"Uh, that’s really quite unfortunate."

After listening to Edgar’s account, Uffie didn’t know what to say, so she offered a formulaic consolation.

People’s emotions aren’t always in sync.

Clearly, it was a very unlucky situation for Edgar, but after hearing it, she just wanted to laugh.

No, I can’t laugh, Uffie. If I laugh, some of my good qualities might be permanently lost.

Finally, Uffie quickly turned around, her back to Edgar, her shoulders shook a few times, and when she turned back around, she had regained her composure and asked:

"Is there any progress in your research? As long as there’s progress, it means all this hardship wasn’t for nothing."

This was something Gapar had once used to encourage her, but now it seemed like a sermon, likely to provoke resistance among the youth.

However, when these words came out, Edgar’s face worsened, as he spat out each word with difficulty.

"No progress at all..."

Indeed, no progress at all!

He didn’t even know if he should call what he recently experienced "research" or "torture". All he brought back was the cluster of crystals he prepared to send to his teacher in his pouch!

Incidentally, the body he was currently using was made with magic tools, and his true self was idle at the blessing area in the Celia Crystal Tunnel.

Seeing this, people stopped asking him about the details of his adventure in Celia’s Magic Town, fearing that the more they asked, the sadder he’d become. Better to avoid the issue entirely.

"Then, let’s head to Stoneveil City." Isha bravely broke the awkward atmosphere.

"Yes." Edgar nodded heavily, silently following at the end of the group, clearly still reeling from the blow.

The detour he brought didn’t deter people’s interest in entering Stoneveil City. The closer they got to this vast city, the more they sensed the impending storm, intensifying their anticipation of the adventure experiences and rewards they might gain here.

"The main gate is closed. Is there a way to open it?"

The main gate of Stoneveil City, connecting to the bridge, was shut with a heavy iron door, making it impassable. But the side gate was still open.

"Ah, the classic case of the main gate being closed but the side gate open." Uffie, the only one present with extensive experience in Sain Dungeon adventures, chuckled at this setup.

The main gate is the door that never opens!

She immediately realized that the side gate was the correct path. Perhaps wandering through Stoneveil City would eventually lead to a mechanism to open the large iron gate.

This design was referred to as "Shortcut Opening" in the adventurers’ guides.

Moreover, even if the large iron gate could be opened, she wouldn’t go through it. As for why?

Even standing here, she could see with the naked eye through countless gaps in the iron gate, there were five huge crossbow cannons aimed this way, with convicted soldiers clad in red cloth constantly tinkering with them.

Any adventurer who dared step into the main gate’s area would face relentless attacks from numerous crossbow cannons. Most people would probably die instantly from just one hit.

"Hey, this way, please come this way."

Just as people were about to leave, a hoarse and somewhat sleazy voice came from the small side gate, naturally making people feel a bit repulsed just by the sound, which was rather magical.

The adventurers exchanged cautious glances and stepped inside the side gate where a thin, frail-looking person with a shackle-like thing around his neck was standing, wearing a flattering yet sleazy smile.

"You’re Faded, right? I’m the gatekeeper here, you can call me Gedok," the gatekeeper said, rubbing his hands together. "You want to enter the city, right? Well, I advise you not to go in through the main gate, there’s a group of highly skilled soldiers blocking it."

He pointed to the wall opposite the side gate, where there was a large hole, vaguely revealing a small path.

"Enter through this path, the soldiers don’t know about it, and you can sneak into the city undetected."

It’s surprising for someone who claimed to be the gatekeeper to help them this way, something none of them anticipated.

However, upon careful consideration, what he said seemed pointless because the hole was right there; they would certainly go through it upon seeing it.

Edgar observed the residual shadow in front of him, harboring a natural hostility towards everything related to Sain, and suspiciously asked: "Why are you being so kind? What’s your motive?"

The gatekeeper promptly waved his hands, saying: "I just have a liking for Faded like you and hope you succeed in what you aim to do."

No one believed this, and his explanation only deepened the suspicion.

Seeing the increasing doubt in people’s eyes, the gatekeeper had no choice but to candidly admit:

"Because that City Lord Greg insulted me, oppressed me, and forced me into those disgusting limb attachments, I hope someone can seek justice for me!"

He sounded indignant.

Though still suspicious, what harm could a mere residual shadow like this possibly cause?

Fanen uncomfortably pressed further about the small path through the break in the wall, managing to extract useful information on what to be cautious of during his persistent questioning.

With this, they came to understand why Sain Dungeon placed a gatekeeper here, perhaps as a reminder to help lower the difficulty, just like how there’s a Summoning Rune by Roger at the Omen Demon’s door.

