From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 661 Arelu's Motive
Different people will have different answers to the question posed by the old woman who calls herself Yang Ni—whether it is possible to learn knowledge from a demon.

Those who uphold justice believe that exploring evil is not only meaningless, but may even poison their own souls.

Even if those seeking knowledge also believe that this approach is harmful, they will continue the experiment to the end, arrive at a final conclusion, and may even try to make the matter public to prevent the same thing from happening again.

The strictest law enforcement officers would want to stake out everyone who has this idea to ensure the safety of the entire world.

However, for Ilinika, the commander of the Holy War who possesses mythical power and is able to embark on the path of mythology, and for Ivy Doom, who travels through countless worlds, the answer is naturally different.

“Everyone knows that demons have the ability to make a complete mess of everything. If they can’t get rid of this nature, even the world’s greatest playwrights and stage directors probably won’t be able to get them to put on a good show. As for tragedy—haven’t demons and devils brought enough misery to the world already?” Irina shook her head in strong disapproval. “On the contrary, I would rather everyone laugh.”

Yang Ni's expression remained unchanged, her gaze still fixed on Ivy, who was walking around from the other side of the mass grave.

"Knowledge is priceless. The existence of demons has indeed caused much suffering to Grellion, but on a larger scale, the existence of the Abyss and Hell is not without reason. As mortal beings living on this planet, besides fighting against our inevitable fate with all our might, acquiring more knowledge may be the only chance for transcendence. However, compared to the endless mysteries, a human life is still too short." Ivy paused, suddenly realizing that he had already completed the step of transcendence, rising above all beings. So he continued, "But if you don't make sufficient preparations and rashly begin your exploration in arrogance or despair, you will inevitably suffer a backlash. Even if you don't start out, you will never reach the end."

The old woman cast a deep gaze at him: "Without sufficient experience, one might not be able to understand the wisdom of the golden dragon... Is this advice or a warning?"

“Just follow your own understanding.” Ivy walked through Illinika’s mythical companions and stood before the hunched old woman. “It’s time to reveal your true form and answer our questions.”

The old woman who called herself Yang Ni did not back down. With a simple wave of her hand, a demonic purplish-red mist rose from the rune array that shimmered with the light of the abyss, enveloping the withered disguise layer by layer.

After the fog dissipated, Arelu Wallersh, dressed in a long, purplish-red dress, stood before the crowd.

“Ariel Woresh, the creator of the world’s tragedy. This is probably our first meeting.” Ivy scrutinized the witch before her. She seemed to have used some unknown method to transform herself from a human into a half-succubus. Wings wider than Elusare’s hung on either side of her body, and expensive silk dresses and exquisite jewelry covered her curvaceous figure.

The only thing incongruous with her half-succubus identity was Arelu's ink-stained hands. From her, Ivy sensed a contradictory mix, a contradiction between motherhood and rationality that compelled her to wonder and explore.

“We’ve never met before, yet you recognized me at a glance.” Arelu’s voice was calm and deep, showing no concern for the adventurers behind Ivy who had already drawn their weapons.

"Should this conversation continue? Commander? Military advisor? Queen? I wonder what we intend to discuss with one of the enemy's key figures?" Regil looked ready to pounce, gripping a mace stained with cultist blood and suspicious muscle tissue tightly.

He was waiting for an order, an order to launch an attack. If he could capture the creator of the World's Tragedy here, he might be able to extract from her the method to close that dimensional rift.

Queen Godfrey was also thinking about this, but she didn't know if a witch who had never appeared in public since opening the World's Lament would really come to the Crusaders without any precautions.
A tense atmosphere was spreading, but the rapid rustling of parchment and the barely concealed gasps of excitement dispelled it all.

Fox-headed Nie Niu practically tumbled and crawled to Arilu, pulled out his manuscript of the "Encyclopedia of Glario" and handed it to Arilu along with a quill pen.

“Oh! Ms. Arelu! I am Nie Niu, your most devoted admirer! Your research has made an immeasurable contribution to the scientific development of Grallion. And the experiment that caused this world's tragedy is simply an unprecedented innovation! Could you please sign your name for me?”

Arilu glanced at Nie Niu. She couldn't figure out if this fox demon was deliberately trying to make a scene, but telling her to shut up was definitely not the worst option.

Nie Niu's mouth was firmly stuck together, leaving no gap for her to insert her claws.

Ivy used telekinesis to pull the fox head back, then casually lifted the silencing spell from her mouth and left her behind.

"Alright, let's have an open and honest talk." Ivy gave a friendly smile. "Why are you here, and why are you so kind as to point out the location of the Heroic Edge to us Crusaders?"

“Sometimes, I would disguise myself as a dead enemy and infiltrate to study them. I just wanted to know what kind of people made up the Fifth Holy War’s forces.” Arelu’s voice remained calm, as if she were facing not a group of fully armed Crusader warriors, but a group of fluffy, soft lambs.

“I must say…” Arelu’s gaze swept over Ilinica’s mythical companions, and her tone changed slightly. Even if someone could remain calm when facing this group of freaks, they couldn’t keep their expression in check after getting to know them better. “You guys are quite… unique.”

“You’ve already visited me twice under a false identity, here and at the founding day celebration in Kanaburi.” Irina raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you understand what kind of person I am?”

“Even I often feel helpless when faced with the complexities of human nature. Not to mention you are so special, so…” Arelu stopped halfway through her sentence, “In any case, this kind of thing will never happen again, I no longer need to hide my face.”

