By using the Divine Fragment's curse to kill Mozur, Link had created a huge disturbance, but he didn't know about these changes in the background .

While the outside world was changing dramatically, he and Eliard had just arrived at the border of Ferde .

"Eliard, wake up!" Link raised his voice at Eliard .

"Huh? Oh, sorry, that thing is too tempting . " Eliard whacked his forehead and then shook his head, forcing his eyes away from the wooden box hanging from Link's waist .

The box contained the Divine Fragment . For some reason, it radiated with a tempting aura . It made Eliard feel that it contained a world-cla.s.s delicacy while he was a vagrant who hadn't eaten for three whole days .

He also felt that if he possessed the box, he would immediately have all the good in the world . He would be the happiest person in the world and never have any regrets .

This feeling was 100 times better than his first time sleeping with his first love Ailina and his current love Evelina . He didn't know how to resist .

Tearing his gaze away, Eliard could clearly feel a voice telling him, Just look again . It's alright . Link won't yell at me… Why can Link hold it? Why can't I? Yeah, it's better if I hold it . . . It's better if…if it's mine…only mine…

The voice was littered with pauses and had an indescribable persuasiveness . Eliard wanted to stop, but he couldn't . He was embarra.s.sed by his thoughts, but it didn't stop him from thinking them .

Link will never agree to let me have that treasure . How can he? Look, he's going to scold me again . If I ask him, he'll even use the lord's authority to punish me… How should I get it then?

Under the nameless desire's urging, a thought that scared him finally popped out . What if I find a chance to…make Link disappear?

Once this thought appeared, his pallor changed . He gulped and quickly looked up . When he saw Link's back, he lowered his head . His eyes stared at the ground, darkening .

The thought only lasted for an instant . Horrible guilt seized Eliard's heart . No! How can I think that? I wouldn't be where I am now without Link . I have my beautiful lover, Evelina, and prestigious status . Link never shows off his lord's authority . He is my best friend and my comrade . We're fighting together to create a human paradise . How can I think like that?

All the questions dissipated the shadows in Eliard's heart . His eyes brightened again . But it only lasted a few seconds before another thought popped up . Will Link take the Divine Fragment for himself and use it to become a G.o.d?

He couldn't repress this thought . It was like a seed underground that had gotten watered . It broke through the soil bravely . Eliard's logical and ethical mind ripped it out, but more and more kept growing .

Suddenly, Link stopped walking and said, "Eliard, this can't continue . "

"Huh, what?" Eliard's mind cleared up . He realized that those chaotic thoughts still existed, but they didn't affect him as much . After all, people needed company .

Ding . Link tapped the air and the s.p.a.ce before Eliard solidified into a clear mirror . He saw his reflection in the mirror .

There was a familiar yet strange face . The contours were familiar, but the expression was not . His brows were tightly knitted, and his eyes were dark . The facial muscles were tense, and the corners of his lips were tight . It was a menacing and evil face .

Eliard was completely shocked . He felt his face in disbelief . "How is this possible?"

"The face is the reflection of one's soul . The Divine Fragment is tempting you right now . " Link studied his good friend's eyes, but Eliard's gaze s.h.i.+ed away . This would have never happened in the past .

Link was shocked—not at Eliard but at the Divine Fragment's power . To be honest, he'd been affected deeply too . However, he'd seen Morpheus, Dylosen, and especially Mozur die with his own eyes . His heart could always warn him, so he didn't fall in too deep . It seemed that Eliard had completely fallen .

"Eliard, this Divine Fragment is a curse . It will bring bad luck to you and I and Ferde . You've seen how powerful it is at tempting people . The more people there are, the stronger it gets . If we bring it to Ferde, who knows what will happen?"

"Eliard, this Divine Fragment is a curse . It will bring bad luck to you and I and Ferde . You've seen how powerful it is at tempting people . The more people there are, the stronger it gets . If we bring it to Ferde, who knows what will happen?"

By then, Ferde may fall into internal chaos due to it . It might even collapse .

Eliard was frightened, but the voice rose up again . See, see . He said he wouldn't bring it back to Ferde . He must want it for himself . That must be it .

