Chapter 755: Westward Journey 4k
The Next Day.
December 26th.
Thursday.
Morning.
As the winter’s orange light shone into the room, Dark was already fully prepared.
He reinserted the [Moon Goddess Version Bliss] back into the [Moon Goddess Mirror] containing the [Soul of the Moon Goddess].
Then he sealed away all the remaining [Capital Sins] in the Advanced Thought Bottles.
Afterwards, he moved the [Worm Tree] to Rose’s dormitory and asked her to temporarily take care of the [Bunny Grass] as well.
Next, he returned the [Flame Grass] to Ophelia for the time being.
Pandora picked two out of the remaining [Grass Cat Plants] to raise.
The last [Grass Cat Plant] was entrusted to the two seniors from the club.
Additionally, he also had the ghost butterfly and brain fluid demon from the clubroom…
As for the Tiny Night Bird, because it refused to cooperate, Dark had no choice but to bring it along.
This westward journey wasn’t entirely safe, and Dark didn’t have the luxury to leave [Agumon] or [Big Milk Jar] at the academy.
Moreover, with the distance between magus and golem becoming too great, the magus could no longer provide mana to the golem.
Only Victoria and Phoenix were no longer regarded as golems by Dark.
So he left Victoria at the academy, instructing her to finish all the math problems before he returned.
Victoria, who was looking forward to holiday travel, was swallowed by the abyss of mathematics.
…
After taking care of all the preparations—seemingly ominous, but after sorting everything out, Dark placed basic tools, materials, and some portable high-grade materials into a briefcase-sized experimental tool box.
He then put toiletries, essential items for exploration, two sets of change of clothes, “Golden Sheep and Gold-Eating Dog,” and the Demon King’s dossier into his backpack.
A toolbox and a backpack were all he had for luggage.
After double-checking everything, Dark changed into casual clothes, secured his mana card deck, and put on the warm set given by Alvaraite. He slapped his cheeks in front of the mirror to calm his excitement.
Finally, he picked up the custom-sheathed [Jade Holy Sword], fastened it to his waist, patted it, and smiled contentedly.
“Looks like an adventurer!”
With this thought, he picked up the Tiny Night Bird and headed out.
They agreed to meet at the cafeteria.
“Chirp chirp~”
The Tiny Night Bird sat triumphantly in Dark’s arms, savoring the sweet fruits of victory.
“You need to lose weight.”
Dark pinched its cheek, saying helplessly.
“Chirp chirp!”
The Tiny Night Bird shook its head vigorously.
“Little meatball!”
Thanks to the [Beast Speech Book] given by Rose, Dark could now vaguely understand some bird beast languages.
Though the [Beast Speech Book] looked like a book teaching beast language, it was actually a form of spiritual perception magic that allowed mages to gradually understand beast speech by sensing their thoughts.
Once a mage mastered this magic, they could clearly understand beast speech after some time.
The Tiny Night Bird, to refute Dark, was emphatically promoting its “unshakeable slim figure” despite eating.
However, its chubby appearance lacked any convincing power.
But Dark knew that although its body had turned into a ball, the Tiny Night Bird remained a slender young girl when stripped of feathers and transformed into human form.
In this sense, it indeed couldn’t gain weight.
Dark didn’t want to argue further and placed it on the Tiny Magnet floating beside him.
Though the Tiny Night Bird could fly, it preferred sitting “on a throne.” After seeing the Tiny Magnet two days ago, it had become its throne…
“Whoosh~”
The Tiny Imp flew back through the window, landing skillfully on Dark’s shoulder.
Dark raised his hand, tapping its wing tip lightly, and proceeded resolutely.
…
On the first morning after Christmas, the atmosphere in the cafeteria was quite quiet.
Not many students maintained the habit of waking up early.
A quick glance revealed the professors already present.
Dark went to the counter to order breakfast, picked up today’s copies of The Wise One Daily and The Clown Daily, and carried the tray over to the table.
