Looking up at the ripple that enveloped everyone from above.

Losa's expression was somewhat grim; he didn't quite understand what had happened, but it was clear they were trapped.

"The fusion monster that Nishaya mentioned is likely Ragman's practice of Alchemy of the Human Body. He transplanted most of his soul into the fusion monster, leaving only a fragment to control his original body."

Anna explained, "Ragman must have already taken advantage of us being trapped to start working on your Tree of Life."

Losa didn't need to be told again to understand he had fallen into Ragman's trap of "Substitution."

"How long until we can escape?"

"I need to study it first."

"It seems to be a composite Array, using two layers of Sound Insulation Arrays and a layer for isolating smell and Spiritual Power as the base... It's quite complex."

Anna's face was glistening with sweat: "If Furin assists me and everything goes smoothly, it should take about half an hour."

Her tone carried an implied apology: "I'm sorry, I wish I could be faster, but Ragman's expertise in Arrays seems indeed to be a bit greater than mine."

Nishaya was not in any mortal danger, having fallen into a deep sleep under Jeanne's care after taking the magic potion.

This made her feel slightly relieved, yet she couldn't help but feel a profound sense of guilt.

She thought that ancient tree imbued with the Power of Life must be the treasure Losa and his team painstakingly cultivated to heal themselves.

If Ragman truly destroyed it, the favor she would owe them from this trip would be immense.

"Half an hour..."

A trace of a bitter smile appeared on Losa's face.

This half-hour doesn't even account for the time needed to return.

"So, we'll have to rely on Hans himself."

Losa slumped to the ground; he valued the Tree of Life, but he valued Hans even more.

He also knew very well that Hans's loyalty to him made it impossible for him to forsake guarding the Tree of Life and choose to escape alone.

"Hans, you better be alright."

He mumbled softly as he watched the ordinary people who were drawn by Anna's Flame Magic from afar.

...

Bang.

Nidhogg's giant arms, carrying immense power, sent Hans flying.

When he landed, the ground trembled, ripples spreading in layers with him at the center, as if the desert had transformed into an ocean.

Dust filled the air.

Lying on the ground, Hans felt as though there was not a single place on his body that didn't hurt.

"What is this power he's using?"

"Shockwave?"

Nidhogg, or rather Ragman, continued to step toward the Tree of Life.

The branches of the Tree of Life were dancing wildly, trying to fend off the approaching Nidhogg.

Like a child waving branches, trying to resist a villain, seemingly even with eyes closed.

Nidhogg looked at it with greed and admiration: "Every time I see you, I feel the greatness of the Creator from deep within. Although still lacking a bit, I don't have time to wait any longer."

"Stop!"

Hans once again forced his weakened body to stand.

His chest heaved like bellows, and his silver-gray fur was drenched in blood, turning into strands.

This Nidhogg is really strong!

It seemed to have merged special abilities from many extraordinary creatures, its Defense was astonishing, its Power was incredibly terrifying, and standing on the ground allowed it to continuously recover Physical Strength.

Moreover, it could unfold a pair of Dragon Wings, fly into the sky and unleash scorching Dragon Flame.

Hans could sense that the energy and Physical Strength of this Nidhogg were not actually much stronger than his own.

But its abilities were varied and comprehensive, completely overpowering him as a Wolfman Warrior who was only proficient in close combat, barely having any chance to engage the enemy directly.

"Step back, wolfman. I do not wish to form a mortal feud with your Lord, but that doesn't mean I will always forgive your offenses!"

Nidhogg's golden dragon eyes flashed with cold light.

Although seizing the Tree of Life from the opponent already counted as forming a feud, feuds have different depths—he didn't wish to be forever haunted by this Wizard Lord in the future.

The kind of Holy Power that seemed to tread on the Power of Rules, was unavoidable and unstoppable, leaving him still feeling a lingering fear.

Even if he devoured this giant oak to fully bring this new body to life, he had no assurance of survival under such a pursuit of Power.

"I said, stop."

Bang.

The wolfman jumped high, aggressively charging at Nidhogg.

This ghastly fusion monster tried to flap its wings, yet suddenly a thick root stretched out from beneath, instantly entangling its legs.

Seeing the wolfman's sharp claws already slashing down towards himself with a whistling sound.

Ice rapidly formed on the ground beneath Nidhogg's feet.

From the Frost Giant's legs, extreme cold burst forth, freezing the root encircling its legs, which shattered into countless fragments with a slight movement.

"Since you seek death."

Nidhogg slightly bent its legs, as Hans' claw-like strike cut down onto the Dragon Scale of its body.

It lifted an arm with precision, caught Hans' ankle, and slammed him into the ground fiercely.

"I won't hold back anymore. After all, I've already offended."

"Actually, you are quite the material; if I had encountered you earlier... What a pity."

Nidhogg opened its mouth, Dragon Breath brewing within.

The immense force that didn't require a Magic Spell to manifest made Ragman, originally just a scholar wizard, feel exhilarated.

Hans struggled desperately to rise.

The terrifying high temperature made the omen of death loom increasingly intense within him, the Beast Intuition like an urgent siren constantly warning him to evade.

But the Shocking Power coursing through him made him unable to move at all within a short time.

"Sorry, my lord, I failed to fulfill my mission."

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

...

The next moment.

A large spray of blood suddenly erupted from Nidhogg's neck, interrupting the Dragon Breath that was brewing.

It covered its throat in disbelief.

Emitting hoarse sounds.

A deep crimson shadow slowly emerged from behind Nidhogg.

An elegant middle-aged man with a pale face and dressed in a black suit nodded courteously towards Hans.

"Knight Hans, I hope I'm not too late."

Kurs, entrusted by Losa, transferred Hebron's affairs and those of each workshop to Andreas today.

Though Andreas was inexperienced, he was a talented individual—having learned from Kurs for a long time, he could barely hold the current situation together temporarily.

Seeing Kurs, a colleague he rarely interacted with, Hans couldn't help feeling a surge of emotion.

"You arrived just in time."

"Watch out!"

Hans suddenly noticed the wound on Nidhogg's neck was rapidly healing and quickly warned.

In the next second.

Nidhogg turned its head abruptly.

The terrifying Dragon Breath erupted like a storm, turning Kurs to ashes.

"Ha, foolish insects, a giant can even regenerate if the brain is cut off, how dare you let down your guard simply because you've cut my throat?"

Nidhogg let out a hearty laugh.

But his laughter quickly froze.

Behind Hans.

The vampire Housekeeper, still dressed in a black suit, tidied his collar leisurely.

Kurs looked up and locked eyes with Nidhogg, his eyes filled with an indifferent calm.

He slightly frowned and dusted off his chest where no dust existed.

"You nearly wrinkled my clothes."

"Vile mongrel."

"You dare insult my perfect creation, calling it a vile mongrel?"

Fury surged in Nidhogg's eyes, immediately brimming with endless rage, as if merging with the fusion monster, the character of his original body was affected, becoming irritable and wrathful.

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