The Sorcerer's Handbook

Chapter 292: Vanmura

"Rapid breathing, dilated pupils. Those are classic symptoms of adrenaline intoxication," Annan said, her voice leisurely and unbothered. "You've been in Vanmura for over four hours today, haven't you? You aren't members of the Six Emblems, and you clearly haven't undergone demon-extraction. How could you possibly leave the City of No Return?"

The goblin's face went pale. With a desperate flick of his fingers, he commanded the railcar to reverse, racing it back toward the core district. As they crossed the boundary, the passengers revived like parched land finally receiving rain. Even Ashe and the others felt their spirits lift, a sudden euphoria buzzing through their veins as if every cell in their bodies had begun to dance.

Having seen his fair share of addicts, Iger was the first to realize the truth. His face darkened. "Candy addiction? That was withdrawal just now! We're hooked!"

"No wonder," Harvey said with a Catnip cigarette between his lips. "I was wondering why my craving for smoke felt so much weaker. Turns out it's not that my willpower improved, but that the craving had already been satisfied."

Ashe froze, still holding Lys. Candy? We haven't even eaten anything sweet. How could we possibly—

The realization hit them all at once. They turned their heads, staring at the pale mist swirling outside the windows.

Night had fully fallen. Neon lights saturated the city, their glow softened and blurred by the ever-present haze. The harsh light pollution softened under the mist, filtered into something ambiguous, like the shy warmth of a girl's private chamber, yet also like a nightmare realm hiding deadly intent.

Pankey said, "Don't be nervous. It creates a psychological dependence, but it doesn't harm the body. It can be completely purged through demon-extraction treatment."

"This fog... what exactly is it?" Iger muttered.

Annan explained, "Beneath Vanmura lies a subterranean farmland that spans the entire city. They grow Mermaid Weed there. It's the primary ingredient in Catnip cigarettes, a base for countless hallucinogens, and Vanmura's greatest export."

She continued, "The problem with Mermaid Weed is that it constantly releases Beauty Mist. No spell can disperse it, and if it's allowed to accumulate, it becomes highly toxic. There is only one way to deal with it. People have to breathe it in.

"However, sorcerers eventually discovered that once processed, the mist loses its toxicity. Instead, it provides a subtle, long-lasting mental pleasure, cleaner and more efficient than any cigarette. That is how Vanmura became the city you see now. It ranks first in average lifespan, first in public safety, and first in citizen happiness. It earns the name City of No Return because once you arrive, you simply never want to leave.

Annan looked at the agents. "And standing before us now are two travelers who can no longer refuse Vanmura's invitation."

The beastman and the goblin tried to regain their composure. "It doesn't matter. I've already contacted the Lady. We can just wait for her here—"

"You've run out of time," Annan said, her smile widening.

Her words were almost like a curse. A second later, a roar resembling a jet's turbine tore through the night sky. Over a dozen Red Hats descended on Stabilizer Boots, surrounding the railcar in mid-air. A booming command echoed through the carriage.

"We have reason to believe criminals have hijacked this railcar and disrupted traffic. All passengers, disembark immediately for inspection! Repeat! Disembark immediately!"

Ashe tensed, his hand dropping to his weapon. "We're surrounded by Red Hats! What's the move? Do we fight our way out?"

"No need," Annan said nonchalantly. "Surrender."

Iger narrowed his eyes at her. "Miss, have you forgotten the contract we just signed? Or does it mean nothing to you?"

Pankeye intervened. "It's not that. The reason we came to Vanmura is that we have a protector here. The young lady's aunt is one of the high-ranking Red Hats in this city."

"Don't worry. I already notified my aunt. These people are here to pick us up," Annan said, a confident smile playing on her lips.

Ashe and the others relaxed instantly, giving the Purple Moth a silent thumbs-up. As expected of someone bold enough to blaspheme the divine. She truly plans everything before she acts—

Smack!

The moment they stepped off the railcar, the Red Hats swarmed them. It wasn't just Ashe. Even Annan and the others were slammed into the ground and bound with spell restraints. The entire group was pinned to the pavement.

Everyone turned their heads to look at the young lady. No one spoke, yet the silence was deafening.

A voice commanded. "Don't remove that one's cloak. Cliose just sent word that apparently, one look at his face can cause severe mental shock to a sorcerer."

Ashe felt utterly miserable. Since when did the rumors start painting me as some hideous demon lord?

He noticed Annan's face turn deathly pale the moment she heard that voice. Assuming some terrifying figure had arrived, he followed the sound, only to see a pair of snow-white legs clad in high boots.

Stepping into view was an elf allied with the Red Hats, radiating a mature, dangerous charm. A fitted corset accentuated her figure, and her ultra-short skirt barely brushed the tops of her elegant boots. She looked down at the fugitives from Azura with cold indifference.

She waved a hand, signaling the Red Hats to drag the two agency agents away. "Break them as much as you can within permissible limits. Otherwise, every gutter rat in the world will think they can wander into Vanmura."

Then, she turned her gaze to the rest of the group. Ashe and the others trembled. Even Iger didn't dare move. Without so much as releasing a single drop of mana, she exerted an immense pressure on the Two-Winged sorcerers with her gaze alone.

Ashe realized with a jolt of terror. A Sacred Realm sorcerer! We've been captured by a Sacred Realm sorcerer. This time, we're truly done for.

Annan was the only one who stubbornly lifted her head. "Where is my aunt?!"

Ashe felt a surge of genuine admiration. As expected of Miss. She can do what none of us dare!

The elf looked down at her. "Nona Senheiser abused her authority, colluded with outsiders, and leaked intelligence. She has been detained, suspended, and is currently awaiting punishment. You won't be seeing her."

Annan shouted, "But you can't arrest us! We are law-abiding citizens—"

The elf borrowed a slip of paper and a pen, scribbled a few lines, and tossed it at Annan's face. "The Red Hats suspect you of participating in mobile criminal activity. You are now officially detained for investigation. If you like, I can write a few more charges. As for that wanted criminal..."

She glanced at Ashe, "I don't need to write anything for him, do I?"

Annan gritted her teeth. "Quinna, you—"

Crack!

The elf's boot caught Annan squarely in the face. The force of the kick sent her skidding several meters across the pavement. She showed no mercy for Annan's beauty.

"How rude," Quinna said coldly.

Seeing this, Pankey quickly pleaded, "Lady Quinna, the Young Lady didn't mean to offend you. She just—"

"That's enough, Pankeye," the elf interrupted, her tone flat and cold. "There's no need to defend her. After all these years, she is as pathetic as she ever was. She has completely become a typical Dolan, useless at getting things done, but a master at making a mess of them."

Aside from Pankey, the others froze, stunned by the weight of the revelation.

The elf looked at Ashe and the rest as if they were nothing more than discarded toys. She said, "You must be the scraps my daughter picked up. Welcome to Vanmura."