Chapter 104: Chapter 89: The Maiden Gave the Most Precious Gift of Gratitude for Freedom

A little while later, after all the Great-Horned Rats had returned to the Flesh Dimension, Isaac summoned a pumpkin carriage. He helped Liu Li and Angel aboard and, under Philo’s furious glare, transformed the colossus’s remains directly into Flesh Crystals.

This was a peculiar quirk of Goat Steel—one that wasn’t typically considered a flaw. Once it lost its Magic Power, minimally processed Goat Steel could easily be reverted to Demon Flesh by someone else using Magic.

However, this weakness was rarely exploitable under normal circumstances, so most people were unaware of it.

After stowing the small bag of rubies that had condensed from the colossus’s remains, Isaac looked at the ground littered with the remains of Alchemy Golems and shook his head, sighing. He was kicking himself. ’Why wasn’t I more ruthless back then? I should’ve grabbed a bigger piece of the Flesh Dimension!’

’If my Dimension World were just a little bigger, I could’ve hauled away all the loot instead of having to leave some of it behind!’

"Tsk." Isaac clicked his tongue, still annoyed as he surveyed the Golem Remains littering the ground. He turned to Angel beside him. "Do you have a way to completely destroy these? To the point that not even the materials are salvageable."

Angel nodded, opening the Magic Book in her hands. Mysterious Clock Arrays began to appear one by one over the Golem Remains, then started to spin rapidly.

Before long, as Philo’s expression turned completely black, all the Golem Remains turned to ash and scattered to the wind.

This made Isaac, who had only asked on a whim, gape in astonishment. ’Damn, is that Time Magic? How terrifying would that be if it were used on a person!’

As if sensing his thoughts, Angel smiled and explained, "This Magic only has such a dramatic effect on inanimate objects. Plus, the item can’t have a complete Magic Power circulation, or the spell is almost completely ineffective."

Isaac understood immediately upon hearing her explanation. ’So it doesn’t have enough penetration to punch through magic resistance.’

’That makes sense.’

"Lord Isaac, is your business concluded?" Mensa, who had been standing to the side, asked with a smile.

"It is. What can I do for you, sir?" Isaac replied, bowing his head respectfully.

"Nothing so formal as instructions. The Magic Power you were just using... it came from another Dimension, did it not?"

"You have a discerning eye, sir!" Isaac had no intention of denying it. After all, its use was quite conspicuous; anyone with a modicum of insight could tell.

"I have something of an interest in Dimensions. Would you be interested in assisting me with some experiments? Naturally, I would not harm your Dimension. In fact, I would provide you with treasures to help it grow. I could also answer any questions you might have. What do you say?" To everyone’s astonishment, Mensa extended an invitation to Isaac.

Isaac fell silent for a moment before finally asking warily, "Can I refuse?"

’Honestly,’ he thought, ’if Dimensions were transferable, I’d just give the damn thing to Mensa. It’s not like I couldn’t just go get another one.’

He had absolutely zero interest in Mensa’s proposal. ’Sure,’ he mused, ’the resources and tutelage of a Legendary Grand Arcanist would definitely accelerate my and my Dimension’s growth.’

But!

Mensa was too powerful!

And unlike the Outer Gods, he wasn’t bound by numerous restrictions. He could act with impunity!

’When facing a figure of that caliber, I feel like an ant that could be crushed at any moment. There’s no sense of security to be had!’

Yet, it was precisely because of Mensa’s immense power that Isaac didn’t dare to refuse him outright.

Seeing Isaac’s expression, Mensa shook his head with a wry smile. "Interesting. You aren’t afraid of the far more powerful Outer Gods, yet you’re afraid of me?"

"...Because the Outer Gods are all talk, but you can actually kill me," Isaac said sincerely, raising his head.

Mensa was slightly taken aback. He thought for a moment, then continued, "If you’re worried about your safety, I could cooperate with you through the Flesh Sect. Or, I could wait until after your ’big sister’ has her breakthrough. How does that sound?"

Isaac felt a sense of helplessness. ’This guy just doesn’t quit...’

"Alas, it seems it’s not meant to be." Although Isaac remained silent, his expression said it all. Mensa sighed, not pressing the matter further. Instead, he said, "In that case, since our business here is concluded, do you require me to see you off?"

Hearing this, Angel grew nervous. She noticed that Mensa had said "you," not "you all."

"That won’t be necessary, sir. We can get back on our own. My people are already waiting for me on the road ahead."

"Is that so? Farewell, then. I hope you bring me even more surprises the next time we meet."

"I’ll take that as a blessing. Master Mensa, Master Hitz, and Your Highness... until we meet again!"

"NEIGH!!!"

As his words faded, Isaac spurred the pumpkin carriage into the sky, and it gradually vanished from the trio’s sight.

"Master Hitz, Master Mensa, I understand we can’t kill Isaac, but can’t we kill that Angel? She’s an Origin Witch! If she’s allowed to mature, the consequences will be unthinkable!" Philo said, her expression grim. She hadn’t expected Angel to escape as well.

"Your Highness, I was under the impression you were unaware she was an Origin Witch," Mensa said, looking calmly at Philo. "The Witch Country has already communicated with us on this matter. This was the Trial they set for Angel. Since you failed to kill her, we cannot prevent her from leaving. In exchange, should she mature in the future, she will not target the Empire. She will only target you personally."

With that, Mensa sighed. "Your Highness, I hope you remember that His Majesty has granted you many privileges in the hope that you would become a truly powerful individual. So, please, be more serious. I hope that after this, you will become a true Mad Witch! You had *better* become a true Mad Witch! Otherwise, both Isaac and Angel will become far more powerful than you!"

After speaking, Mensa teleported away. Hitz set Philo down, dismissed his divine effigy, and departed as well. Philis Town was a complete mess, and he still had many things to handle.

In a few moments, only Philo was left standing alone in the street, battered by the night wind, her thoughts in turmoil...

...

"Well, congratulations. You’re free." Meanwhile, after the pumpkin carriage had flown for some distance, it rendezvoused with Smith and the others, who had departed the Imperial Capital earlier. Isaac turned to Angel as he spoke.

"Yes... I’m free." Angel lifted the window curtain, watching the scenery recede outside. A faint smile touched her lips, her heart filled with pure joy.

After admiring the view for a while, Angel offered the Magic Book in her hands to Isaac. "Here. This is a token of my gratitude for saving me."

"This... can you just give it away?" Isaac didn’t take it at first, asking curiously instead.

"You’ve misunderstood. This isn’t the Original Scripture. It’s a book I created based on the Original Scripture. According to the Witches, it should be called a Magical Book. Three Time Magic spells are recorded inside; whoever holds this Magical Book can use them. As for whether you’ll be able to learn them, that I don’t know," Angel said with a helpless shrug.

"Time Magic... This is incredibly valuable..."