Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

“Hehehehe…” Nia stretched out, responding to the “hugs” from the others directly below.

Lyle could now make out the faces of those people: elves, dwarves, ghosts, demons, and even a lich in disguise. They watched the falling contestants with smiles on their faces, completely unaware of the perilous situation Lyle and his companions were in. Beatrice and the others, who were flying, were nowhere to be seen, and the crowd below remained completely unresponsive, like Muggles.

That's incorrect; they actually did react.

Perhaps by coincidence, Lyle discovered that directly below him were Andrei's lich colleagues, who were watching Lyle fall with smiles on their faces, as if they were expecting something.

Shining and his companions were among the crowd, seemingly deep in thought, directing the liches to move left and right.

They're probably discussing how to catch me, since the gentlemen know I'm human and should be willing to save me.

The liches finished their plans and then vacated a space.

Directly below the calculated crash site of Lyle, the white stone bricks of the Wandering City were revealed, as white as the teeth of Shining and the others in their smiles.

That way, no lich will get hit by Lyle, those bastards.

Lyle's tear ducts were stimulated by her friend's kicking her when she was down, and she held back the tears that were about to spill from her eyes.

Ariana's blue eyes were fixed on him, her bewitching beauty making her stand out from the crowd. Lyle instantly found her, and the two were looking at each other, one still and one in motion.

Ariana stood gracefully and elegantly, while Lyle plummeted down as if the earth had collapsed.

Nia had moved to the ground beneath Lyle, her thick flesh intended to act as a cushion for him. But Lyle's heart was still pounding with unease; he had been falling for too long, and his speed was terrifying. He might be doomed.

Squeezing out the last of his strength, Lyle roared across the square, spreading his panic.

"Meow meow meow meow meow meow!!!!"

Ten meters above the ground, the British Shorthair cub, held by the scruff of its neck, was waving its arms and legs in the air.

"It's alright, Lyle, relax."

The Death Witch Wenli, riding her broomstick, gripped Lyle the cat by the scruff of its neck, her gaze indifferent. She had just tossed a potion through the air, which had struck Lyle squarely. In the instant of transformation, the laws of physics ceased to apply; Lyle lost its speed, and Wenli easily saved it. Even if Wenli hadn't caught it, its feline instincts would have ensured a smooth fall.

Veraliz sat in the witch's lap and impatiently smacked Lyle on the head with her paw.

"Meow meow meow?"

Relaxed, Lyle looked around at the situation. The air around him was filled with the witch's brooms, and the falling contestants had all been turned into cats and fell into the witch's hands.

"Our job as witches is to ensure your safety at the last minute."

"Meow meow meow meow meow".

"Why did we make you fall for so long? This is part of a ritual that is traditionally agreed upon in the flying competition. The veterans of the flying team lead the inexperienced newcomers through every corner of the Wandering City, moving forward side by side, communicating and exploring this multi-ethnic city, and finally, we will give you a surprise."

"This is a welcoming ceremony for the city of wandering."

"Welcome, Lyle, you've become a part of this city."

The cat's transformation effect ended after a few minutes, and Lyle watched the Andrei lich horde as they exchanged stakes among themselves.

Yes, another gamble, this time, it's about the intensity of the falling rookie's screams.

Lyle once again unexpectedly won first place in the screaming contest, although he considered it a rather shameful thing.

Many liches lost their bets, and the reporter, beaming with joy, took away the last glimmer of hope from those dying liches, then went to Lyle's side to express his gratitude.

"Thanks for your prestige in Andrei and that terrifyingly resounding reputation, dear Plague Doctor. Look at you, a screaming lich! You're practically our literary society's cash cow, hahahahaha!!!"

Lyle felt utterly humiliated, and the liches' flattery only added salt to his wounds.

"Your acting is so realistic, Mr. Plague Doctor. You truly deserve to be called the creator of the disguise of flesh and blood. Your portrayal of fear is superb."

“It’s really surprising, Mr. Plague Doctor. You truly deserve to be called Andrei’s shining new star. Who would have thought that the lich’s scream would be so loud? The lich is actually the loudest of all the races.”

"Did you learn anything from Ms. Ariana? Perhaps you could consider releasing a Scream Record; I would definitely collect it."

