Chapter 805 - 805 805 Going up the Mountain

Chapter 805: Chapter 805: Going up the Mountain Chapter 805: Chapter 805: Going up the Mountain “Is your head not reacting?”

“Really, it isn’t, Dumps, what are you up to?”

The following conversation involved privacy.

Dumps wrapped an arm around Han Dong and pulled him into a dim corner of the corridor on the outskirts of Demon King Castle.

“According to my speculation, your head should be connected to the ‘Upper Old King’ corresponding to the back of Perugia City.”

“What?”

“It’s not entirely my own inference; it includes assistance on the information level provided by ‘Mother’.”

“Which one is it?”

“This ‘Old King’ is rather special, one cannot directly call its name nor refer to it using a code name.

Any living being that attempts to represent ‘It’ with characters might attract the Abyss.

However, information involving this being can surely be found within Perugia City… after all, this is the area covered by its ‘medium-sized land deed’.”

“You have your own motives too, don’t you, Dumps?”

Dumps pushed his glasses up and said with a deep tone:

“If you can become stronger, it will also increase our team’s overall chance of survival.

And you, Nicholas, actually want to seize the opportunity of the [Big Expedition] to clear up the secrets about yourself, right?

Don’t worry, this is the [Big Expedition], not some common mission; I would never joke about our lives… Even if the whole army were defeated, you and I must not die here.

You and I, along with Knight Charlie whose strength cannot be estimated, and a legitimate Fighting Nun, can at least ensure some basic safety.”

Slap!

Han Dong slapped Dumps’s back hard.

“If it were that simple, I would have decided long ago… The reason I didn’t step forward immediately just now was that the ‘risk assessment’ was incomplete.

Moreover, the Count inside me has been causing a fuss, and the psychological shadow left by Perugia on him is exceptionally large.

Let’s set off.”

…

When the Expeditionary Army was five kilometers from Perugia City.

A high-powered steam carriage broke away at twice the speed of the marching troops.

Inside the carriage was the just-formed four-person team.

Considering they were going to the city center as ‘guests’ to participate in the Demon-hosted ‘art festival,’ the four of them had stowed away their ‘Power Armor’ and changed into garments fitting for guests.

Inside the carriage, Knight Charlie, who was the strongest, emitted the weakest aura. Coupled with Charlie’s slender body and receding hairline, he looked utterly ‘weak’.

“Nicholas, since the ‘infiltration plan’ is centered around you.

The command of the team’s actions will be handed over to you then. I will only ensure your safety, trying not to interfere too much with the progress of events.”

“Okay.”

Han Dong liked elite knights like Charlie the most, very casual, yet immensely powerful.

After all, not only would they be participating in the art festival and dealing with various types of mental contamination lurking in the shadows, but Han Dong was also set to uncover the secrets that lay between the city’s walls during the festival period.

“Vino.”

“What’s up?”

Vino Silist seemed to be the one among the team with the most apparent combat traits.

Furthermore, the holy aura emanating from her body would undoubtedly provoke the rejection and targeting by Demons.

“The next infiltration mission requires you to disguise yourself as my ‘lady.’

“What?!”

As a nun by birth, Vino had already undergone a lifelong Vow Ceremony in the convent, and marriage was absolutely forbidden… Moreover, as a special requirement of being a ‘Fighting Nun,’ she had to maintain her chastity.

“It’s just a disguise…

After all, the holy aura within you is too intense.

No matter how much you restrain your aura, it will still be sensed by the demons in the City of Fallen.

Only by staying close to us the entire time and allowing me to further shield your aura can we avoid unnecessary trouble.

Besides, sticking with me at all times will also ensure that your spirit isn’t affected… The potential risks in the City of Fallen are higher than the Expeditionary Army has estimated.”

Vino still seemed a little embarrassed, “Our Fighting Nuns are also protected by the Holy Light in our spiritual consciousness, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

Han Dong crossed his hands in front of him, speaking gravely:

“The mental erosion in this city is enough to drive a Mature Body-Demon insane, do you get my meaning?”

Vino stared at the unusually serious, even somewhat intimidating, Han Dong and couldn’t help but swallow hard, “Understood… I got it.”

They arrived at the mountain’s base entrance to Perugia City.

Han Dong, in the posture of a gentleman, took Vino by the hand.

Although Vino was initially uneasy, she quickly adapted to the role with Han Dong’s careful guidance.

Dumps and Knight Charlie walked side by side behind them.

Before their eyes was an ancient city nestled within grey clouds on the mountainside.

The buildings and streets built along the mountain meandered from bottom to top.

Although the whole mountainside city exuded a heavy aura of corruption, the fundamental architectural style of the city still leaned towards that of humans.

The Lord of this place hadn’t made many modifications to Perugia City, and it was highly likely that he had preserved the original architectural style and local culture. To some extent, he truly held ‘respect’ for human culture.

Bamboo Flute Messenger Durmen Zoro was waiting for everyone at the entrance to the lower streets.

In his hands, he held some odd white molds and dyes.

“Before participating in the ‘Art Festival,’ please create a mask to express your inner thoughts and artistic taste. This will help you find ‘kindred spirits’ at the festival.

Please rest assured, the Lord himself highly respects humans, especially human artists.

You don’t have to worry about safety at all. If any residents dare to harm you, they will incur the Lord’s wrath.”

“Okay.”

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Han Dong and his teammates also each started crafting their artistic masks.

A movie from Han Dong’s previous world had made a deep impact on him, and when it came to masks, he thought of the Guy Fawkes mask from ‘V for Vendetta’… This mask held a special meaning.

Dumps crafted a mask called ‘The Concealer’—four different styles of palms covering the mask, sealing the facial features.

Charlie, through clever handiwork and coloring techniques, finished the mask with the texture of real wood.

Knight Vino didn’t understand much about ‘art’… Upon Han Dong’s suggestion, she imprinted the pattern of a cross on hers.

“Actually, you are the first batch of ‘normal humans’ to participate in the Art Festival. The Lord is going to be very happy.

Next, let’s get to the mountain on foot in the simplest way to get accustomed to the environment of Perugia City beforehand. Although the Lord has preserved human architecture, we have lived here for more than two hundred years.

Some ‘special traits’ will differ from those of humans.

By walking up the mountain, you can get used to things in advance… Make sure not to show any discomfort in front of the Lord.

He hopes you can ‘more naturally’ accept and appreciate everything here.”