Chapter 11 Midday

At noon, in the library of Lichtenstein Castle, eleven people gathered around a large writing desk, quiet and focused.

The subtle noises of the room seemed absorbed by the bookshelves and the densely packed books on the walls. Judging from the expressions on the challengers' faces, the matter at hand was of utmost importance.

Their eyes were focused, each lost in thought.

After a moment of silence.

"Does anyone understand demonic magic script?"

The young master of the Canberra Kingdom's merchant guild, seeing that the aristocratic mage girl from the Krytie Empire had already closed her book, could only look around at the others and ask.

The three clergy members from the Northern Continent were the first to shake their heads. Clergy members were not allowed to privately study foreign magic scripts, let alone demonic magic scripts, which were considered quite taboo for humans.

The young master of the merchant guild knew that his guard siblings, although smart and strong, knew nothing about demonic magic scripts.

And if the aristocratic girl, the most skilled in magic among the three from the Krytie Empire, didn't know, there was no need to think about the other knight and the young priest.

That only left the black-haired, green-eyed lawyer and the silver-haired girl who always accompanied him with a glimmer of hope.

As for the missing detective… even if he knew, he wouldn't be back in the next two days.

In the worst-case scenario, they would have to consult other reference books in the library to look up the meaning of the demonic magic script and speculate and interpret this sealed magic book.

But how long it would take, how much key information they could decipher, and whether it would be stolen by the betrayers at night during the long process of deciphering, was unknown.

"I only know a little demonic magic script."

Hyberian looked up at Lan Qi and said softly, seemingly a little ashamed that she couldn't be of more use.

Logically, the person who could understand both types of magic script at the same time at this moment should be her, who possessed half-demon blood, but since she could remember, her mother had already left the Hutton Kingdom, so no one had taught her demon magic.

If her lack of ability was the reason the crucial step of obtaining information was stuck here, then she felt like she was dragging everyone down again.

However, Hyberian remembered Lan Qi saying that he had studied demonic magic script, so she could still place a sliver of hope in him.

"It's okay, I know a little."

Sure enough, Lan Qi nodded with a smile, still as steady as ever, just like he was in the difficulty level 3 painting classroom at the Demon Academy.

That familiar sense of security made her feel that this shadow world was stable again.

He was truly omnipotent.

"Okay."

Soon, Hyberian nodded, quickly stepped forward to take the book from the Krytie Empire mage girl, and handed it to Lan Qi.

She knew that Lan Qi was not suitable for getting close to anyone else. Dangerous tasks needed to be carried out by her, who possessed many life-saving abilities.

Lan Qi took the book from Hyberian's hand, thanked her as he usually did when they attended classes together, and then began to flip through the book in silence.

Unlike the previous merchant guild young master and imperial aristocratic mage girl, Lan Qi's brow remained relaxed, as if he were casually reading an afternoon pastime book.

Generally speaking.

It was impossible to read this kind of obscure magic book in this state.

Most likely, they couldn't understand anything, which was why they could quickly flip through the pages one by one.

The psychological pressure on the others began to slowly increase again. The light that was about to be seen was like being firmly stuck by a brick.

Even if the detective could find the identities of the two betrayers when he returned and complete [Task Goal 1: Find the Betrayers 0/2], the truly difficult core task in the shadow world had always been Task Goal 2.

Large shadow worlds were operated by a clear line and multiple hidden lines running in parallel.

While all the challengers were pushing forward with the task on the clear line, the unknown hidden lines would also silently operate with the passage of time, causing changes they were unaware of.

Task Goal 2 was often related to the hidden line plot.

If they couldn't detect the content of the hidden line and its latest progress in time and seize the initiative, it was likely that by the time they completed Task Goal 1 and solved the puzzle, the shadow world would be about to enter an irreversible berserk mode.

"The power of the sun refers to what? Even this ancient book doesn't explain it, but it probably means that the seal needs to be performed during the day when there is sunlight."

At the moment when everyone felt at a loss, Lan Qi's words, which suddenly emerged as he looked down at the book, surprised everyone.

He could really understand it?

Was he making it up to comfort everyone?

This was everyone's first reaction.

"The power of the moon refers to werewolves, but the werewolf race, which was already scarce, is now almost extinct in this era."

Lan Qi continued slowly,

"Werewolves are not weakened during the day, but they can be strengthened in the moonlight, and with their powerful regenerative abilities, they may not even lose to the blood clan in a one-on-one battle all night."

"But 'regeneration' ultimately cannot compare to 'immortality.' Over time, the werewolves were slaughtered by the blood clan, and the blood clan became the only king of the night."

The "werewolf clan" mentioned by Lan Qi was a race that had been completely extinct in the present world, and even in many ancient shadow worlds thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago, there were few traces, which made all the challengers feel unfamiliar.

So this race was exterminated because of the blood clan.

Then this shadow world, which still had records of werewolf information…

How long ago was it?

The academic value of successfully clearing such an ultra-ancient shadow world alone would probably cause a huge wave among various societies, and the copyright value of the information contained in their [Shadow World Recording Program] would be even more incalculable.

"The stars describe the witches, the origin of human magic. It seems to refer to demons and seems to refer to humans. I've browsed through it roughly and found that the compiler of this book should be a witch herself."

