Mage Manual

Chapter 1643 - 1206: Unchain Me

"That’s true." Hanna sat next to Ash, perhaps to hide her embarrassment or to help Ash save face: "They’re all in the trials."

Ash glanced at her and said, "We stayed in Azura for half a month... right there in the Funeral Service Office."

"Then remember to pay me the rent for half a month."

"So stingy... During that time, I investigated a bit and found that you’ve done a lot over the past year, reforming the systems of various consortium cities like Vatican Mura and Memphis, guiding organizations to reduce reliance on the Gospel System, and promptly investing resources into the technological wave brought by the Sky Gate concept," Ash said. "The Gospel has changed a lot since I left a year ago."

"It’s not all my doing," Hanna replied. "Some of it is the visionary foresight of Diya... Our Her Majesty can manage this country well as long as she tries."

"But now the five nations have united, and what you’re facing are not only the conservative forces within the country, the corruption and internal friction of bureaucratic institutions but also the challenges from the other four countries. This is an unprecedented major shift in a thousand years, and you can’t find any reference examples from history books; you can only grow quickly in the competition... Are you sure you want to continue?"

"What do you mean?"

Ash pulled his finger, and an illusory chain connected from Hanna’s collar to his hand, "This is a Soul Divine Trace I invented, not only can it suppress the Stars Blessing, but it can also remove the Stars Blessing from your souls. But if you still want to continue to hold the reins of the Kingdom of Gospel, you can’t remove the Stars Blessing. After all, you’re one of the top leaders of the Gospel, and the Dazzling Star side is very likely to focus on the status of your Stars Blessing."

All of the Gospel ruling class, including Hanna, had the Stars Blessing implanted, so Ash had early borrowed the Soul-locking God from Vishi to invent the Wonder ’Dawn Soul Lock’ based on the prototype of the ’Ruby Chain.’ Actually, this wasn’t a binding Wonder but a soul healing Wonder. During the duration of the Dawn Soul Lock, the bound soul would remain in a pure state, suppressing the influence of all Wonder curses and naturally not being brainwashed by the Stars Blessing.

He was confident that suppressing the Stars Blessing wouldn’t attract attention, but removing it would be akin to challenging the Dazzling Star’s noble system, and in any case, Hanna couldn’t continue as the Chief Witch of the Gospel.

"Before we leave, you can consider whether to remove the Stars Blessing. If you want to remove it—"

"I can answer you now," Hanna said seriously. "I want to stay in the Gospel as the Chief Witch. My career is here... Even if I have to endure the Stars Blessing, I will not give up."

Ash smiled softly, stood up, and said, "I thought so too."

"But this way, you inevitably become embroiled in the unprecedented five-nation competition. Are you confident you can win in this national game?"

"I can’t guarantee I’ll win," Hanna clasped her hands, her gaze sharp. "I can only guarantee I will never lose."

Ash looked at this Purple Moth in front of him, recalling the first night he came to the Gospel when Hanna confidently told them she was going to blaspheme the Gospel. Back then, she was so arrogant, so domineering, treating life as an intriguing game, willing to give everything to achieve the craziest accomplishments. As a witch, Hanna had toned down her arrogance, but at this moment, Ash realized she still treated life as a game, only now it was a game of statecraft rather than role-playing... What unprecedented great achievement was she ready to ignite with the flame in her eyes?

"Give me your hand."

Not understanding, Hanna opened her palm, and Ash quietly channeled the power of his thoughts, drawing a moth pattern on the back of her hand. With the inscription of the thought, Hanna found her connection with the Purple Moth became even closer.

"You’re now a Legendary Mage; theoretically, there shouldn’t be any existence on earth that could harm you. But if other countries can’t handle it, or if an Angel comes for you, activate this mark... If I can come, I surely will."

Ash gently patted the back of her hand and said, "Continue to charge fearlessly, young lady. From now on, I remain your most steadfast support. As rent, this should be enough, right?"

Ash stressed heavily on the word ’steadfast,’ and Hanna raised her head thoughtfully, only to see Ash turning his head away without meeting her gaze. That dog of a man, Hanna thought to herself, knowing full well my first kiss was his, yet he’s unwilling to kiss or say sweet words, even his declarations wrapped in roundabout phrases. Does he think I don’t like hearing romantic words?

