Arcane Emperor

The blood-colored moonlight illuminated the vast plains with a piercing brightness.

The meandering Silvermoon River ran across it, originating from the lofty Supreme Mountains in the north, flowing through the Frozen Tundra and passing through the Shadowy Forest, bringing moisture to the millions of square kilometers of plains around it.

In the end, it gently and smoothly flowed into the sea, carrying its distinctive mildness and compliance.

The faint sounds of insects came in with the wind. Looking at the familiar village in the distance and listening to the babbling of the water, Leon felt as if he had been away for ages.

"I'm finally home!"

Warily eyeing the swaying grass to make sure it wasn't concealing any Mutant Creatures, Elder John shifted his gaze and patted his shoulder, asking with apparent curiosity,

"Is the salted fish from Bay Village really as delicious as you say it is?"

When salted fish was mentioned, Leon proudly lifted his head and, pointing to the endless plains to the east, replied proudly,

"Our Bay Village is near the sea, and our salted fish are famous near and far, tasty and with great texture; one can be sold for 5 Silver Coins…"

"It's just that there are too many Merfolk and too much trouble. We can only go there twice a year, and each time we can't bring back much…"

Salted fish can sell for money, plentiful Merfolk!

Elder John silently took note of this information.

Although Butler Ralph would surely have a complete understanding of the little Bay Village inside and out, the attitude is another matter.

In need of help, it is hard to avoid low voices and subservience.

Withdrawing his gaze from the two of them, Butler Ralph looked at Yaya, who had returned to her previous appearance, and bowed his head in silence.

Such a special young dragon was nothing like what he had learned from the data.

As everyone knows, the more unique the appearance and abilities, the greater the potential for development.

"Is this part of My Lord's plan, or the mysterious lady's arrangement?"

This thought was just a fleeting one, quickly buried deep within Butler Ralph's heart. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at his daughter performing her duties with dedication and whispered to Matthew,

"We've arrived; I'll arrange for Elder John to scout the situation firsthand."

Matthew didn't make a big deal out of it and accepted Butler Ralph's arrangement, who had already proven his capability.

But just then, a piercing howl echoed through the air.

A red figure, towering over three meters tall, roared as it charged forward under the moonlight's glow.

Its body was wrapped in burning flames, but unlike the Mutated Fishman, it wasn't burned to death; instead, it seemed more vigorous than ever.

Fiery tendrils, each stained with flames, extended from its back and danced in the air, bringing ripples of lingering fire with their motion.

"Mutant Troll, Elite, Challenge Level 12+! Infected!"

The simple information caused Matthew to narrow his eyes.

He had not expected that Bay Village would encounter a Mutant Troll. This rare species was rarely even seen in his previous life.

The Scarlet Moon could infect many life forms, inducing physical mutations, yet even 20 years later, merely under the initial influence of the Scarlet Moon, it would be difficult to infect Advanced Level life forms or higher.

Before he could learn more, Matthew suddenly saw a nimble figure in front of the Elite Troll, trying to escape rapidly.

However, the Elite Troll was faster.

Especially under the continuous exposure of the Scarlet Moon, its mutation deepened rapidly, and its rationality was swiftly vanishing, replaced by an ever-increasing physical strength.

The Elite Troll swung a thick black club, nearly hitting the figure several times.

Matthew could see that the petite figure was overly exhausted and could hardly hold on any longer.

"Leon, come back!"

Elder John's familiar voice came through, and Matthew saw Leon's figure rushing back at high speed, softly touching the Magic Wand in his hand.

"Huff… Huff…"

His lungs ached with a burning pain, and each breath felt like hot knives jabbing inside.

Legs ached in waves, the aftermath of overexerting herself starting to show, gradually slowing down her evasive speed.

Regret flickered in Rebecca's eyes, this terrifying monster, even if lured away from the village, would return as long as the Scarlet Moon had not ended.

Not just tonight, perhaps in the future as well...

Sensing the heavy whooshing sound behind her, Rebecca's previously wavering gaze turned resolute. She lunged forward with all her might, rolling nimbly.

As long as she drew breath, she would do everything possible to lead this monster away from the village.

Splat!

The slippery mud pit weakened her foothold, she couldn't control her strength, and she plunged face-first into the wild grass. Sharp blades of grass sliced through the mask on her cheek, cutting a fresh wound, but this pain was nothing compared to the frustration in her heart.

Rebecca turned her head just in time to see the Elite Troll, its body charred black, charging toward her, its back wound sprouting more than ten tentacle-like arms that clawed viciously at her.

"No, even in death, I will not become such a monster!"

A flicker of determination passed through her azure eyes. Clutching her dagger, she glanced in the direction of the village, bidding her final farewell.

"Goodbye..."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The explosive gust of air burst forth, filled with the stench of charred flesh, and the looming hand suddenly retracted.

"Rebecca, how are you? Are you hurt?"

A hand grasped Rebecca's shoulder, yanking her backward fiercely. A familiar voice reached her ears, bringing tears to her eyes.

It was Leon's voice, her big brother!

Rebecca, having narrowly escaped death, quickly shook her head, but then she noticed something that wiped the smile from her face and turned it bitter.

She had been tainted by the deadly light of the Scarlet Moon!

"Even so, I'm taking this monster down with me!"

Before Rebecca could reignite her fighting spirit, a burst of azure light flashed before her eyes, lifting her raven-black hair, "whoosh," and then it slammed into the troll's chest, tearing open a fist-sized hole in its already mangled torso.

"This..."

Leon, much wiser now, quickly pulled his dazed sister in retreat.

He had noticed the tears in the sleeves and legs of her clothes, she must have been exposed to the Scarlet Moon's light, so he had to purify her quickly. But he did not forget to comfort her:

"Our new Lord has come, I am working for him now, he has Purification Potions, I'll get one for you, hurry!"

"Roar...!"

The stench-filled roar echoed across the empty fields, the Elite Troll hot on the heels of Leon and Rebecca, its chest wound rapidly healing, its twisting tentacles flailing about, crackling.

This horrifying and twisted image would give any sane person nightmares upon just a glance!

"Fuel ready, throw!"

The crisp and decisive voice rang out, followed by the sound of clay pots shattering, the black fuel spreading behind Leon and Rebecca.

The mindless Elite Troll dove headfirst into it, its wooden stick raised high, ready to smash down on Leon's head!

Boom!

The erupting flames sent a fierce shockwave, instantly engulfing the Elite Troll.

The burning serpents turned the writhing tentacles into char, their vitality stubborn. Even when the surface was scorched, they would continue to regenerate. The broken parts that fell into the fuel struggled wildly, bouncing until reduced to ash!

More than ten arrows flew, aiming principally at the fiery troll's head.

Most were swept away by the wildly swinging wooden stick, while the rest, lacking lethal force, pierced the troll's skin but failed to inflict fatal damage.

Matthew calmly stood up, sidelong glances catching Leon, who had a narrow escape. He raised his magic wand, aiming at the troll not far away.

"Hit Points left: 6. It's my turn to act!"