Mage Manual-Chapter 1329 - 971: The Taste of Wine

When Dedarose’s final concert began, the Canaan was traveling at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour across the vast land of Cangyuan. Over the past half-month, Ash and the others had accelerated their travel pace, successfully advancing their plan to 90%, almost completing a tour around Allstars.

The reason for the increase in efficiency was that they had canceled hotel rest times and just slept on the high-speed train, feeling refreshed and starting work as soon as they got off. Actually, they could have done this from the start, but Ash vetoed such a tight travel plan. He believed that everyone was already feeling anxious, and such a tight schedule would leave everyone tense and make it hard to relax.

More importantly, they were saving the world, not just posting on social media. They couldn’t just rush through like checking in at tourist spots. To make Ash remember the city, they first needed to let Ash relax—a hasty tour would only make Ash feel like he was on a business trip, making him dismissive in thought.

Moreover, even though they chose the most comfortable business seats on the high-speed train, the sleeping experience was still far inferior to a proper hotel bed. Ash was a staunch advocate of double beds, insisting on sleeping in one even if he was alone, as he needed to roll around to fall asleep!

Anyway, the Angel Hunt wasn’t starting anytime soon, so they decided to balance work and leisure, traveling across Allstars and experiencing all its styles.

But on the day they left the City with Long Bridge, since they all got plenty of rest on the high-speed train, they could only naturally start playing around. From that day on, Filly and Nia suggested arranging rest like this from now on, trying to sleep on the high-speed train to save time and accelerate the plan’s progress.

Except for Ash, everyone agreed to this insignificant change. Vishi even argued persuasively, "The world is on the brink of destruction, how could we still sleep peacefully? Master, you have a problem with your mindset! For the sake of saving the world, you should make a little concession!"

Thus, in the first compartment of the Canaan, Ash slept soundly, unaware even with two regulars sleeping on him.

Filly hugged his neck, legs clamping tightly, stretching her back as she let out a lazy nasal hum, indifferent to her rounded chest pressing tightly against Ash. She had been sleeping well lately, feeling relaxed as soon as she hugged Ash, finding it hard to sleep alone in a hotel.

She had actually thought about sleeping in the same bed as Ash, but even as bold as she now was, such a thought would still make her shy and timid. However, more importantly, she doubted Nia could tolerate her being connected to Ash, so sleeping together openly like this was probably the limit Nia could accept.

Yet Nia wasn’t the main issue since they could easily avoid her. The main reason Filly hadn’t moved to the next step was that Ash was too interesting and easy to tease right now.

She tiptoed to wash her face and brush her teeth, applied tangerine lip balm, and then snuck back into Ash’s arms, pulling the towel blanket over their heads.

With Ash still sleeping soundly, Filly’s lips curled as she looked at him, much like a gourmet admiring a dish that was perfect in color, aroma, and taste. She reached out and nudged Ash’s chin, turning his face and gently pecking his lips.

Once, twice, thrice. Filly watched Ash’s expression with wide eyes, noticing his eyelashes flutter slightly, indicating he was awake, but Ash didn’t open his eyes, pretending to be asleep, looking like he was leaving himself open for the picking.

With the blanket covering them, Filly acted without restraint, pressing her lips against his for a deep, lingering kiss, smearing her lip balm on his lips. This was their current status—although they had exchanged their deepest thoughts in the gleam of Joy World, their relationship didn’t progress to the next stage, and Ash even seemed to regress slightly.

For at this stage, Ash indeed couldn’t progress further with them.

With Allstars in peril, he was burdened with the fate of the entire world; being in a relationship during such a tense time seemed somewhat inappropriate. Besides, unless Filly and Nia progressed together, it wouldn’t be worth his while; progressing with two or three people required a vastly different amount of energy and focus.

Filly didn’t expect Ash to accept progress with just the two of them; if Ash could abandon the whimsical notion of multi-person advancement, he would’ve long become the exclusive of the Sword Maiden, leaving no chance for Filly.

Thus, reverting their relationship to that of comrades before all incidents concluded was the rational choice.

Yet, the more crucial reason wasn’t about them, not even about this world, but about the Sword Witch from another realm.

It’s worth mentioning that the exchange of thoughts between Ash and them wasn’t for advancing their relationship further, but simply a response to their sincerity, letting them know their efforts weren’t meaningless. But it’s limited to this because Ash clearly knew the Sword Witch was acting in the Kingdom of Stars to rescue him; under such circumstances, how could he possibly accept indulging in romance with Filly and Nia?

If it weren’t for Filly’s emotional breakdown and Nia leaving home, Ash would likely hold back his feelings until the last moment.

Filly could even guess Ash’s real thought—he wouldn’t actively advance the relationship until he went back and confessed to the Sword Witch.

Even if Filly did sneak into his bedroom, Ash would certainly play dead, letting her do whatever without waking, but the next day, he probably wouldn’t sleep alone, preferred clinging to Harvey instead.

However, this wasn’t fair to Filly and Nia either. Ash knew he owed them, so when they insisted on sleeping with him on the high-speed train, Ash pretended to sleep and tacitly allowed it, implying, ’I’m asleep, I know nothing, if I don’t know, it didn’t happen.’

After all, they were in public; Filly and the others couldn’t possibly go overboard, right!?

Initially, nothing too much happened, until Filly realized she could pull the towel blanket over to deceive herself and others, expanding the game’s depth and way of playing.

