Chapter 66: A New Journey

Chapter 66: A New Journey

"Here is a message from the Kadhium Mining Site. They have collected a sample from the magic mine and sent it to us."

"Really?" Dushala received the note from her subordinate and opened the accompanying small box.

Click—

Inside lay an unprocessed gemstone, rough and unpolished—a true magic stone.

This can be worth at least a tier-two gemstone. Who would have thought there would be a magic mine in that forsaken land? A shiver ran down Dushala’s spine as she realized Karyl's words, which she had once doubted. They had become a reality.

"Wow, is this a magic stone? And look, there are even different colors. Does this mean the mine contains multiple elements? It seems far superior to the magic mines the empire possesses. Hahaha, doesn't this make us richer than the emperor?" Kamma chuckled from behind Dushala.

Dushala’s expression turned serious. "It's too early to celebrate. These stones can't be sold yet. Think about how much we've invested in developing the magic mine. We've poured the equivalent of Tatur's three-year budget into it."

Kamma’s excitement faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Ha, haha... That's true," he murmured, biting his lip.

"And this message is from Suan, from the lawless port. All damaged buildings have been repaired, and it seems the settlement of the immigrant tribes brought from the north has stabilized somewhat."

During Karyl’s absence, Tatur had undergone numerous changes. With the development of the magic mine, Suan Hazar started actively rescuing immigrant tribesmen and slaves, bringing them to Tatur. Soon, the reputation of the Slave King spread across the continent, creating a network of contacts who secretly reached out to him.

Though it was not their original intention, the invisible empire Karyl had envisioned was gradually taking shape in the shadows.

"Suan, that guy... Without Curan around, he's been roaming around the lawless port as if it's his own backyard," Kamma sneered as he sifted through a pile of documents.

"And? What of it?"

"Ah, no, it's a good thing, really. The lawless port has become more stable without Curan. It's a much better place to live now. Hahaha."

Squirming under Dushala's cold gaze, Kamma, quick to pick up on cues, awkwardly laughed and poked the sides of his nearby subordinates. Damn, that glare... I can't stand this dirty work anymore. Why am I always the one stuck with the grunt work, despite being an administrator like the rest?

Among the administrators of the free city, Kamma's position had always been lower than the other three. In the past, when Tatur had no ruler, they did not encroach upon each other's territories. But now, with a clear ruler, the three administrators ultimately served under Karyl MacGovern. And for some reason, two of the more influential administrators supported that young child, leaving Kamma without recourse.

I should have cozied up to that kid before Dushala made her move. Suan is always out and about anyway... That woman acts like Tatur belongs to her.

Frustration boiled within Kamma, but he couldn’t express it openly. Instead, he busied himself with the remaining documents Dushala had finished with.

"Kamma," Dushala’s voice cut through the silence. Fiind updated novels at novelhall.com

"Eh? Ha, what is it... Do you need help with something?" Surprised, Kamma turned towards her. He nearly blurted out something about helping her with a task but managed to swallow his words. He wanted to preserve at least a shred of his dignity, earned over the years.

"There's something you need to do."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"If you perform well, you might just earn Karyl's trust—the trust you've been coveting. Perhaps, you could even make a return to the political scene."

"The political scene? You mean the principality? Hahaha... You must be kidding. What could an old man like me do there?"

Dushala was the only person in Tatur who knew about Kamma's past. He was once a noble in the principality. However, a series of events had led to the loss of his family, forcing him to flee here. The reason for the large gap between Dushala and him was that he had hidden away upon hearing that Karyl had started dealing with Baron Beryl, due to his past.

"Why? You always said that if you were to return to Lurein, revenge would be your first order of business."

"..."

"It seems that there’s finally an opportunity."

"What do you mean...?"

"Here, a letter from Baron Beryl of the Kadhium magic mine. Well, it’s not directly from him, but rather a report on what he was instructed to do by Karyl," Dushala said, handing him the note she had received earlier.

