After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

McCarthy hurriedly covered her mouth.

Her forehead was covered in cold sweat, and her heart was racing.

She had almost violated the Cold Moon Pact and been killed on the spot...

"Your Excellency, please don't get agitated," Miro said with his head bowed, only daring to look at McCarthy's shiny long boots and, therefore, missing her perturbation.

With an easy smile, Miro said, "When I first saw that footage, I was even more upset than you are, but if you look closely, while this young man bears some resemblance to that black figure, they are actually two different people."

"What?"

Hearing Miro's words, McCarthy took another look at the footage.

Upon closer examination, she realized that the other party's moves only looked similar to Dai Lian's.

Dai Lian's magic power could destroy everything, whereas the dark-haired young man's magic power was "unstable explosion." Once out of the young man's control, the magic power became highly destructive, forming a physical and magical dual damage together with his sword.

Impressive as it was, it was far inferior to Dai Lian.

At the Light Rank, the former's magic power could injure Legendary Adventurers...

The psychological shadow that man, Dai Lian * Zhao Wo, had left on McCarthy still appeared in her nightmares.
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Being of the same Light Rank, she had been defeated without landing a single hit during the graduation assessment in the Ice Abyss.

That meant she had lost the courage to fight just under the gaze of those icy eyes, without the other party even making a move.

The name of that man was "Dark Shadow" Dai Lian * Zhao Wo!

His magic power's characteristic was to destroy anything it touched.

If the person who drew the sword of the hero was Dai Lian, driving it with destructive magic power and slashing at the Demon King, it certainly would have ended the cycle of fate, bringing eternal peace to the Mystic Continent.

He was the only one who had received the Legendary Adventurer Coldmoon Duke's approval without signing a Cold Moon Pact.

And now, McCarthy saw the shadow of "Dark Shadow" Dai Lian in this young man, only level 37... Her inner turmoil was so great that her black instructor's cap was slightly askew.

"How could I have mistaken this young man for Dai Lian... What a blunder...

If Dai Lian were still alive, he would have been captured and brought to the palace by now.

Such a man is too dangerous; if he cannot be possessed, he must be eradicated," McCarthy thought to herself.

Compared to that completely inscrutable black monster, McCarthy preferred the degraded version of the "Eye of True Knowledge" on the list.

Dai Lian was like a wolf that would sooner or later turn on its master; when the lord of the Royal Capital had decided to tame him without signing the Cold Moon Pact, McCarthy and others had strongly objected.

A person like Dai Lian, who held no reverence for anyone, would sooner or later reveal his wild ambitions.

On the contrary, adventurers like Lin Da, who seemed docile and had comparatively lower strength, thus easier to control, were more to McCarthy's liking.

McCarthy's index finger traced the young man's cheek as she murmured to herself, "Eye of True Knowledge Lin Da, I can't wait to start training you."

Across the coffee table, Miro wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, worried for Lin Da.

McCarthy had half Dark Elf heritage.

The reputation of this race wasn't much better than that of Succubi.

The difference was that while succubi were Demons, hated and pursued by all, Dark Elves could walk openly on the streets.

That afternoon, McCarthy unfolded her Light Wings and flew towards the Royal Capital at lightning speed.

Several days later.

Inside an extravagant room made of ice crystals.

McCarthy kneeled on one knee, her head bowed, all pride set aside, as awestruck as a novice venturing into the World Tree for the first time.

She held the list of candidates aloft with both hands, "Your Excellency, these are this year's most outstanding adventurers, please review them."

Before her was a layer of white mist, behind which she could barely make out the silhouette of a shapely figure.

She did not dare to pry, bowing her head respectfully.

McCarthy's heart fluttered with excitement and unease, like a fervent fan meeting the idol of their dreams.

If she could but hear the great person speak... If she could kiss their ankles, she would die without regrets.

Under the cold magic power of this person, McCarthy's restless Dark Elf bloodline was completely suppressed.

Only at such times could she escape the clutches of her lascivious nature and become normal. Of course, there was also another possibility: the charisma of that person had transcended gender and deeply attracted her, the lost sheep.

A moment later.

Two lists flew out from the mist.

"Go, have them sign the Cold Moon Pact," said the icy, emotionless woman's voice.

The moment the woman spoke, the concentration of Ice Elements in the room increased several-fold, making it feel like standing in an ice cave.

In McCarthy's sensation, it was as if an ice mountain that soared into the sky had appeared.

Before the opponent, all my abilities as a Light Rank were sealed, my Magic Circuits ceased to function, and I briefly became a mere mortal.

"Compared to last year, your power has grown even stronger!"

McCarthy's heart jolted.

The reverence she felt towards the woman behind the mist intensified.

As she picked up the list from the ground, she paused.

Inside, there was no "Eye of True Knowledge".

What's going on...

According to her and Miro's judgment, the most likely to be acknowledged by the master was Lin Da of the "Eye of True Knowledge".

Full of confusion, McCarthy was about to take her leave when the Coldmoon Duke's voice came again:

"That adventurer from White Dove City, go and inquire.

If he's willing to sign a master-servant contract and become my servant,

he may choose any Legendary Weapon from the Moon Treasury."

"What?!"

The sudden command was like a bombshell.

McCarthy's eyes widened in shock.

She felt a deep envy, so intense that her eyes turned green!

To sign a master-servant contract with the Coldmoon Duke was an honor many adventurers dreamt of.

Forget about serving as an attendant to the Coldmoon Duke; even if it meant being a bootlicker, responsible for licking away the sweat from her jade-like feet after her battles with Magical Creatures, McCarthy would be satisfied.

Lin Da... what an enviable fellow!

"You may leave." The Coldmoon Duke's icy voice made McCarthy realize her lapse in decorum.

"Yes."

McCarthy bowed her head and respectfully withdrew.

Behind the mist.

There was a silver-haired woman wearing half a white fox mask.

The woman held the list, her cool gaze landing on the young man's face.

"He really does look like..."

Unlike the cold and heartless perception of her from the outside world, a soft murmur like a spring breeze emerged from the woman's throat.

All adventurers who attained a Ten Stars rating had to sign the Cold Moon Pact to ensure their loyalty.

But there was one exception.

"Whoever can offer me greater benefits shall be my master.

'Cold Moon Fire,' if you don't want to be devoured by me, then satisfy my appetite.

Otherwise, I will take you down with me."

Remembering the first time she saw that person, the woman's lips curved into a smirk. Having lived for over a hundred years, she had never seen such an arrogant adventurer.

In front of the Cold Moon Fire, guarding the empire, those dark eyes remained like still water, showing not a hint of fear...

The Cold Moon Pact was indeed a powerful bond, ensuring the loyalty of subordinates. But a real wolf would never wear a collar and submit to someone else.

"The original purpose of the training camp was to cultivate outstanding individuals for the empire.

But... the empire has long since become corrupt, and the Holy Tree will eventually be set ablaze by the Demons.

Only the Cold Moon Fire can stop it all.

For this reason, I will stop at nothing."

The killing intent congealed into a tangible gale, and the mist exploded away.

The silver-haired woman's hair fluttered, her eyes beneath the white fox mask were filled with lethal intent.

Strangely, within her pupils, there was a crescent silver moon.

This vivid, silver moonlight-emitting crescent was, in fact, made up of countless Magic Runes.

It was part of a Rule Fragment.

While other adventurers were still wielding power, the essence of power itself had already been grasped by this woman!

That is why McCarthy thought that signing a master-servant contract with the Coldmoon Duke was a reward.

In the presence of such a powerful being, even if it meant giving up life and freedom, just the benefit of being close to the Law was enough to make countless adventurers go mad.