Bab 35: Chapter35-The Secrets of Mapleleaf

"Ranch, hide yourself," Vera, upon hearing Butler Haren's voice, instantly became panicked, like a little girl caught by her parents in the act of wrongdoing.

Ranch whispered soothingly, "Vera, relax, it's okay."

However, Vera was beyond reassurance.

As a member of the Dark Empire's royal family, even though the Blessing Necklace was a personal item she obtained during her advancement, her status within the royal household was merely that of a custodian.

She had limited authority over how the Blessing Necklace was used, and now it was damaged in her attempt to help Ranch.

Vera could only imagine how furious Butler Haren would be.

In such a scenario, an enraged Butler Haren would surely kill Ranch.

In her desperation, Vera scanned her bedroom, looking for a place where Ranch could hide.

Yet, at that moment, Ranch boldly opened the bedroom door.

Butler Haren, who was just about to knock, was taken aback upon seeing Ranch, his eyes narrowing as he asked,

"Boy, how come you're here?"

Noticing the absence of the special aura of the Blessing Necklace, Haren became even more furious: "Damn it, what have you done!"

A massive concentration of magical elements gathered around Haren, forming a magic longsword that floated mid-air, its tip aimed directly at Ranch's neck.

With a mere thought from Haren, the magic longsword would pierce through Ranch.

"Butler Haren, stop!"

Vera cried out in desperation, hastily explaining, "The matter of the Blessing Necklace has nothing to do with Ranch. I used it willingly."

Haren was clearly not convinced by Vera's words.

He stared at Ranch as the magic longsword slowly advanced.

Ranch remained utterly calm, confident that with the Symbiosis of Light, Daisy would not stand by and watch him die.

Thus, he explained to Haren, "As you can see, Butler Haren. There's been a slight mishap. Miss Vera attempted to aid me, resulting in the destruction of the Blessing Necklace. I understand this might be hard for you to accept, but you'd better retract that magic longsword, lest something unfortunate happens."

Haren was immediately taken aback by laughter, snarling menacingly, "Boy, are you threatening me?"

Ranch shook his head, "No, this isn't a threat."

The next moment, Butler Haren felt a terrifying presence that filled the entire castle, making him feel like an insect that could be crushed at any moment.

The smile on Butler Haren's face vanished as he looked around in slight panic, "Who's there?"

No one responded, and the castle was enveloped in silence.

Ranch breathed a sigh of relief, gently pushing away the magic longsword from his neck, then said,

"Regardless, the Blessing Necklace in Miss Vera's possession was damaged because of me. I will find a way to repair it. Until then, I hope you can remain calm, Butler Haren."

Haren's face turned ashen.

If not for the lingering sense of that terrifying presence, he would have cleaved the young man before him in two!

But clearly, the immediate issue wasn't this...

The problem with the Blessing Necklace was what mattered most.

Holding back his frustration, Haren scoffed at Ranch,

"You? Repair the Blessing Necklace? Ridiculous!"

After his taunt, Haren forcibly suppressed his anger.

He no longer paid Ranch any attention but turned to Vera,

"Miss, there will soon be upheavals in Mapleleaf. You need to leave quickly. Of course, I will report the matter of the damaged Blessing Necklace truthfully, hoping you can withstand the punishment from the royal family."

Vera paled, her body trembling sharply.

She took a deep breath and said to Ranch, "Ranch, you go back first. I can handle the matter of the damaged Blessing Necklace. Don't worry about me."

Ranch nodded, simply replying, "Vera, wait for me."

After speaking, Ranch turned and left the castle.

Once outside, he found a secluded, empty corner and muttered to himself, "Daisy, I know you can hear me talking. I need your help now. If you don't help, I might die of heartbreak."

"Ranch, you really are a damned scoundrel!" Daisy's ethereal figure emerged.

She extended her slender palm, grabbing Ranch and flinging him out, causing him to crash heavily against the wall of a house.

Ranch, in disarray, got up, dusting off his clothes, utterly indifferent to the pain in his body.

