The Coral Witch walked on the eternal glacier of Kania, her cheeks a lovely red tinge from the cold, and her hands and neck still as white as marble. The climate here is hard for the average person to resist, but if possible, she prefers to try to calm her silent companions.

Along the way, the Psychic Warlock did not say a word, only silently obeyed her instructions. This made her feel some pity, and she remembered how glorious this man had been not so long ago, as if all difficulties had been dealt with confidence. Now, he seemed to be no different from a moving shell.

If she were a normal person, she might have called in the best psychiatrist to help him through his troubles, but Muhadi himself was the most powerful psychic she knew. If he can't get past himself, there won't be a healer in the universe who can solve his problem.

Satili looked back at Kaylin, who covered her wings and bright hair with a wide robe, revealing her status as a priest. Alertly watching her surroundings and fellow adventurers, Kaylin signaled to the Coral Witch that everything was normal.

So Satili walked up to the Psychic Warlock again and tried to strike up a conversation with him. She quietly cast a spell in an instant, isolating the outside world from sound and detection spells.

"Muhadi. The Coral Witch asked, wanting to get him to speak in general first. "What do you think of this fortress that we're going to conquer?"

The Psychic Warlock looked at Mephistophelis's fortress and frowned, then broke the silence. "Do you really think that Balzeb's plan is to let his army attract the enemy's main force, and then let our adventurers raid his lair?"

"Nope. Sadiri replied. "I think it's the opposite, we're the bait, and his army is the hammer. But I don't blame him, don't we have any other arrangements of our own and plan to do what he planned?"

Muhadi shrugged. "It's a combination of different intentions. Until the last minute, you never know what the like-minded person actually has in mind. ”

"I sense a hint of sarcasm in your words. Coral Witch said. "I don't know what Aisha's purpose was for hiding it from you, but I'm sure she must have her own reasons, otherwise you wouldn't have let her go so easily?"

"I'm not sure if I did the right thing to do, and part of me seems to want to use violence to force her to stay. The Psychic Warlock said as he walked. "When this adventure started, I was very excited because it would reveal the mystery of who I was. Answering a difficult question that has been bothering me for a long time. I didn't expect this adventure to bring me more questions before it brought me the answers. Now I'm less and less sure that this adventure was a good idea. ”

"But wouldn't it be worse if the Witch Kings had the power of their true names in their hands?"

"Now I know that even if we don't interfere, the Witch Kings probably won't be able to reach the wise men. The Psychic Warlock continued, his boots sinking deep into the snow with every step. "Haven't you ever wondered before that the true name of everything is so powerful that it is hidden in the ninth layer of Bato. Why, then, is it so rare to hear of anyone actually gaining these powers, if it is because the devils are so tightly guarded that adventurers do not allow them to succeed. Why hasn't Mephistophelis, the Eighth Prison Lord, himself gained the power of his true name?"

"Are you suggesting that the wise men are not worthy of their names?" said Sadiri frowned slightly.

"From what I've heard from Aisha, I'm afraid it's because the power of the wise men can cause irreparable harm to anyone who dares to face it. The Psychic Warlock said. "And the only way to resist this influence is to rely on Aisha's rituals. ”

"This kind of ritual can't be replicated by the witch kings?"

The Psychic nodded. "Surely they can't replicate it, and I don't think they can do it any other way. Otherwise, we wouldn't have arrived in Barto so long before us, but we have never been able to contact the wise men. ”

"Why?" said Satilly. "The witch kings are very geniuses, no matter what kind of psionic energy or magic, as long as someone can do it, they can more or less copy some of it. Why are you so sure they can't perform the same ritual?"

"Because they can't offer the sacrifices needed for this ritual like I did. The Psychic Warlock said, not even noticing how much his tone had changed. "Let me tell you what this ritual is all about. First of all, I found out that Aisha was actually created by Lyra with a mind demon. She had been hiding for so long, just to complete this ritual last night. ”

"Lyra?" said Satilly, repeating the name. "Your psyker master?"

"She's right, though I don't dare to say I really know her anymore. Mohathir said. "Back to the topic just now, the sacrifice required for this ritual is my bloodline. ”

"What?"

"My blood, my seed, that's what she said. The Psychic Warlock said. "It's not just any magic or magic, it's not a simple addition, it's a multiplication! She uses the power of the bloodline to create a connection, so that when we meet the wise men, its effects are not applied to us, but passed away. ”

"Passed on to ......," Satili said in surprise.

