I don't want to conquer witches anymore.

"So that's what you're laughing at?" Duke's lips twitched slightly, and he said irritably, "Who cares about this kind of thing..."

Before Duke could finish speaking, he noticed that Amber's expression had changed. She had been gloating because she had gained the upper hand in her struggle against her love rival, but now she looked ashen-faced, as if she hadn't realized the problem at all.

Well, at least the slut is still very concerned about her lifelong sexual happiness.

He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on, and couldn't help but sigh. But this sense of routine also made him relax a little. Duke smacked his lips and said helplessly, "Okay, can we get down to business now?"

“I’m talking about serious business.” To her surprise, Annie raised an eyebrow slightly. “Duke, has your intelligence and brain vanished along with it? Tonight, which you two wasted in bed, wasn’t it a perfect opportunity to take action?”

Duke was slightly taken aback.

“What happens tomorrow will likely be different from what you know, because according to your account of the ‘Tree of Life Incident,’ Ida must have played a very important role in it, right? To be precise, without her actions, nothing would have even begun.” Anne turned to look at Ida. “So the question is, after this ordeal of time reversal, have you achieved your goal?”

Ida shrugged noncommittally and remained silent—but her regaining the ability to speak from being a mute meant that her purpose had been accomplished through everything that had happened in the previous timeline.

The mute had become a thing of the past as Duke's divine body shattered, and Ida was forever freed from the curse called "God".

"Because of Ida's change of heart, the 'Tree of Life Incident' is destined to never happen again. But what about the others besides Ida? The other key figures who triggered the 'Tree of Life Incident' don't know about this, such as Bane, Monica, Noelle... Duke, don't you want to spend the time you wasted on boring sex in the last time loop watching what they would do in this new time loop?"

Duke thought for a moment, then nodded solemnly.

But he quickly added, "It's not that boring."

"...To kill someone and then destroy their spirit? You're a truly terrifying man."

Chapter 433 Failed Attempt to Explode Fish

Essentially, Anne's comments about "wasted nights in bed" and "boring sex" are all double standards—Amber is the one who spent those nights with Duke, and if it were her, she certainly wouldn't be able to be so rational, objective, and detached.

Exhilarating, dramatic, passionate, and tender... these are probably the kinds of words that would come out of her mouth.

It was also thanks to Amber, who shared close relationships with Duke, that Annie was able to refrain from using overtly neutral language. After going through thick and thin together, Amber became a very important friend to Annie (since she didn't have many friends). If it had been Guangbao instead of Duke, who knows how sharp her tongue would have been.

It's fortunate that she didn't know Cecil had confessed his feelings to Duke in a parallel universe, otherwise Annie would probably have gone crazy!

Of course, although Annie is an incurable yandere and a seasoned stalker, her advice is still very valuable.

Tonight is a "blind spot" that Duke and others have overlooked.

Duke would certainly not believe that the Tree of Life incident was merely a series of coincidences. In fact, it was a joint operation by several forces—the city lord's mansion led by Carol, the underground forces led by Noel, the independent Ida, and Prince Bain, representing the Elven Kingdom.

Aside from Ida being right in front of Duke and the others, the main masterminds behind the Tree of Life incident were probably still planning their preparations. Tonight was the time to figure out what had happened.

Secondly, Duke needs a leaf from the Tree of Life.

“The crucial issue now is that you need a body. Wasn’t your previous divine body constructed from a fake ‘Leaf of the Tree of Life’? Luckily, Noelle has a genuine ‘Leaf of the Tree of Life’. If we don’t rob it, how can we face others as wanted criminals by the floating city authorities?” Annie clenched her fist and smiled at Duke. “No matter what, we have to find you a body. What kind of behavior is it to always act in spirit form? Do you think you’re Talia?”

Who are you insulting?

Anne chuckled as she watched Duke's growing agitation. It was clear that Duke harbored deep resentment and psychological trauma towards Talia. Therefore, she skillfully concealed her unspoken thoughts—finding Duke a body would allow her to make advances on him, kissing and hugging him, and eventually, even forcing him into marriage…anything was better than staring helplessly at a spirit, right?

But Duke himself seemed somewhat hesitant about the proposal: "I don't really want to use a divine body anymore."

Anne was slightly taken aback: "Why?"

“I don’t want to become a god again.” Duke gave a wry smile. “To be honest, I feel that if I were to return to a divine body, coupled with the dream clans who worship me as their savior and the pre-godhood tasks I completed in the parallel world, the day I return to the divine body would be the moment I become a god again.”

“Don’t make becoming a god sound like some kind of torture.” Anne suppressed her elation—not having to use a divine body was incredibly good news for her, as it meant she could compete fairly with Amber and Cecil. “But since that’s the case, I can try to create a body for you… Didn’t you ask me to create a body for Megan that could accommodate a spirit? I’ve done a lot of research on that since then.”

"Oh, right." Duke suddenly remembered this, his eyes lighting up. "And then?"