Kamma, with a puzzled expression on his face, as if not understanding the implication, took the note and read its contents.

"For the next couple of months of our journey, focus on training your mana following the method I've shown you."

"Yes," Mikhail nodded, fully committing himself to Karyl's instructions.

[Wow, he's really paying attention, huh? Not missing a single detail. Impressive.] Allen interjected jokingly.

I have no choice. I can't exactly tell him to learn magic from a ghost who died a thousand years ago. Karyl chuckled softly.

[Why not? There's no rule against learning from the dead. Didn't you just say we shouldn’t be confined by standardized concepts?]

Stop nitpicking. In due time, the name Allen Javius will become known once again.

At Karyl's words, Allen crossed his arms and scoffed. "Humph, I'm not interested in that now. All I want is to confront Narh Di Maug, nothing more."

To ask him why he killed you?

[...You really know how to rub the salt in, huh? You have absolutely no tact. I can’t believe I’m sharing all my knowledge with someone like you.]

Not all of it. You’ve placed restrictions. I only have a conceptual understanding. High-level magic knowledge remains locked away.

[That's because you wouldn't be able to use those spells anyway. I did it for your own good.]

Or maybe you were worried I might trade away the forgotten magics? Karyl smirked.

Within the depths of Azor and within Allen Javius' memories lay a trove of lost spells, learned by the Assembly of Seven Elders, almost all of which are now lost. From the Dawn Society to the Immortal Council, even the Empire and the Principality, even sorcerers with the title of a great sorcerer would desire such knowledge. The appearance of just a single spell would have them scrambling to strike a deal with Karyl.

Especially the Imperial Court Sorcerer, Kadin Luer. That old man would probably even give up a lordship or two just to get his hands on it. Of course, Karyl had no intention of striking deals with such cunning individuals, but it did highlight the immense value that new magic held for sorcerers.

[Trade that knowledge? Ha, you are quite the comic. Who would believe that a twelve-year-old possesses ancient magic that has been lost for a millennium? It would only hasten your demise.]

And the old snake was right on the mark. Allen knew very well that what Karyl proposed was practically impossible, just a ploy for Karyl to get a higher ground in their relationship.

[Do not worry. Since you've consumed the heart of a dragon, I can't possess your body. Even my magic can't surpass that of a dragon, so it's inevitable.] He seemed to reassure Karyl. [I have shared my knowledge with you under the condition that you will take me to the Platinum Dragon. After being left alone for a millennium, the fate of the continent no longer concerns me.]

The seal of the Gray Training Ground was something Allen couldn't break, and Karyl provided an opportunity to access the artifacts of the Assembly of Seven Elders. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, but considering the cunning of the Assembly of Seven Elders, Karyl remained uneasy despite his preparations.

[So do not be disheartened. Continue doing what you're doing. Watching you is quite entertaining.]

What? When have I ever?

[Hehehe...] Allen chuckled, finding Karyl's reaction amusing.

What kind of deep thoughts go through his mind during those moments of silence? Lately, he seems to be doing it more often... Unaware of Allen Javius's existence, Mikhail could only assume Karyl was deep in thought.

[Before heading to the Abyssal Rock, are you planning to make a stop at “that place”? It amazes me that it still exists.]

Tatur alone isn't enough. While there are few cities on the continent that remain untouched by kingdoms, establishing them as a base is difficult. After much thought, that place seems most suitable.

"While I agree with that... I doubt merely three people can lay claim to that land."

Allen looked back at Mikhail and Aidan, who were following behind Karyl.

If we can't manage even that, we will just die at the Abyssal Rocks, long before reaching Narh Di Maug's lair.

[...]

Moreover, to reach the Abyssal Rock, we need their strength.

Mikhail looked at Karyl, sensing that the prolonged silence was finally over. And with the end of silence, came the unpredictable commands.

"The land of the Flying Bow Tribe," Karyl spoke softly. "We're heading to the Great Plains."