Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 661 - 55: This Is Also Part of the Plan

As he spoke, Black Steel's gaze moved past Charlotte and landed on the white dragon cub nestled on the inn's bed.

The familiar figure from his memory softened his gaze somewhat.

He said in an undeniable tone, "There is a long-sealed secret realm in the Black Dragon's habitat. If... no, you must emerge from it alive."

At the time of the Crimson Queen's fall, Black Steel heard her last thoughts—the lies of the void stripped away, revealing the true voice of the Crimson Queen.

—Why?

He silently questioned the falling figure with his eyes.

At the end of her life, Scarlet seemed to have reverted to the carefree red-haired girl who once lived in a treehouse, giving him an answer.

"Little Ignatius, I really like this world.

"I like this place more than anyone else.

"I don't want this world to be destroyed with my death.

"So, can I ask you for a favor? I promise, this is the last time."

The familiar voice still echoed in Black Steel's ears, making his breathing increasingly rapid. As the King of Black Dragons once dedicated to destroying this world, he shouldn't have been so emotional.

He struggled to suppress the surging emotions within, saying, "While you are in the secret realm, I will do everything I can to ensure this world continues."

A promise made in the name of the King of Black Dragons.

No matter if the enemy is mechanical creatures, marauders rising in chaos, or the culprit who killed the Crimson Queen... he would not retreat a step, even if he could no longer hear the echo of Argos, even if left alone, he would fulfill the Crimson Queen's last wish, eradicating all obstacles for her.

"Until you are fully prepared, I won't let that human get a step closer to you."

A gaze ready to face death, fervent emotions, akin to the epic hero tales sung by bards.

Charlotte's confused heart ignited, becoming more resolute—for now, she indeed needed special training, and she had to admit when Black Steel brought the news of the Crimson Queen, she clung to it like a lifeline.

"I will enter the secret realm with Little White, but..."

"But what?"

"You don't have to make the atmosphere so tense. Ethan won't ambush us midway."

This sentence successfully doused most of Black Steel's determination to face death, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward. Even Lady Fengweidie averted her gaze, touching her nose to hide her embarrassment.

Charlotte thought Black Steel might have misunderstood.

He perhaps believed this journey to be a near-death experience, that they would be attacked by mechanical creatures along the way, cornered by evil team rocket members, and when nearing the Black Dragon's habitat, Ethan would appear personally. It would be the darkest hour before dawn, with Black Steel and Lady Fengweidie fighting to preserve a spark for the world at its last moment.

They would burn out, bringing a glimmer of hope to this troubled world. It's the most common story in epic tales, tragic yet heroic.

But in reality, the "villain leader" they would face this time was somewhat different.

He couldn't be bothered to attack them. They didn't need to disguise themselves; they could walk straight along the main road. Even if they coincidentally met Ethan, as long as they said, "I'm not ready yet," the magic words, Ethan wouldn't trouble them.

"I can vouch for it, Old Sen is not the kind who likes to launch surprise attacks."

The White Turban also stepped forward.

The outcome of "Razor" Modos and his gang already showed everything. If Ethan decided to eliminate you, he wouldn't use any tactics; he'd come directly to your face, giving you plenty of time to say your last words. He witnessed the demise of the Modos Group, which was hardly a battle.

In the White Turban's view, it was more like Death knocking with a scythe on the doors of Modos and the others.

Without personal emotions, conveying the message of their impending end in a business-like manner.

"What makes you so sure?"

Black Steel's pride took a hit, and he asked in return.

"Mr. Black Steel, you are the mighty King of Black Dragons." The White Turban spoke in a flattering tone, which softened Black Steel's grim expression somewhat, "Would you, during your journey, harm little animals just because they made too much noise?"

After some contemplation, the White Turban finally understood why Ethan always kept his calm.

Because he was too powerful, so much so that even Charlotte, as the child of destiny, seemed no different from a little animal in his eyes. Perhaps Charlotte's intuition was right—Ethan's true form might be some life form above all existence.

A god, or an Evil God.

An Evil God with a particularly good temper, willing to communicate with mortals.

Ethan enjoyed Charlotte's challenges because, in the Evil God's long life, this could be considered a pleasant diversion.

Because of this, even with Black Steel bringing the Crimson Queen's plan, the White Turban wasn't blindly optimistic. Black Steel's few words had already revealed much—this showed the Crimson Queen realized the enemy they faced this time was beyond her ability, willing to trade her life for the continuation of civilization.

"But Mr. Black Steel, there's one thing you can do that would help us immensely."

Charlotte sized up Black Steel, whose face was somber.

"Speak your mind, don't beat around the bush."

"We have a few too many people, and Little White is too young to carry us all. You're an adult dragon, can you..."

"Don't even think about it!"

Black Steel's eyes almost spewed fire. He met Charlotte only because of the Crimson Queen's request; it didn't mean he would change his views on humans. And now, this tiny human actually wanted to ride on him, and with so many people!

