JIE finally met several members of the Akatasuna Guild for the first time. Three guild officials attended, along with around twenty other members who were in Vatre during that time. He and Kafle were introduced to them; some were welcoming, while others seemed disappointed since they got into the guild easily. Unlike the normal members, they'd need to survive the life-and-death feats to be accepted. “This is the first time the guild has accepted honorary members,” said one of the guild members. A young woman named Krecia. She was a mage but was assigned to be a spy. Jie learned that she was the Intelligence Head. “The chief never gets wrong,” said the other. A middle-aged swordsman, Govi—the Raid Head Officer. Ryker was the one presiding over the meeting since he was the Ambassador of the Guild Council. They were inside the great hall underground, sitting on a long, rectangular table. “Our main agenda is to retrieve the child from the high mage’s tower. They cannot have the Luo
THE guild meeting ended abruptly. Krecia used her staff to create a circular projection to oversee what was going on outside. Everyone saw Commander Semme frantically searching inside the library. “He’s using mana detection…” Krecia muttered. “We'll see if he can find us.” “What if he does? That man is cruel! I have a score to settle with that bastard.” Ethros gritted his teeth. “If he finds us, then we'll kill him,” Uzzo said, as if it were not a big deal. Govi tilted his head in agreement. “Yes, that's the best choice. Even if it meant declaring war with that empire.” Everyone motioned their hands, and a circular blue energy danced in their palms, while Damien’s arm suddenly crawled with thorny vines with small white flowers. The other remaining members were positioned behind the guild officials as they drew their weapons out. “What are those?” Jie asked Kafle. “That's Aguanum, the basic defense for fire magic. I'll teach you that when I'm released from the impeding sha
THE rear palace was lively when the night of the banquet came. Royalties coming from the seven houses were invited. These were the influential families who had been great supporters of the empire. They were wealthy merchants and powerful wizards. Ryker represented the House of Vaughn. Although his name always stirred in the Vatre Empire, they could not ignore him since he had the highest magical orb produced. Those were essential for Ankhe City to thrive in comfortable weather. Even at a young age, he had shown everyone what he was capable of. As Ryker entered the rear palace, he immediately scanned every face present there. However, his companions couldn’t hide the excitement in their eyes—Bryce and Ethros, who were positioned behind him. Lucius was on his side, and Damien was on the other. He only kept a few so they wouldn’t attract attention, unlike other aristocrats, who had at least ten chaperones. “Behave yourselves.” Ryker reminded the two. “Apologies, my lord.” Bryce ra
AS A young man, Jie’s body reacted when the princess started tempting him. But he was old enough to restrain himself. He inhabited a seventeen-year-old body, and taking advantage of the situation could get him killed.Jie stayed focused and looked at the situation positively, letting the princess’ aggressive hands linger on his neck. He felt her warmth, yet he firmly stood his ground.“Tell me what you want, I’ll gladly give it to you.” She teased him even more.“I have questions,” he swallowed hard. Knowing the next words he’d say could alert her and get him decapitated.“Spill it!” She bit her lower lip.“Is it true that the high mage’s tower is impregnable?” He prayed that the princess would stay under the influence of alcohol.She paused. Jie’s heartbeat pounded, but he breathed in relief when Princess Tzeitel giggled.“Are you interested in the Luominen, too?”Jie cleared his throat. “I'm just curious.”“Don’t even think about it. Would you believe that even a royal like me is fo
THE light mood inside the silver house suddenly turned tense when Lucius came in a hurry. It was already past midnight. All of them were in the library except Krecia, who had already left earlier that day. They were discussing their upcoming plans for their journey to Cape Madura when they were interrupted.“My lord, I just received news from our network in Herex, the empire decreed a Death Horde in the Aolien Village, and soldiers are already approaching. Semme accused them of supporting the insurgents.” Lucius looked worried.Jie didn’t know what was going on. Every ear was alert to Lucius’ words. Ryker seemed to be the most affected among them. He got up to face his attendant.“Lucius, are you certain? A death horde is the harshest punishment given to a certain village.”“I couldn’t be wrong. Some of the guild members are there.” Lucius was turning pale.“So, the death hor
“WHO is that?” Jie asked, looking at the old man in a handcuff.“Based on the crest in his clothing, he must be Magistrate Golvig.”“I see. I hope nothing bad happens to him.”Damien heaved a sigh. “I highly doubt it.”Jie silently followed Damien as they made their way to the public square, where Mareo was mercilessly killed. They crouched and hid at the base of the ledge of the fountain.“Goodness gracious! What did he exactly do to be punished that way?” Jie immediately shifted his gaze since he couldn't let himself stare at the gore.“The empire had the most severe punishment for treason. Look around you; even the villagers who had nothing to do with Mareo are brutally murdered.”At a distance, when the commander motioned his hand up to the dragon riders hovering above, the monsters suddenly halted their onslaught.The magical leash mounted on every monster’s neck glinted as it served as the controller for their movements. The beasts around them paused and remained still, as if in
DAWN was approaching, and Jie shivered in the sudden gush of cold wind. There was a blackout in his mind again that he could not recall after chanting the Mizuagua Conjuration for the second time. He was perplexed as to why this was always happening to him.“Oh, please. Not now.” Jie blinked hard when his eyes slowly became blurred. He fought hard not to lose consciousness.Ryker ordered his men to disperse after ensuring all the survivors were retrieved.Liv was still silent, trying not to shed tears again. Magistrate Golvig was always beside her and always motivating her, even though the old man also needed urgent medical care.“Magistrate, the burn marks on your face must have hurt a lot,” Damien said. He used his earth magic to produce an herb and carefully rubbed it on the magistrate’s burned cheek. “This is just first aid. You’ll need a skilled healer since this wound might be infected if left untreated.”“This is nothing compared to the lives we lost here.” Golvig gazed down.W
RYKER was in the dining hall of the mansion in Vaughn Estate when Lucius came. “My lord, as expected, they’re here again.” Ryker wiped his mouth with a white table napkin. He was still trying to breathe normally since they had just arrived from Aolien. He predicted that Semme would do this again since they had an encounter during the Death Horde. He smirked because it was a near miss. Before he could even reply to Lucius, a familiar red-haired soldier barged in along with Commander Semme. Semme seemed shocked to see him there. “Didn’t I warn you last time? It’s so early, Commander. What is it again?” Ryker sounded irritated. “Where have you been last night?” Semme interrogated him. Ryker chuckled. “Are you my wife, Commander? Shall I update you on my daily activities? Of course, I’ve attended the Empress’ banquet at the rear palace.” The red-haired soldier whispered to the commander. “We have seen him at the banquet.” Commander Semme’s jaw hardened. “Soon you’ll regre