Chapter 102: A Twisted World (3)
The Lacania Empire was the largest and most powerful nation on the continent. Its capital, Thea Krahan, was naturally the largest and most magnificent city in existence. It was a city befitting an emperor.
Endless rows of buildings stretched to the horizon, with countless winding alleys weaving a labyrinth that resembled the capillaries of a giant. But the main avenues told a different story. Rigidly planned rectangular streets divided the city into precise districts, forming a grid-like network that served as the arteries of the imperial capital, bustling with innumerable citizens.
Size alone didn’t define Thea Krahan. Its splendor also overwhelmed every other city. Towers and mansions that could serve as landmarks in other cities were mere ordinary buildings here. Towering spires pierced the heavens at every turn, and luxurious mansions gleaming like masterpieces adorned the cityscape.
To the east of the capital stood a solitary tower. Compared to the resplendent imperial palace and the grand estates of the nobility, it was unadorned to the point of austerity. It was a simple white tower that could almost be called plain.
Yet, no one—not even the emperor—would dare dismiss the master of this tower. It was the Magic Tower of Elezar de Reflasion, one of the three Archmages and the empire's most powerful mage.
***
Inside the tower, a reception room was exquisitely decorated with vivid illustrations of various birds. A beautiful woman with brown skin and flowing golden hair tied neatly behind her reclined on a sofa, her expression languid.
"How did it go, Hudel?"
Standing before her was a young man in his twenties with golden hair, who respectfully delivered his report. "We’ve identified some suspicious individuals, Lady Elezar."
"Hmmm..."
Elezar scanned the documents Hudel had presented. Drawn on the papers were portraits of two men: a gaunt man in his mid-forties and a swordsman of a similar age.
They were Ziken Esperode, a seventh circle mage and the captain of the First Squad of the King’s Order in the Eustil Kingdom, and Triv Larkins, a blue-tier aura user and vice-captain of the same squad.