As soon as that idea was planted, Link yelled, "Eliard, b.a.s.t.a.r.d!"

With that, Link suddenly reached out and slapped Eliard crisply . It dazed Eliard .

As the saying went, you could hit someone but not slap their face . Even an unbothered person would forever remember a heavy slap . It was even more so for Eliard . As best friends, other than that fight at Tutor Herrera's door, they'd never even gotten angry with each other, let alone slap each other .

Elard didn't even know how to react . He just clutched his face and glared at Link in angry shock .

Unexpectedly, Link's fury disappeared after the slap . "Okay, are you awake now?"

"Awake?" Eliard was confused, but he soon felt the change . The dark thoughts weakened a lot . They still remained, but they'd become fleeting clouds . They no longer affected his mind . When he thought back to those terrifying ideas, he found them incredible .

"Link, I…" Eliard felt strange and embarra.s.sed .

Link waved his hand . "Don't, I understand . When I first got the fragment, I had the same thoughts . Now, we have to get rid of the fragment . "

He was a powerful Soul Magician now . He didn't slap Eliard just to slap him . He used this insulting action to sway Eliard's heart . When a flaw appeared in his soul, Link yelled further to create an advanced defense barrier in Eliard's soul .

The entire process was traceless but effective . It successfully helped Eliard escape from the fragment's influence . Of course, this was only temporary . As long as the Divine Fragment was still beside them, Eliard could fall back into it . They had to get rid of it as soon as possible .

The entire process was traceless but effective . It successfully helped Eliard escape from the fragment's influence . Of course, this was only temporary . As long as the Divine Fragment was still beside them, Eliard could fall back into it . They had to get rid of it as soon as possible .

After he recovered his senses, Eliard felt belated fear . He didn't dare look at the wooden box again . "You're right . We can't let this into Ferde… Link, are you preparing to go to the Aragu Realm now?"

"That's the plan . " Link's expression was strange . He looked to the Grinth Forest in the northwest . "But for some reason, a voice keeps telling me that the forest is the right direction . "

"Soul Premonition?" Eliard was a powerful Magician too . He knew that all strong Magicians had this ability . Link also had studied Secret spells before .

Link was a bit hesitant . "I think so, but to be honest, the Divine Fragment is too powerful . The enemies watching it are also impossibly powerful . I don't know if the premonition is mine or if some creature is affecting me . "

The premonition was a good thing in lower-level battles . But at this level, most Magicians had touched on this field before . The so-called Soul Premonition wasn't as trustworthy anymore . If he relied on it for directions, he could walk right into a trap .

Eliard had no solutions . "Which path do you choose? If you want to go with logic, it's Aragu . If you want to follow your gut, let's visit the forest . I'll go with you either way . "

It was hard to choose .

Every physical appearance was a reflection of the heart . Right now, he was in a mess, so he decided to tidy it bit by bit . He looked carefully at the root and tip of each train of thought .

A few seconds later, Link opened his eyes . They were clear as water .

In that instant, Eliard was shocked by the clarity of Link's eyes . They were as pure as a child's eyes and as clean as a pool of water . But they also carried such wisdom . It was impossible to describe . He'd never seen this look on another man .

He believed that Link had the answer .

"To Grinth . There should be an elder waiting for us there," Link murmured dreamily .

He believed that Link had the answer .

"To Grinth . There should be an elder waiting for us there," Link murmured dreamily .

"Elder? Do you know who it is?"

"We'll know when we see him . He shouldn't be an enemy . " Link walked towards the forest; Eliard hurried after him .

The two were very fast . Around fifteen minutes later, they were at the edge of the forest . There was a clear creek with a flat stone beside it . An elder with a snowy robe leaned on his wand and sat there, smiling at the two .

When Link and Eliard approached, the elder said, "Ferde lord, you didn't disappoint me . "

Eliard doubted the elder's ident.i.ty, but Link understood . He bowed and said, "Archmage, it is my honor to see you . "

With that, Link handed over the wooden box with the Shadow Divine Fragment . He didn't want to hold it a second longer .

