2022-11-21 23:35:51“Young man, do you know about the Lost Kingdom?”
“No, I just heard that name yesterday.”
Jason had never heard about this story before.
“It is a kingdom that was supposed to be where the Dark Forest is.”
“Supposed to be? What is the kingdom's name?”
He frowned. Rather than truth, this sounded more like a story.
“You are sharp, kid. But can you bear the consequences of knowing the truth?”
“I think I have to know.”
Honestly, Jason started to feel like this was a game. If Xanders said the same thing to another player; especially one who didn’t know the truth behind The Endless, they would have thought this was a story with rich lore.
“Very well, keep this to yourself, then. The truth is that even the name of the kingdom is erased from history.”
“Huh? Are you sure there was a kingdom?”
“Young man, if you explore the Dark Forest you may find many ruins.”
“Then why is the name erased?”
Jason raised his brow.
“Listen well, young man. The story started about two thousand years ago. It says there was a powerful wizard. So powerful that even the Grand Wizards could not match his power. However, unlike the Grand Wizards who stayed in their domain and looked for more power, this particular wizard wanted something more. He wanted to create a kingdom. The most amazing kingdom of the entire Yuriel.”
Jason listened in a daze. He didn’t know if this was the truth.
“So, this wizard made the most powerful kingdom and became the Wizard King. It thrived for centuries until an unknown attack came from the sky, wiping out everyone in the kingdom, including the Wizard King.”
‘Attack from… The Sky….’
Jason felt his body becoming stiff. His mind rushed to the blinding green light he saw and the fiery pit of lava in the devastated ground. His world became silent and the fear shadowed him. An attack from the sky.
“Hey… Hey… Young Man.”
“Ah… Yeah.”
For once, he felt relief when he heard the voice of this old man. He was no longer in that place.
“It is just a story.”
“Yes… Can you continue?”
“Well… When the other Grand Wizard came, they only found the ruins of a once prosperous kingdom. Everyone thought the Wizard King might have used an unknown spell and caused the destruction. After that, the Grand Wizards of that era decided to leave the lost kingdom in fear of provoking this unknown existence. They forgot the Wizard King and erased everything about him. This tradition continued for generations.”
“Just like that?”
Jason tried his best to focus.
“Just like that. But as time passed it just became a story. Most of us don’t even believe that. But Grand Wizards never touched this continent and the Dark Forest. Whatever happened to the Lost Kingdom left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.”
“But… Isn’t that just a story?”
“Story or not, people stayed away from the Dark Forest and there was an unspoken rule to keep clear of that place.”
“And now?”
“Now all the Grand Wizards seem to be distracted, young man. Wars like this wouldn’t occur easily. Especially Wizards wouldn’t step into the battlefield. But people are greedy, aren’t they? As for the reason for all the Grand Wizards to get distracted, I think you can guess the reason.”
“Because of us”
“Exactly, young man. It has something to do with strange humans entering our world. The Grand Wizards are distracted and thousands of years have passed to tell whether the story was true or not. Now big countries need the Dark Forest. Also, the Grand Wizards seem to care less about the wars and such matters. Honestly, we can expect many wars in the next few years.”
‘Grand Wizards are not distracted because of us. I can imagine their fear when they realise there is a race that can bring people from other worlds.’
Jason was the only one who knew the exact truth behind everything. Except for this issue with the Dark Forest.
“Tell me one thing, Mr Xanders. How strong was this Wizard king?”
“Strong? Hmm… Stories say he could fly without a limit. You may not know but even Grand Wizard has a limit they can go high.”
‘So… He might have gone out of the world, reaching the other worlds. Then… Isn’t it possible to do that? But stronger than a Grand Wizard? Is that even possible?’
He couldn’t help but ponder. If he could actually leave Yuriel, he had a chance to find out what was happening on the outside.
“Hey… Young man, Why are you always getting distracted?”
“Ah… Well. I was wondering… Is it even possible to stop this war? I mean… Does Alexandria even have a chance?”
Jason could already guess the situation.