"On that baby. Muhati finished his words. "Maybe Lyra wants to create a group of wise men of her own? Maybe she's been coveting the legendary power of the Old Dominator for a long time? Maybe she fantasizes that she can wield these powers and reshape the multiverse as she wishes? I don't know, I just know that when I return from this adventure, the multiverse will probably be a completely different shape, and so will we. ”

"Do you think Lyra will be our enemy?"

"I hope not, but that's probably not up to me. The Psychic Warlock said. "She knows me so well that it would be unimaginably difficult to be her enemy. ”

The Coral Witch stole a glance at the Psychic Warlock, who was still moving forward expressionlessly. "One more thing, Muhadi. You said that Aisha was the product of Lyra's creation of the Mind Demon Seed from the beginning, and that she was with you in order to complete that ritual. But why you? According to the rumors I've heard, Lyra had other disciples before you. No offense, but why are you so special that Lyra chose you as the host of her plans?"

This time, Muhati was silent for so long that the Coral Witch thought he didn't want to answer the question. But eventually, he asked, in a slightly higher tone than usual, "Can I trust you?"

"I can swear by the name of the River Styx. Coral Witch said solemnly.

The Psychic Warlock held up a hand to stop Satilly, "I don't want your oath, I want your answer." ”

Sadiri pressed one hand to her heart. "You can trust me. She said sincerely.

The Psychic Warlock took a few more steps before speaking. "I'm not from this world. ”

Satili blinked, looking a little puzzled. "Aren't you from this world? aren't you from Athas?"

"No, not the other main material plane, or this multiverse. The Psychic Warlock said. "A more distant place, a world that is very different from this multiverse, but in some way very similar. ”

"Because you're from somewhere else, Lyra chose you to fulfill her ambitions?" asked Satilly.

"Maybe so," Muhathir said. "I tried to hide my origins, but Lyra must have seen through it at the first sight of me, she had studied the soul too deeply. I only wish I had a chance to return to Atas after this adventure and find answers to all this. ”

"You'll be able to go back," the Coral Witch assured him. "And I'll help you then. ”

"A noble guarantee, but I think the odds of you delivering on it are low. Muhathir said, with a hint of sadness in his tone.

"Why?"

"Didn't I just say that by the end of this adventure, it might have been a completely different place?" Muhadi said. "At that point, you will most likely not be able to return to Athas, or any other major material plane. ”

"No way. Sadiri said firmly. "No one can stop me, even if I have to risk my life. ”

"There's one person who can. ”

"Who?"

"Yourself. The Psychic Warlock said. "I never doubted your courage, and the danger of your life could not intimidate you. But what if it's someone else's life? It's different, and the Sadiri I know wouldn't just sacrifice the lives of ordinary people. ”

"Are you saying that I will voluntarily leave behind the people I swore to save, and you in need of help, and also from Artas?" said Coral Witch, puzzled. "Why?"

"It seems that you haven't noticed the changes in yourself. Mohathir said.

"Not really. ”

The Psychic Warlock sighed, "I didn't notice it at first, but since Aisha left. I suddenly seemed to be able to observe more things, and many details that had been overlooked before would not escape my eyes now...... Sadiri, you're a sun mage, aren't you?"

"yes, what does it matter?"

"Ordinary mages, whether guardians or blasphemers, drain life force to maintain spells, and you don't, do you?" said the Psychic Warlock. "You can extract the power of the sun directly, or rather, from the light. This puts you far above the average mage, doesn't it? In just over twenty years, you can match the experience and power of the Witch Kings for thousands of years. ”

"Your compliments are exaggerated. Satili said. "When facing the witch kings, if only I had your faith in me. ”

"I guess your power is growing by the day, isn't it?" the Psychic continued. "The more light you absorb, the faster your mana grows. At this rate, you'll soon be above the Witch Kings. ”

"My mana is really growing," Sadiri said. "As for the fact that I will soon be above the Witch Kings, I can't be sure. ”

"That's the point, you're absorbing too much light, too much star power. Mohathir said. "Now that you know that I come from a different world, allow me to explain it all in the vocabulary of the original world. ”

"In my original world," said the telemancer. "Scholars have studied the nature of light, and sometimes they use another word to refer to light - radiation. You have to know that the radiation of a star can be deadly, as long as it is strong enough. ”

"Your body is unconsciously absorbing this deadly radiation, even though it can't hurt you because you're a solar mage. But it gradually changes your physique. Muhathir paused, then said. "You're now emitting the same radiation—an overabundance of mana leaking inexorably a little. I guess now you can glow yourself in the dark. Beautiful, but deadly. ”