Lyle could only maintain a stiff smile, while inwardly weeping as he faced the liches who maintained expressions of reverence.

"Plague Doctor, congratulations on becoming the first place winner of the flying competition with Beatrice." Ariana's voice was still sweet and charming, and the understanding lady did not reopen Lyle's wounds, but instead praised the good parts.

The Condensed Heart was shimmering in Lyle's hand.

Touched, Ariana became even more adorable at this moment.

"Ariana, here's the 100,000 you won. Your knowledge of the Plague Doctor is truly astonishing." The reporter chuckled and handed the small purse to Ariana.

"...You also participated in the screaming betting, and you even won." Lyle was exhausted.

“Yes, Lyle, I have faith in you. I was impressed by your trembling legs on Naslan’s balcony. Darling, there’s nothing shameful about being afraid of heights; you should accept it.”

"That's not a glorious defect."

Ariana took Lyle's free hand and leaned against him side by side. Her long black hair brushed against Lyle's earlobe, and a delicate fragrance accompanied by Ariana's soft whispers filled the air.

“It’s your little flaw that has become my happiness. Maybe you’ve noticed, maybe you haven’t, but when we stroll through Naslan Castle, I always take you to wander around Helena’s upper floors, past those terraces, overlooking the view below. You only willingly share your weight with me when your legs are weak. I’m so glad that in those moments, I truly feel that you need me.” Ariana stood on tiptoe, leaning against Lyle. “I bear a lot of responsibility for your fear of heights. Blame me, Lyle.”

"I created your flaws, and that's what makes you even more alluring."

The frantic heartbeat had swept away Lyle's depression. Smiling, Ariana was like the leading lady in a play, waiting for Lyle's response. Her closed eyes quietly opened, glanced at Lyle, and then closed again like a thief. Ariana was playing the role of a prisoner awaiting trial.

“Innocent, madam.” Lyle first put on a serious expression, then burst into laughter with Ariana.

“You can tell me, Ariana, that I can act for you when you need me.”

"Really? Then now is the perfect time for you to take action."

The surrounding sounds gradually faded away, and the liches raised their heads, as did Lyle. Everyone's gaze converged on the sky, watching the slowly descending phantom.

Beatrice, a bewitching female vampire with a face similar to Ariana's, and another arrogant daughter of Nathlan, is watching Lyle with a playful smile, watching the Condensed Heart in his hand.

“Go, share your victory and your spoils with Benny.” Ariana gently nudged Lyle’s back, and under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Lyle stepped forward and walked up to Beatrice.

Lyle realized this was the perfect opportunity for a couple to confess their love and share the sweetness of victory under everyone's gaze. It was just like a perfect romantic drama, except it was his sister-in-law.

And this sister-in-law was grinning mischievously, anticipating her reaction.

Lyle displayed absolute grace, approaching Beatrice, kneeling on one knee, and presenting the shimmering, solidified heart with both hands.

"This is offered to you in celebration of your victory, my lady."

Lyle had expected Beatrice to help him with the theatrical performance, but she didn't.

She snatched the Condensed Heart the instant Lyle paused in his speech and stuck her tongue out at Lyle.

"Of course it's mine, everything you have is mine."

"This year, it's another victory for Beatrice Naslan! And a victory for our Light and Shadow Zone! Let the celebration begin, my friends!!!"

"Praise be to the Goddess of the Rose!!!"

A massive tsunami of citizens from the Light and Shadow Zone erupted in cheers. The City of Wanderings entered its grandest, final celebration.

Chapter 428 The Night of Lawlessness

A wild, unrestrained celebration, bordering on riotous, unfolded in the light and shadow zone, culminating in a night of revelry as the sun set. Crowds surged into the Blood Rose Bar like swarms of army ants, and once the bar was packed, the revelers took to the streets and danced on the stage.

Lyle stood on the second floor of the Blood Rose Bar, looking down at the seemingly riotous crowd of revelers, of whom at least 30 percent were liches. Lyle showed deep concern.

"After hearing Beatrice's proposal for a celebration, they went mad, as if some switch that controls madness had been flipped. I'm sure it wasn't some kind of mental manipulation by an evil god, but this kind of revelry is morbid."

Ariana walked over to Lyle with her wine glass in hand.