“No. And as I said, I don’t want to be a part of the war. What I want is for Light Shone to gain strength enough to have a say and protect its people. I know it is not simple, but I want to try.”
“And… You want to keep yourself hidden?”
“Trust me, young man, My former identity is too sensitive, and I won’t stay hiding until my people get killed. So… You can consider me as a hidden card.”
‘That is not bad. He must have been at least born in this village to be the Village leader. Besides, I can confirm this matter about the war when I am in Forestedge. But if it is true… What am I going to do?’
Jason had a feeling that the Grand Wizards would step in if players get cornered without a reason. However, he knew the war would ruin many innocent lives, yet he wasn’t a saint. He thought rationally and tried to live by a code. As for kindness, he would only pay back what he received. Because it was something he rarely saw since he was born.
“Young man. I am talking to you because you are capable and you have no organisation backing you. If you are willing to help me, I will make a promise. As long as you have talent and as long as I am the Village Leader, I will support you to my best to get strong. If nothing goes wrong, it will be until you become at least a Wizard.”
‘That is a big promise.’
Jason would have said this loud, but this man in front of him was a Grandmaster. As long as Xanders wasn’t lying, he had the power to support him.
“Mr Xanders, even if I believe you, where can we find people? I don’t think you want to hire Adventurers.”
“Hehe… Even if I wanted, we have no means. That is the problem.”
‘So, you basically have no plan. You just saw me fight yesterday and thought of a way out. Damn….’
Jason started thinking of possibilities and a single thought came to his mind. It was something they did in the early days of the invasion to fill up the ranks of soldiers.
“Bandits.”
“Huh?”
“We can recruit bandits. They are too cheap and know how to hold a weapon,”
“Those rotten bastards?”
“There are rotten parts everywhere, Mr Xanders. We can just cut off the rotten part and take the rest.”
This was what the Angel of Death did.
“Let’s say we did that. What if they start trouble later?”
“With your strength, can’t you simply get rid of them?”
“I surely can, young man. I like the way you think… But….”
“Deal!”
Jason turned back toward the village.
“Deal? What do you mean? And Forestedge is that way.”
“Deal means I will find bandits for you, Mr Xanders. And if I am going to look for them, I will be late to return. My master surely won’t be happy if his new apprentice disappeared for days all of a sudden.”
He first had to talk to his master and at least learn the basics of magic in a name. Then no one would suspect him when his nodes were unblocked.
‘Ah… I have to talk to Ben.’
He had to delay the money transfer to another day.
…
“Freya!”
Ashley stared at her cousin who was sitting on her bed while biting her nails.
Freya didn’t have that lady-like look she always maintained.
The thin night dress exposed her delicate features and the alluring body. Her fair legs were exposed all the way to her thighs. Honestly, sometimes Ashley felt Jealous of Freya’s figure.
However, right now Freya looked like a cute and worried girl, but Asley knew better than to joke around.
She knew what happened today morning. She saw how terrified Freya looked after she got beaten by Jason. In Freya’s own words, Jason was simply playing with her.
“Freya!”
She called again.
“You can’t stay like this forever. I mean, if you practise well, you can beat him.”
“Huh? What… What are you talking about, Cus? It will never happen. I don’t think even my master can do it. Jason… He is like someone who killed thousands of people.”
“I am telling you, Freya. I asked them to investigate him again. He actually has a very clean record.”
“I know… But I can’t forget those eyes. They are… They had no emotions.”
“So, what are you planning to do?”
“I want to try it.”
“Try it? What?”
“The Endless. I want to know why a monster like Jason Hope wanted to go into a game. He is suitable to be a Mercenary or be in the Army. Why is he interested in The Endless? I want to know.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I will apply tomorrow.”
“Alright then, let’s try to get the cabins as fast as possible with our connections.”
Ashley saw the determination in Freya’s eyes. She knew there was no other way to persuade her cousin.
“Cabins?”
“Yes. Why? Can’t I have some fun, too?”
She gave a sly smile to her cousin.
Previous Chapter
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