Chapter 123: Chapter 45: Alice’s Character Quest Completed! Snow Cream is So Delicious~

"A stone slab engraved with a portrait of Edith?" Su Xuan frowned, confused.

He stared intently at the stone slab, unable to understand why it bore a portrait of Edith.

’Even though Edith was once a Succubus, she severed all ties with the Demon Race long ago.’

"How strange. Why is my portrait on this stone slab?" Ivsha was also deeply perplexed, her eyes wide with shock and confusion.

The slab didn’t seem to be an object of worship. On the contrary, it felt like it was born from pure hatred. She could feel the malice emanating from deep within it—a kind of vengeful, unspeakable loathing.

"Don’t worry, I’ll look into it," Su Xuan said, gently patting Ivsha’s shoulder to soothe her.

He then placed the slab in his inventory. He was determined to get to the bottom of this and solve the mystery for Ivsha’s sake.

"Okay," Ivsha nodded softly, feeling a sense of security from his presence.

After a few brief instructions, the group rested in the main hall to recover their strength.

Su Xuan sat on a sofa in the Guild hall, his eyes fixed on the last remaining E+ quest on the board.

[Quest Objective: Apprehend a fugitive Moon God Cultist.]

[Quest Reward: 50 Silver Coins, 5000 EXP]

’A fugitive Moon God Cultist?’ Su Xuan mused, a flicker of doubt in his mind.

Completing this quest would not only unlock the special mission to upgrade the Guild to D-Level, but also trigger the third phase of Alice’s character quest.

Su Xuan glanced at the time. It was only four in the afternoon. ’We can head to the quest location for some initial reconnaissance,’ he thought.

He stood up and checked his Guild members’ Status before deciding to take Rosaline and Alice with him to the Moon God Empire.

With a flash of light, Su Xuan and his companions teleported to the Moon God Empire. However, just as they stepped out of the Teleportation Array, a man and a woman in Bright Moon White Robes and masks blocked their path.

"Are you the Adventurers who accepted the request?" the man asked in a low voice.

"We are," Su Xuan replied, his eyes scanning the area.

Due to the laws of the Moon God Empire, Adventurers couldn’t teleport directly to quest locations. They had to arrive at a designated transit station, acquire a travel permit, and only then could they proceed.

"Please, follow us."

The two officials from the Moon God Empire led Su Xuan’s group to get their permits. Along the way, they passed a few other Players, but everyone was quiet, as if afraid to make any noise in this kingdom.

Su Xuan also noticed that everyone in this country wore a mask. Most were crescent-shaped, covering half of the face. Even ordinary citizens wore them, though theirs were plainer in design.

They soon obtained their permits without issue, along with a wanted poster detailing information about the cultist they were to capture. Su Xuan made a point to ask what crime the fugitive had committed, but he was only told that they had committed an "unforgivable sin."

With the permits, Su Xuan could now travel freely within the Moon God Empire, but only for seven days. This meant he had a week to capture the fugitive. The deadline wasn’t too tight, and since there were limited hiding spots within the empire’s borders, catching the target shouldn’t be too difficult.

However, certain areas were off-limits to the people of the Moon God Empire, which was why they had to commission Adventurers for the capture.

"Let’s head to the Moonlight Witch’s Palace first," Su Xuan suggested.

"The Moonlight Witch..." Alice seemed to zone out for a moment upon hearing they were going to the place she used to live. But a moment later, a smile bloomed on her face like a flower.

"Okay!"

Alice happily linked her arm with Su Xuan’s, filled with anticipation at the thought of returning to her former home.

Su Xuan gently patted Alice’s head. He then started asking passersby for directions to the former palace of the Moonlight Witch.

Alice, having never left the palace, didn’t know the way.

Finally, just before sunset, they arrived at the Witch’s Palace.

But the sight before them left everyone speechless.

The once-magnificent Witch’s Palace was now nothing but crumbling walls and ruins, exuding an air of desolate decay.

"How could this be...?"

Alice looked around, her heart growing heavy at the bleak desolation, and her eyes welled with tears. She had hoped to see the Witch who created her again, but the scene of utter ruin filled her with despair.

Su Xuan’s brow furrowed. The scene before him confirmed his suspicion. ’The Moonlight Witch was forced to leave Alice; it wasn’t by choice.’

"Let’s go home," Su Xuan said softly, comforting Alice. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder, trying to calm her turmoil.

"Okay, Master," Alice replied, wiping away her tears and trying to compose herself.

Just then, however, a snow-white scimitar came flying toward them.

"Look out!"

CLANG!

Rosaline’s longsword instantly deflected the scimitar, sending it clattering to the ground. In the next moment, a sharp Sword Aura shot through the air, aimed directly at the distant ambusher.

"Aargh!"

