How can you become stronger if you don't build up bonds?

After listening to Lin Wei's words, Green remained silent for a long time.

He stroked the glittering soul crystal in his hand:

"Your Highness, did you really not want to absorb this for even a moment?"

"Absolutely not."

"Has Your Highness ever questioned my motives?"

"It is indeed a bit strange, isn't it? I think you should have figured out the trick behind this thing earlier than I did."

But there's no need to doubt me. You're my dearest old man, Green, how could you possibly harm me?

Lin Wei's expression was quite confident and certain.

Just kidding, with 89% "affection rating" standing there, what could be more credible than that?

"Ha ha……"

Green finally smiled, his voice filled with an indescribable sense of relief.

"With such a prince, what more could one ask for?"

"What disgusting lines! Don't say them again..."

Before Lin Wei could finish speaking, a notification from the [Bond Leader System] appeared before his eyes.

[Green Alberta's "likability rating" rose from 89% to 95%!]

Wait a minute, let's not worry about what this old man is trying to evoke emotion for now. His "admiration level" is over 90%, which means—

The Creator Mage has been unlocked!

This is Green's exclusive synergy attribute!

Lin Wei had been looking forward to this bond for a long time.

This thing can't be that weak, right?

Lin Wei immediately put Green into the [Squad Planner], and then checked the relevant description of 'Creator Mage' again.

This time, Lin Wei finally saw the detailed information about the "Creator Mage" synergy attribute.

"Creator Mage": An unconventional and powerful individual who abandons all old magic systems and instead uses the power of creativity to deconstruct all things in the world.

The Bond Leader buff grants the 'Creator' unit a strong sense of confidence, assuring it that it is on the right path.

Well...

Lin Wei understood the specific explanation of "The Creator of the Mage," which was the same theory that Green had mentioned last time.

Lin Wei had no doubt about the strength of the "Creator" bond. As for what exactly the "Power of Creation" was, he still needed to study it carefully.

However, you can ask Green directly about these things, and you'll figure them out eventually.

Compared to the explanation of "Creator Mage", Lin Wei was more concerned about the protective effect he had on this bond.

Is the protective effect a bit... perfunctory?

Or is it that... self-confidence is truly crucial for a "Creator"?

I don't quite understand.

Lin Wei only knew that Green hadn't lied to him last time; he was genuinely "in a better mood."

At this moment, Lin Wei remembered Green's control panel.

Sure enough, after putting the 'Creator Mage' into the [Party Planner], it appeared on the panel.

[Name: Green Alberta] [Level: 60/180]

"Creator of Magic", "Affection Level: 95%"

Strength C, Agility C, Constitution C, Intelligence S+, Perception S+, Charisma S+

Lin Wei felt that there was still something wrong with the old man's stats.

You're telling me someone who can casually conjure an eighth-tier magic bomb is only level 60?

However, he himself has said that he is in a special adjustment phase and does not even know what level he is.

The level cap is as high as 180, just like Tina's...

Are these two really of the same caliber?

Lin Wei disagreed.

The six-dimensional graph is quite realistic; it's a top-tier mage build.

Among the other data, the one that impressed Lin Wei the most was his maximum mana value—20000.

It's four times that of Luya.

Lin Wei didn't bother to analyze the other data in detail; the higher the level of a powerhouse, the less meaningful the data on paper became.

Ale is the best example.

"Since Your Highness says so, then Green will respectfully comply."

"Okay, fine, so you agree with what I just said, right?"

"Yes, Kui Long does seem like a pawn. I can add two points to Your Highness's conjecture."

"What?"

Green glanced at the western sky:

"This soul crystal is too similar to the lich's phylactery."

Furthermore, it is extremely easy for high-ranking liches to disguise themselves as human mages, or perhaps they don't even need to hide at all.

"You mean, this crystal might have come from the hands of a high-ranking lich?"

Neither Quilon nor Lanzhu had been tainted by the aura of a lich, so we can trust Are's judgment.

That means there must be something going on with Reno – someone is colluding with the lich?!

This conclusion greatly surprised Lin Wei.

"Yeah, most likely."

Green appeared calm, as if he had expected this long ago.

"How could a mage like Reno have fallen to such a low level?!"

"Your Highness, it is not a good time for you to think about these mentally taxing issues."

As soon as Green said those words, Lin Wei felt that uncomfortable feeling of illness come back again.