Ah, thinking about it this way, Sain Dungeon suddenly seemed endearing and considerate.

Just as they were ready to leave, feeling content, Edgar suddenly halted, turned back to the gatekeeper, and said:

"Wait, you’re the gatekeeper, right?"

"Wha-what’s the matter?"

"Can you open the main gate? I want to go through the main gate."

These words shocked not only Gedok the gatekeeper, but also widened Uffie and the group’s eyes as they stared at him.

"Are you serious? Not to mention whether this guy can even open it, there are those massive crossbow cannons defending the main gate," Uffie started to say, then suddenly realized, "Unless you plan to use invisibility to get past?"

Edgar nodded heavily.

"I want to reclaim my dignity with my Invisibility Magic."

If his Invisibility Magic failed in the Celia Magic Array because the magicians there were proficient in invisibility and could see through it, then here in Stoneveil City, there was no indication of any expert who could see through invisibility.

If his Invisibility Magic couldn’t work here, then he might as well give up being a magician and just die!

"I can definitely help you open the gate, but are you really sure?" The guard’s gaze was like looking at someone seeking death.

Edgar nodded unequivocally.

"Alright, then I’ll help you open the gate," the guard shook his head and spread his hands, saying, "If someone is wholeheartedly seeking death, it’s impossible to stop them. Hey, open the gate!"

"Boom boom boom..."

Accompanied by his shout, the massive iron gate blocking the adventurers truly opened autonomously, like a giant beast slowly opening its bloody mouth.

A whistling, chilling wind blew from inside the passage, making one feel cold all over just by getting close. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Be careful." Out of humanity, Uffie still gave a reminder.

"I know what I’m doing."

Edgar watched the scene as the iron gate opened, his eyes flashing. Before him was a wide tunnel leading to the inner city, with torches neatly lined along the walls. Even though the torchlight illuminated the place, it couldn’t dispel the chilly aura.

He wondered if it was an illusion; the torches seemed to have different colors, with those in the rear distinctly more vibrant.

The several crossbow cannons lined up at the tunnel’s end, cold crossbow arrows aimed here, and the ground was littered with the bodies of those struck by arrows. This arrangement seemed like the soldiers were trying to flaunt their achievements.

Even light points flickered on the corpses, using them to lure people forward. How despicable!

Edgar’s expression remained calm as he meticulously applied various Invisibility Magic to himself, finally donning his prized invisibility cloak. Taking a deep breath, trusting in his magic and feeling pride as a magician, he resolutely dashed into the tunnel.

He leaped over corpses and raced past light points, heading unstoppably towards the tunnel’s end!

Everyone was worried for him. If he truly managed to charge through, it would save everyone a lot of time!

In just a blink, Edgar had already rushed halfway, and the convicted soldiers still had no reaction!

Everyone showed a hopeful expression.

Could it be?

"Crack—"

Death God’s voice rang out.

Crossbow arrows burst out momentarily, and Edgar had just rushed to their faces.

Thus, he took all the damage like a greedy glutton.

"Ah!"

He screamed, his body thrown backward by the immense impact, and arrows scattered the tunnel, causing some wall torches to fall off.

"How, how can it be..."

Edgar’s eyes were bloodshot. Why had his proud Invisibility Magic faced so many setbacks in one day, and why could mere soldiers see through him?

He couldn’t accept it! What was the principle behind this!

"Crack—"

Seeing the soldiers re-set the second volley of crossbow arrows, Edgar still couldn’t figure out why.

At this moment, a fallen torch rolled to his hand, and upon contact, he saw the description.

[Sentinel Torch]

[Torches bestowed upon the guardians of the Golden Tree, flames undergone special prayers, can see hidden assassins]

[The Golden Tree and Blessed King remain vigilant—to prevent another night of conspiracy.]

Torches that could counter Invisibility Magic!

Edgar was so furious his heart hurt, spewing blood, angered not just by the sentinel torches.

But also because they were only placed in the latter part of the tunnel!

The front half had regular torches, no wonder the soldiers didn’t react initially.

This was a trap to lure invisible magicians and slay them!

"Boom boom boom—"

The sound of crossbow arrows firing came again, and Edgar’s consciousness completely shut down in rage.

Shortly after, he hazily revived, hearing Isha’s voice.

"Are you alright? Let’s take the back route."

The veins on his forehead popped, gripping his magic wand as he stood up.

"No."

He stared intensely at the city gate, the gemstone inlaid in his magic wand flashing with dangerous light.

"I must blow this place wide open today!"