The Evil God Summoned by the Saintess

If it weren’t for Rose saying it himself, Hilia definitely wouldn’t have thought that the hidden stronghold she’s been dreaming of isn’t within the fortress, isn’t on the edge of the Golden Apple Stone Forest, nor is it in the place where the most dangerous spot is considered the safest.

It’s even built according to the customs of the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association, underground.

It’s actually beneath the regional array, without any entrance connected to the outside.

So hidden, so unbelievable.

"How could they establish a hidden base under the magic array?" Hilia questioned.

In the Sealed Land, Rose glanced at Ethel and smiled, "Naturally, with the help of the Gods."

Hilia: "..."

Alright, an irrefutable reason.

"Their worshiped Gods pinpointed a small natural cave beneath the array for them, where they erected a portal. The subsequent construction was carried out through this portal, at great expense."

"After completion, the portal was dismantled, and all items that could reveal the coordinates were destroyed, even many of the cultists involved in the construction were sacrificed."

Rose shared the information he learned from Ethel with Hilia to maintain his persona of being ’half omniscient and omnipotent.’

"Afterward, they used the ultra-rare Heart of the Magic Puppet as the foundation of the whole array, fully integrating it into the array of the Golden Apple Stone Forest, making it impossible to detect any clues from above."

"That’s precisely why they can manipulate the array of the Golden Apple Stone Forest, as the manipulatable parts were buried underground five hundred years ago. Perhaps that small cave is the leftover operation node."

Hilia knew the so-called ultra-rare Heart of the Magic Puppet referred to by Rose was the kind capable of rendering someone unconscious with a touch.

If she remembered correctly, the two ’ultra-rare’ Hearts of the Magic Puppet she obtained were from the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association.

"How do they have so many rare Hearts of the Magic Puppet?"

Hilia was deeply puzzled.

Rose did not answer this question.

Hilia didn’t dwell on it either; she asked, "Lord Rose, does it mean I can’t obtain the privilege key?"

Originally, although not overly confident, she had some faith in obtaining it. But upon arriving, she discovered this bad news.

Rose smiled, "Conventional methods certainly can’t reach it; even digging would first hit the array, unable to break through. But haven’t you forgotten there’s a type of magic in this world called [Space Magic]?"

"Are you suggesting I use Space Magic to teleport into the underground base?"

Rose nodded, "That’s how the higher-ups of the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association do it, remembering the coordinates and finding a way to teleport in themselves."

He took out the Teleportation Badge given to Hilia by Melina and played with it in his hand.

"Considering your adaptability to Space Magic is almost zero, you currently have only one way to get in."

Hilia glanced at the badge in Rose’s hand, already guessing what he planned to do.

To change the teleportation coordinates of the badge to the underground base’s coordinates.

By doing so, she would lose her last means of protecting herself.

But more than that, Hilia was more concerned about another issue: "How do I get out once inside?"

"That’s beyond my consideration," said Rose.

Hilia: "..."

Rose replied irritably, "Can’t you recharge the badge?"

Hilia: "..."

The young girl lowered her head embarrassedly.

"Would you like to go?" Rose asked with interest.

He gave Hilia the choice.

Hilia hesitated for a moment, thinking about the pollution spreading outwards.

If not stopped, who knows if it would lead to a recurrence of the disaster from five hundred years ago.

The young girl gritted her teeth, "Go! I must go, I must stop them from harming the world. The Golden Apple Stone Forest shouldn’t be in the hands of chaotic cultists."

"Hmm, alright."

Rose nodded, the badge flipping in his hand, strands of magic power turned into flowing light merging into the badge.

Before long, Rose tossed the badge back.

Hilia took it, examined it, and found no difference.

"I’ve already modified the badge, and the coordinates have changed to the underground base. However, I only changed the coordinates, not anything else, like the alarm."

"Alarm?" Hilia blinked, "There’s an alarm on the badge?"

Rose nodded, "Yes, if you use this badge, it’ll send an alarm to others, reminding them that you’ve ’returned.’

"So if I use the badge to teleport inside, they’ll think I’ve returned, and when they come over to check, they’ll find I haven’t returned..."

Hilia looked at Rose gloomily, complaining:

"Lord Rose, why did you mention it only after changing the coordinates?"

Rose’s expression remained unchanged, "Because I only discovered it after modifying."

Facing Hilia’s suspicious look, he said calmly, "Nothing strange is being thought of."

Hilia: "..."

Had you not spoken, I might have believed you.

But with those words, you definitely want to see the outsiders make a futile search!

Rose said, "The alarm is bidirectional. Changing it on the badge won’t suffice; both places need changing... cough, anyhow, hurry up and leave, before the Tier Five Mage arrives."

"Alright."

Hilia had no choice but to activate the badge’s teleportation function.

Although using the badge would trigger an alarm, then the outsiders would discover she seemingly hadn’t returned, leading to unpleasant assumptions.

But...

At this point, Hilia had no other choice.

To resolve the pollution spreading from the Golden Apple Stone Forest, she had to go inside.

If others misunderstand she perished or something.

It’s not a big deal.

Not to mention... it’s a little thrilling, what’s going on?

Hilia quickly quashed the thoughts popping into her mind.

A faint glow emanated from the badge, swiftly spreading over Hilia’s entire body.

In the next second, Hilia’s figure vanished from where she stood.

...

Meanwhile.

Outside.

Outside the emergency teleportation room, the alarm sound immediately prompted waiting mages to dash inside.

When they saw the empty room, everyone was stunned.

Professional staff quickly checked the alarm magic guide device.

Soon, the inspection was finished, and their faces turned grim.

"No malfunction, Miss Hilia’s teleportation badge was indeed activated."

"Then, where is Miss Hilia?"

Everyone remained silent.

No one dared to utter those words.

Before leaving, Melina ordered them to monitor closely and prevent any errors with Hilia.

Among the waiting people were priests skilled in various healing spells, Hilia’s acquaintance Ms. Alina, and magic guide device maintenance personnel, as well as a water mage skilled in space magic.

Everyone fell silent, Alina’s face also looked grim.

She took a deep breath and asked, "Confirmed?"

The puppet master checking the alarm magic guide device swallowed and nodded, "Confirmed."

Alina looked at everyone and said solemnly, "Please make sure to trace the location where Hilia activated the teleport, report to Bishop Melina."

The puppet masters immediately nodded.

"Rest assured, we’ll reverse trace it quickly!"