“A remarkable achievement!” Anne said excitedly. “Duke, what do you think of a headless knight who can rip off a head? Tall, mighty, and full of chivalry! Or I have a body here that can evolve by devouring flesh and blood. When I designed this body, I referenced a mutated abomination, which advanced to near-legendary level by devouring flesh and blood. Also, I strongly suggest you consider trying the body of a bone dragon. Becoming a dragon occasionally would be quite a thrilling experience…”

Duke: "?"

Duke: "...I'd better find a way to get the leaf of the Tree of Life."

……

The group changed into normal clothes, left the alluring west coast, and embarked on a nighttime operation, heading towards the underground world of the floating city. However, before reaching Noel's forces, at someone's request, they took a slightly detour.

"How could I miss the chance to kill the same bad guy twice?"

Cecil said it, and she did it. She led Duke and others in a night raid on the building where the black organization she had attacked before the Tree of Life incident was located.

Who are you?

The moment the guard asked that question, Cecil punched him in the stomach, easily sending him flying.

In the previous playthrough, Guangbao was only a near-legendary, yet he could enter and exit this place seven times as if it were empty, and no one could stop him. Now, Cecil has taken it a step further, crossing the threshold of legend and becoming a true legend from a near-legendary. She was already just fishing, but this time it was even easier for her.

Not to mention that this time she brought her own group of relatives and friends to watch the whole thing. The lineup was extremely luxurious, including the number one scumbag in the floating city, the only (former) god in the floating city, the current space witch of the floating city, the urban legend of the floating city (Xiao Hei), and even the floating city itself (Zun)... Using such a lineup to deal with a small organization that has no power is not like using a cannon to kill a mosquito, but more like using a nuclear bomb to nuke the mosquito.

"Zabuka William, death is coming to take your life."

Cecil kicked open the door to the secret chamber with ease, shouting as she did so. She didn't radiate any dazzling holy light, nor did she exude any aura, but anyone who saw her could sense an unwavering confidence and power emanating from every inch of her body.

But this confident and powerful beauty froze the moment she kicked open the door to the Black Organization's secret room, because inside the room was not only her target for this hunt, Zabuka William, but also a guy who looked somewhat familiar to her.

Young Noel.

Who are you?! Why are you here?!

Zabuka, who was talking to Noel, widened his eyes. He angrily raised the scepter made of blood and bones in his hand, wanting to attack the intruders who had suddenly barged in. But in the next instant, he was slapped aside by Cecil.

Duke then floated in from behind Cecil, frowning as he questioned, "Noelle, what are you doing here?"

“Mr. Duke, what happened to you?” Noel smiled and raised an eyebrow, then looked around at all the intruders. The moment he saw Ida, he immediately stopped smiling and knelt down on one knee with neither arrogance nor servility. “My God, what brings you here? The gift I have for you will not be ready until tomorrow.”

After thinking for a moment, Ida said, "Thank you, but I don't need it."

Noelle's expression changed instantly: "You're not my god, what are you?!"

After saying that, the energy reaction on his body suddenly increased rapidly at an astonishing speed, reaching a level that moved everyone present in an instant.

"boom--"

An explosion followed immediately.

Chapter 434 It's a Little Bit M

"boom--"

Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the hideout of this criminal organization. The roar shattered the tranquility of the underground world at night, and the shockwave caused a violent shift in energy that instantly engulfed Duke and his companions, who were standing nearby.

It's clear that Noelle's move was pre-planned, designed to save his life at a crucial moment. For years, his perceived adversary has been his younger brother Norton—meaning that Noelle's trump cards are all prepared for legendary-level physical damage dealers.

Norton's legendary destiny granted him powerful vitality and physical abilities, which is why Noelle's trump card is an explosive device that can be detonated in a very short time. Only such a device can be activated before Norton can react.

But what Noel was facing at this moment was not Norton, but a fish-frying squad led by Ida and Cecil.

Cecil clicked her tongue, the brilliant holy light dispelling the smoke and dust kicked up by the explosion. The violent energy fluctuations still couldn't destroy the protection formed by her legendary destiny, and Amber and the others were protected unharmed. Ida, standing further ahead, frowned, her foot pressing down on Noel, who was trying to escape but failed.

"I don't believe you can't tell whether I'm your god or not." Ida sneered. "Tell me, why did you run away?"

"How could you be my god?" Faced with Ida's question, Noel stared wide-eyed like a fanatic and retorted with curses, "How could a mute speak like you? Are you kidding me, you imposter!"

"..." Ida's expression stiffened slightly. As a true mute, she hadn't thought of this question—and indeed, she had lost the most distinctive characteristic of a disillusioned person now that she was no longer "mute." However, she forced a smile and quickly said irritably, "Stop pretending to be a fanatic. I've never felt any faith power from you."

Noelle suddenly stopped talking and dropped her angry, fanatical demeanor, instead raising an eyebrow: "Fine, then I won't act anymore."

Date: "..."