Where can I find a specific drug for treating severe cases of plague?

"The closest one is definitely in Reno, but they don't sell the drugs there; they only accept patients for treatment."

"That's bad."

Lin Wei knew perfectly well that in his current state and at this point, it was impossible for him to go to Reno.

"What about further away?"

"The Theocracy."

"You call this a little bit?"

"Actually, if I had been willing to humble myself and beg Kieran, he probably would have given me the medicine."

"No! You're not allowed to beg!"

Kieran was one of the biggest suspects in Lin Wei's eyes for colluding with the lich.

Besides, even if Lin Wei hadn't suspected the lich, he wouldn't have asked Green to ask for favors on his behalf.

"Your Highness, are you trying to move this old man to death?"

Where's the emotion? The "Affection Value" hasn't even changed.

"Then I'll have no choice but to go and steal it from Kieran."

"Stop talking nonsense, let's think of something more practical! Could we try to get help from the goddess, like offering her something so she can cure my illness directly?"

"This method is anything but practical... Are you treating the goddess like a wish-granting machine?"

"At most, I'll have His Highness move into the goddess's statue hall and sleep while cuddling the goddess's statue; that will surely alleviate his condition."

"???"

Lin Wei sometimes really didn't understand how Green had become this cardinal.

"Your Highness."

Green suddenly stopped grinning.

"What are you thinking about now?"

"Or perhaps we should let Luya be younger..."

"Stop—!"

Lin Wei didn't even let Green finish speaking.

"This plan is forbidden to be mentioned, and even more so, it is forbidden to be used!"

Green grabbed his beard in frustration.

"Then this old man has no other choice."

"Let's try to find a solution from the orchid spider... cough cough cough—"

Lin Wei started coughing again; it seemed that Green's enhancement spells had lost their effect.

"Your Highness, you really can't overthink this anymore! Severe blood plague is much more serious than you imagine!"

"You can rest like this; leave the rest to me."

"Yeah..."

Lin Wei listened to Green's advice and stopped thinking about the treatment.

But consciousness is something that is very difficult to completely control.

Lin Wei decided to change his perspective:

"Green, was that immobilization spell you used on me earlier particularly powerful? I felt like I had absolutely no chance to fight back."

"That move isn't as invincible as Your Highness imagines. For example, I have absolutely no way to deal with Miss Luya."

"What good advice does Luya have...?"

A wave of overwhelming drowsiness washed over Lin Wei. He wanted to say something more, but he no longer had the strength to speak.

He suddenly fell into a coma.

"well..."

Green shook his head, then took off his red robe and covered Lin Wei with it.

"My test was indeed unnecessary; Your Highness has never made a wrong choice."

After getting up, Green's expression changed.

He opened his aged yet clear eyes, which were filled with a gentle and gratified smile:

"Seeking strength within is the true path to becoming a strong person."

The tragic fates of those favored by the gods throughout history will surely come to an end in Your Highness's hands.

Green took out the soul crystal again and tossed it into the air.

"This is useless to an old man like me—"

"Keep this for His Highness; you never know when it might come in handy."

Finally, Green gave a look full of apology:

"I can't just watch His Highness suffer like this, Miss Luya would be so sad."

This was my own decision; Your Highness can scold or kick me however you like when you wake up.

…………

"Miss Luya, only you can save His Highness now."

What should I do?

"To be His Highness's wife, that's all."

……

In his dream, Lin Wei felt his body being eroded inch by inch.

It's getting hotter and hotter, and it hurts more and more.

"Lua...where are you...?"

Whenever Lin Wei felt helpless, he would subconsciously look for Luya.

That blue figure was Lin Wei's most important anchor in this world.

It was because of Luya that Lin Wei was able to get through those long and anxious nights.

"Why can't I find it...?"

Lin Wei felt like he was going crazy.

"Your Highness, Luya is here."

While in an endless hell of illness, Lin Wei suddenly heard a voice that was both extremely unfamiliar and extremely familiar.

"Luya, is that your voice...? How come you can talk all of a sudden?"

As if sensing something, the boundless flames of blood plague began to gather madly, surrounding Lin Wei tightly at the center.

"Luya will help Your Highness remove these filthy things, and from now on, they will never be able to harm Your Highness again."

Luya's voice was both gentle and firm.

A pair of holy and incomparably beautiful jade hands descended from the sky, and before they even made actual contact with Lin Wei, they had already suppressed and extinguished all the flames on Lin Wei's body.