"Really?" Irina looked at Arelu with suspicion. "Generally speaking, when masked characters on stage stop hiding themselves, it's usually because they've achieved their goals and won a partial victory... Besides helping me twice, what have been your partial victories?"

Illinika's intelligence and keenness were remarkable, a feeling shared by both Ivy and Arelu.

“I’m creating something. Building. Studying the contours of this land. Laying the foundation. I’m not called the creator for nothing,” Arelu couldn’t help but say a few more words.

Ivy, meanwhile, was pondering Irina's words—Ariru had helped her twice, why? What was the reason behind it?
Why was Ilinica, known as the Chosen One, favored by the creator of the World's Tragedy before even displaying her special qualities?

To find the answer to this question, Ivy believes we should start by looking at Arelu Wallersh's actions.

What do they have in common when she helps Illinika twice?
The first time was in Kanaburi, and the second time was in the City of Favor...

The locations are too far apart, so this matter certainly can't be related to a holy war. So what's special about these two locations?
The former possesses the first Guardian Stone, while the latter possesses Iomede's artifact, the Heroic Edge...

Is it—the power of mythology?
Is Arelu Volesch guiding Ilinica to access the power of mythology?
If the Heroic Edge has a similar effect to the Guardian Stone, allowing Illinika to advance further on the path of mythology, such as forging a unique path, then Ivy's conjecture can be confirmed.

Aryl, disguised, came to Ilinica's side, perhaps not to study her enemy, but to observe the results of her own experiments...

In her own words, she "created something. Built. Studyed the terrain of the land, laid the foundation."

If, besides the tragedy of the world, even Illinika was her creation, then this statement and everything before can be explained.

Arelu, who studied demons, created the chosen one, Irina...

This speculation may sound sensational, but it is not entirely illogical.

After all, the idea that "enemies and ourselves share the same origin" has always been a common trope in many literary and artistic works.

However, now that Ilinica, as a creation, has developed her own consciousness, it is only a matter of time before she breaks free from Arelu's control.

What Ivy needs to do is exert influence around her, while studying the origin of mythical power more carefully and reversing the experimental process of Arelu.

Just imagine how many legends and great achievements this power could create...

Although Illinika has not yet obtained the Heroic Edge, Ivy is almost certain that the artifact will affect Illinika's mythical path.

How bold and confident Arelu Wallersch is!

Ivy shifted his gaze from Ilineca's jewel-like, flawless face and took a deep look at the half-succubus standing before him...

No, she's not even standing here... what's standing here is a projection!
It wasn't until she began to have doubts that Ivy realized the truth about her spell: it was a projection, perhaps even a projection that transcended dimensions.

Arelu and Ilinica's conversation continues.

"I'm helping you not because I want you to believe me. That would be unforgivable folly. But I suggest—and only suggest—that you seek, analyze, and reflect. What happened to Sakorri back then? What is the truth behind the tragedy of the world? What happened to you? Go find your answers. Now, farewell."

The crimson mist reappeared, and when it all dissipated, Arelu's figure had vanished.

“This woman is so inexplicable…” Irina frowned, then smiled and hooked Ivy’s hand with her finger. “I humbly seek the wisdom of the great golden dragon. Do you know what she’s up to, Ivy?”

Ivy grabbed the actress's mischievous hand, squeezed it hard twice before letting go, and continued answering her question without changing her expression: "We can't be sure yet. We'll probably know once we see the Vanguard of Valor. Let's move on."

“Lord Doom,” Govry said, trying to avoid looking at Irina’s delicate hands, “why didn’t you stop Arelu’s teleportation? If we could have captured her here, then we…”

“Because she was never in the City of Favor from the beginning. What just appeared beside us was merely a projection,” Ivy patiently explained. “She didn’t intend to show herself here, but rather to guide us to the Edge of Valor. If that artifact can still stop the demons’ teleportation, then Arelu, as a half-succubus, obviously wouldn’t be spared. I don’t think the witch who opened the World’s Lament would do something so reckless. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

Gophery shook her head in frustration, but quickly rallied: "You're right...we should restore the power of the Heroic Edge as soon as possible."

So the group continued onward, venturing deeper into the fortress through the passage opened by Arelu.

The secret chamber built by the cultists wasn't very deep anymore, and the group soon saw the flag that had been hung up.

The hall where the demons kept the Hero's Edge was filled with all sorts of treacherous magical traps. If one was not careful, the entire hall would be engulfed in flames.

However, with the legendary spellcaster Ivy present, all the demon's arrangements were in vain. These magical traps posed even less of a threat to the Crusaders than the Shadowfiends lurking in the shadows.

At least the latter did leave some wounds on the members of the Dawnblade Knights.

"So this is what it originally looked like? The most famous Crusader relic? I must say, it looks rather unremarkable, no different from the other banners flown by the Church of Iomede in Nerezion." Once the final mission of attacking the city of Favor was finally accomplished, Count Dalelan couldn't resist making a witty remark to lighten the mood. "You know, the Church of Iomede lent it to the Crusaders a long time ago? And then they lost it! There must have been an incredibly awkward conversation..."

“Dairan!” Godfrey, who was happily stroking the sacred object, glared at her cousin and handed the Heroic Blade back to Ivy. “We should hang it back on the fortress to proclaim this victory to the world’s tragedy, to Montevi, and to all the other supporters of the holy war in Grallion!”

“I understand your excitement, Your Majesty.” Ivy smiled politely. “However, I think this honor should be given to the Commander, after all, she is the one who created the turning point of the Fifth Holy War, the chosen one of Iomede.”

“Oh! You’re right! It should indeed be Illinika who does it…”

(End of this chapter)