“Good morning, Professor Shylph, Professor Jones.”
“Good morning, Dark.”
“So early?”
“It’s a habit.”
Dark smiled and sat opposite them.
Then he set aside the newspapers, took out the food from his plate, poured the tomato pasta into a bowl, mixed the sauce with a spoon, and placed it on an empty spot.
The Tiny Night Bird immediately jumped onto the table and started pecking at the tomato pasta.
Professor Jones exclaimed, “Your night bird can eat pasta?”
“It’s an omnivore,” Dark replied, then divided some bread, spread it on a plate, and brought it to another empty spot.
The Tiny Imp landed and grabbed the bread with one foot to eat.
“Feeding familiars will make you look weird,” Professor Jones said, cracking a rare joke.
Dark chuckled and removed a small box from the outer pocket of his backpack, opened it, and scooped a small spoonful of “black pudding” onto a small dish, moving it closer to the Tiny Imp.
“Gee—”
The Tiny Magnet emitted electric sounds and descended in front of the dish.
“Even golems have this?” Professor Jones observed the Tiny Magnet with interest.
Dark said, “Mana ice, can charge golems.”
“Tsk tsk,” Professor Jones clicked her tongue and casually asked, “Did you bring a sword?”
Dark knew she noticed his [Jade Holy Sword] and casually replied, “Isn’t it more adventurous to carry a weapon?”
“Haha,” Professor Jones laughed.
Perhaps thanks to bards and novels, many children in this world had a strange fascination with adventurers.
But only those who had been adventurers knew that their lives were far from glamorous.
Most adventurers were merely unemployed wanderers with no tomorrow.
More politely, they were “flexible employment personnel.”
As long as children didn’t really become adventurers, adults generally didn’t burst their bubbles.
Perhaps this was adult kindness.
Professor Jones said, “The free city in the west is almost becoming the largest gathering place for adventurers. I wonder if our destination is beyond the free city.”
Professor Shylph finally spoke up, “It’s very likely. Anyway, let’s use the free city as our first stop. We can visit the [Sun Warrior] while we’re there. Speaking of which, isn’t the mayor of the free city a half-giant?”
Professor Jones looked at Dark and asked, “Is it rumored to be a descendant of the Sun Giant?”
Dark nodded, “Indeed, Aunt Montiel Farley is a descendant of the Sun Giant.”
Professor Jones’ eyes sparkled with excitement, “If the mission ends, we should find a chance to challenge her.”
“Good morning, Professor Jones, Professor Shylph. Good morning, Dark.”
Just as Professor Jones was about to wave her fist to show her fighting spirit, Lady Montiel Farley walked over with a tray.
Aurora carried very little luggage, just a beautiful and delicate small backpack.
She pinned the two brooches Dark gave her together, which seemed a bit mismatched.
She originally planned to wear just one, but after picking and choosing before leaving, she couldn’t bear to part with either and ended up wearing both.
She sat down next to Professor Jones, blushing slightly.
Although they hadn’t interacted much, this tall professor always made her feel close.
Professor Jones said excitedly, “With Aurora here, the Sun Warrior won’t escape, right?”
“My mother is always ready to face any challenge,” Aurora subconsciously replied.
…
As time passed, the rest arrived at the cafeteria.
About an hour later, all the expedition members were gathered.
This time, the number of participants was substantial.
There were six professors:
Professor Sarah Shylph, Professor Pavar Jones, Professor Metia Bartholomew, Professor Lily Laplace, Professor Steven Harvey, and Sister Carrian.
In addition to the professors, there were:
Dark Demon, Aurora Montiel Farley, Olivia Demon, Eve, Angrey, Ophelia Brad, and Wit Gold with a green hat.
Altogether, there were thirteen people.
Lily interjected, feeling excited, “Thinking about it, this might be the first mission for me in years. Shouldn’t we name this mission?”
