Wizard: Adventures in Two Worlds-Chapter 458 - 017 Fragment

Kaliem Continent.

A thousand-meter-high, mysterious and mystical Wizard Tower stood amidst the void, connected to the vast Star Realm.

「On a certain level.」

This was a half-plane on the verge of collapse, forcibly pulled into the Wizard Tower by supreme power. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

At the core of the half-plane was a Black Hole that devoured everything.

Time, light, elemental ions, and even the dark energy from within the Star Realm were all being devoured by it.

And at the edge of the Black Hole, a woman wearing a Wizard Robe, with a lovely face, was sitting cross-legged.

Surrounding her floated numerous witchcraft runes and Magic Circuits, as if she were exploring the secrets of the Black Hole.

「At a certain moment.」

"Hmm..."

The woman opened her eyes, a flicker of a shadow seemed to cross them before a contemplative expression appeared on her face.

Another Bloodline has died...

Magic Forest!

The Six Rings Tower promised to protect the Green family’s Bloodline, yet our people die one after another.

"I need an explanation."

Her voice was not loud, yet it traveled through the Wizard Tower across the vast void, reaching the ears of several Great Wizards.

A Great Wizard struggling with Star Realm cultivation opened his eyes, sighed helplessly, and spoke slowly, "The Magic Forest is located on the Eastern Kingdom Continent; that is where the Divine..."

"Alright!"

"Someone will pay the price!"

* * *

The Walker family returned to the Dream Market. Although they had killed Von, there was not much joy on their faces.

After all, they had also suffered heavy losses.

Wizards and Advanced Wizard Apprentices with outstanding potential had died, and it would take decades for the family to recover.

"Everyone, go back!" Nina waved her hand, "Rest well, don’t think about anything. We still have things to do. The Pelo family must... be completely eradicated!"

Her expression turned cold. She raised a crystal fragment, her five fingers suddenly clenching it.

The Pelo family’s loss of the crystal fragment meant they no longer held a dominant position in the Dream Market.

With the crystal, one could take action in the Dream Market.

Without it, one could only passively take a beating!

This was also why the four major families were able to stand firm in the Dream Market and coveted other crystal fragments.

"Yes!"

"Vengeance!"

"..."

The people, sharing a common grievance, retreated in an orderly fashion.

Cromwell didn’t leave but stepped closer and said softly, "Nina, don’t push yourself too hard. You’ve already done very well. The Walker family will be proud of you."

"Heh..." Nina shook her head gently, her face tinged with sorrow. "So many family members died again today. Sometimes I wonder, why must there be vendettas?"

"Grandpa died, my aunt, my sister..."

"Ah!"

She bowed her head and sighed, a rare display of helplessness and frailty she didn’t show before her kin.

"It’s okay," Cromwell comforted her softly. "Everything will pass."

"As long as there’s a One-Circle Late Stage Wizard to hold the fort, the Walker family will be stable in the market. Although things are difficult now, they will eventually get better."

"Yes." Nina looked up, her beautiful eyes shining. "Cromwell, thank you for being by my side. Otherwise... I don’t know if I would have collapsed."

"Thank you!"

"Ah," Cromwell quickly waved his hand. "Don’t you understand my feelings by now? No matter what happens, I will always be by your side."

"That will never change!"

"Cromwell!" Nina looked directly at him, her voice trembling. "There’s no need for this. I’m already very grateful that you helped me kill Von."

"Next, we have to retaliate against the Pelo family and face the hostility of the other two major families. You should stay away from here."

"No!" Cromwell’s face was stern. "Nina!"

"I will always be with you."

"You..." Nina’s body trembled. She took a deep breath before speaking, My father taught me that family interests should always come first, and so-called benevolence and morality must also serve the family’s interests.

"Heh..." She revealed a bitter smile. That’s what he did, betraying promises for the family’s interests, and for that, he died. I kept my promise; Linda helped me, you, Elder Haggai, and even Conni lent a hand. Only trust can endure.

"Yes!" Cromwell nodded emphatically, his face beaming. "What I admire most about you, Nina, is your pure heart, untainted by this world."

"Mm." Nina reached out and proactively took Cromwell’s hands. "The more I experience, the more I understand my father’s words, and I gradually realize... his way was right."

Hmm? Cromwell was startled.

PFFT!

Dozens of sharp vines shot out from Nina’s sleeves, like a swarm of vipers, instantly piercing Cromwell’s body.