At this point, Lan Qi closed the book in his hand.

For him, who had always studied a mixture of demon and human magic scripts, he could unexpectedly understand this magic book written in the magic script that was in the process of evolving between demonic magic script and human magic script.

He had not yet looked closely at the specific magic part, but he had deciphered the information in it.

While the challengers in the library looked at each other in confusion, felt that Lan Qi's interpretation was mysterious and profound, and even suspected its authenticity.

[Task Goal 2: Explore the secrets and dangers hidden in the ancient castle – Hidden information has emerged. Please challengers protect the werewolf and the witch.]

…

Iklit Academy, Gerald Memorial Square.

The clock on the ancient clock tower had just turned past twelve o'clock at the top. Accompanied by the echoes of twelve chimes that had not completely dissipated in the campus, the open-air giant screen surrounded by many teaching buildings in the distance was broadcasting today's shadow world challenge.

At this time, it was several times more lively than usual. Not only were the steps already full of students, but even the surrounding roads were filled with students passing by and stopping here.

"He wasn't making it up?"

"Strictly investigate his registration!!"

Many students thought Lan Qi was actually playing a psychological game and making up information.

Unexpectedly, he really knew it.

The information in Task Goal 2 had changed, which meant that the interpretation was successful.

Although many students at Iklit Academy had heard that Lan Qi knew sealing techniques, and all the cards he made in the registered card master exam were sealing cards.

But why was this guy so proficient in demonic magic script as well?

Too much of a demon spy!

…

Shadow World, the library on the second floor of Lichtenstein Castle.

This ancient library seemed to stop breathing for a moment.

The people around the central writing desk were frozen, their eyes fixed on the back of the magic book in Lan Qi's hand by the window, their expressions changing from doubt to understanding, and then from understanding to shock, as if they could feel everyone else's heart beating faster.

The challengers looked at each other, their eyes meeting, some of them moved their lips slightly, as if wanting to say something, but not knowing how to start.

"Brother, are you a half-demon?"

The young master of the merchant guild looked at Lan Qi with surprise and astonishment, breaking the silence, causing the male guard behind him to cough lightly.

This mindless young master was not worried about offending the lawyer.

Generally, in the Southern Continent, suspecting that someone had demon blood was easy to offend people.

This made Hyberian feel particularly embarrassed.

She was the real half-demon.

But since staying by Lan Qi's side, no one had ever questioned her bloodline.

This was a feeling that Hyberian had never experienced.

It was as if, as long as Lan Qi's demon radiance shielded her, she would completely become a real person.

"My human bloodline is absolutely no problem and can be verified by the priest."

Lan Qi smiled, not minding the question much.

The clear are clear.

Lan Qi had always believed in this principle.

He didn't explain much why he knew it.

"…"

This gave others the feeling that he knew a little bit of everything, without needing a reason.

Combined with the aura on his body, it was quite reasonable.

"We believe you."

The priest was the first to speak, and bowed slightly to Lan Qi as a greeting.

The others didn't probe Lan Qi further, only feeling that besides the [Detective], this [Lawyer] was also a master.

He was not only good at coordinating and soothing everyone's emotions, but also erudite and knowledgeable.

The ultra-fast progress of the interpretation also greatly increased the burden on the betrayers.

"Then what is the relationship between werewolves and witches? Why do we have to protect them?"

The young master of the merchant guild still asked Lan Qi quite puzzled.

"Werewolves and witches are obviously allies, because they are the key to sealing or unsealing the blood clan. The real purpose of the two betrayers trapping us here is probably to find the werewolf and the witch among us. As for why they haven't called their blood master, there are probably other hidden reasons."

Lan Qi hugged the magic book and answered the student like a principal.

"As expected of Mr. Lawyer!"

The young master of the merchant guild realized and began to praise Lan Qi, he was now quite convinced of Lan Qi's scholarly abilities, this temperament was exactly what he, who was always considered a rich fool, had always yearned for but could not obtain.

At this point, all the challengers had some concept in their hearts.

The information revealed by Task Goal 2 made it easy to further speculate on a certain task goal of the betrayers—

The challengers' side had to find the betrayers [blood clan dependents] hidden among the challengers.

And the betrayers' side had to find the [werewolf] and the [witch] hidden among the non-betrayers!

This game of wits was upgraded again for both sides.

As people were preparing to leave this place and return to the basic level sanctuary hall.

Under the midday sun by the library window curtains.

Lan Qi stared at Hyberian beside him, feeling her unease.

"Lan Qi…"

Hyberian met Lan Qi's calm gaze, seemingly preparing to express something to him.

Lan Qi just nodded slightly.

Indicating to her that he knew everything.

And not to worry.

Even if Lan Qi couldn't see her information panel, he guessed it.

She was the witch, and also the person in the most dangerous situation in this shadow world, without exception.

That was a passage of witch's monologue that Lan Qi didn't read out from the magic book—

[I am neither a demon nor a human, but I will help and protect good people, so please don't be afraid of me].

In that era called Blood Moon Bad World.

The witch actually referred to the congenital half-demons, who were also magicians who would not suffer backlash even if they used immature human magic scripts.

This shadow world would not be slowly solved day by day, Principal Lan was about to arrest people soon!

(End of this chapter)