A pained cry rang out.

A woman wearing a crescent-moon mask appeared before them.

Rosaline’s Sword Aura had struck her in the chest, leaving a long, deep gash.

Surprisingly, however, she showed no sign of pain. Instead, she fixed a hate-filled glare on Alice and broke into a sinister laugh.

"Hahaha! That’s right! It’s you! You carry her scent!"

Su Xuan’s brow twitched at her words.

’Isn’t this woman my quest target?’ he realized. ’The cultist I’m supposed to capture? What a coincidence for her to show up here.’

"What... what’s wrong with her?" Alice asked, hiding behind Su Xuan in fear, utterly bewildered by the woman’s malicious grin.

Before she could finish her sentence, the woman pulled a dagger from her robes and shouted, "You hypocrite who blasphemes the Moon God! You’ll be dragged from your divine pedestal eventually! When that day comes, I’ll be waiting for you in Hell!"

SQUELCH!

The moment the words left her mouth, she plunged the dagger into her own heart.

A few seconds later, her life faded completely.

"..."

Su Xuan stared at the corpse, utterly bewildered. He had no idea what she was talking about.

’A hypocrite who blasphemes the Moon God? Was she talking about the Moonlight Witch? There’s too little information to go on!’

[Alice’s Phase Three Quest has begun!]

[Phase Three: Please Shout, Master!]

[Quest Description: Help Alice find what she has lost!]

[Quest Reward: Unlock a new form for a Soul Weapon! (Current Soul Weapons: 2)]

[Bonus Reward: Alice’s Ascension Materials! Trait +1!]

Su Xuan looked at the quest details, a confused expression on his face. ’What has Alice lost? Is it related to the Moonlight Witch? Or is it something else...?’

Just as he was pondering this, a strange voice suddenly whispered in his ear.

"Come here~"

"?"

Su Xuan’s brows knitted together. ’Whose voice was that?’

Just then, a beam of moonlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating a section of the crumbling ruins as if to guide him.

Su Xuan strode over to the illuminated spot and saw that something seemed to be buried beneath the loose earth.

He heaved aside the rubble and uncovered a small, exquisite iron box.

He opened the box to find a slip of paper and a silver bell inside.

Su Xuan unfolded the note. It contained a single, simple sentence:

[Please take care of that child for me.]

’She’s nearby!’

Su Xuan realized at once that the Moonlight Witch must be close, but for some reason, she was unwilling to appear or meet with Alice.

Since she didn’t want to be found, there was no way for him to locate her, no matter how skilled he was.

He had no choice but to turn his attention to the silver bell.

[Moonlight Silver Bell (Epic): A gift from the Moonlight Witch to Alice. The Silver Bell stores Magic Power under the light of the moon. When fully charged, it can unleash the High-tier Magic, Eternal Moonlight Fall!]

’A gift for Alice from the Moonlight Witch?’

Understanding its significance, Su Xuan clutched the bell and walked over to Alice.

"Aili."

"Master..." Alice replied softly, her thoughts still on the ruined Witch’s Palace, deeply worried for the Moonlight Witch’s safety.

Su Xuan handed the Silver Bell to Alice. "This is for you."

Alice took the bell, her expression surprised. "What is this?" She could clearly sense the Moonlight Witch’s aura contained within it.

"It’s a gift from the Moonlight Witch," Su Xuan explained. "She asked me to take care of you and said she’ll come to see you when she can."

"Really? That’s wonderful!" A hopeful smile immediately blossomed on Alice’s face.

Su Xuan gently patted Alice’s head. "Come on, let me put it on you."

He carefully prepared to fasten the bell around Alice’s wrist. The bell glistened under the moonlight, seeming to speak of its deep bond with its master.

"Don’t!"

"?"

Su Xuan was confused by her refusal. He looked at her, waiting for an explanation.

Then he heard Alice say softly, "Master, can you put it on my ankle? It feels uncomfortable on my wrist!"

"Your ankle?"

Su Xuan glanced down at Alice’s delicate feet, clad in white stockings, and smiled. "Alright, I’ll put it on for you!"

He gently took hold of her right foot and slipped off the small leather shoe. He couldn’t help but admire her flawless foot. ’So pale and perfect, absolutely amazing~’

When his fingertips brushed the sole of her foot, the ticklish sensation made Alice let out a soft "Ngh..."

"Master~"

Hearing Alice’s soft call, Su Xuan almost forgot he was supposed to be fastening the bell. He cleared his throat, a little embarrassed. ’How did I get so sidetracked?’

As he finished fastening the bell and was putting her little leather shoe back on, a notification suddenly appeared in his vision.

[Alice has found her purpose in life. She has resolved to serve you with eternal Loyalty!]

[Phase Three Quest Complete!]