Mage Manual-Chapter 1317 - 961: Insomnia

January 17th.

On the overpass of Longbridge City, a stretched limousine was smoothly traversing the city. Longbridge City is one of the few major cities without a subway or light rail system because it wasn’t necessary—the number of elevated roads in Longbridge City is the highest in the Kingdom of Allstars. Although you would certainly get lost without navigation, the spider web-like traffic network can handle the city’s traffic needs.

From above the Kingdom of Allstars, Longbridge City looks like a three-dimensional city constructed out of a spider web.

"Today’s weather is clear, the starlight is bright, remember to ventilate and keep warm..."

Rose suddenly turned off the car radio and asked, "Miss Filly, is the hotel room not to your liking?"

Filly was slightly startled, not understanding why Rose would ask that.

"You’ve yawned four times since we left, so I deliberately opened the car window for ventilation. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a problem with the car’s smell," Rose said. "Is it that the hotel bedding is uncomfortable? I can specify your preferred bedding when booking a hotel."

Filly instinctively covered her mouth and then shook her head, "No, it’s just that last night... I stayed up late."

"It’s not just last night." Vishi turned around and lifted Filly’s chin, "At your age, your metabolism is fast, but even that can’t hide your dark circles, and your complexion has become quite haggard... You’ve been having insomnia recently, haven’t you?"

Filly lowered her head, murmuring an acknowledgment, "I don’t know why I can’t sleep lately, maybe it’s because I’ve been traveling for too long and I’m a bit unaccustomed."

Ash glanced sideways at her, "Do you want to sleep now? If you do, we can turn back to the hotel."

Filly immediately shook her head, "No need, I’m not really that sleepy, it won’t delay our schedule—"

"If you need it, I can sit next to you while you sleep," Ash said. "It doesn’t have to be grand activities that deepen my impression of the city; sometimes we can leisurely rest an afternoon, you sleeping, me sitting next to you playing on my phone, Igula reading on the balcony, Rose handling errands, Vishi working overtime—that’s also a precious experience."

Maid: "Why do I have to work overtime?"

Necromancer: "What about me?"

"Do you two even know what resting is?" Ash spread his hands, "At least it doesn’t count as rest unless you two aren’t there."

"So, are we turning back?" Rose opened the phone’s navigation, "It takes an hour to go back... It seems faster to check into a hotel in the tourist area."

Filly seemed tempted, lowered her head to think for a moment, then took out her phone to send a message.

Ash felt his phone vibrate, and as soon as he opened it, the maid leaned over to peek openly and exclaimed, "Filly, you want some alone time with Ash? Sure, no problem, we’ll find you a room with the best soundproofing!"

Nia instantly turned to look at Filly, and the little lamb hurried to explain, "I didn’t mean it that way! I just have something private to discuss with Ash!"

"Is it about those things that have been keeping you tossing and turning with sleepless nights?" Vishi sighed theatrically, "Sigh, our female college student is finally going to be defiled."

Ash poked Vishi in the forehead hard and said exasperatedly, "Do you see now why it counts as a rest day only when you’re not around?"

Vishi rubbed her forehead, giggling, "I’ll strive to make it so the master can never have a day off!"

Nia grabbed Filly’s chubby thigh, her dissatisfaction evident.

"Nia, don’t bully Filly," Ash said. "And don’t listen to Vishi’s nonsense. If Filly wants to speak with me alone, it must be something important."

"What could be so important, if not, if not..." Nia grew more and more frustrated, and if Ash hadn’t stopped her, she might have pinched just twice and let it go. Now that Ash wanted to protect Filly, her temper got the better of her, and in a moment of anger, she smacked Filly’s chest, then pretended nothing had happened and looked at the scenery outside.

Filly cried out but didn’t retaliate; she just looked at Ash with teary eyes, protectively shielding her chest with a pitiful expression.

Seeing this, Ash took out a helmet and a frying pan from his backpack, placing the helmet on Nia’s head. Nia, clueless, looked up just in time to see Ash lift the frying pan and bring it down.

Clang! Clang! Clang! 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The three hits almost left Nia dizzy, "You... you..."

"Apologize."

Ash said seriously, "Joking around is fine, but malicious attacks beyond the limit are not allowed."

Nia glared angrily at Ash, but as Ash raised the frying pan with a stern face yet again, she quickly said, "I’m sorry."

"It’s okay." Filly took the initiative to hold Nia’s hand, "Nia, it’s really not what you think, don’t worry."

She leaned close to Nia’s ear, whispering, "I won’t sneak off."

Nia glanced at Filly’s sincere expression, and her attitude gradually softened, her lips moving slightly, "Sorry, okay."

Only then did Ash satisfactorily return the helmet to his backpack. Beside him, Vishi curiously asked, "Why do you carry around a frying pan and a helmet? Who are they meant for?"

Ash glanced at her, then at Harvey, and all was understood without words.

"So are we resting at the hotel in the tourist area?" Rose asked, "But at this time the theme park hotel is likely fully booked, not sure if there’re any rooms available..."

"Theme park?" Filly’s eyes suddenly lit up, "Are we going to a theme park?"

"Yes, we’re going to the Kingdom of Allstars’ most famous Dazzling Starlight Joy World. There are events like the Carnival, Costume Parade, and Fireworks Gala today, which should leave a deep impression on Ash," Rose said. "But since everyone wants to rest, we can choose a more suitable hotel nearby—"

"No!" Filly’s face shone with excitement, "I want to go to the theme park! I won’t sleep! Ash, let’s go to the Amusement Park!"

Ash smiled and asked, "Didn’t you have something to tell me?"

"It doesn’t have to be now, but the Dazzling Starlight Joy World is somewhere I’ve wanted to go for a long time!" Filly said excitedly, "I want to visit all three major theme parks!"

"If we had one more month, you could visit all the theme parks," Vishi said leisurely. "But who knows if the Source Angel will fight against the Dazzling Star Magic Master’s assimilation."

It’s been a month since the third Angel Hunt, and according to the interval of Angel Hunts, the final hunt could break out any day now. However, by this time, Ash and the others had already circled half the Kingdom of Allstars, completing 50% of their progress.

This is a very delicate number; if they launch their plan directly now, it’s not without a chance of success, but failure is equally expected. In a project as unprecedented and groundbreaking as this, not even Vishi would be confident with 100% progress, as the dice are always in Fate’s hands.

Upon hearing this, Filly’s face slightly dimmed, Nia looked out the car window, and silence returned to the limousine.

*

Meanwhile, near a river surge in Longbridge City, police had set up a cordon, and the Criminal Investigation Department was searching for evidence of crimes in the vicinity.

Committing crimes under the same surveillance cameras, using the same cold weapons, there’s no doubt that the culprit who struck in Longbridge City last night is the super criminal who committed major crimes across the country in just one month.

The Chief of the Longbridge City Police Department was overwhelmed handling this major case, but soon he wouldn’t have to worry anymore—as the head of the task force took the high-speed train overnight to take over the case.

They have already gathered enough evidence to indict the perpetrator.