The desolate, sad, and frail expression on Nina’s face vanished, replaced by one that was icy, grim, and murderous.

"I gave you a chance." She shook her head gently. "You helped me kill Von, and I’m grateful. You should have stopped there and left this place."

"But... you were too greedy!"

"Ni... Nina..." Cromwell’s body swayed, his eyes filled with terror and disbelief. "Why?"

"Why?" Nina shook her head. "You should know very well in your heart."

"Linda saved me, but for what purpose? And on the night of Harvey’s wedding, what were you trying to do?"

"Heh... This is the Dream Market, and I control a quarter of it. Your actions were very covert, but ultimately, flaws were exposed."

"You..." Cromwell gritted his teeth and roared, only to find everything within him rapidly draining away.

"Spare... spare me!"

"I gave you a chance." A flicker of struggle flashed in Nina’s eyes, then was quickly masked by indifference. "Don’t worry, I’ll send Linda to meet you."

PFFT!

The vines suddenly tightened, and Cromwell’s body was instantly torn into countless pieces, dead beyond any hope of revival.

"Phew..." Waving her hand to clear the bloodstains on the ground, the softness in Nina’s heart completely vanished.

Father was right.

Family interests must always come first. Mercy, rules, kindness—they must all serve this.

No one truly has your best interests at heart!

She had once been very grateful for Cromwell’s help, even scoffing at her father’s words.

Until... certain secrets she accidentally uncovered.

It wasn’t just Cromwell.

Even within the family, everyone had their own selfish motives; only iron-fisted methods could suppress everything.

Kindness? It only leads to trouble!

"Miss." A voice came from outside the door, "Mr. Conni wishes to see you."

"Oh!" Nina raised her eyebrows, suppressed the killing intent in her eyes, her expression softening once more, and her voice became gentler, "Please show him in."

...

When Carl entered the living room, he saw Nina leaning on a soft chair, looking exhausted and sorrowful.

"Carl." Nina forced a smile, "I’m not feeling well, so I won’t get up to greet you. Please, sit wherever you like."

"Congratulations." Carl nodded. "Von is dead, his crystal fragment is in your hands, and the Pelo family will be removed from the Dream Market."

"The Walker family has been avenged."

"It’s not that simple." Nina shook her head, pushing herself up. "To kill Von, we also suffered heavy losses. Even Cromwell, the helper we specifically hired..."

"After retaliating against the Pelo family, we still have to face the other two major families. They won’t let this opportunity pass."

"I believe you can handle it well." Carl spoke, "Regarding the crystal fragment..."

"I plan to keep it for myself!"

"Hm?" Nina paused, her expression turning cloudy and uncertain. "Carl, we had an agreement."

"If I failed to kill Von, the crystal fragment would be your reward for protecting Harvey and his wife. If I did kill Von, then I would use a portion of the Pelo family’s assets to buy back the crystal fragment in your possession."

"Now... you’re just one person. What use is it to you? You should return it to me. I can provide you with assistance in the Dream Market."

"I’ve run into some trouble and need to reside in the Dream Market for an extended period," Carl waved his hand dismissively. "As we initially agreed, if I needed the fragment, I could keep it myself, without needing a share of the Pelo family’s assets."

"I never explicitly promised to return the crystal fragment; I merely chose one of two options."

? You’re forcing my hand too! Why? Why does everyone treat me like this? Haven’t I done well enough?

Nina’s beautiful eyes narrowed, a murderous intent building in her heart, yet her expression grew increasingly vulnerable.

"Carl. Is there really no other choice?"

"None," Carl stood up, his expression cold. "I came here merely as a former party to our transaction, to inform you as per our original agreement."

"Not for you to tell me what to do."

"Also..." He glanced at the floor, a glint of coldness in his eyes. "It’s best to clean up thoroughly after a murder. Certain traces aren’t so easily erased."

「With that said.」

He strode away.

He ignored the furious and exasperated Nina behind him, as his own mood was far from good, and an intangible sense of urgency made his heart pound.

It seemed something had set its sights on him!

This was no illusion.

When probing Gold’s memories, the sudden burst of black light had even ignored the rules of the Divine Domain Fragment and enveloped him.

There’s some kind of Prohibition in Gold’s memories. I fear I’ve been marked by the Green family...

The Green family might retaliate next. The Dream Market can’t accommodate a Second Circle Wizard; only here can I be safe.