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Chapter 162, page 161: Ryu: I want to become stronger immediately; Visiting the God of Forging

"Gone—both of them have vanished—neither alive nor dead—"

Luca's tearful words struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.

Yesterday's harmony and laughter are still vivid in our minds, but today we may be separated by death forever.

A brief silence enveloped the room; the air seemed to freeze, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

In the end, it was Ryu who broke the suffocating silence.

She took a deep breath, staring at Luca, trying to regain her composure, though the anxiety in her eyes was barely concealed: "Are you sure no—body was found? What did the god Ganesha say?"

"He should be able to determine whether the two are still alive through divine grace."

These words were like a faint light in the darkness, instantly attracting all the anxious eyes.

Under everyone's gaze, Luca fought back tears, her voice choked with emotion but striving to answer clearly: "Lord Ganesha—has confirmed through 'Divine Grace' that Captain Shakti and Adi's life signs are still present; they haven't disappeared."

"That's great!" Alexie blurted out, and everyone's tense nerves relaxed.

As long as you are alive, there is still hope. This is the most basic and important premise.

"but!"

Luca's next words immediately cast a heavy shadow over this faint hope: "That's all! Grace can only confirm survival, not pinpoint your location."

Her voice was filled with helplessness: "We searched every area they might have gone to, used all our manpower, but we couldn't find a single clue!"

"It's like—it's like they vanished into thin air."

Kaguya frowned, and analyzed in a deep voice, voicing the worst suspicion in everyone's mind: "It's the Dark Faction, it could only be them, but—"

She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone understood.

Having just experienced a period of turmoil, Orario is now rife with undercurrents, and the remaining dark factions are as numerous as cockroaches in the sewers.

Furthermore, the person who was in contact with Shakti and Aho, who had knowledge of the situation, was likely killed in the conflict, thus cutting off this only lead.

That's why Luca, having nowhere else to turn, came here seeking her last hope.

"Alicie, Leon————"

Luca placed her last hope in them, her voice humble and earnest, "You are the leader and Adi's closest friends—I think—maybe you know something? Even just a tiny clue."

Upon hearing this, Alexie, who was usually as lively as the sun, fell into an unusual silence.

Her brows furrowed, and countless fragments of her time with Shakti and Adi flashed through her mind, but all her chaotic thoughts ultimately led to a futile end.

She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and placed her hands firmly on Luca's slightly trembling shoulders, her voice firm as she tried to convey some strength to her: "Luca, don't panic, calm down."

"Commander Shakti and Aho are also our most important partners. We, the Astrea Familia, will never stand idly by! We will do everything in our power to find them!"

Her tone immediately turned serious, with a hint of cruel reluctance: "But, Luca, you also need to be mentally prepared for the worst."

The atmosphere in the room tensed up again because of those words.

"If—if it was truly the work of those dark factions who hated the Ganesha's Familia, then after they were captured—"

Their situation is likely—they are probably suffering unimaginable torment.

This is a necessary reminder, however sharp it may be.

Luca's eyes instantly reddened, and tears that had been building up for so long finally streamed down her face uncontrollably. Her voice was broken and fragmented: "How could this be—Captain, she—Adi, she's so kind—"

"Don't cry."

A calm yet suppressed voice broke the silence of the surrounding atmosphere.

It is Ryu Lyon.

She had risen from the sofa at some point, her eyes now filled with a resolute determination: "Crying is useless; it only exposes our inner weakness and pleases the enemy."

"Although I am also very worried about their safety, the most important thing right now is not to be sad here, but to find a way to find them."

"To save our best friend, we must become stronger immediately!"

The ability to abduct two people silently must indicate immense strength. Although she could rely on Gu Yuan, Liu wanted to rely on her own power.

Unfortunately, it's impossible to level up in a short period of time.

Therefore, the only way to quickly and effectively improve one's current strength is through a weapon.

Liu first glanced at his own sword, then turned to Gu Yuan, who was sitting quietly to the side, his eyes filled with unprecedented pleading: "Mr. Gu, please allow me to use those 'Great Sacred Tree branches' that you previously retrieved from the dark faction, those branches that belong to my homeland!"

This material can be crafted into magical weapons, suitable for elves, maximizing the power of their magic.

She clenched her fists, her voice resolute, her mind made up: "Although the cost of commissioning a deity or a top blacksmith to forge it might bankrupt me—but at this moment, I can't worry about that anymore!"

She turned to Alexandra, her voice quickening, "Alexandra, you're good at negotiating, could you come with me to find a suitable blacksmith?"

Seeing the unwavering determination in her friend's eyes, Alexie hesitated for only a moment before her face regained its former radiance, and she nodded vigorously: "Of course! We're partners!"

She then looked at Gu Yuan, "Mr. Gu, what is your opinion?"

In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan met Liu's earnest and firm gaze, and without the slightest hesitation, calmly nodded: "I have no objection. Making the best use of resources is a good thing."

However, he abruptly changed the subject, proposing a condition that was both unexpected and reasonable: "However, I hope to go with you. I am very interested in the city's top-notch forging techniques."

Gu Yuan thought of the master craftsman in the world of Frilian. Although his skills were unparalleled, he was ultimately still within the realm of "humanity".

And here, the gods walk among the earth.

Their skills are miracles imbued with "divine authority," something of immense value to them, which might allow the divine sword to advance even further.

Liu immediately understood Gu Yuan's intention; it was perfectly normal for a powerful swordsman to be interested in forging.

She nodded: "Okay, let's do it together then."

The three quickly reassured Luca, who seemed somewhat relieved, and assured her that they would immediately inform the Ganesha Familia as soon as they had any news.

Afterwards, they briefly discussed and arranged the defense of their home with the goddess Astraea, Kaguya, and other members of the group.

Without lingering, the three of them took the branch of the Great Sacred Tree that emitted a soft glow and immediately set off from their clan's base.

Their destination was clear—a forge located in the northwest of the city, where the furnaces burned continuously and the hammers rang incessantly.

The strongholds of the two clans, Hephaestus, the god of forging, and Gubernius, the god of forging, are located there.