“That’s a good idea,” Professor Steven Harvey happily agreed.
The atmosphere among everyone was relatively relaxed, even Ophelia Brad didn’t seem worried, only Wit Gold appeared rather nervous.
“Westward Journey?” Professor Metia couldn’t help but ask.
Dark casually commented, “Why not just ‘Westward Journey.'”
Unexpectedly, Professor Shylph suddenly voted in favor, “Westward Journey is nice.”
Sister Carrian shook her head, “Westward Journey doesn’t convey the main theme. How about Exorcism Action?”
“Ha,” Professor Metia said, “Let’s just call it Demon Extermination Action.”
“…”
For some reason, everyone suddenly lost interest in naming the mission.
Seeing the atmosphere turning awkward, Professor Shylph decisively ended the discussion, “Our operation code is ‘Night Bird.’ On the surface, we are on a holiday trip, not exorcism or demon extermination. Don’t reveal our direction… No mentioning Westward Journey or Westward Journey, try to keep it low profile. Avoid alerting the enemy!”
After confirming everyone had heard, Professor Shylph continued, “Although it’s a holiday trip on the surface, don’t think of it as a leisure trip. This mission is extremely dangerous. If you continue to evaluate that person’s strength based on past impressions, it may lead to a misjudgment. In short, prioritize caution and safety! Let’s get going.”
…
Moments later, the thirteen people left the castle and arrived at the dragon training ground.
Since they were traveling light, none of the thirteen needed cargo dragons.
Therefore, they only prepared five flying dragons.
Four of the dragons carried three people each, while the last one carried one person, responsible for scouting or guarding.
Professor Lily volunteered to lead the way, but was rejected.
In the end, Professor Sarah Shylph, Olivia Demon, Professor Lily Laplace, and Professor Metia Bartholomew rode the three-person dragon, while Professor Pavar Jones rode alone as the scout.
Actually, many of the remaining members could also ride dragons.
Ophelia Brad, experienced in combat, could handle riding a dragon even if she wasn’t skilled in dragon battles. She could manage regular dragon riding without issue.
However, due to her sensitive status, she had already disguised herself and wouldn’t ride a dragon ostentatiously.
Aside from Ophelia, even Aurora had learned some riding skills in the free city.
The only one who couldn’t ride a dragon was Sister Carrian.
After selecting the dragon riders, the professors began assigning groups.
As a duchess’s daughter, Dark naturally paired with Olivia.
Although Aurora wanted to share a dragon with Dark, she was also a protected individual and was arranged by Olivia to sit with Angrey on the dragon piloted by Professor Metia.
The other rider sharing a dragon with Dark was Eve.
Eve felt secretly pleased.
Then,
Ophelia Brad and Wit Gold sat together on the dragon piloted by Professor Shylph.
Professor Lily Laplace teamed up with Professor Steven Harvey and Sister Carrian.
…
With dragon roars echoing, the five flying dragons took off one by one.
An automatic passage opened above Saint Maryann Academy, and the five dragons broke through the barrier.
Magic Academy Tower.
Pandora stood on the balcony, looking up at the disappearing dragons, silently wishing them well.
Beside her, the Grass Cat Plant and Dragon Cat Plant rolled into a ball.
…
Dark sensed something and glanced back. Saint Maryann Castle quickly receded in the rapidly flowing wind. The Tiny Night Bird, Tiny Imp, and Tiny Magnet, like three little balls, clung to his chest and looked down, emitting calls.
…
On the dragon ridden by Professor Shylph, Ophelia Brad tightly hugged Wit, finally showing concern.
…
Aurora looked westward; the winter sun rose higher.
Beyond the kingdom’s borders, the bustling free city established on demon territory also welcomed a noisy day.
Lady Montiel Farley stepped out of her residence, and the sudden gust of wind scattered her red hair.
She was unaware that her daughter, sent to a safe place, was returning to this furnace.
…
Five flying dragons, heading westward.
