OBS Chapter 3524 The Missing Unicorn
Chapter 3524 The Missing Unicorn
Chapter 3524 The Missing Unicorn
The elements gathering towards the flames were not because Shad's flames had calmed the elemental environment; if he wasn't mistaken, it was clearly the primordial fire that was devouring and igniting the surrounding elements.
While this did suppress the dire situation, if the flames were to exceed Shad's control, the "feat" of Luvia melting the snow-capped mountains in the past would likely be repeated in Shad's hands this time.
Seeing that there was no other way, Shad gritted his teeth and took out the small pink perfume bottle. Under Claire's astonished gaze, he gulped down most of the bottle of perfume, then sighed deeply and plunged the [Night Watch] into the center of the campfire.
"Lock Lock - Kiss of the Tree!"
Even after consuming most of the essence he had accumulated since the Battle of the Ice Castle, Shad was still unable to fully unleash his ever-expanding complex labyrinth – Fairy Tale Town.
However, using part of the power of the magic lock was still not a problem. The silver sword pierced into the center of the campfire, and as the flames licked the blade, the phantom of a giant, verdant tree appeared on the platform at the top of the snow mountain.
Although the giant tree was not solid, its crown swayed slightly in the wind atop the mountain. And as the giant tree took root on the snow-capped peak, the sky above the Peak of Destiny, which had changed color, actually gradually returned to normal.
"I have only temporarily sealed off those restless elements. This seal will not last long. At most eight hours. We still need to find a way to remedy the situation as soon as possible."
Having done all this, Shad withdrew the [Night Watch] and said, his face slightly pale, "But I dare not drink any more of the essence." Claire nodded worriedly and said to Elder Uller and Elder Ursa:
“Elders, you all stay here and use the power of the snow mountain to suppress the abnormal elements. He and I will go down the mountain to explain the situation to my maternal grandfather.”
“No problem. I’ll go back up the mountain path later to check on the whereabouts of the other young people. Even if the ceremony can’t be completed, we can’t let the tribe lose so many people at once.”
So Shad and Claire held hands and flew directly from the mountaintop toward the town. Claire was in a hurry, so she pulled Shad along at a very fast speed, and didn't have time to say anything more to him along the way.
Demons, water ghosts, and fake humans—the simultaneous appearance of these enemies is hardly a coincidence. Shad even suspects that the strangely-haired "priest" with the "Puppet Master's Script" is plotting something again, but there's no evidence yet.
The two quickly arrived at the foot of the mountain. Claire didn't land directly in the town, but instead landed on the mountain road leading from the town to the snow-capped mountain.
"The defenses and reconnaissance rituals of Kyle Todd are fully activated. Flying directly over the town would cause trouble."
The two quickly returned to the town, which was far from peaceful. Every household was busy reinforcing their houses, piling sandbags at their doors, and packing their belongings in preparation for evacuation. The tsunami was clearly still ongoing; the sound of surging water was already quite clear as they entered the town from the north, near the docks.
“Sevi and your ship should be here to help too. Let’s go check the situation.”
Claire said, then pulled Shad's hand and hurried toward the dock. But on the way, Shad glanced to the side and caught a glimpse of pure white:
"Wait a minute, Claire!"
Shad and the witch turned onto a side path and, sure enough, saw Ellie, who was injured, hiding behind a townhouse.
"Ellie, what's wrong with you?"
Shad hurriedly tended to its wounds, but upon seeing Shad appear, Ellie immediately bit the hem of Shad's shirt, signaling him to return to the Snow Mountain Hall.
Because of its high elevation, the Snow Mountain Hall is currently a temporary refuge for the townspeople living in the southwest area near the docks. Ellie and Leona were supposed to be there as well, but when Shad and Claire hurriedly returned to the Unicorn Den, they found that the roof of the den, which had been converted from a stable, had been ripped off.
The traces of battle were clearly visible; dark, bloody flesh was scattered densely among the ruins of the unicorn's nest. Little Leona was nowhere to be found, but on the soft straw mat where they used to sleep, there was now a letter.
More accurately, it was a scarlet invitation.
The invitation was made of ordinary paper, but when Shad opened it, he saw its contents:
[The Summoner:]
We cordially invite you to visit the House of Pseudo-Humans again. We have already invited a unicorn to visit first, so please arrive before 8:00 AM, otherwise the House of Pseudo-Humans will have an extra unicorn.
Note: You know the address.
There was no signature or date below. Shad frowned, folded the invitation carefully, and handed the "Night Watchman" to Claire, who had also seen the invitation:
“I’m afraid I can’t bring this sword in. Take it to the council and ask Galina and the others for help. There’s a page of poetry in my study. Have Dorothy or Luvia use it to contact Miss Danist.”