Anyway, if no one saw it, it didn’t happen!

Filly kissed his lip corner, eyes, cheeks, noticing his cheeks turning slightly red, lashes fluttering adorably, amusing Filly to the extent of wanting to laugh. The little lamb licked her lips and kissed again, but this time she wasn’t just teasing his lips; her sweet little tongue clumsily invaded.

However, Ash reacted strongly, letting out a soft ’hmm,’ tightly defending against Filly with his teeth. Undeterred, Filly was about to launch a fierce attack when Ash let out a loud ’hmm’ and abruptly turned his head towards Nia!

Filly froze, first wondering if she’d gone too far, then pouted angrily—it’s not like they hadn’t French kissed before, why so resistant! And how dare you resist me, too excessive, I’m going to give you a taste of your own medicine!

Filly appeared timid, but that was among strangers. Once familiar and having figured out someone’s boundaries and weaknesses, she grew bolder, dancing on the edge and showing a devilish charm to those who favored her.

She lifted the towel blanket for a peek, noticing a bottle of wine Ash drank before sleeping beside him, directly gulping it down mouthfuls, then leaned over Ash’s neck, using her alcohol-soaked tongue to gently lick his smooth neck.

Ash’s face turned red to his earlobes, shoulders trembling slightly, clearly tickled. Yet, having no way to escape, he could only focus all his attention on suppressing the ticklish sensation, oblivious to Filly slowly licking her way up along his neck.

Swish!

In a flash, Filly pressed close, using her hand to hold his face towards her, and kissed him fiercely. The red wine she held in her mouth flowed along her tongue into his, instantly breaking through his impenetrable defenses.

"Mm, mm, mm!"

Ash’s body trembled, his nose humming incessantly, as if he was really waking from a dream. But his hands were tightly clasped by Filly’s, their fingers interlocked; his legs were pinned by her long white silk-stockinged legs; and his chest was pressed down by her soft, round body, making it impossible for him to rise!

Filly wasn’t afraid of him losing his temper. She bullied him fearlessly, her warm breath falling on his face, while the overflowing wine trickled down Ash’s lips.

There was no way Ash would open his eyes. If he did, it meant he could no longer deceive himself, and would have to proceed to the next stage with Filly. But as long as he kept them shut, he could pretend he was asleep, oblivious to everything, so they could remain close comrades in arms upon waking.

That’s why Filly was so bold, continuing with her actions as he continued to sleep. Daring him to wake and resist, or else just endure it!

Hmph, we’ll see if you dare to turn your face away next time!

Once there was no longer any trace of wine in his mouth, Filly released him with a "pop." Ash turned away immediately, his back facing her, apparently truly upset. But Filly didn’t mind, satisfied, leaning against his back and using her sleeve to wipe his face, conscientiously handling the traces of their skirmish.

After all, there were others who would use it without her.

Filly’s actions were so intense, it naturally woke Nia on the other side long ago. However, she was of a completely different type than Filly. Filly seemed timid, but was decisive and swift in matters of feelings. Nia seemed haughty, yet her first instinct in emotional issues was to retreat and avoid.

If Filly became active when seeing Ash passive, then Nia became even more passive when seeing Ash passive.

Thus, she did nothing for half a month, just quietly lay beside Ash. Although watching Filly grow more audacious made Nia uncomfortable, she said nothing, simply enjoying the rare intimate moments.

Watching Ash face her, Nia gently flicked his nose with her finger, and curled up against him, continuing to sleep.

Crack!

At the crisp sound of shattering resounding through Allstars, everyone shot up instantly, pulling open the curtains to look outside!

"Is this..." Vishi looked at the Heavenly Curtain: "A vortex?"

In the vast expanse of Allstars’ Heavenly Curtain, appeared a vortex-like, high-hanging red cloud, visible from everywhere.

"It’s a hole," Rose suddenly said.

Everyone saw it, as the night tried to swallow the vortex, the pure deep red was actually the light reflected from Ruby Mountain!

The Allstars’ Heavenly Curtain had been shattered, revealing a hole almost large enough to see Ruby Mountain!

"The Sword Maiden and Witch have made their move!" Ash immediately realized the situation of another world, "But it’s not enough, the Heavenly Curtain has self-healing abilities; they haven’t instantly penetrated its barrier!"

"Vishi!"

Vishi took a deep breath, "Ready to go, can launch at any time!"

"Igula, Harvey!"

"Ready for Hell? Already prepared." Igula crossed his arms, speaking calmly.

Ash flicked out a short sword, slashing upwards to create a hole in the ceiling, "Filly!"

Filly came over and he supported her onto the train roof; just as Ash prepared to go up, someone hooked his clothes. He turned to see Nia pursing her lips tight, eyes glimmering, looking helplessly at him like an abandoned little hedgehog, her thumb, index, and middle fingers tightly clutching his clothes.

At this moment, it was a time of parting. Whether they succeeded or failed, it would mark the end of this journey.

Ash thought she wouldn’t let go, but in the next second, Nia released her fingers.

There was no time to waste, and under Nia’s surprised gaze, Ash wrapped an arm around her waist, gave her a light peck like a dragonfly skimming water, then immediately climbed up to the high-speed train roof.

Nia touched her lips with her fingers, overjoyed yet couldn’t help but pout, glancing angrily at Filly on the roof.

This kiss had the taste of wine.