"This is... Atlantis?"
Floating in the icy cold water, Exiled Immortal's attention was entirely captivated by the breathtaking dreamlike vision before him. He voiced the awe that every player felt upon reaching Atlantis.
Compared to the wildness of Spartonia, Atlantis was undoubtedly a paradise.
Exiled Immortal swallowed nervously, tentatively reaching out and passing his hand through the bubble, entering Atlantis.
With Miles' death, his so-called prophecies were naturally debunked, and no one believed his prediction of Atlantis' downfall anymore. The arrival of numerous adventurers brought new life to this isolated kingdom.
"It's a pity... Leonard and Fila are gone. If they were still here, they might have found many like-minded companions," Warner sighed, sitting in a tavern and watching the bustling crowd.
Just over ten days ago, he had met those two old friends here, who had given him the confidence to pick himself up again. But Warner hadn't expected their parting to come so suddenly. Just like in his memories, Leonard and Fila had left without a word, leaving him and others behind to continue their adventure.
Thinking about it, Leonard and Fila were probably like these adventurers who came to Atlantis, traveling to every corner of the world and witnessing different landscapes. What a vibrant and colorful life that must be.
But sadly...
"I don't even have the courage to leave Atlantis and embrace the ocean. How can I become an adventurer and explore the outside world?"
Draining his last glass of wine, Warner smiled bitterly at himself and then stood up to leave the tavern. He vaguely saw two familiar figures and, before he could think, his body moved on its own. He rushed forward and grabbed one of them by the arm.
"Le... Leonard? Is that you, my old friend?"
"Shh... you've got the wrong person."
"Huh? How could I be mistaken? You clearly are... wait, who are you again?"
Warner stood there, dazed, his mind a jumble of confusion. Why had he chased after them? Why had he stopped this person? What was the name that had slipped from his mind?
He couldn't remember. It was as if his memory had been wiped clean, leaving a blank space.
"Strange... I feel like I've forgotten two very important people... but who are they?"
...
"I thought you planned to continue using that fake identity to swindle people in Atlantis," John glanced at Deception and continued, "Are you giving up your deception so easily?"
"Fortunately, you're all safe. So, you've figured out Spartonia's main quest, right?"
"Yes, Qing is staying in Spartonia to complete the main quest as quickly as possible. John, what should we do next? Those two Divine Emissaries are very strong. Even Qing can't match them in close combat."
"I haven't decided yet, but one thing is certain: we can't let the Godslayer Bow fall into their hands. If the Hunt Divine Emissary gets that weapon, we'll be in danger."
"The Hunt Divine Emissary promised us a month, so she won't break her word. She's very principled, so we can trust that," Exiled Immortal reassured him.
Before John could respond, Deception chimed in, "As for the War Divine Emissary... let's just say she's a temperamental lunatic, and her strength is terrifying, at least stronger than Miles. The most critical thing is that she doesn't care about rules. She'll do whatever it takes to achieve her goals if it benefits her.
Oh, and if I remember correctly, the War Divine Emissary and the Hunt Divine Emissary are sisters. War is the elder sister, and Hunt is the younger."
"Doesn't that mean Helena and the others are in danger now?"
"No, I don't think they'll take action. If there's one thing that lunatic War cares about, it's her sister. So, I predict she won't break her promise. Trading a month for the Godslayer Bow is a good deal."
John nodded slightly at this, saying, "If that's the case... then for now, we'll stay put. Let Qing continue advancing the main quest, and I'll work on increasing my own strength. When the time comes, I'll return to Spartonia with you to resolve this issue."
At the moment, they had no knowledge of War and Hunt's whereabouts. Apart from waiting, there seemed to be no better option.
However...
"John, are you still mad at us? Because of a minor disagreement, we nearly lost our lives..."
"Don't overthink it. I won't hold a grudge over something like this. It's true that not every area suits every player, and there's nothing we can do about that. I understand how Qing feels," John said, shaking his head to reassure Exiled Immortal. After a moment of contemplation, he continued, "Anyway, I think Helena's idea is for you to stay in Atlantis for now.
There's no rush to return until the agreed date arrives."
"That seems to be the only option..."
Although he didn't want to admit it, the fact was that even if he returned to Spartonia, it seemed he wouldn't be able to change anything. Still, Exiled Immortal felt a bit dissatisfied.
For so long, he believed he had been growing stronger, becoming someone who could stand on his own. But the truth showed he still had a long way to go.
Certainly, the inability to use his talent skills within Spartonia City was a factor, but even if he could summon a tornado, could he really handle the combined might of those two Divine Emissaries?
With this thought, Exiled Immortal sighed deeply. He needed to get stronger, and quickly, to catch up with John's pace.