If Mandala was truly one of the Seven Sages of the Salvation Sect—and if they’d once been lovers—Hale was utterly doomed.

He could bluff his way through things in front of Ye Wangxue, but if that rumor ever reached Mandala’s ears…

Though the storyline barely described this Sage, Mandala’s personality was notoriously eccentric. If that woman learned someone had falsely claimed to be her former lover? She might just return and end him.

In the early stage of Christine’s route, this quest only required facing Ye Wangxue.

Ye Wangxue’s Moonward was perfectly countered by Christine’s signature weapon.

Christine’s weapon was incredibly powerful: it periodically cleansed negative status effects, restored HP, drastically boosted crowd-control resistance and monster-specific damage, and even granted blindness immunity.

Built specifically to dismantle bosses with annoying mechanics.

So yes, the quest was doable early in Christine’s route—but Mandala was a Sage.

All Seven Sages ranked as late-game bosses.

Even if Mandala was the weakest, Hale knew: if she came for him, he was finished.

Right now, she was likely helping Ye Wangxue handle the Inquisition Bureau elites.

That’s why he worried about her safety—a classic clash of troublemakers.

Who was more toxic? Hard to say.

“Hmph. Makes sense. A dull woman like her? No man would want her. You men all prefer fiery types, don’t you?”

Ye Wangxue seethed. Unable to fight back physically, she lashed out with words.

“Don’t spread rumors,” Hale murmured, voice low.

Silence fell. They trudged eastward through the dark underground passage. Reach Saint Louis’s outskirts, and they’d be safe.

Halfway there, Ye Wangxue halted.

“No. I can’t just go back. I must do something. Returning now would ruin my life forever.”

“No, no, no—you’ll be fine. Your life’s about to get *very* exciting,” Hale rushed to stop this little miss from rushing back to certain doom.

Timeline-wise, Letitia and Moyel were nearing the Inquisition agents. Mandala, seeing the plan fail, would retreat.

Ye Wangxue alone stood zero chance.

“You don’t understand. This isn’t even a political marriage. My father probably thinks my fiancé’s a useless puppet I can control. I’m just a pawn.”

Ye Wangxue’s heart ached.

She’d dreamed of serving Great Xia on the battlefield—dying beneath a blood-stained banner would feel honorable.

But waking beside someone she didn’t love? Her body and soul recoiled at the thought.

“If it’s that bad… why not elope?”

Hale finally showed his hand.

In Ye Wangxue’s route, avoiding replenishing her magic meant surviving two to three years.

His goal: steer her onto her canonical path. Suggesting elopement now? Perfect timing.

In the original plot, she fled mid-procession—stranded, hungry, with only Moonward and no loyalist support.

But if she planned *now*? Higher survival odds.

Pro players in this game meticulously scheduled in-game dates: leveling, quests, key events.

Accelerating her timeline meant Hale could wash his hands of her safety.

Ye Wangxue froze.

The black-haired youth’s words clicked.

*She could elope.*

She’d considered it—but as Great Xia Princess, elopement risked diplomatic fallout.

Yet his words solidified her resolve.

“You’re right. During the formal engagement, I’ll meet him. If he’s truly awful… I’ll elope after returning to the Xia Kingdom.”

She clenched her fists.

“Good luck,” Hale encouraged, *Yeah, your fiancé’s definitely trash.*

Ye Wangxue no longer hesitated. They pressed on.

After a while, she spoke softly:

“If I elope… where do I go?”

“The world’s vast. With your strength and loyal maids, anywhere. But hide in the Western Continent. Lingering in the East risks capture by your father’s guards.”

Hale knew: staying too long in the Eastern Continent triggered an emergency pursuit quest.

“Then I’ll go west. Maybe… join the Salvation Sect?”

She glanced at him, hope flickering. “I’ve nowhere else. And even after eloping, my goal aligns with Father’s: overthrow the Holy Church.”

“Go for it,” Hale nodded.

Later in her route, she *could* join the Sect, aiding guerrilla efforts before the final assault on Saint Louis.

But that path was tough—usually forcing her to rely on Hale to replenish her magic.

Now? Accelerated timeline. She likely wouldn’t need him.

Solid.

“Which Sage’s subordinate are you in the Salvation Sect?”

“Secret.”

“Tell this princess *now*!”

“Why does it matter? My identity’s a top-secret matter of the Salvation Sect. Understand?”

Hale turned serious.

He had to avoid her seeking him post-elopement.

Risk? Being killed by Ye Wangxue herself. Or the scorned noble. Or the Inquisition Bureau, already suspecting him of being a Western spy.

If she came looking? He was dead.

Way too dangerous.

“You’re insufferable! Your strength is impressive for your age, but across both continents, countless young talents exist. In Great Xia alone, heroes would beg for my attention—and I might not spare them a glance!”

“Yeah, yeah. So why care who I am? I’m nobody special.”

“You… mind your own business!”

Ye Wangxue fumed at his dismissive tone.