When Shad returned home that evening, Leicia was still helping Shad to carefully check and read Professor Manning's letter. She found it interesting and even took notes. The academic discussions between the history professor and the folklore professor probably also helped Dorothy write her detective story.
Of course, after Shad returned home, Leicia left the study. Her Royal Highness held Shad's hand and asked Shad to show him "something that can fly and glow", but in the end Shad was unable to go to the basement to get the slate, but he did spend a very pleasant night.
In the bedroom, of course.
When Shad woke up in her bed early Sunday morning, the girl with beautiful long golden hair was sleeping soundly.
Xia De climbed out of bed carefully, opened the door, and immediately saw two terrifying lights shining on the sofa in the living room in the darkness. Then he immediately realized that it was Mia's eyes that were glowing.
"Meow~"
It made a low cry that made people feel uneasy, and Xia De, who was standing at the bedroom door, could almost imagine the aggrieved expression of the cat in the dark at this moment.
Xia De tiptoed to the sofa and picked up the cat in the dark. Little Mia rubbed Xia De's chest, and when Xia De looked down at it, the cat also looked up at Xia De.
The cat's raised face makes it look even cuter. Sometimes Shade even thinks that Mia is the most beautiful cat in the world.
After washing and changing clothes, he went to the study, carefully rolled up the written paper and put it in a paper tube, then turned it into a toy and put it in his pocket.
Open the drawer and take out the time key with cracks on the surface:
"It's time to set off again."
He wanted to leave Mia at home, after all, he was only away for three seconds, but this time the cat abnormally grabbed Shade's sleeve with its claws. When Shade looked at it, the cat even "meowed".
Although Xia De didn't understand cat language, he guessed that the cat also wanted to "go out" with Xia De.
"Well... that's fine, but you can't run around."
So Shade found a towel and covered Mia, who was squatting on the coffee table. After carefully putting the cat doll into his pocket, he tiptoed to the bedroom door, fearing that he would wake the sleeping girl.
"May the World Tree protect me in time."
He lowered his voice and then thought with satisfaction that the hoarse sound was like the roar of a snake.
Kada~
The time key turned, and the silk-like white mist gate made Xia De smile. He was used to such adventures and liked such adventures. He stepped forward and officially entered the white mist gate. "Her" voice was always so charming:
Stranger, you have stepped into the "Corridor of Time".
Message from the ancient god "Father of the Infinite Tree":
Spring of the Fifth Era 5177, Broken Isles, Lost Lake.
Event: A witch in pursuit of eternal beauty.
Duration: thirty minutes (2/3).
You get additional information.
The figure of the Infinite Tree Father continues to watch over you.
The tests given to you by the Ancient God of Time will continue.
Help mortals obtain the secret of eternal beauty from the gods.
The Father of the Infinite Tree will give you rewards: Ritual - Moonlight Water, Ritual - Sunlight Fire.
Without hesitation, he continued to move forward in the white fog, and the curtain of white fog in front of him immediately opened. As the thick fog retreated to both sides of the field of vision like a stream of water, what was revealed to Shade was the large lake under the night sky and the mist lingering above the lake.
The air in the deep forest near the lake smells completely different from the warm and comfortable home, and the mist around is a "tranquilizer" with extraordinary power. Prolonged exposure to the mist will make you feel extremely tired, until you suddenly fall down and sleep forever. Even for witches and ring masters with resistance, long-term exposure to this mist will cause stagnation of thinking and mental depression, so Shade is still very worried about the health of the witch queen Miss Violet and her group:
"Fifth Era, Broken Isles, Lost Lake."
He remembered the time and place in his mind, and heard strange noises coming from the bushes behind him. Xia De was too lazy to guess what would happen if he stayed by the lake. He bent down slightly and ran forward in small steps, then suddenly jumped onto the misty lake:
"oh!"
The extremely cold air rushed directly from the soles of his feet to his whole body. Even though he was prepared, Xia De still shivered from the cold. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he felt that the coldness this time was not as unbearable as last time.
"Have I adapted to the cold, or is it because I have divine power this time?"
Shivering, he trotted a dozen steps forward on the silent water surface shrouded in mist, then nimbly tiptoed up into the air:
"Red Butterfly Incarnation!"
In the hazy fog, the red butterflies flashing scarlet light dyed the fog red. The fluttering butterflies tried their best to fly towards the island in the middle of the lake. At the same time, beside the bonfire on the edge of the island, Miss Schultz Theresa, a tenth-year student at the Sixes Higher Medical College, remained kneeling with her hands on her legs.
