[Vol. 7] Chapter 79: The Road to Growth
After that, the people, who were overconfident in their magic drug and in such a hurry that they barely checked on Little Dragon Girl’s condition, simply shoved her deep into the truck without much care, covered her up, and immediately set off.
Once they left Layla City, the convoy traveled day and night without much rest, stopping only for sleep and meals. Although Xiao Guang was stuck inside the truck and couldn’t tell exactly where they were going, she could roughly estimate that they had already traveled about 600 to 700 kilometers over the past few days. And yet, they still showed no signs of stopping.
For her master, Violet, this wasn’t a long distance at all. But since her master still hadn’t appeared, it meant she had likely understood Xiao Guang’s intentions and was willing to let her handle things on her own.
With that reassurance, Little Dragon Girl felt free to act however she wanted.
After five more days of travel, the convoy finally stopped at some unknown location. The captors began unloading her and the other kidnapped young creatures from the barrels and checking their conditions.
By this point, Xiao Guang was already getting impatient, her urge to fight was getting harder to suppress. But at least she finally had a chance to observe her surroundings.
She had never lived outside of islands or ships before, but based on what she had read in books, this place seemed to be a large building known as a "farmstead." It was located on the outskirts of a forest, far from the lively cities like Layla City or Palut Island. Instead of feeling bustling and full of life, it gave off an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.
Yes, eerie.
If she wasn’t mistaken, this farmstead was completely abandoned.
Aside from the dozen or so people from the convoy and the hundreds of kidnapped young creatures, Xiao Guang couldn’t sense any other large living beings in the area.
As for the so-called "condition check," it was nothing more than checking if the kidnapped creatures were still breathing after being left unfed and dehydrated for nearly ten days. Meanwhile, others began preparing the area for something.
Seizing the opportunity, a blonde-haired young girl who had been leaning against one of the barrels cracked open one eye and quietly observed the scene.
They were currently standing in the open area at the front of the farmstead.
The robed figures in masks were scattered around, working together to draw a massive, unknown magic formation that encircled all of the barrels containing the kidnapped young creatures.
At a glance, it looked just like some kind of sinister sacrificial ritual.
They brought all these kidnapped young creatures all the way from Layla City just for this?
Weren’t they supposed to be heading to their headquarters?
Xiao Guang wasn’t entirely sure, but she could tell that something else was going on here, something she hadn't noticed yet. It likely had to do with the magic formation those masked figures were drawing.
Comparing it with the basic magic knowledge she had read in books, Little Dragon Girl quickly realized that, while she didn’t recognize this specific formation, it wasn’t actually that complex. It was just very large in scale.
In other words, this was a lower-tier magic formation of a specialized system. It didn’t contain any particularly powerful magic on its own. Instead of being a direct spell, it seemed more like a guiding mechanism, a conduit for something else.
Considering how far they had traveled just to reach this specific location, the conclusion was easy to draw:
There was something unusual about this farmstead itself.
After finishing their basic inspection of all the kidnapped young creatures inside the barrels, the robed figures muttered something to the other members of the convoy before moving to stand at the front of the magic formation.
Then, they began to chant.
Unlike their previous quiet whispers, this time their voices were loud, clear, and precise. As if they wanted something to hear them.
Even though Xiao Guang was some distance away, she could hear every single word.
"Oh boundary of the boundless blue sea, oh reflection beneath the mirror's surface! You reveal the truth of all things, uncovering the mysteries of the stars and the sun and moon!"
"You are the law that governs magic, the measure that defines order! You divide reality from illusion, turning the heavens with a mere gesture, shaping a future of endless miracles!"
"Great Lord, O God of Reversed Truth! Open the gates of paradise for your faithful, and guide us into the divine realm!"
"In your name, we call, we praise!"
The moment the chant ended, the robed figures stepped forward in unison, entering the glowing magic formation that was now pulsing in response to their words.
This unexpected move made the golden-haired young girl, who had been ready to strike at the first sign of danger, pause in confusion.
Wait… they’re stepping inside too? Isn’t this supposed to be a sacrifice ritual?
Before she could process it further, a strange sensation, accompanied by an unusual ripple of energy, swept through her, sending a brief shiver through her slightly narrowed golden eyes.
It felt… familiar. Something she had encountered before, something that had once greatly benefited her.
Her body reacted instinctively, an overwhelming desire surging within her, far stronger than hunger or even the need for sleep.
Because of this momentary hesitation, she missed the perfect chance to stop the ritual from activating.
A strange, humming sound erupted from nowhere, like an earthquake and tidal wave crashing together, drowning out the worshippers' ecstatic praises. Yet, at the same time, it blended with their voices, forming a single, eerie, otherworldly power.
"WHOOOOOOM!!!!!!"
The sun, moon, and stars seemed to reverse their course.
In that instant, everything before her eyes turned into an absurd, surreal scene.
………………………………
Over 300 kilometers south of Layla City, a small group of seven or eight people had temporarily halted along the roadside.
All of them wore adventurer gear, carrying large backpacks filled with camping supplies, provisions, and weapons.
Leading them was a young man with a calm and serious demeanor, his face kind yet focused. He had vibrant green braided hair and long, pointed ears, clearly marking him as a non-human.
However, in the Austre Empire, his appearance was nothing unusual.
After comparing the map with their actual surroundings, the treefolk youth furrowed his brow slightly and turned to the black-haired girl beside him.
“This path… leads straight to [Eternal Night Forest]. Are you absolutely sure this is the right way, Miss Violet?”
The girl stared at the ground, as if reading invisible traces left behind. Without looking up, she answered with certainty.
“Of course. She passed through here just a little while ago.”
“I can see it.”
In reality, even though Xiao Guang's current young body, formed from the essence of a Divinity, was technically an independent being with no direct contract binding her to Violet, there was still a vague connection between them.
Miss Priestess was still diligently investigating Xiao Guang’s current status and various details, just as she had discovered that she could use [Yin-Yang Eyes] to see traces of faint golden energy left on the ground where Xiao Guang had passed.
Clearly, that little dragon girl had intentionally left these tracking marks, and Violet was likely the only one who could see them.
She’s becoming more mature and clever, huh?
If this had been in the past, those people probably wouldn’t have even had the chance to lay a hand on her before getting crushed into dust.
Right now, Xiao Guang, especially this body of hers, had completely broken free from the game system’s restrictions.
She was now a truly independent, real living being.
Although some contract effects still applied, her thoughts, actions, and decisions could no longer be defined simply as those of a "pet."
This was a good thing, but alongside that relief, Violet couldn't help but feel a hint of unease.
If Xiao Guang was no longer just a pet…
If she gained her own goals and beliefs, would the two of them still be as close as before?
Would Xiao Guang begin to see their contract as a shackle?
If she truly wished for complete freedom, how should Violet respond?
She had always hoped Xiao Guang would grow up, that she wouldn’t cling to her so much like a little shadow, relying on her for everything.
But now that it was actually happening, she couldn’t help but feel a little anxious and reluctant.
Whenever these thoughts crossed her mind, Violet could only smile bitterly to herself.
Maybe this contradictory feeling was something every parent or guardian experienced as they watched their child grow up.