Watching the threads in his hands refuse to obey his commands, the Puppeteer’s mouth twitched slightly.
He was well aware that using “Puppetization”—a skill that completely defied the laws of the world—carried the risk of failure or even a backlash.
But the problem was…
For it to fail entirely like this?!
“While the probability isn’t zero, for it to happen at this exact critical moment? Luck?”
Hehe, mortals might attribute the incomprehensible to the whims of “luck.” But for a top-tier powerhouse like him, so-called destiny was nothing more than higher-dimensional existences altering a predetermined outcome based on laws others couldn’t grasp.
In plain terms—
“I don’t believe for a second that this is a coincidence!” The Puppeteer grit his teeth and glared viciously at the Bard beside him, who still wore a look of feigned innocence.
It was definitely this guy’s doing!
“Mr. Andy!”
Giving the Puppeteer a playful smile, Green seized the critical moment while his “Script” was still in effect and shouted to his companion: “Quick, while you can… retreat!”
“Retreat??” Andy froze, completely blindsided by Green’s instruction.
“But, but…” Andy looked hesitantly at Green and then at the Female Magician standing in opposition. “What about you?”
“It’s fine.”
Sensing the Holy Light surging endlessly within him, empowered by his status as a Chosen One, Green was brimming with confidence.
“The priority is to secure the witness, General Love, and Her Highness the Princess.”
As Green’s quill flew across the parchment, writing “plot points” that remained as logical as possible, he hurriedly explained to Andy: “As for the other enemies, leave them to me!”
Andy stomped his foot in frustration, his mind flashing back to the coward he had been years ago, fleeing the forest and abandoning his comrades.
However, Green was right.
Those two were indeed beyond his ability to handle.
In the eyes of these monsters, what difference was there between a so-called Legendary professional and an ordinary mortal?
This had completely transcended their level of existence.
“Even peak Legends, those top-tier powerhouses viewed by the world as the pinnacle of the Material Realm, merely possess the ticket to join them.”
But still…
“Let’s go,” the Orc spoke up suddenly. “I’ve already heard from your Princess. The reason you want to capture me alive is to clear the name of your Commander and your former comrades, isn’t it?”
General Love sighed desolately. “The truth of those years, the traitors within your Empire’s military… I will tell you everything.”
“In that case, I understand.”
Andy steeled his resolve and nodded solemnly. “Love, Your Highness, let’s go…”
Hiss, hiss, hiss!
The distorted shadow of the Great Serpent on the Female Magician’s neck flickered, appearing instantly at the flank of the departing group.
“Coming and going as you please?”
The Female Magician wagged her finger. “My apologies, but there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”
Hum!
As if to validate her words, just as that charming voice laced with cold killing intent rang out, the frustrated Puppeteer also made his move. He pulled at the Demi-god puppet he had just acquired, muttering something under his breath. In an instant, he began to manipulate the puppet with violent force.
Zizizi.
Accompanied by rhythmic rattling, the “High Shaman”—who once represented the highest will of the Kingdom—began to sluggishly activate the magic-tech defenses within the fortification beneath everyone’s feet.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The air began to flow frantically, surging from all directions, putting immense pressure on Andy and the others.
“Damn it, this defense line… it only starts up after everyone it was supposed to protect is dead?”
Love rolled his eyes and shook his head expressionlessly. “I opposed building this magic-tech array from the start, but none of those elders would believe me…”
The former Orc hero’s heart was filled with grief and indignation.
“Sounds like you’ve had it rough, too.” Princess Theresa found the scene somewhat familiar—well, it wasn’t exactly a coincidence. After all, the masterminds behind all of this were the same group of people.
The Circus.
Whether it was her father back in the Imperial Capital or the Orc Kingdom before her eyes, as long as they were involved, an entire nation would descend into chaos or be consumed by the flames of war.
“A bunch of chaos-mongers! What exactly is it that you want?!”
Andy, who had already guessed the “truth” of the Orc ambush years ago, couldn’t help but angrily question the high-and-mighty Female Magician and Puppeteer. However, despite the group’s righteous fury, the culprits—who had destroyed countless innocent families—merely responded with the same contemptuous smiles.
“What do we want? How can ants comprehend the ambitions of an eagle?”
The Puppeteer’s lips curled into a self-satisfied smirk. “On the path to truth, sacrifice is inevitable. But for a noble and beautiful future, everything—everything—is worth it.”
“The same old rhetoric. Seriously, don’t you villains ever get tired of hearing yourselves talk?”
Seeing that the Puppeteer was about to launch into a long speech, Green cut him off without mercy. Immediately after, he raised his quill and began writing furiously.
Scratch, scratch, scratch!
“Trying to use this magic-tech array to block their retreat? Hehe, we’ll see if the story in my hand agrees with that!”
Empowered by his Demi-god rank, Green effortlessly began to alter the “predetermined ending” for the group.
“A gap!” General Love, who knew the defenses best, was the first to spot the flaw. “Hey, you two! They’ve hoisted themselves by their own petards. After summoning that Ancient Evil and breaking the seal, this defense line is no longer as perfect as it once was.”
“?!?!”
The Puppeteer looked toward the “gap” in shock.
“What the hell?” The Puppeteer hurriedly manipulated his puppet, reading memories from the High Shaman’s soul. “No, no, this is too much!”
“What kind of trickery is that damned guy pulling behind the scenes?”
Glancing at Green, who wore a profound smile, the Puppeteer felt a flicker of panic for the first time in ages.
How long had it been?
Since obtaining the Chaos Power, how long had it been since he felt this kind of uncertain fear?
He truly couldn’t see through his opponent.
In terms of strength, a Demi-god rank was certainly powerful, and the status of a Chosen One of the God of Justice was enough to make him wary.
“But more importantly… it’s that composure of his, as if he’s always in control of the entire board.”
How could he be so confident?
“Perhaps it’s because…” The Puppeteer stared warily at the parchment scroll in Green’s hand. “To some extent, he can manipulate the destiny of others?”
But… was that even possible?
Destiny—the most profound and unpredictable thing in the world. Even the high-and-mighty gods, when faced with the whims of karma, could only sigh in helplessness.
Whoosh—
While the Puppeteer was lost in internal conflict, Andy and the others had already made a clean escape, leaving only Green and the two Circus members staring each other down.
“Hey, Magician,” the Puppeteer couldn’t help but complain. “Why didn’t you stop them?”
Even if the defense line had an unexpected gap, with the Magician’s all-encompassing “Magic,” there was no reason she couldn’t have dealt with it.
“Well,” the Female Magician replied with a faint smile. “Why should I have stopped them?”
“To defeat a fixed destiny…” Gazing longingly at the parchment scroll in Green’s hand, her eyes filled with naked greed. “Isn’t the best method to use ‘Magic’ that even I myself cannot predict?”
“Magic that even you can’t predict?” The Puppeteer suddenly understood. “You… you let them go on purpose?”
Recalling the Female Magician’s ever-changing “Magic,” the Puppeteer offered a silent prayer for Andy and the others who thought they had luckily escaped.
But then again, who told you to stand against her?
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