However... this isn’t bad either.

"Not enough, far from enough."

"Huh?" Ash was taken aback.

"I’ll accept this for now," Hanna took his hand and brought it to her lips, smiling, "but what I truly want is a kingdom, a Heavenly Kingdom I can freely paint on."

"When I tire of the Gospel, you must find me a better toy, like... your Heavenly Kingdom."

*

Hanna walked back to the witch’s office with a spring in her step, where Qinna and Nona were chatting. As soon as she returned, she said, "Think of a reason to seal the Imperial Palace. Ash and the others don’t know how long they’re staying, and during this time, no one can see them."

"Spread a rumor that the Chief Witch is expecting a child, and for the next ten months, no one will dare question a single word," Qinna said lazily against her chair. "Of course, if it’s not a rumor, that’s okay too."

Hanna glanced at her out of the corner of her eye; she was in a good mood now and didn’t even get angry.

"Say that to combat the Blood Moon’s Legendary Mage, I used the secret technique of Yisu Imperial Palace, and during the upcoming period, the Miracle Technique of the palace needs repairing," Nona, keeping abreast of the current events, offered a very practical suggestion.

"Then you, as the seventh seat, will take on this responsibility," Hanna said.

Hanna sat in her chair, resting her chin in her hands and looking at Qinna, "Didn’t expect you to occasionally do something human."

Qinna raised her eyebrows, "Hmm?"

Hanna simplified her conversation with Ash to Qinna, finally adding with a blush, "I even suspected that you really sought advice from him about me and you and him... It even led me to confirm with him."

The Elf Clan Leader raised her eyebrows, showing an amused expression, "Ash only told you this much?"

"Yeah, why?" Hanna paused, a bad feeling suddenly arising: "You actually suggested something!?"

"Not really,"

Hanna breathed a sigh of relief, "I knew you wouldn’t go that far... So what did you suggest?"

Qinna spread her hands, "You know Nona and I can share senses, so what I suggested was me, you, and Nona together—"

"Qinna!" "Sister!" Hanna and Nona shouted angrily in unison, standing up with a whoosh.

The Elf Clan Leader tapped her lips, chuckling softly, "By the way, he showed no signs of objection from his eyes or expression..."

...

...

It seems fulfilling their heart’s desires is the key to passing the trial.

Finally finding a clue to passing the trial, Ash felt completely relaxed, trotting toward the others’ palace. Though Diya hadn’t technically passed the trial yet, she was no longer in pain or distress; even just this was worth replicating the success story of the Witch.

Perhaps completing the heart’s desires of the Sword Maiden and Vishi might allow all three to pass the Six-winged Trial together.

Just then, Ash heard the tense pleading voice of Felix coming from around a corner, "Sister Vishi, don’t be like this, come back with me, please..."

Turning the corner, Ash saw Felix on her knees, helpless, with the Ghost Prophet crawling on the carpet in front of her. Vishi was in her nightdress, hair disheveled, lacking her former charm, appearing as pitiful as a sick snake crawling in the darkness. Yet seeing her trembling shoulders and the cold sweat streaking down her face revealed the intense pain she was enduring.

Ash went over and grabbed her hands, and Vishi’s first words upon seeing him were, "Sword Maiden or Witch?"

Ash paused and replied, "Witch. I found a way to help her pass the trial, but how did you know—"

"How?"

"She wanted to go home, so I took her home, and then her status improved," Ash explained. "A critical factor of this trial might be finding ways to fulfill your heart’s desires, but given your physical condition, you can’t do it. That means I can only help you fulfill it... What’s your heart’s desire?"

Vishi kept herself up by resting her hands on Ash, taking shallow, rapid breaths, exhausted as if about to collapse. Ash took a towel from Felix and wiped off the cold sweat on Vishi’s forehead, sitting on the floor with her in his arms.

After a while, Vishi slowly shook her head, "I have no heart’s desire, this method is useless for me." Ash looked at her, realizing something, "Do you have another idea?"

Vishi nodded her head slightly, her voice weak, "I have a way to pass the trial myself... You just need to please your Sword Witch, and for me, I only need a little... bit of help from you."

"What help?"

She raised her head, gazing into Ash’s eyes, "Unlock my chains."