strained, so contrary to her original character, it instead felt like Tiyelu was trying to convince herself rather than her, leaving the Priestess with a faint sense of sorrow.

The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity—though it was but a moment—before the third party finally broke the silence.

“Tiyelu, the Magic God Olivya has fallen. She cannot be revived; you understand this—it’s the will of the world.”

   

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