"Please, go ahead. If there’s anything you need to do, I’ll help as long as it’s within my power."
"If I rember correctly, it’s now the Fifth Era, year 3383 of the Divine Prohibition Era?"
"3383?" Wei’en paused. "I only know it’s 1578 of the New Calendar."
"New Calendar..." The clown bit his finger, pondering for a mont before saying, "Old Calendar, New Calendar... Perhaps this era had a turning point in its tiline."
Wei’en grew thoughtful as well. ’A turning point?’
Still, the calendar’s na did imply the existence of an Old Calendar.
It was just that neither the body’s previous owner nor he himself had studied much history, so he couldn’t give the Demon Clown a precise answer.
"In any case, countless years must have passed," the Demon Clown said, finally looking up after a long mont of thought. "I want you to help find Lilith."
"But you said it yourself—countless years have gone by. How would I know where to find her?"
"You will," the Demon Clown said, staring at him intently and hissing the words through clenched teeth. "Fate will lead you to her, just as it led you to her na."
Hmm?
’Why did that sound so familiar?’
Wei’en suddenly recalled what Yuan had told him: ’Forbidden items are like observers on the banks of the River of Destiny. Never, ever speak their nas, or you are certain to et them...’
"So, does that an the Empress nad Lilith has also beco a forbidden item?"
"I don’t know."
A desolate look appeared on the Demon Clown’s face. How that broken mask could convey such a vivid emotion was anyone’s guess.
"But I know you can find her. I’m certain of it."
"...Fine. And after I find her?"
Wei’en cursed inwardly. ’Since when did I know I could find her?’
"You don’t have to do a thing. Just tell ."
"Te-tell you?"
’Does that an I have to keep in touch with him, or is he planning on following ?’
The corners of the Demon Clown’s mouth curled upward as he began to dance and gesture like a madman. "Of course you must tell ! Lilith, oh, Lilith, my lovely Lilith! I miss you so much, so much..."
"So much that I want to flay you, slice by slice, and let everyone see your hypocritical face, your filthy body, and your ugly soul!!"
"Find her! You must find her! HEE HEE HEE... HA HA HA... I’m going to flay her!!"
Wei’en sucked in a sharp breath. ’So this isn’t so heartwarming family reunion, but a bloody showdown between mortal enemies?’
"Um... Mr. Leonard... h-how am I supposed to contact you?"
"Hee hee... Hmm?"
The Demon Clown’s movents froze. He rubbed his chin in thought. "Now that’s a problem. That little girl is so cold, even I can’t stand her, let alone you..."
"Why don’t you just kill her?"
"Kill... kill who?"
The Demon Clown looked at him, displeased. "Little White Fur, of course. You’re so weak, and you want to... Oh, right. You’re too weak. Little White Fur could kill you with a single glance..."
"I’ve got it! Yes, that’s it. You... as long as you stay with her, I can always co find you to play! Hee hee ha ha..."
’Stay with her...’
Wei’en wanted to cry but couldn’t shed a tear. If it were only Tina, he wouldn’t mind sticking with her.
But now the Demon Clown was in the picture, and he really didn’t... ’But how will I know if I don’t try?’
The Demon Clown’s gloomy expression vanished, replaced by a wide grin. "So it’s settled. She’s with you, I’ll follow her, and that way I can find you. It’s perfect, isn’t it?"
Wei’en wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Ah, right, right, right. You’re absolutely right."
’Good thing I reacted quickly.’ He had almost forgotten how powerful this guy... er, Mr. Leonard was.
"So, to help you distinguish what’s real—and to help you live a long, long ti—let’s try this."
With that, the Demon Clown snapped his fingers.
SNAP.
The lights went out. The surroundings were plunged into pitch-black darkness.
’What does he an, "real"?’
Wei’en sensed trouble and imdiately issued a command through his core. "Fireball Technique!"
"Lek. Sss. Bah!"
A rune on the Secret Master’s forehead flashed, and a Fireball appeared in front of Wei’en, illuminating the surroundings.
In the light of the Fireball, Wei’en saw what stood before him, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
Before him stood a monster as large as a small hill. It was shaped like a wolf, with a pair of wings sprouting from its back, its body covered in grayish-white scales, and its four claws wreathed in pale flas.
It periodically opened its massive, fang-filled maw, swaying its head from side to side as if trying to find the best angle for a bite...
"Oh? So this is what you fear? A Sutle Dog, is it?"
The Demon Clown sat cross-legged atop the Sutle Dog’s head, his crimson eyes filled with scorn. "You truly are weak."
Even the Sutle Dog beneath him had a mocking look in its eyes, as if to say, ’So you called for a little snack? Lovely, lovely.’
Wei’en gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand his ground. His eyes, bloodshot with terror, had beco as red as the Demon Clown’s.
"What... what are you trying to do?"
"To show you what the True World is. Nothing more."
The Demon Clown’s lips stretched into an exaggerated grin aid at the darkness above. He spread his arms as if savoring the mont. "So, this is reality!"
"ROAR!!"
The Sutle Dog didn’t wait for a command, lunging toward Wei’en, its massive jaws gaping open...
"Nico. Ruke."
[You have successfully evaded the attack of Forbidden Item 1-83, the Demon Clown. Evaluation: One must say, Leonard is... Reward: Survival Points 5.]
’It was really a Sutle Dog?’
’Fuck!’
A flicker of astonishnt crossed Wei’en’s face. He instantly blinked away again, dodging the Sutle Dog’s claws.
"A little to the left... no, right, right! You damn stupid dog, is that all you’ve got? Kill him!" the Demon Clown shouted, sitting on the Sutle Dog’s head and directing the chaos as if he were watching a play.
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