[Warning... No signal... Warning... Not connected to network... Please find a signal source...]**
A look of both astonishment and elation crossed Lynn's face, but as he read the message, his lips twitched in annoyance.
This artificial intelligence...
'I do not require an online statement. Silence the alarm and report remaining energy!' Lynn intoned mentally.
**[Remaining energy: 19.5%. Energy density in the surroundings has significantly increased, with an estimated 1% rise in energy reserves per hour.]**
Such rapid increase took Lynn by surprise. A 1% gain per hour implied that in roughly four days, the energy could be fully replenished.
But it had been a full five days since the system had been shut down!
Lynn glanced at the artificial intelligence's prompt once more.
A substantial increase in energy density?
This was unlikely related to the castle beneath his feet. It must be the influence of Monday!
"Karl!"
As Lynn pondered, Johnny's shout pulled him back to the present. The three-meter tall spirit realm guardian advanced with heavy steps, raising its stone hammer to strike.
'Engage overload mode, duration three seconds!' Lynn commanded silently.
In the next moment, a torrent of data surged into his mind. Lynn propelled himself into the air with a powerful push, narrowly evading the descending hammer. He then landed on the guardian's stout stone arm, drew his sharp witch hunter's sword, and drove it into the crack of the statue's neck, pinning it firmly to the wall behind.
However, this strike was insufficient to completely shatter the statue. Lynn made no attempt to force the issue. After momentarily immobilizing the spirit guardian, he deactivated overload mode and continued to flee with Johnny.
With only a fraction of the artificial intelligence's energy remaining, it was imperative to conserve it for more critical situations.
The group dashed ahead. Within ten seconds, the thunderous sound of the massive statue's footsteps resumed. White Dove, clutching Johnny's arm, trembled and sobbed quietly. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry… Johnny… Karl…"
"You knew from the beginning that Will had betrayed us, didn't you?" Lynn asked, glancing at White Dove with a hint of certainty.
During the pursuit of Will that night, Lynn had already sensed something was amiss, as Will's behavior towards the storage room had seemed peculiarly suspicious.
It was known that White Dove, on night watch, might have employed the ravens to monitor the castle, yet Will exhibited no vigilance whatsoever, never once glancing around the windows or the surroundings.
This was clearly illogical.
Unless… Will was certain that even if he was discovered by these ravens, it would pose no threat.
"Can you tell me why?" Johnny asked, gripping White Dove's delicate hand tightly, struggling to believe the betrayal.
White Dove's nose twitched as she sobbed, her voice choked with emotion. She explained that three nights ago, while Will was on duty, she had sent out the ravens to patrol as usual, only to discover that Will was secretly reporting their situation to the church via an alchemical array…
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" Johnny demanded.
"But Will… Will discovered me first. He said the church already knew my identity. If I dared to reveal this to you, my parents and my siblings would be tied to a pyre and burned…" White Dove's face was marked with terror as she wept.
Johnny fell silent. For these displaced apprentice witches, the safety of their families was indeed a major concern.
This was precisely why inquiring about each other's identities was taboo; they couldn't even be sure if they were using their real names.
"Clearly, he deceived you. Perhaps Will was unaware of your true identity, or he planned to claim all the credit for himself…" Lynn stated calmly.
Will's tendency to handle everything personally suggested that his words were likely a ruse. Otherwise, he could have used the threat to coerce White Dove into doing more.
Of course, there was also the possibility that Will intended to monopolize the reward, as the more he did, the more likely the church would recognize his "sincerity" and pardon him as a "devil's disciple."
"Do you wish to survive, White Dove? I have a method that might counteract Anseluk…" Lynn suddenly asked.
Before Johnny could respond, White Dove, with tearful eyes, nodded. "Yes!"
She did not wish to die…
"Then tell me all the spells you know. I need to understand their principles and methods of use." Lynn said bluntly.
"What are you planning to do?" Johnny asked in shock.
"I believe it's not too late to learn now, is it?" Lynn responded earnestly.
With 071 reactivated, it was indeed time to bring matters to a close!
Having been relentlessly pursued and having witnessed the deaths of Buck and Barton, Lynn was now burning with rage!
But… is there still time? Johnny looked at Lynn with disbelief, yet after a moment's hesitation, she began to explain.
**[Flame Touch]**, **[Fossil to Mud]**, **[Ice Barrier]**, **[Lesser - Demon's Hand]**…
As the most valued disciple of Wizard Corru, Johnny mastered several first-tier spells, whereas White Dove knew only a few rare psychic abilities, said to be accessible only to those with rare psychic talent.
Given the urgency, Lynn did not seek to learn them all but selectively memorized a few, practicing them mentally with the aid of the artificial intelligence.
Lynn's composed demeanor also instilled a measure of confidence in Johnny and White Dove, bolstering their hope of defeating Anseluk.
As they proceeded, the sound of rushing water echoed ahead, and the breeze carried a hint of dampness.
Before them lay a rushing subterranean river, torrents of water gushing from beneath, flowing through a long tunnel directly out of the castle…
**[Holy Light Impact]**!
Before Lynn and Johnny could reach the river's edge, a beam of white light shot towards them from behind.
**[Ice Barrier]** * 2
Johnny and Lynn exchanged a glance and simultaneously raised their hands. Two walls of ice crystals sprang up, collectively blocking the second-tier divine spell.
The ice barriers quickly shattered, their fragments raining down like hail.
"What do we do now?" Johnny asked anxiously, looking at Lynn. The escape route was right in front of them, but if they were swept away by the torrent and attacked by Anseluk, they would be defenseless.
"It's simple!" Lynn said, eyeing Johnny before unexpectedly removing the young woman's sword and, amidst Johnny's astonished and worried expression, pushed her directly into the turbulent waters.
The icy river engulfed Johnny's mouth and nose, swiftly soaking her entire body. She could feel the powerful inertia of the current pulling her towards the exit.
Through the blurred water, Johnny faintly saw Lynn's lips moving as if bidding a final farewell. Then, a heavy object was thrown towards her—it was the panicked White Dove…
Watching the two women being swept away by the current, Lynn was not overly concerned for their safety. A mage capable of controlling oxygen was unlikely to drown. He merely added silently to himself…
"It's simple, as long as you don't obstruct me here!"