McNeesey passed away. Just as some unknown soldier once said:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful, and now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness..."
One has to say that humans are strange beings. In the most challenging times, it is not water, food, or medicine that motivates them to live, but a piece of true love or a glimmer of hope in their heart; McNeesey was just like that... ...…
But the world would not stop because of one person's tragedy. The livings, whether they care about it or not, have to keep going!
Punk held the parchment and the inconspicuous ring that McNeesey had given him before his death in his hand, and there was a slight hesitation in his heart.
This parchment was not a normal thing. Its rarity could be said to have exceeded the reach of an official-level mage. This parchment was the so-called the Keeper of Justice, the Eye of judgment, Trial eye's contract. Of course, due to many restrictions, this Trial's eye contract from McNeesey could limit up to legendary levels; still, its binding force was more than enough to surprise Punk.
One should know that Trial's Eye was a mighty existence at the universal level. It could be said to be the manifestation of Justice and Order of the entire Universe. As a Devine Throne level creature, it completely mastered a part of the fundamental laws of the Universe and served as the Guardian of Order in this Universe. It was one of the two major sides of a complete rule of the Universe.
Like The Trial's Eye, The other part of this law was another Devine Throne Level Existence; The consciousness of Abyss; (Abyss's collective consciousness), Like Trial's Eye, It also used the method of contracts that existed throughout all time and space, but the difference between Trial's Eye and it was that It was from the Evil camp.
If One used Its contract (devil contract), they could play various tricks, word games, deceptions, and even psychedelic spells on it. And as long as the agreement was signed, it would be enforced by the Abyss's Consciousness. And if One's methods were evil and sinister enough, it might even give them generous rewards as it liked chaos and filth!
But the Trail's Eye was completely opposite. The Trial's Eye, which believed in "absolute justice" and "absolute order," hated all chaos and evils. If anyone dared to play clever tricks in front of it...then their body and soul both would be burned to nothingness.
Punk smiled bitterly and looked at the parchment in his hand. A majestic vertical eye was depicted in the center of the paper, representing the keeper of order,—It was actually a slight trace of the consciousness of the Trial's Eye, as if saying that it was paying attention to this seemingly inconspicuous contract. There were only two conditions in this contract:
First: Punk was responsible for trying his best to escort Princess Nesa to the Duke of Dylan's Mansion.
Second: After signing the contract, the ring containing all the formal spell knowledge that McNeesey has learned will be open to Punk!
Two very simple contracts, it could even be said to be full of loopholes. Any smart person could find a lot of fault in them. For example, there were more people called Punk in the world, and "Open" did not necessarily mean that all restrictions would be open!
Even so, no one would dare to use Trial's Eye contract to play games. One must know that although Trial's Eye was rigid, it was still a real intelligent creature. It could clearly distinguish between fraud and sincerity, and it absolutely would not tolerate any adjustments with the agreed contract like the consciousness of Abyss! This was also the reason why the Trial Eye's contract was more credible than the devil Contract. Of course, the price and sacrifice needed to obtain such a Trial's Eye Contract were thousands of times greater than the Devil Contract of the same level!
With such a contract, Punk could only smile wryly.
"This Mage McNeesey was really impressive. He was actually carrying such a contract with him."
Now Punk was once again caught in a dilemma, although there was a kind of item called "filth bird's feather" which could erase the contractual effect of the Trial's Eye, that kind of highly rare treasure that could even attract legendary powerhouses was not something that the current Punk could even think about!
"Even though guiding Princess Nesa to the Duke's mansion might bring more challenges, they say no gain without some risk. Considering the official-level spells he really needed and McNeesey's wealth of experience as a seasoned mage, Punk made up his mindmind.
" Sigh"
Now that he had decided, Punk no longer hesitated, gently putting his finger in the middle of the inscription of the Trial's Eye, he silently accepted the contract in his mind!
There was no flashy sound or light effects, and also no descent of any indescribable existence. Just after the trace of the Trials eye's consciousness confirmed that Punk decision was completely voluntary, the old parchment started to float and burn in mid-air. The white flame was different from the ordinary flames; its diamond shape was completely symmetrically geometric, and it was accompanied by a purple diamond-shaped eye inscription.
The brilliance slowly submerged between Punk's eyebrows, and when the parchment was completely burned out, the contract was officially established, and at the same time, the ring left by McNeesey was also unlocked.
Punk stood in the ray of the setting sun as he played with the rough brass ring in his palm. He didn't feel anything in the entire process of signing the contract. Even though Punk was aware that an extraordinary entity like the Eye of Judgment, or at least a fraction of it, had just manifested in this small location, he, as the target, didn't sense anything unusual.
But, whenever Punk considered leaving the princess behind, the sensation of a watchful eye from the entire world would pierce into the core of his soul. That was the universal order itself, warning him not to violate the contract!
Punk put the ring on his left hand earnestly, as he didn't have the time to check his reward now. Both Sun Mira and Casa had descended, the night once again blanketed the forest. Punk knew that the enemy would once again come to chase them.
The two fighters were still standing on both sides in a daze. When they saw Punk coming over, they all showed questioning eyes at Punk; as now McNeesey was dead, and the strongest person in this team was Punk!
But Punk didn't answer the two fighters. He just patted the dust on his hood. Now, the robe on his body was almost out of color as it hasn't been cleaned for a long time.
Punk slowly stretched out his fair palm toward the princess Nesa who was sitting on the ground still crying:
"Princess Nesa, our journey isn't ended yet. Don't waste your mother and Mr. McNeesey's efforts"!
The young princess raised her tear-streaked, beautiful face. Her eyes were swollen and red. In a trembling voice, she whispered to herself:
"Yes, I can't let my uncle's efforts go to waste..."
She turned her head and looked at the two warriors who were also tearing. The blankness in her eyes gradually disappeared...
"Let's go..."
Princess Nesa picked up the golden sword beside her.
Her shadow in the moonlight looked thin and delicate, but there was a thing called persistence that filled it! There was forced a wry smile on the princess's beautiful face.
"...We have to continue. I promised Uncle McNeesey that I would live a happy life."
A final drop of crystal clear tear fell from the corner of her eyes to the ground and disappeared into the mud!