Unexpectedly, the Snow Mountain Archmage didn't accept it . He shook his head . "Fate has told me that now is not the time yet . "

"What?" Link wanted to throw the thing down and leave .

"A powerful enemy is hurrying over . You and your companion need more strength . There isn't enough time . Let us start . "

With that, a magic book appeared in the Archmage's hands . He flipped to a page and pointed at a magic seal that was too complicated to be ever replicated . "Level-17 magic seal: World of Ice and Snow . Learn it in three days!"

By using the Divine Fragments curse to kill Mozur, Link had created a huge disturbance, but he didnt know about these changes in the background . While the outside world was changing dramatically, he and Eliard had just arrived at the border of Ferde . Eliard, wake up! Link raised his voice at Eliard . Huh? Oh, sorry, that thing is too tempting . Eliard whacked his forehead and then shook his head, forcing his eyes away from the wooden box hanging from Links waist . The box contained the Divine Fragment . For some reason, it radiated with a tempting aura . It made Eliard feel that it contained a world-cla.s.s delicacy while he was a vagrant who hadnt eaten for three whole days . He also felt that if he possessed the box, he would immediately have all the good in the world . He would be the happiest person in the world and never have any regrets . This feeling was 100 times better than his first time sleeping with his first love Ailina and his current love Evelina . He didnt know how to resist . Tearing his gaze away, Eliard could clearly feel a voice telling him, Just look again . Its alright . Link wont yell at me… Why can Link hold it? Why cant I? Yeah, its better if I hold it . Its better if…if its mine…only mine… The voice was littered with pauses and had an indescribable persuasiveness . Eliard wanted to stop, but he couldnt . He was embarra.s.sed by his thoughts, but it didnt stop him from thinking them . Link will never agree to let me have that treasure . How can he? Look, hes going to scold me again . If I ask him, h.e.l.l even use the lords authority to punish me… How should I get it then? Under the nameless desires urging, a thought that scared him finally popped out . What if I find a chance to…make Link disappear? Once this thought appeared, his pallor changed . He gulped and quickly looked up . When he saw Links back, he lowered his head . His eyes stared at the ground, darkening . The thought only lasted for an instant . Horrible guilt seized Eliards heart . No! How can I think that? I wouldnt be where I am now without Link . I have my beautiful lover, Evelina, and prestigious status . Link never shows off his lords authority . He is my best friend and my comrade . Were fighting together to create a human paradise . How can I think like that? All the questions dissipated the shadows in Eliards heart . His eyes brightened again . But it only lasted a few seconds before another thought popped up . Will Link take the Divine Fragment for himself and use it to become a G.o.d? He couldnt repress this thought . It was like a seed underground that had gotten watered . It broke through the soil bravely . Eliards logical and ethical mind ripped it out, but more and more kept growing . Suddenly, Link stopped walking and said, Eliard, this cant continue . Huh, what? Eliards mind cleared up . He realized that those chaotic thoughts still existed, but they didnt affect him as much . After all, people needed company . Ding . Link tapped the air and the s.p.a.ce before Eliard solidified into a clear mirror . He saw his reflection in the mirror . There was a familiar yet strange face . The contours were familiar, but the expression was not . His brows were tightly knitted, and his eyes were dark . The facial muscles were tense, and the corners of his lips were tight . It was a menacing and evil face . Eliard was completely shocked . He felt his face in disbelief . How is this possible? The face is the reflection of ones soul . The Divine Fragment is tempting you right now . Link studied his good friends eyes, but Eliards gaze s.h.i.