"When the Wandering City first introduced foreign races, the various districts were not as harmonious as they are now. Theft and brawls were rampant, some due to disputes over interests, and others due to personal preferences. The inevitable chaos made the existence of this open city of miracles precarious. So, the arcane artists forged an artifact, an artifact capable of monitoring any corner of the entire city."

"The Eye of Arcane Arts".

"Due to the magical network node function of the City of Wandering itself, the effect range of the Arcane Eye extends to the entire city. It is not only an enlarged surveillance camera, but also a suppressor of chaotic nature. To put it bluntly, it is an emotional manipulation device. This causes the citizens of the City of Wandering to subconsciously choose restraint and obey the order required by the arcane when faced with situations that may lead to physical conflict or fighting."

"The riot suppressor is not very effective, and has little effect on chaotic entities like liches. However, the crime rate in the Wandering City has indeed decreased by twenty points, but it may also be related to the liches learning to litigate."

"The Eye of Arcane Arts is also a pager that notifies arcane practitioners to assemble. It can receive citizens' requests and forward them to law enforcement agencies."

"However, no nature should be suppressed by external forces, especially after discovering that the suppressive effect of the Arcane Eye may lead to mental distortion."

"It is necessary to liberate the repressed chaos."

"Coincidentally, a chaotic crystal condenses every year within the orderly magic of the Arcane Eye. This condensed crystal can shield the Arcane Eye from perception and mental interference, giving citizens a night to vent their emotions."

"The Flying Competition has begun. The winner who obtains the Heart of Condensation can make the area where he stays a lawless zone for one night. No laws or rules of the Wandering City will be enforced again. Conceptually, tonight, even if you slaughter everyone in front of us, it won't be considered illegal."

"It is a night of chaos, it is a night of freedom, it is a night of darkness."

Noticing Lyle's increasingly gloomy gaze, Ariana took a sip of her wine and changed her tone.

"But that was a long time ago. The various races in the City of Wanderings have long been getting to know each other, and intermarriage between races is very common. There won't be any violent incidents on the night of the carnival; at most, some people might go a little overboard."

Lyle watched the scene below, taking the wine glass bearing Ariana's lipstick mark. Demons and humans were arm in arm, drinking together; ghosts and elves danced; and liches teased kobolds with bones. It was a chaotic yet reassuring sight, but within Lyle's heart, a voice emanated from within that malice.

"But the old system hasn't changed. Any darkness will still be permitted tonight, won't it?"

Lyle's gaze made Ariana pause for a moment. The singer smiled, pressing her body against Lyle's back, her arms passing under her armpits and crossing over Lyle's chest, her lips close to his ear, exhaling her alcohol-scented breath into Lyle's nostrils. Her hand climbed up Lyle's arm, guiding the glass to Lyle's lips.

“A man who pries too much doesn’t appeal to a woman. Being detached from the world will cost you many friends and fun. Lyle, you should get drunk.” Ariana gently patted Lyle’s wrist, a primal way of comforting a human being. “Lyle, you are a human being. Don’t delve too deeply into the dark things. It will make you lose something, something I don’t want you to lose.”

The warmth and the heat of the drink, as if preserving Ariana's body temperature, were poured into his throat, and Lyle's cheeks flushed. He turned his head and buried his face in Ariana's dark hair.

I thought you would become my drinking buddy.

"We need a clear-headed person to take the initiative."

"I'm not sure I did any research on flesh camouflage."

“You are not the only flesh-and-blood spirit master in Andrei, dear Lyle. This is an experiment.”

"An experiment."

"You are the experimental subject."

Alcohol and chaos can make some good things, but unrestrained darkness can also breed like mold in rotten wood.

Candy is incredibly busy today. Orders keep pouring in like an avalanche, and Candy feels like his legs are about to break. At this moment, he desperately hopes that his maturity period will arrive soon, so that he will have the ability to fly.

"But she'll become prettier, and more girlish." Candy was already mentally prepared for the succubus's growth.

"I really envy Brother Ino. He looks much more androgynous than me. He's both handsome and beautiful. I wish I could grow up to be like him."

The candy patted my cheeks, blowing away the fatigue on my face.

"Cheer up, Candy." Picking up a new glass, Candy took another step and ran towards the customers outside the bar.

"Brother Yinuo is sick, you have to hang in there, and keep up the good work tonight!"