Finally, those hands gently cupped Lin Wei's face.

That's right, these are Luya's hands. No one in the world understands Luya better than Lin Wei.

Luya's figure gradually appeared in front of Lin Wei. She was completely naked, and her gaze toward Lin Wei was as gentle as ever, like moonlight mixed with love pouring down, quiet yet powerful.

"Your Highness..."

Luya moved closer again and gave Lin Wei a deep kiss.

Nothing shocked Lin Wei more than this kiss; it was an impact that felt like an electric current was coursing through his brain.

This shock brought Lin Wei to his senses and completely purified and reshaped his mental world, which had been ravaged by illness.

From this day forward, this place shall be a no-go zone for all abnormal situations.

Lin Wei's discomfort vanished in an instant.

Moreover, he felt an unprecedented energy and exhilaration.

This vitality and exhilaration may even be permanent.

Even if he didn't sleep for ten days in a row, Lin Wei wouldn't feel tired at all.

"Lua...are you alright...?"

"Luya is very happy."

……

"Luya—"

Lin Wei suddenly opened his eyes.

"Your Highness..."

Luya was nestled in Lin Wei's arms, gazing at him with her wet, deep blue eyes, like those of a young fawn.

"Where am I...?!?"

Upon receiving the information about his current situation, Lin Wei's eyes widened.

Luya gently trembled her exposed, snow-white shoulders, then shrank further into the blanket covering her, too embarrassed to meet Lin Wei's gaze.

It’s over.

In stark contrast to Luya's joy and shyness, Lin Wei felt utterly cold inside.

The "Chain of Hearts" bond has been activated.

The "Chain of Hearts" bond has two conditions.

First, the "Affection Value" of the "Heart Chain" unit reaches 100%.

Second, it is combined with the "Chain of Hearts" unit.

Lin Wei could easily meet both of these conditions.

But Lin Wei had no intention of activating the 'Chain of Hearts'.

The fact that Luya always bears the brunt of the damage is something Lin Wei absolutely cannot accept.

Luya is his lover, not his slave!

But at this moment, the [Bond Leader System] suddenly inserted a reminder:

[A mechanics discrepancy has been detected between 'Heart Chain' and 'Nemesis'. To maximize benefits, please adjust the damage logic priority between 'Heart Chain' and 'Nemesis'.]

Priority...?

Put the 'Chain of Hearts' as the last priority! Forever—!

Lin Wei absolutely refused to accept that Luya would be injured before him.

[Priority settings have been adjusted. The 'Chain of Hearts' unit will only trigger damage transfer when both rivals are simultaneously at low health.]

Lin Wei's heart was beating very fast.

This system alert came at just the right time.

If the damage-bearing priority of "Chain of Hearts" and "Nemesis" cannot be adjusted, Lin Wei will live with guilt and shadow for the rest of his life.

"The 'Chain of Hearts' unit will only trigger damage transfer when both rivals are simultaneously at critical health." This means that Luya's damage will only be affected if both Luya and Tina are killed to critical health by the enemy.

If he and Tina had both locked their health at the same time, they would basically have died together.

Right now, Luya's health can help her hold out a little longer.

The advantage is that it increases the chances of survival, but the disadvantage is that if they encounter a powerful enemy they cannot defeat, Luya will die along with them.

Please don't let things end up like that—

Lin Wei repeatedly reminded himself of this.

The Chain of Hearts has finally been unlocked...

However, Luya also has another exclusive bond, "Heart's Forbidden Body".

This is a bond that is even more extreme than the "Chain of Hearts".

Even before the [Bond Leader System] was unlocked, Lin Wei had suppressed his primal desires and hadn't crossed that final line with Luya because Green had mentioned that Luya's unusual condition might be related to her chastity.

All this is so that one day I can help Luya regain her hearing and speech.

But now...

Lin Wei's heart was filled with bitterness.

This whole thing must have been Green's idea; Lin Wei could have guessed it.

He was probably prepared to be punished by himself; Lin Wei knew him too well.

Now that it has happened, there's no point in blaming him anymore.

Moreover, Green had said something that left Lin Wei speechless for a long time:

"Did Your Highness really ask Miss Luya for her opinion?"

"When His Highness is surrounded by more and more confidantes, and they bear him children one after another, what will become of Miss Luya?"