She suddenly opened her eyes, and the shadow of fire was reflected in her eyes. In the fire, red butterflies were flapping their wings.
Miss Theresa pushed her glasses and turned to the big witch who was holding a small book beside her and whispered:
"Aunt, he showed up."
The ruler of Witton, the Great Witch of the Witch Council, and the Witch Queen, Miss Violet Marshall, was drinking tea and reading a book at this time. When she heard what Miss Theresa said, she handed the teacup and book to the maids on both sides, then held the hand of the third maid and stood up. She waved to let the maids go about their business, and walked to the lake. She squinted her eyes and saw a little red light flashing in the distance on the lake:
“I’m finally back.”
Her voice was a little hoarse, and her mental state was a little bad. The rope flew out from behind her, like an arrow shot out, flying towards the red light of the lake. The rope flew less than half the distance before falling on the silent water surface in the fog, but Miss Theresa, who threw the rope, still felt that the rope had tied something.
Three maids in black and white maid dresses cast a spell with her, pulling the rope towards the shore. The rope quickly contracted, and after a dark chain appeared at the end, the witches were almost simultaneously attracted by the runes on the chain. After Miss Violet coughed, they suddenly came to their senses and looked at the man in the black coat being "pulled" up from the lake.
Miss Schultz Theresa, who was wearing glasses, had the illusion that she was "fishing", but fishing could not catch men.
“Long time no see, Miss Violet. Long time no see, Miss Theresa! Long time no see, ladies!”
Because Xia De didn't know the specific names of the six maids, he greeted them all as "ladies." They either lowered their heads to avoid Xia De, or turned their heads away with a smile, or looked at him with a smile.
Miss Violet patted Shade’s shoulder, and as she felt the chill, she smiled and said:
"Long time no see. Well, stop charming my maid. You left in a hurry last time, and there were still many things that were not explained clearly. Fortunately, you showed up again as expected."
Pointing to the blazing bonfire, Shade walked over with Miss Violet. Then the Witch Emperor, Shade, and Miss Theresa sat by the bonfire. Shade first stretched out his hand to warm himself up, then reached into the inner pocket of his coat and took out Mia's doll.
Cover the doll with a handkerchief, and when the handkerchief is taken away, Xiaomia appears on the shore of the island in the middle of Lost Lake.
"Meow~"
Arriving in an unfamiliar environment, the cat started out intimidating the surroundings as usual, then rubbed against Shade's chest, and finally jumped onto his legs and lay down, staring at the fire in front of it with its big eyes.
"Your pet?"
Miss Violet looked at the cat. The firelight illuminated the faces of the three people.
“It looks special.”
"No, he's not my pet, at least not now... How is he special?"
Shade's eyes sharpened.
You are here again.
“Very cute.”
In the light of the campfire, the orange part of the fur on Little Mia’s back was particularly bright. Miss Violet reached out to touch the cat, but Little Mia blocked her way with her paw.
The Witch Queen looked at the little paw in surprise, but instead of getting angry, she started laughing:
"What an interesting cat. I have many pets in the palace, but I have to admit that even the Bortles curly-haired three-tailed cat, which is more expensive than thirty times its weight in gold per gram, cannot compare to the beauty of this cat. How much gold did you pay for it?"
She was very interested.
"Oh, how can little Mia's value be measured in gold?"
Xia De asked with his chest puffed out, but in fact he couldn't answer this question because he hadn't been able to buy the cat yet.
“Yes, gold is not everything. Sometimes gems, diamonds, real estate, precious relics and knowledge are also needed.”
Miss Violet nodded in agreement:
"If I had met this cat before you, I would have exchanged a countship for it."
"County? Your Majesty, a real princess used her own body to get this cat from me, but she couldn't. It is indeed cute, and not just in appearance. Mia once..."
“Ahem.”
Miss Theresa pushed her glasses and when she saw both of them looking at her, she whispered:
“Your Majesty, Violet, sir, I admit that this cat is beautiful, but should we... get down to business first?”
"Meow~"
While Shade wasn't paying attention, the early-rising cat yawned with its mouth wide open. It rested its head on its front paws and quietly watched the jumping bonfire. Its tail wagged back and forth, occasionally rubbing Shade's arm. The cat was in a good mood.