"The more you continue to fight your enemies, the more rapidly your mana grows, and the more deadly the radiation becomes on you. Life will wither around you. Every word the Psychic said hit Sadiri like a hammer on her heart. "I remember you saying that the purpose of your revolution in Tyre was to help ordinary people who were suffering. That's why you're risking your life to fight the witch kings who hurt the people. ”

"It's a noble ideal, and I admire it very much, but ......," Muhati said hesitantly, as if he were gauging whether Sadiri could accept it. “...... The reality is that if you fight long enough, you'll end up with the kind of person you wanted to get rid of in the first place. You will hurt and even kill those who come into contact with you, and the land you have walked on will forever be poisoned and become a dime. Perhaps, as an ancient great psychic magician said, those who stare into the abyss, the abyss is also staring at you. If you have been fighting monsters long enough, be careful that you become monsters yourself. ”

"The power you received in the Pure Fortress at that time was both a blessing and a curse. The power of a million suns is not something that anyone can get close to. ”

"Under such circumstances, can you still insist on returning to Atas after the adventure?" asked the Psychic Warlock. "I don't think you will, you don't want to hurt people. ”

The Coral Witch hung her head, then raised it again. "What you said is true?" The tone is more of a statement than an inquiry.

"If I deliberately lied, would I tell the truth if I asked me again?" said the Psychic Reluctantly. "But I really didn't lie to you, you can test it yourself. I can tell you about radiation in my world. ”

Muhadi put a finger on his forehead, concentrating on his abilities. He stripped a portion of his consciousness and sent it into the consciousness of the Coral Witch.

Sadiri closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly. Soon, she digested the knowledge she had gained from the psychic mancer. Then, she cast a spell to verify the other party's claims.

The result of the spell clearly verified that terrible fact, but as if she hadn't given up yet, she cast another different powerful spell to verify it, then the third, then the fourth. But no matter how much she tried, the end result didn't change.

"It does seem like it's true. The Coral Witch said with some sadness, a sad smile. "But in that case, why are you still willing to stay with me?"

"I'm not a person who is afraid of death. Considering the dangers of this adventure, and the problems I'm currently facing. I don't think a leak is an imminent threat in excess of radiation. Muhathir said. "Besides, I can heal my body with psionic energy. ”

"If there is no way to reverse this change......" Sadiri seemed to have made up her mind. "I will not leave the people of Atas behind, even if it means that I can only protect them in the shadows and be a guardian in the shadows. ”

"Very noble and with your style. The Psychic Warlock said. "I'm just curious about this kind of care ...... yours"

Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a loud explosion.

"The enemy is coming!" one of the adventurers shouted, pointing a finger into the air. There, there were a number of Barthez loyal to Mephistopheles who were rapidly approaching, like a flock of vultures that smelled blood.

"Here's your chance," Sadiri said in a low voice, interrupting their conversation. "We have to take advantage of this opportunity to be ready. Otherwise, it will be difficult to get rid of the others when we dive in. ”

The Psychic Warlock nodded, and began to act. Karin took cover, and he snuck up to the other adventurers. While they're too busy fighting to be distracted, they secretly reveal a deeply suggestive ability.

Muhadi avoided the most powerful adventurers and targeted the mediocre but daring ones. Most of these people listened to the false propaganda of the devils in their hometown, thinking that they could make a lot of money by coming to Bato to fight, so they came impulsively. The Barthez lure the adventurers with lies, convincing them that they can find wealth and honor here. And even if they leave Bartow in the future, the cunning and strength they have learned here will last them a lifetime.

But in reality, their fate here is only a meaningless death.

The psychic warlock secretly fights the demons who come at him. Mephistopheles had a lot of men left behind to defend the fortress, and the spears and spells were densely leaning on the heads of the adventurers. The explosions made this piece of glacier tremble like a sieve.

"The avalanche is coming!" someone shouted, and the snow that had been violently upset by the explosion was advancing like a high white wall. In an instant, it swept through the crowd in the melee, sweeping away at least a third of the adventurers and the same number of devil defenders.

"Rush!" shouted a noble Barthez officer who coordinated the adventurers, waving its wings and flying overhead. "Let those take a good look at how the real men fight! Let them take a good look at what price we are willing to pay to advance a foot away - the last man in the squad! The last drop of blood in the body!"

In another part of the battlefield, Sadiri also finished her job. In order to increase the chances of success of this raid, the locust lord Balzeb specially equipped the adventurers with more than a dozen super giant Adamantite Golems, strengthened by Barthez's spells, and almost indestructible. The Coral Witch manipulated the golems without notice.