Richard didn't linger long in his ancestor's hut, leaving after waiting for a while with no sign of his ancestor's return.

Even as he left, the Fire Spirit Queen still seemed filled with despair.

The vow she had spoken so casually had turned into a calamity.

When Richard returned to his room at the orphanage, he entered the Dragon Hall and continued training until he fell asleep.

[Aether: 6083/10,000 <Tier 3>] +800

[Aether Accumulation: 11,083 <Tier 3>]

DING!

(Your mastery of the Dragon Fist Arcane Art has increased from 3% to 16%!)

Dragon Fist (16%)

"If I had five more days, no, even four… I would definitely advance to the next Realm," he muttered, a little frustrated at still not advancing.

He stood up and exited the Dragon Hall, only to hear a knock on his door.

"Richard, hurry up and wake up, we're going to Night Valley City now!" Sister Lisa's voice rang out.

Richard opened the door, finding the woman already prepared in a new outfit.

"Sister, let me bathe first!"

Realizing he had overslept, Richard quickly rushed off to wash up.

Not long after, they were already on the road, riding in a larger carriage that Sister Lisa had crafted herself.

Normally it would require two horses to pull it, but for Athena, it was far too easy to handle alone, so no additional horses were needed.

Inside the carriage, Richard sat lost in thought.

If not for his new element, he would not have dared to travel outside, due to the risk of being hunted.

If discovered, he would simply enter the Dragon Hall and rely on the Void Element to escape.

Though he had a plan, he still felt somewhat tense.

Even along the way, he noticed certain areas where passage was forbidden—Apple Town and its surroundings had been sealed. No one could enter or leave. Not even birds. Any that tried would be shot down by arrows fired from the Sky Armor Knights.

No… in truth, there was one bird that could pass, though it wasn't a true bird, but rather a shadow— a Shadow Bird.

The Purple Rose Village and its neighboring villages were far enough from Apple Town, so they were lucky not to be part of those sealed areas.

Of course, even if news could be suppressed, the mastermind behind this lockdown was still known—the Moonshadow Clan.

In this province, they could be considered absolute rulers, their strength not far from that of the Royal Family. The people could only remain silent, unable to protest.

Meanwhile, in Night Valley City, at Lady Rebecca's residence, Mrs. Wilson was relaxing in the back garden of the castle, feeding birds.

She had no duties since Rebecca had gone off somewhere.

Because Rebecca had sealed the news from Apple Town, she knew nothing. In fact, none of the Moonshadow Clan members knew. Rebecca acted on her own, yet she had more than enough authority to do so in the name of the Moonshadow Clan.

"Mm!"

She suddenly spotted a Shadow Bird arriving, carrying a letter.

The Shadow Bird disintegrated as it reached her, while the letter it bore dropped into her hand.

She quickly opened the letter and read it—only for her eyes to widen in shock.

(I am in Apple Town. Order the forces under me to search for a boy named Richard. Send some around Apple Town to look for him, and give them his portrait!)

Inside the letter, not only were there words, but also a small sketch—a portrait of Richard.

"W-what exactly is going on?" Mrs. Wilson muttered, more bewildered than ever.

She thought everything was fine, but it turned out Rebecca was in Apple Town, searching for Richard.

Did she discover Richard was her son?

Richard's identity as a seven-year-old genius seemed to have been exposed, yet judging from the letter, Mrs. Wilson didn't feel that Rebecca knew about their relationship.

It seemed more like there was another issue between them.

"Did the Young Master provoke Lady Rebecca?"

Mrs. Wilson found that more reasonable, though she still didn't know how to respond to this.

"Master Leonardo!" Mrs. Wilson immediately decided to meet that man.

Only he could handle this matter—if he even could.

But Leonardo himself was already planning to go to Purple Rose Village today, to see his grandson with his own eyes.

Richard, however, knew nothing.

Athena pulled the carriage at high speed toward Night Valley City.

They entered the city smoothly without encountering any obstacles and arrived in front of Lilith's residence.

It was just like the last time they had come. Richard saw Grace and her maid just stepping out of the house.

They glanced at Richard and Lisa—Grace in particular, looking at Richard as though lost in her own thoughts.

Yet, since Richard had declined her invitation to dine with her last time, she seemed disinterested in speaking with him and left immediately after giving him a glance.

"Richard, I think that girl is interested in you," Sister Lisa suddenly remarked.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Sister?" Richard rolled his eyes.

"Oh, come on. I'm a woman. At her age, I too began to feel interested in handsome boys. You're considered very handsome for your age—it's only natural that she would be drawn to you."

Richard: "..."

"Why are you still talking? Hurry and get inside!"

The door suddenly opened, revealing Lilith's glamorous figure as usual, clad in her luxurious gown.

She waved them in.

They quickly entered her house.

"Lilith, are we departing now?" Lisa asked.

"Yes, and we are already on our way," Lilith replied.

"What?" Even Lisa was stunned by that answer.

But when she looked out the window, she realized the scenery outside had completely changed.

Lilith's house seemed to be flying above the clouds.

"What is going on?" Lisa was baffled.

On the other hand, Richard had some idea.

They weren't actually inside the house, but within a Flying Magic Vehicle that had the exact same shape as Lilith's home.

It was likely fused with her house and capable of separating. The moment they entered, it had detached and soared into the sky.

The only reason they hadn't noticed was simple: they couldn't see its speed nor feel its movement.

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