Chapter 1067: Chapter 36: Margaret
Pain is the heaviest teacher.
The Gatekeeper who declared the end left, and the distraught Kiluat got up and headed to the underground dungeon.
She needs to know what happened to Margaret.
Lu Li followed the remaining Holy Light Squad descending below the lower academy into the Shadowy Interlayer above the Swamp, burrowing into the labyrinthine caverns like an ant nest, nearly losing their way before discovering the entrance to the dungeon.
The rocks covering the narrow crevice appeared to have been moved, an empty potion bottle discarded by Margaret was wedged in the stone gap.
Naxi picked up the bottle and smelled it, recognizing the almost evaporated residual scent: the Silent Forest.
Margaret had consumed the potion before entering the dungeon.
Rumble——
Rubble fell, and Kiluat approached the narrow rock gap, through which she peered like a glance cast from outside into a house.
This dungeon was quite unusual.
It resembled a fallen leaf, disconnected from the tree and branches, isolated within a sealed cavern.
Pools without a source will eventually dry up——the fortunate Holy Light Squad discovered it and began their investigation.
Strange creatures cohabited this dungeon cave, establishing a village like humans. They were oddly peaceful yet numb, but upon the appearance of intruders, they would violently tear them apart.
Only the mindless, clay-like Alchemic Puppets could escape harm——for their presence was ignored by the bizarre villagers.
Thus, the Holy Light Squad chose not to sell the information about this dungeon, but instead cleverly passed through it... and paid a heavy price for it.
Through the narrow gap, Lu Li saw on the other side that dormant, twisted, irregular, and unsightly village lurking in the shadows.
The houses were bent and sharp like wizard huts, and the irregularly tilled fields writhed with abominable flesh plants.
Creatures resembling villagers moved to and fro in the cave village.
Lu Li saw Margaret.
Soon, Kiluat, Yege, and Naxi also saw her.
"She isn’t dead yet..." Kiluat tightly grasped the rock, her fingernails and flesh tearing open.
Margaret, numb as a wax figure, wearing the plain clothes from when she left yesterday, wandered stiffly and indifferently among the strange villagers, between the houses and fields.
She had become indistinguishable from them.
"We have to get her out..." Kiluat murmured softly.
"She is already dead... now just an empty shell manipulated by the bizarre," Yege said sadly, preparing to stop Kiluat from possibly rushing into the dungeon.
But people of The Dark Era were more adept at accepting reality—no matter how cruel the truth might be.
Sorrowful Kiluat suppressed her impulse, filling the gap at her feet with scattered rocks.
As the gaps were refilled, the rocks, their colors blending into the rock wall, stood like rudimentary tombstones.
Naxi sprinkled potion to cover the traces of their presence and retreated back up the elevator platform.
Perhaps when the Holy Light Squad becomes stronger, they will come again, to destroy the dungeon, and to retrieve the remains of their former companion.
The news of Margaret’s death rendered the lounge silent.
The team members no longer feigned the façade maintained since Lu Li’s joining, revealing their true emotions beneath the surface.
Margaret’s name vanished from Giant Tree Academy and the Holy Light Squad. The only symbols of her existence were the memories of Giant Tree Academy and her bed and those relics preserved in the lounge.
"Her family died in the wilderness, and because of her talent in Alchemy as an apprentice, she was selected by Giant Tree Academy. Margaret’s former dream was to survive, then she told me she hoped to create a potion ranked in the top 100..."
By the burning fireplace, Kiluat lowered her head, murmuring Margaret’s story in the shadows.
Gradually, the voice weakened until it disappeared.
"She’s asleep."
Yege said softly, "I’m going to the dining hall to eat something, are you coming?"
"Let’s go together, how about you, Lu Li?"
They looked at Lu Li by the fireplace.
"Okay."
Lu Li left his seat, and as he passed Kiluat, he heard her sorrowful whispers like the murmurs of a dream.
"Margaret..."
Kiluat’s body gradually curled up.
Lu Li draped the blanket from the armrest over Kiluat and followed Yege and Naxi out of the lounge.
"The Holy Light Squad was established by her and Margaret together... they were best friends."
In the hallway to the dining hall, Yege said with a complex expression.
He and Naxi joined the Holy Light Squad together. At least by then, Kiluat and Margaret already knew each other.
"The captain still needs time to recover emotionally; meanwhile, Lu Li, you can get familiar with the place."
Entering the dim and quiet dining hall, at this time, only about a dozen students scattered around, selecting food and eating.
A silhouette blocked their path, bowing to Lu Li: "Mr. Luli, we hear of your advancement and hope to invite you to join our team."
The gazes in the dining hall gradually gathered, whispers about Lu Li echoing.
"I already have a team," Lu Li said.
The cold man in the gauzy, flowing robes glanced at Yege and Naf: "A ’nameless’ team?"
"The Holy Light Squad," Yege replied icily.
"Who cares? It’s not even visible on the rankings, could disband or disappear any time."
Yege’s face suddenly darkened: "If you haven’t learned manners, I can teach you."
The roadblock had no intention of tangling with Yege, returning his viper-like, clammy smile to Lu Li: "Please reconsider, Mr. Luli. We will make you great again at Giant Tree Academy."
He did not linger long, leaving silently like a serpent after speaking.
"He has the backing to say such things. He’s the vice-captain of the third-ranked team. Did you smell the eerie scent mixed on him? Those are the few Mantis Ghosts he raises." Naxi said with a complex expression.
Feeling the gazes from the dining hall students, he awkwardly turned his neck.
The incident robbed them of their desire to remain in the dining hall and enjoy the food. They took some food for themselves, including Kiluat’s portion, and returned to the lounge.
Near the room door, they saw a letter slipped under it, addressed to His Excellency Lulian.
[We await your arrival. Tomorrow night at 12, Bloodline Squad Lounge.]
[——From your friends at the Library]
Having read the letter’s message, Lu Li glanced down the empty corridor before entering the lounge.
Kiluat had already awakened, sitting blankly on the couch in front of the replenished fireplace. Lu Li’s entrance slowly brought her back into focus.
"I have something to announce," she said, looking at Lu Li: "I’ve decided to make you the vice-captain of the Holy Light Squad."
Yege and Naf at the round table paused slightly, exchanged a glance, and continued setting the food.
"I’ve only been promoted to the middle rank for two days."
"Time is not the only measure of ability." Kiluat, much weakened by grief, said earnestly: "Besides, we need your help..."
Lu Li nodded gently, accepting the position of vice-captain.