"In that case, we'll have to slow down."

Charlotte feigned regret, "If we could get Mr. Black Steel's help, things would certainly be twice as effective with half the effort."

"...no mud is allowed up here!"

After much contemplation, Black Steel unwillingly revealed his bottom line.

..................

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

"Eh? Why aren't you saying anything? How did I do just now?"

Ethan didn't know how others viewed him, but he was quite satisfied with his performance as an antagonist earlier. If the system had a scoring feature, he should have received a high score of 13.0.

"Sorry, I was too carried away before."

The little purple bat shivered.

Having witnessed the fate of Modos and the others, she felt deep shame. She had previously audaciously tried to guide an Evil God on how to play a good villain.

On Ethan, she saw a charisma that no one else possessed, even Bazatous's most loyal believer, the Destroyer of the Third Epoch, the Red King, couldn't compare. When Ethan summoned the ice element, Rowena would have no doubt if you said it was Bazatous himself descending.

Heavens, she had previously even used a mortal like Julius as an example to Ethan.

If there were any advice to give...

She suggested Ethan might consider being a bit more restrained; he was truly terrifying, even she was scared speechless for a long time.

After saying goodbye to Charlotte and the others, they left the Royal Capital and headed straight for the Divine Tree.

Since the fall of Crimson Queen, the guardians of the Divine Tree had vanished too. Mechanical monsters now perched here, treating the diseased Divine Tree as their new home, lying on the ground in a dormant standby state after completing their instructions.

Once again, they stood under this towering ancient tree, aged beyond knowing.

"Yo yo yo, what are you planning to do?"

Before Rowena could ask, the air was filled with Argos's urgent voice.

A fissure opened in space, and a wriggling hose crawled out from it.

"You'd better think it over carefully."

Little Octopus also issued a warning, a reminder from Anapolis, "Do you really intend to trust that ancient person?"

"It's worth a try."

"Wait a second, why are you all suddenly so serious?"

Rowena stepped up; she disliked discussions filled with cryptic undertones, "Old Sen, why don't you explain? You're better at summarizing."

"Simply put, I plan to repair this old house."

Repair the old house?

Rowena instinctively looked up at the treetops but saw nothing, leaving her completely puzzled, "How to repair it? Do we need to help?"

As she spoke, she took out a carpenter's hammer from her treasure chest, an essential item for home travel. If something breaks outside, it effectively saves her a trip to a carpenter. She had been doing carpentry since she was in the Astrologer's Guild as a child; even repairing a house was no problem.

She asked, "Are you referring to the Scarlet Queen's collapsed treehouse?"

"No, this time the repair won't require this."

Ethan stepped toward the diseased Divine Tree, gathering dew as he formed a sharp blade in his palm. Then, amidst Rowena's screams, the blade slit his wrist.

...

Far away, Zhuang Xiao was closely monitoring the happenings in another world, but all she saw were continuously fluctuating numbers, labeled "Canopy" beside them.

This is the name of the dimension, a name she didn't choose. Upon her arrival, the framework of the Divine Tree and the world was already in place.

Many people were present in the hall, wearing blue and white-themed shelter outfits, spending the entire day here.

Since Zhuang Xiao arrived in the hall, the numbers behind the canopy kept dropping. By dinner, they had fallen below 70%, turning from green to yellow, and just minutes ago, they further dropped past the 50% threshold, with the orange numbers tormenting many minds.

They looked pale and anxious.

Yet they couldn't do anything, just watch helplessly as the changing numbers continued to plummet.

Zhuang Xiao hadn't fully adapted to the change in life; not long ago, she tried to use her authority as "Scarlet" but received no response, as if everything happening in the other world was merely a distant yet real dream.

Merlin said this was a normal reaction; she had stayed there for too long and might need a few days to adjust.

She felt her reflexes slowing down, often falling into a daze unconsciously.

Just like now, Zhuang Xiao was jerked back to reality by a shout.

The excitement she couldn't comprehend quickly spread among the hall crowd, many cried tears of joy, embraced with excitement, and she too was moved by the hall's atmosphere, a tear unwittingly rolled down her cheek.

The numbers changed again.

Though it was minor, for the first time it increased by 0.1%.

This insignificant number was enough to thrill everyone. Zhuang Xiao sat on the chair, blankly observing the people celebrating in the hall, finding Merlin's figure at the entrance, engaged in conversation with an elder who hurried to the screen with a smile after receiving a report.

Merlin always managed to conceal his emotions well. He stood there, watching the elder depart.

Until, noticing all eyes attracted by the numbers that briefly jumped backward, he leaned against the wall, collapsing weakly to the ground.

This scene was fully captured by Zhuang Xiao.

She saw Merlin lighting a cigarette—after their world perished, smoking became a luxury.

She also saw Merlin taking a deep breath, pressing the back of his head against the wall, raising his head, and closing his eyes in relief.