Wizard Of Cosmos

304 - An Overwhelming Prescence

‘So, this is Light Shone.’

His hidden eyes scanned the streets as he walked leisurely, moving unseen alongside the startled envoys.

‘Still too small, but… this is serious potential.’

He had slipped out of the carriage as the guards inspected it, effortlessly avoiding their scrutiny. While his invisibility shielded him from their eyes, he still occupied physical space—and he preferred not to take the risk of being noticed.

With measured steps, he blended into the bustling streets. What he saw defied his expectations.

The village was alive.

It wasn’t just busy—it thrived.

Shops occupied every available space, their owners negotiating prices with eager customers. People bustled past him, engaged in work yet carrying an air of contentment, their movements purposeful, their faces filled with ease.

This was not the Light Shone he remembered.

‘Back then, it was different.’

It had been just as lively, but the stench of blood clung to the air, and signs of death lurked at every corner. Adventurers flocked here to gamble their lives for treasure. Their ambition, desperation, and recklessness had given the village its energy.

But now… Now, Light Shone felt stable. Now, the people here lived—not just survived.

His gaze flickered to the luxuries scattered throughout the village—things that should not belong in a mere village.

Magic lamp posts lined the roads, casting a steady glow.

The well-paved streets, constructed from quality materials, were a stark contrast to the dirt roads of even established cities.

Yet, the people who walked these streets were not nobles or aristocrats—they were commoners.

Workers. Craftsmen. Farmers, and the alien humans…. The outsiders from another world, who should have been outcasts, had woven themselves seamlessly into the fabric of this place.

‘So many aliens… yet they’ve integrated into society so well.’ His gaze lingered on the interactions between the two sides.

Natives and alien humans worked together effortlessly, handling trade, security, and administration with an ease that no other place had achieved.

‘They aren’t poor. And the Crystal Pulse… they aren’t hoarding wealth either.’ That realization hit harder than he expected.

The guards’ hostility toward Brodice suddenly made sense.

These people weren’t just defending a home—they were defending a way of life.

A place like this, where everyone had access to comfort, security, and opportunity, was a miracle to commoners. To those who had spent their lives under the rule of kings and nobles, a place like Light Shone might as well have been a divine blessing.

‘A prosperous home, governed by clear laws, backed by power strong enough to resist a kingdom…’ No wonder these people would fight for it.

He turned his attention to the checkpoint, where the envoys of Brodice were receiving their entry documentation.

The guards handed each of them a magic card—a thin film of magical crystal embedded with their identification.

‘That should be expensive. Yet, here, it’s common?’

From the shadows, he listened as the guards explained the rules with crisp clarity.

No fighting. Thievery is punishable by death. No harming or threatening others. Any disputes must be reported to the guards. Only the official Light Shone currency is accepted.

His fingers twitched at the last rule.

‘One unit of their currency… equals one magic crystal?’ That was ridiculous.

He watched as people used silver and gold for basic trades, while their true currency held far greater value. And yet, even with such absurdity, the actual prices of food and essential goods were cheaper than in any other kingdom.

‘Their priority isn’t wealth—it’s giving these people the best possible life.’

He exhaled slowly, understanding settling deep into his bones.

This was why the natives were willing to fight for this place. This wasn’t just a village anymore. It was a functioning, organized society—more structured than some kingdoms. A government.

The civil workers handled administration with efficiency. The guards followed clear, disciplined command structures. The people had purpose, security, and hope.

A true system was in place.

A system stronger than monarchies built on blood and fear.

The hooded figure glanced at the streets, the guards, and the civilians.

…

‘This isn’t a palace… and why is this inside the village?’ The hooded figure frowned as he took in the sight before him.

It didn’t make sense. From everything he had seen on his way here, he expected grandeur—a majestic administrative centre, something fitting for the rulers of a rising power.

Instead… He was staring at a simple, shabby-looking building.

It was clean, neat, and well-maintained—but compared to the bustling marketplace and the well-constructed outer district, it looked almost abandoned.

A place that should have been the heart of authority was instead overshadowed by the thriving streets outside.

‘They’re prioritizing the outer areas… but what about this place?’ The inner village was noticeably quieter.

There were fewer people, and the pace of construction was significantly slower. It felt as if this entire section of the village had been deliberately ignored—left behind in the rapid development of Light Shone.

But the hooded figure knew better than to be fooled by appearances.

This wasn’t neglect. This was something else.

He closed his eyes, focusing on his senses.

Waves of raw Mana surged through the air, radiating from the seemingly unremarkable stone buildings. Metal clashed against metal, ringing with the reverberation of forging magic-infused weapons.

The air pulsated with power—runes, ancient symbols woven with forbidden strength, coming to life under practised hands.

‘This is where they make them.’ The infamous runes of Light Shone. Including the one that nearly triggered a world war. The Death Knight Rune.

A rune so powerful that Grand Wizards themselves had to intervene to stop the world’s most powerful factions from tearing each other apart over it.

The same rune that the Crystal Pulse had casually given away—not to a king, not to a nation, but as the grand prize for a mere arena tournament.The hooded figure’s lips curled into a smirk beneath his cloak.

‘Ridiculous.’

And yet… The fact that they could do something so bold and remain standing—unchallenged—made one thing clear.

Light Shone’s strength was not a lie.

"You can enter and wait here. Lord Jason will meet you shortly." The guard who had been leading them stopped in front of the main building.

The envoy paused, visibly displeased. "He isn't here?" His voice carried offence, a thinly veiled attempt at asserting dominance.

But the moment the words left his mouth, they withered into submission.

The guard didn’t respond.

Not because of fear. Not because he didn’t hear. But because the question wasn’t worth answering.

The disdain was subtle but present.

A simple, unspoken truth hung in the air:

‘Do you think you’re that special?’ The hooded figure watched in silence, observing how quickly the envoy had backed down.

‘So, Jason Hope doesn’t even need to be here to make them feel small.’ The giants didn’t need to present to make the mortals feel small. Their presence alone was overwhelming. Yes, this was exactly that—an overwhelming presence.