Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 623 - 576 - : Dragon Calamity

The pit created by the Giant Dragon’s descent had been filled by Elementalists with earth and stone. The host Giant Dragon had not provided tables and chairs for the participants of the academic gathering. In fact, aside from Lyle, no one cared whether they were standing or sitting. The Liches’ attention was entirely focused on the Dragon Bone, rotating their skulls slowly as they followed the Giant Dragon’s circles in place. The Executive Committee had arranged the venue with runes, driving any uninvited Liches out.

"This is for your protection," said the Executive Committee. No one cared about the truth in their words; the Liches only knew their curiosity had not been satisfied. Outside the fully opened Spellcaster Barrier, they expressed their interest in their own ways.

Some used magic to construct high platforms, others elevated themselves with bone constructs, and a few Liches even formed a skeletal scaffold with their companions, not minding their own bodies crushed at the bottom layer. They passed skulls up to their peers above, and soon, over a dozen Skeleton Totem Poles, scarcely less grotesque than the anomalies, were erected. At the very top, the Liches spread their arms with their companions’ skulls neatly strung along them, like lanterns hung on a chilling night of festivities.

"A bit to the left, I want to see that big, thick caudal bone inside the Dragon Bone. See those diamond-shaped notches on both sides? How beautiful. If I get impaled by it, I hope it leaves some notches and scars on me. I’ll keep them forever."

The imposing Dragon Bone always led the Liches to associate it with its destructive power, and thoughts of destruction then inspired thoughts of the injuries it could cause to themselves. A brainstorm of destructive impulses kept the academic gathering’s atmosphere fervent, boosted by the rumored awe the Dragon Bone brought along. Nothing could prevent this frenzy for experience.

Meanwhile, those waiting inside the barrier, Andrey and his colleagues, appeared more like Liches. Their reactions to the Giant Dragon were significantly colder, any awe they felt was merely confined to their eyes. Mr. Giant Dragon and the Dean continued to converse, while Lyle was caught by fellows from the literary society, along with Mr. Zhiyan.

After a lengthy and unspeakable twisted ritual, Mr. Dark and the three members of the literary society finally let go of Lyle, turning their attention to Zhiyan.

"Long time no see, Mr. Zhiyan."

"Long time no see, Mr. Gentleman, Mr. Reporter, Mr. Delusion." The three Liches smiled, slowly closing in on Zhiyan. As the most out-of-place field agent in the literary society, Zhiyan had never thought about how to face them, weren’t they said to be more troublesome than any Andrey professor? Great bones above, save me.

The three men reached out and, under Mr. Zhiyan’s panicked gaze, gave his shoulders a light pat as if they were old friends.

"Congratulations, Mr. Zhiyan. How does it feel to participate in your first academic gathering, even if just as an assistant? It’s an achievement worth celebrating. Would you like to celebrate together later? I know a bar in the City of Wandering with a great taste, you’ll like it too."

This was the feeling of being welcomed, and Mr. Zhiyan was surprised at the gentlemanly conduct that far exceeded his expectations, turning his surprise into joy. They seem so approachable, thought Zhiyan, Lyle rascal, speaking ill of these gentlemen behind their backs. What a little brat.

In chatting for a bit, Zhiyan found that the three gentlemen from the literary society actually shared his tastes. The loneliness that had burgeoned from his long solitude was greatly alleviated, and he even regretted not having approached these three sooner.

"Ok, I’ll definitely punctually attend tonight," Zhiyan agreed happily to the gentlemen’s invitation.

Mr. Reporter revealed a smile, "I’m afraid you’ll be breaking that appointment, Mr. Zhiyan."

"What?"

Mr. Delusion suddenly said something.

"Enemies will arrive on the battlefield in thirty seconds."

As if commanded, the three from the literary society suddenly bowed in unison towards Zhiyan, yelling.

"Mr. Zhiyan, we’re sorry to have failed to meet your expectations with our recent activities. We are ashamed. Please forgive us if possible!"

Mr. Zhiyan was initially stunned, his mind not quite catching up, and he subconsciously responded.

"Okay... okay, although I’m not sure what happened, if I can be of help..."

Suddenly, the reporter pointed at Zhiyan, screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Enforcer! He’s the ringleader; we were just following orders! He admitted it!"

The three who had crowded close to Zhiyan dispersed, exposing the person behind them. The iron mask seemed branded onto the skull, the iron gloves creaked with the grip. Emerging from behind the three was Mr. Law, intending to apprehend the three from the literary society as they had recently stirred up new trouble.

And, coincidentally, Law "just happened" to hear about their collusion.

"Zhiyan~ can I take it that you’ll be responsible for the five acts of destruction of public property, three traffic accidents, and twelve illegal activities they incurred over these few days?"

Zhiyan’s elder brother was moving his shoulders, which Zhiyan understood as a sign that Law was angry.

"What if I say, I’m not familiar with them, would you believe me?"

Law crossed his arms and looked down with a tilted head, "What do you think?"

At some point, the gentlemen and the rest had already taken their places by Zhiyan’s side, close as can be. With arms over shoulders, waist embraced, and thighs hugged, it was as if they were saying.

[We’re iron brothers, no mistake in capturing him.]

"You are under arrest, Mr. Zhiyan," said Mr. Law, pinching his spine and almost pulling Zhiyan out from between the three men, lifting the powerless Mr. Zhiyan onto his shoulder. Zhiyan also saw those three scoundrels waving goodbye with handkerchiefs they procured from somewhere.

"Mr. Zhiyan, have a good correction tonight at the Executive Committee, we’ll celebrate for you! MUA~"

Angered, Zhiyan kicked around futilely while restrained by Law.

Tired at heart, Zhiyan knocked on the back of his brother’s head.

"You don’t really believe their nonsense, do you? We’re truly not familiar."

"Of course not," said Mr. Law, walking steadily. "But it’s more important to get you away from this academic gathering right now."

"Why! I participated in the research, this is the glory I deserve, I have the right to stand with the Giant Dragon and receive everyone’s praise."

"You need to be alive for that. My foolish brother, can’t you see that those inside the barrier are all those people?"

"Of course, I recognize them, they are all big society presidents. They were already well-known when I left Andrey... You mean..."

"This academic gathering could turn into a battlefield at any moment, you need to leave immediately, instead of turning into cannon fodder like those three fools."

Law’s words made Zhiyan shiver in fear.

"What’s going on with Andrey? A large-scale melee? Did the power transition between Andrey’s major societies encounter a problem? Or has the dean decided to centralize power?"

"None of the above..."

Law threw his brother outside of the barrier, watching him futilely beating against the barrier.

"It’s just that a prominent figure has an allergy to Giant Dragons..."

"Given his past behavior, Andrey must be cautious. If possible, I actually hope you start running now."

"What has he done before?"

"He shattered the world of the Giant Dragons. We have no doubt he would do it again."