+ed away . This would have never happened in the past . Link was shocked—not at Eliard but at the Divine Fragments power . To be honest, hed been affected deeply too . However, hed seen Morpheus, Dylosen, and especially Mozur die with his own eyes . His heart could always warn him, so he didnt fall in too deep . It seemed that Eliard had completely fallen . Eliard, this Divine Fragment is a curse . It will bring bad luck to you and I and Ferde . Youve seen how powerful it is at tempting people . The more people there are, the stronger it gets . If we bring it to Ferde, who knows what will happen? By then, Ferde may fall into internal chaos due to it . It might even collapse . Eliard was frightened, but the voice rose up again . See, see . He said he wouldnt bring it back to Ferde . He must want it for himself . That must be it . As soon as that idea was planted, Link yelled, Eliard, b.a.s.t.a.r.d! With that, Link suddenly reached out and slapped Eliard crisply . It dazed Eliard . As the saying went, you could hit someone but not slap their face . Even an unbothered person would forever remember a heavy slap . It was even more so for Eliard . As best friends, other than that fight at Tutor Herreras door, theyd never even gotten angry with each other, let alone slap each other . Elard didnt even know how to react . He just clutched his face and glared at Link in angry shock . Unexpectedly, Links fury disappeared after the slap . Okay, are you awake now? Awake? Eliard was confused, but he soon felt the change . The dark thoughts weakened a lot . They still remained, but theyd become fleeting clouds . They no longer affected his mind . When he thought back to those terrifying ideas, he found them incredible . Link, I… Eliard felt strange and embarra.s.sed . Link waved his hand . Dont, I understand . When I first got the fragment, I had the same thoughts . Now, we have to get rid of the fragment . He was a powerful Soul Magician now . He didnt slap Eliard just to slap him . He used this insulting action to sway Eliards heart . When a flaw appeared in his soul, Link yelled further to create an advanced defense barrier in Eliards soul . The entire process was traceless but effective . It successfully helped Eliard escape from the fragments influence . Of course, this was only temporary . As long as the Divine Fragment was still beside them, Eliard could fall back into it . They had to get rid of it as soon as possible . After he recovered his senses, Eliard felt belated fear . He didnt dare look at the wooden box again . Youre right . We cant let this into Ferde… Link, are you preparing to go to the Aragu Realm now? Thats the plan . Links expression was strange . He looked to the Grinth Forest in the northwest . But for some reason, a voice keeps telling me that the forest is the right direction . Soul Premonition? Eliard was a powerful Magician too . He knew that all strong Magicians had this ability . Link also had studied Secret spells before . Link was a bit hesitant . I think so, but to be honest, the Divine Fragment is too powerful . The enemies watching it are also impossibly powerful . I dont know if the premonition is mine or if some creature is affecting me . The premonition was a good thing in lower-level battles . But at this level, most Magicians had touched on this field before . The so-called Soul Premonition wasnt as trustworthy anymore . If he relied on it for directions, he could walk right into a trap . Eliard had no solutions . Which path do you choose? If you want to go with logic, its Aragu . If you want to follow your gut, lets visit the forest . Ill go with you either way . It was hard to choose . Every physical appearance was a reflection of the heart . Right now, he was in a mess, so he decided to tidy it bit by bit . He looked carefully at the root and tip of each train of thought . A few seconds later, Link opened his eyes . They were clear as water . In that instant, Eliard was shocked by the clarity of Links eyes . They were as pure as a childs eyes and as clean as a pool of water . But they also carried such wisdom . It was impossible to describe . Hed never seen this look on another man . He believed that Link had the answer . To Grinth . There should be an elder waiting for us there, Link murmured dreamily . Elder? Do you know who it is? Well know when we see him . He shouldnt be an enemy . Link walked towards the forest; Eliard hurried after him . The two were very fast . Around fifteen minutes later, they were at the edge of the forest . There was a clear creek with a flat stone beside it . An elder with a snowy robe leaned on his wand and sat there, smiling at the two . When Link and Eliard approached, the elder said, Ferde lord, you didnt disappoint me . Eliard doubted the elders ident.i.ty, but Link understood . He bowed and said, Archmage, it is my honor to see you . With that, Link handed over the wooden box with the Shadow Divine Fragment . He didnt want to hold it a second longer . Unexpectedly, the Snow Mountain Archmage didnt accept it . He shook his head . Fate has told me that now is not the time yet . What? Link wanted to throw the thing down and leave . A powerful enemy is hurrying over . You and your companion need more strength . There isnt enough time . Let us start . With that, a magic book appeared in the Archmages hands . He flipped to a page and pointed at a magic seal that was too complicated to be ever replicated . Level-17 magic seal: World of Ice and Snow . Learn it in three days!