"You didn't run," Nino said, his usual serious demeanor slightly softened by fatigue.
Mithra, having just cleaned herself, took a sip of water. "We've only met a few times. Why would you assume I wouldn't run?"
"Anyone who reaches my position should have a bit of discernment," Nino replied. "You didn't run when you were suspected; you're even less likely to run now."
"Makes sense. You look tired. How's it going? Did the city leaders take my information seriously?"
"They've increased security, but it's clearly just for show. People have been accustomed to Xyrin's protection for so long, they don't believe it would suddenly fail," Nino said, looking out at the sunlight.
"And it's all because of my testimony, an Enchanting Land citizen, isn't it?" Mithra said.
"Yes," Nino nodded.
"Then why do you trust me?" Mithra pressed.
Nino pondered for a moment. "Preventing incidents is my duty. That's why the Guard Corps exists. Allowing those Flesh Transmutation believers into the inner city to sabotage the Xyrin energy point was my failure; I can't be careless now."
Mithra nodded. "Not bad."
"I've increased security and am conducting a census of the Southwestern District and surrounding areas, searching for traces of those Flesh Transmutation believers, but we haven't found anything yet," Nino reported.
He looked at Mithra. "So, can you share your findings?"
Mithra didn't hide anything, explaining how she entered the Realm of Eternal Night and her findings about the Chrysalis.
"The Realm of Eternal Night! That place really exists!" Nino's eyes widened in shock.
"Oh?" Mithra, however, remained calm.
"It was rumored in Sun City long ago, but it was quickly dismissed as heresy. The shattered Eternal Night still exists deep within Sun City. Xyrin's purpose is more than we know!" Nino said seriously.
Mithra nodded. "Does Sun City have any records of a Wandering God called the 'Chrysalis'?"
Nino shook his head. "Countless Wandering Gods attacked Sun City during that era. There aren't many records of that chaotic period... But I'll have someone investigate. If those Flesh Transmutation believers came for a Wandering God in Eternal Night, that could be a breakthrough."
"I've provided the lead; the rest is your responsibility," Mithra said casually.
Nino nodded sincerely. "Thank you for your help. Although it wasn't the city's intention, I personally apologize for our earlier negligence."
Mithra waved dismissively, taking a sip of water. "It's fine, I'm not holding a grudge. Worst case scenario, we all die together."
Nino's lips twitched, but he maintained his serious demeanor, taking Mithra's words as a joke. He thanked her again, told her to rest, and then left.
After Nino left, Mithra asked the attendant to bring her some food.
She was hungry. Herself, not the maw.
...
Back at the guard station, after issuing orders, Nino was informed that two young Enchanting Land citizens wished to see him.
They seemed to be students from the academy.
Nino had no objections to Enchanting Land people. He found them similar to many in Dreamland and had even guided some academy students before.
Although most lacked experience, he didn't dislike them. It would be great if Dreamland could achieve the same level of development as the Enchanting Land, where young people could freely explore without worry. This was one of the key differences between the two worlds.
Since he had some free time, he granted their request.
Leo Duncan and Nie Hong soon arrived.
"You know Mithra, don't you..." Nino recognized them.
"Yes. We heard Mithra was missing. Have you found her?" Nie Hong asked cautiously.
"She's back. In fact, she caused a minor panic by walking around covered in blood," Nino said jokingly. "Are you just here to ask about your friend?"
"That's part of it. But this is the main reason. I've compiled this in Common Tongue, please take a look," Leo Duncan said, handing Nino a document.
Nino accepted it. "What is this?"
"A compilation of historical records from Planet Blue and Sun City about Wandering God attacks, along with information from the Sanctuary about the Wandering God known as the 'Chrysalis' from the Wandering God era," Leo Duncan explained.
Nino's initial casual demeanor vanished. He quickly reviewed the document.
He had only just thought about investigating the Wandering God behind the Flesh Transmutation believers after his visit to Mithra, and this Enchanting Land student had already compiled the information.
"Forgive my bluntness, but I don't think much of you Dreamland natives, so inefficient and backward. So I did some research on the 'Chrysalis' Wandering God and, after comparing it to your local history, I discovered that this 'Chrysalis' has visited Sun City before. That's probably the motive for this attack," Leo Duncan said, looking up. He was only slightly shorter than Nino, his aura imposing.
"You dragged me into this to translate, and now you're showing off, huh, you damn crab," Nie Hong muttered.
"I paid you. Besides, you were too slow. I couldn't afford your hourly rate, monkey," Leo Duncan said, without even looking at Nie Hong.
Nino ignored their bickering and carefully reviewed the document.
At the beginning of the Wandering God Era, the "Chrysalis" Wandering God, born from the Flesh Transmutation miracle, caused massive destruction, assimilating countless lives from over a dozen city-states and even several smaller kingdoms, commanding an army of flesh-mimicking monsters.
But it was soon met with fierce resistance.
The first user of the Self Miracle "Schumann"—a great person who stole and spread the "Self" miracle type—personally led a large force against the Wandering God born from the very same miracle.
They eventually destroyed the army of flesh monsters and defeated the "Chrysalis" in the "Plain of Radiance."
But the Chrysalis didn't die.
Its Flesh Transmutation-based life force made it incredibly difficult to kill. Its body shattered into countless pieces, scattering and fleeing.
Schumann destroyed most of the fragments, but some escaped. For a long time afterward, stories of Schumann and his followers hunting down Chrysalis fragments were common throughout Dreamland.
Sun City was one such story.
The once-great city-state of Sun City, with its large population, attracted the Chrysalis fragments. They gathered and attacked the city.
They breached Sun City's walls, intending to invade and regenerate.
Faced with this sudden attack, to prevent further damage, Sun City used Xyrin to attack the gathered Chrysalis fragments.
Eventually, the fragments were defeated, leaving the hole in the wall that was now "Sunshine Village."
But after so much time, this history seemed to have been forgotten, unearthed only by these two young people from the Enchanting Land.