Although she had long known that Noel's fanatical demeanor was just an act, Ida still felt somewhat saddened when he actually stopped pretending, as the object of his devotion. She turned her head resentfully to look at Duke, who was hiding behind Amber, frowning and seemingly lost in thought, occasionally exchanging a few words with Annie beside him… This sight made Ida frown as well.

Then, everyone heard Noel continue, "Now that you are no longer the mute I believe in, then... Ms. Ida, shall we continue with our plan?"

"What do you mean?" Everyone's eyes turned to Date, who shook his head in surprise. "I haven't seen you before tomorrow morning, have I? I haven't contacted you either, have I? The only contact I have with you is the letter you sent me."

Noticing the expectant gazes of Duke and the others, Ida paused, then added, "Noel Cavendish once sent me a letter explaining that he possessed the genuine Leaf of the Tree of Life, which could help me forge a new divine body. But at that time, I didn't want to regain my divinity and wanted you, Duke, to take the blame for me, so I came up with a temporary idea."

Duke was taken aback: "Wait, you came up with the idea of ​​turning that leaf of the Tree of Life into the Tree of Life yourself?"

“Oh, no. Originally, I was supposed to receive an invitation from Carol tonight to go to the city lord's mansion with Alice, where I would meet Carol. She would personally explain the general outline of the Tree of Life Project to me and tell me: I can take you to a parallel world afterward so that you can fulfill my wishes to your heart’s content.”

Having fulfilled her wish (referring to her liberation from the fate of the gods), Ida is no longer the riddle-maker she once was. She speaks the whole truth almost without hesitation, showing that she is truly without desires.

“Me too. The city lord once invited me to the city lord’s mansion.” The young Noel next to him laughed and said, “She told me that the leaf of my Tree of Life would be of great use, and that tomorrow morning I would meet the god I have believed in for many years for the first time… I didn’t expect to meet him so early. It seems that the city lord’s prophecy was slightly wrong.”

Duke and the others knew that Carol's "prophecy" was not wrong. Noel's first meeting with the mute was indeed supposed to happen tomorrow morning, at which time he would give the Leaf of the Tree of Life to Ida, so that she could use the Leaf of the Tree of Life to create a real projection of the Tree of Life in the underground world of the floating city.

"What conditions did Carol agree to for you to participate in this plan?" Duke frowned, floated out from the crowd, stood next to Ida, and questioned, "And there's an even more crucial question: when did she discuss this plan with you?"

"Why should I answer these questions?" Noel was still at Ida's feet, but he didn't struggle at all. In fact, his demeanor and movements were quite elegant, not at all like someone being trampled on—he was either extremely shrewd and didn't show his emotions, or he had a bit of a masochistic streak. "Mr. Duke, it's been a long time. Why should I speak if there's no condition for it?"

Duke glanced at Noel, then looked at Ida, who immediately said, "I'll let you out as soon as you answer the first question."

"Eh." Noelle pouted, sounding somewhat regretful. "Then I won't answer."

Analysis complete. This thing definitely has some M-type attributes.

Duke clicked his tongue and said irritably, "So what kind of exchange do you want?"

"I want to know what the floating city will become in the future? And what do you people want to do? Do you want to fight against Carol?" Noel, who was being trampled under Ida's feet, revealed a serious expression and said with a solemn tone, "Two questions for two questions, how about it? I don't even ask that you let me leave safely after you finish asking your questions."

“Okay, I agree to your terms.” Duke glanced at Noel with some surprise, seemingly not expecting him to ask such a crucial question, so he shrugged. “You can answer the first question first.”

"The city lord promised to help me get rid of Norton, and at the same time, to support our Tree of Life faction to emerge from the darkness into the light, and to establish a brand new 'Cavendish family' in the floating city."

Promises made... but "get rid of Norton"?

Duke raised an eyebrow, but still kept his promise and gave the answer to the exchange conditions:

"The floating city will face its doom when the Witch Games suddenly erupt in a concentrated burst, and the city will most likely be destroyed as a result."

He already guessed how Noelle would answer the second question. Carol probably found him to cooperate quite early, but he still needed a more precise time.

"Let's answer the next question."

“She contacted me a few months ago.” Noel smiled knowingly. “I remember it clearly, it was just a few days before you were exposed for having affairs with five women at the same time, Mr. Duke.”

Chapter 435 The Witch Who Plays with Time

“I remember it very clearly, it was just a few days before you were exposed for having five relationships at the same time, Mr. Duke.”

In this way, everything becomes connected.

Duke had many problems with his memories before he was exposed for having affairs with five women. He originally thought he had only forgotten the situation during the "Little Prince" witch game, but after a trip to a parallel world, he realized that he had forgotten more than that. The system was originally the Star Map System, and the Witch Strategy System was just a somewhat satirical use of the Star Map System.

Although he had realized that his memory was not very reliable and had recalled some vague details, the situation was not so optimistic. Large gaps in his memory remained, which made Duke try to avoid recalling that period of time as much as possible—because once he started to recall, he would feel a splitting headache due to the large gaps in his memory.

Even if Duke didn't remember everything, he could still guess what was going on.