Claire grabbed him, her eyes wide:
"Wait a minute, don't tell me you're going to storm the House of the Pseudo-Humans all by yourself without any preparation. That's not the plan we discussed in the council yesterday."
Xia De waved the invitation:
"The fakes know they can't escape, so they want to act ahead of time to disrupt my plans. It's alright, at least the most crucial snake fang is already on me."
The snake fangs could not be turned into toys; they were instead sheathed and hung at Shad's waist.
“I’ll go to the appointment myself and try to stall for time inside the House of the Fake Humans. Claire, you need to notify the others to help me as soon as possible. This important task is entrusted to you. If something really happens to little Leona, I won’t be able to explain it to Emilia.”
She wanted to say, "That's just a unicorn; you can wait for the others to arrive before taking action," but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Ang~"
At this moment, the injured Ellie bit Shad's clothes again, then looked at him with her large, bright blue eyes. Without needing a "unicorn language translator," Shad and Claire understood Ellie's meaning, and Claire lovingly stroked Ellie.
“It wants to go with you; it wants to save its friend. When the fakes attacked this place, little Leanna was captured, but it escaped. It certainly doesn't want to see its friend never to return. Shad, take it with you.”
Furthermore, Leona is an underage unicorn, while Ellie, as an adult unicorn, has a responsibility to rescue her.
"It is still injured."
"Don't forget, you need the unicorn's horn to break through the walls of the House of the Pseudo-Humans. It's already registered as a unicorn with the council, and flesh and blood won't affect it as long as it doesn't go too deep into the House of the Pseudo-Humans."
Shad hesitated for a moment before nodding. Now was not the time to waste time discussing this. Then he told Claire the address of another Time Wheel City:
"These are the contact details for the clowns in the [Clown Troupe]. Have Stella contact the [Clown Troupe]; they'll definitely be willing to help."
"But isn't there a candidate among the clowns?"
"Eliminating the House of False Humans is the most important thing right now, Claire. Don't pursue it deliberately. We just need to do what we should do."
After reminding Shad to be careful, Claire hurriedly took the [Night Watch] and went to find someone to help. With little time left until eight o'clock, Shad didn't even go to the Ice Castle to ask the maid Winnie for help; instead, he rode Ellie directly towards the city.
On the first day of All Souls' Day, Matilda and her companions had already located the exact location of the House of the Imposters. So Shad rode Ellie and landed outside the northern part of the city of Time Wheel. Then, taking advantage of the fact that most of the city's residents were still asleep early Sunday morning, he rode Ellie, who had been transformed into a white horse by illusion, and quickly arrived at their destination.
He was still thinking about his promise to bring Dorothy breakfast, but it seemed he was going to break his word.
When Ellie arrived at "North End Street" where the "House of the Fake People" was located, it was exactly eight o'clock.
The opportune timing also made Shad suspect once again that the [Puppet Master's Script] was involved in this incident. Although, according to the information Adele Isabella explained to the Great Witches in the council, having used the [Book of Time], he should no longer be affected by that script, the script could still influence the fates of those around Shad:
"Is the arrival time of the unicorn Ellie the determining factor? Was Ellie deliberately let go?"
The maids of Moon Bay obtained the exact location of the "House of the Fake People" through divination. It's opposite a red brick wall painted white on the north end of the street. The location is very easy to find, and the "House of the Fake People," hidden on this street, makes no attempt to conceal itself.
North End Street is the northernmost commercial street in Time Wheel City. The "House of the Pseudo-Man" is located between the wood carving shop and the second-hand pocket watch shop. There is even a sign on the outer wall next to the door that reads "No. 8.5 North End Street - House of the Pseudo-Man".
It possesses the ability to adapt its appearance to its surroundings, so the building's appearance at this time is completely different from that in Tobesk. The "Dummy House" now appears as a three-story red brick building. Due to the unusual nature of its interior space, its exterior is of no reference value for estimating the interior conditions of the "Dummy House."
The house blends perfectly into the streetscape, looking exactly like a building that was originally on the street. Ellie could see the house too, and after stopping at the door, she impatiently let out a soft "woof~".
As Shad jumped off Ellie's back, the door to the "House of the Pseudo-Man" under the blue-green eaves opened, and the male servant-like pseudo-man Shad had seen in the core room last time appeared at the door.
It smiled and said to Shad:
"Caller of the gods, welcome back. You are very punctual, the timing is perfect."
She then made way for the doorway, gesturing for Shad to come in, but Shad only calmed Ellie, who was about to rush forward, and then said:
"Where is my unicorn friend? How can I be sure it hasn't fallen victim to your cruelty yet?"