He walked towards Daisy, chuckling, "Miss Daisy, why so angry? It was you who wanted me to sign the Soul Contract, but something went awry in the execution. Besides, with the Symbiosis of Light in place, if anything truly happened to me, you wouldn't survive either."

Hearing this, Daisy calmed down.

She looked at Ranch and asked, "How did you come to know about the Symbiosis of Light?"

The Symbiosis of Light, too, was a form of contract.

Unlike the domineering Soul Contract, the Symbiosis of Light was an equitable pact.

By this point, Daisy was clear that she had been outmaneuvered.

The real threat to her at the altar wasn't the rainbow light but the Holy Light Judgement released by Ranch.

She sensed something unusual in that golden giant sword.

"Could it be that Ranch has the favor of a deity?"

Daisy thought subconsciously, only to see an irritating smirk forming on Ranch's face as he said, "Miss Daisy, that's a secret, no need for you to know."

Daisy suddenly laughed, her gaze drifting over Ranch.

Her soft fingers gently caressed Ranch's resolute face, eventually pausing at his chest, unable to resist remarking, "Surpassing the powerful bloodline of the Muir family, cultivating both Knight Aura and magical elements with a peculiar talent, and now possibly under the favor of a deity... Ranch, the secrets you carry are truly fascinating. I really want to dissect your body to have a look."

"There will be a chance," Ranch said earnestly.

But now was not the time for such discussions.

Ranch looked at Daisy.

Although he was unsure of the true strength and identity of Daisy's real body, he was certain that Daisy was an immensely powerful being.

Due to the Symbiosis of Light, Daisy was almost like his bodyguard, effectively one of his own.

Thus, Ranch directly asked, "Daisy, can you tell me how to repair the Blessing Necklace?"

For this matter, Ranch still felt guilty.

From Haren's regard for the necklace and Vera's reaction at the time, Ranch understood that the damage to the Blessing Necklace would definitely cause trouble for Vera.

Whether it was the relationship from their childhood or now, he had reasons to help Vera.

Daisy paused for a moment before speaking, "The Blessing Necklace was imbued with the aura of the Dream Goddess, hence its powerful ability to fulfill most wishes. Repairing it won't be easy. However, you're in luck because here in Mapleleaf, there exists something capable of repairing the necklace."

"Where?" Ranch pressed on. Noticing Ranch's urgency, Daisy countered, "Why should I tell you?"

Hearing this, Ranch grabbed Daisy's restless hand, moving it away from his chest.

Instead, he reached out to caress the inside of Daisy's voluptuous thigh, giving it a squeeze as he said,

"Daisy, I'm well aware of your intention to enslave me. Now that you can't enslave me, I can still help you achieve your goal."

Daisy clearly enjoyed Ranch's touch, her breathing growing rapid.

She looked at Ranch a few times, not with desire, but from a place of deep consideration.

In the end, Daisy chose to divulge the information, "Beneath the very center of Mapleleaf, a powerful magic array has been laid out, covering the entire Mapleleaf. This magic array was designed to prevent the discovery of a relic passage. Through my investigations, that relic passage is related to the presence of deities."

Ranch, filled with doubt, asked, "Are you saying that something within that so-called relic has the power to repair the Blessing Necklace?"

Daisy shook her head, "Not just that, there exists treasures far more powerful than the Blessing Necklace within. Of course, in my view, the Blessing Necklace isn't all that precious a treasure. There's something on you far more valuable than that necklace."

Ranch was puzzled by Daisy's words.

A treasure more valuable than the Blessing Necklace?

Almost everything he owned had been appraised, and the only treasures he had were those found in the Butterfly Tavern, previously Daisy's collection.

Besides those, there was nothing else.

Wait!

There was one item—the Knight's Order token given by the old priest!

"Could it be... that item?" Ranch thought to himself, preparing to take out the token to ask Daisy...

Just at that moment.

A massive rumbling sound came from not far away. ...

In Mapleleaf, the sudden tremor startled the townspeople, followed by cracks appearing on the ground, with many buildings collapsing, burying residents still inside.

The entire city was plunged into chaos instantaneously, with panicked people running everywhere, cries for help, screams, and the sound of breaking objects all blending together...

Disaster had struck.