Now it’s October, the ancient tower located to the east of the Ista Empire should be in autumn, even if it’s cold, it wouldn’t be cold to the point where everything seems frozen.

Inside the camp, the temperature remains suitable, while outside feels like entering the Land of the Far North.

However, the ice of the Land of the Far North is built on the foundation of everything being frostbitten.

But here, the surrounding environment is still unchanged from usual, no frost at all, it looks like just after entering autumn.

However, the relentless wind has bent all the trees to the ground, barely holding on, as if they could be blown down the next moment.

Hilia raised her hand to shield her eyes, had to convert part of her Magic Power into Fire Magic Power, circulating it within her body to dispel the cold.

"Such a strong wind, these trees are like monsters with claws." Encore held his arms tightly, almost sticking to Hilia.

"Wind wall!" Benovia stretched out her hand, a faint cyan Magic Power floated from her hand, expanding into a small dome, covering them and the Magic Puppet within.

The surrounding wind still howled, but the biting cold had disappeared, inside the dome, there was no feel of any furious wind, only a gentle breeze.

Encore looked at Benovia, "How come you know all kinds of magic?"

Benovia smiled lightly: "Better to be prepared."

With the surroundings slightly quieter, everyone continued forward.

Benovia looked at Hilia, asked: "Hilia, how do we find Doris?"

Hilia said: "I have a special way to sense some traces, if we follow the traces we should be able to find her."

"Okay." Benovia nodded, without further questioning.

Phil and Encore couldn’t help but glance at Benovia.

They both had questions—

Why did Benovia trust Hilia so much?

Perhaps these two made some special deal behind the scenes?

The two exchanged a look, reading doubt in each other’s eyes.

Yet they said nothing, simply followed along.

At that moment, Hilia, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped, then an Ice Blade Impact flew into the depths of the nearby forest.

"Roar!"

A wolf-like creature dashed out from the dark, with eyes glowing red, shrouded in black mist.

As it approached, the wolf’s head suddenly split apart, revealing a flower-like mouth with countless teeth, about to lunge at Hilia.

Yet, as it leapt into the air, it seemed to hit something and fell down.

With another flash of the Ice Blade Impact, it was split in two.

Hilia walked over to look, "These demons actually leave the ruins during the night to hunt outside?"

Benovia said: "This should be how the pollution spreads, during the night when the lighthouse emits strong light, they leave the ruins and spread outward."

Hilia said: "It’s already near the camp, so many mercenaries, yet they weren’t able to suppress it."

Phil spoke lightly: "They don’t have the ability to purify the pollution, unable to curb its spread."

"These demons are stronger than the ones we fought on the Golden Coast, already close to Tier Three." Hilia stood up, continued forward, and advised: "The night wilds are indeed dangerous, stay close to me and don’t wander off."

The three nodded.

Rose’s phantom appeared beside Hilia, she pretended to observe the surroundings, glanced at him, her eyes filled with doubt.

"Lord Rose, is there a problem in the surroundings?"

Rose said: "There is a problem, but it’s not significant, don’t worry."

Hilia nodded slightly, leading the three onward.

The demons ambushing along the way gradually increased, fortunately, Hilia’s Mage’s Hand could now be used to detect, able to sense the demons’ movements.

What concerned them wasn’t the demons, though stronger, or a bit troublesome, they only needed a couple of extra spells when their four united.

What troubled them was, as they advanced, in the pitch-black night, a faint mist began to appear around.

This mist resembled the black fog that shrouded behind when entering the ruins, but within it was thick pollution, along with...

A faint ominous killing intent.

Even within the wind wall, the four felt their hairs stand on end, as if something in the mist was about to attack them.

"The fog’s getting thicker, let’s get closer." Hilia said.

As soon as she spoke, she suddenly noticed Rose beside her leisurely moving.

Rose reached out as if grasping something, then squeezed.

She felt a large portion of her Magic Power consumed. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"What happened?" Hilia asked hurriedly.

"Something was trying to separate you all, I squashed it." Rose said calmly.

Hilia’s heart hung high, then slowly calmed down.

No feeling at all.

Without Rose, perhaps they’d be separated without even realizing?

Hilia turned back to look at Benovia and the others, seeing faint mist covering their faces, as if they were about to disappear the next second.

But the mist quickly faded.

"What’s wrong?" Benovia asked.

None of them noticed anything strange.

"Nothing." Hilia shook her head.

Encore said: "After the fog thickened, it seems there’s no more demons around."

Hilia nodded, about to speak, but suddenly froze.

Raised her head to look around, a chill running down her spine.

She discovered they were no longer on their way to the ruins, instead...

They were within the ruins!

Moreover, within the dense mist, she saw a giant silhouette appearing ahead.

That was—

The lighthouse!

Below the lighthouse was a door, at this moment appearing like a giant mouth, mocking their temerity.

Elusive laughter seemed to come from around.

And indistinct gazes, light cool breezes, gently blowing by her ear, as if someone whispering in her ear.

Hilia felt a tingling sensation, staying put.

"Hilia, why did you stop?" Encore’s voice sounded.

Hilia didn’t speak, only gestured forward for them to see for themselves.

All three raised their heads.

The thick fog suddenly dispersed, half-revealing the lighthouse standing right in front of them.

Benovia and the others’ pupils widened, staring at the sight in shock.

"When were we... transported in here?"

"No idea, but we can’t keep moving."

The night-time lighthouse was like a giant monster, Hilia was certain, if they accidentally entered, they’d never come out.

Though a feeling inside was urging them onward, into the Lost Lighthouse.

Benovia even said: "I have a feeling Doris is inside the Lost Lighthouse."

"I feel the same." Hilia said softly.

She watched the lighthouse standing silently, just at that moment, the lamp atop turned to their side, changing into crimson light, shining on them.

"Lower your heads!" Benovia commanded quietly.

Everyone lowered their heads, avoiding the light.

"Quite troublesome, Mr. Rose..." Hilia began speaking to Rose but suddenly paused.

A powerful fear surged from her heart, paralyzing her entire body.

She realized that Rose was gone!