Chapter 361: Volume 6: Cautious Planning - 14: Dark Knight
After spending several days with Rebury, Komer found that his entire Magic Knowledge System in his mind had undergone an earth-shaking cleanse and replenishment. Many formerly vague concepts were now clarified, and formerly insurmountable problems were now resolved with ease. For Komer, it was like a traveler groping through a road full of countless traps, suddenly finding himself on a bright and smooth path. All the potential pitfalls were clearly marked, and there was no longer a need to worry about falling into trouble from which he could not extricate himself. This feeling of having both a mentor and a friend could not be adequately described with just a few words like ’relaxed, joyful, and delightful.’
Faced with Komer’s myriad of bizarre questions, Rebury, who once traveled the Continent and prided himself on his extensive knowledge and superior intellect, also felt an immense headache. Each of Komer’s questions either surpassed the realm of magical common sense he was familiar with or overturned his longstanding magical principles. However, Rebury had to admit Komer’s genius in Magic innovation. The Mixed Magic that usually only Archmages dared to attempt was like child’s play to him, effortless and easy. Even the Dark Corrosion Magic that Rebury himself dared not touch was used by Komer in a Mixed Spell Assisting Technique to enhance the defensive and offensive capabilities of equipment and weapons. Apart from clapping in admiration, Rebury could find no other expression to communicate his feelings toward someone he considered not just a Magic genius, but a veritable freak of Magic.
Rebury could never understand how such a young man could possess such formidable Magic power and Spiritual Power. In addition to possessing powerful Dark Magic Force, Komer could also perform a trick or two of notable White Magic and Light Divine Technique. These two diametrically opposed types of Magic could coexist in one Mage, but it required the Mage to have at least several decades of experience in Psychic Magic cultivation. However, from any perspective, the fellow before him didn’t look like someone over thirty years old, and even if he had started cultivating from a few years of age, it was impossible to have such strength. In fact, Komer was not even twenty years old yet.
As for the specters lurking inside Damarlinsk Castle, both Rebury and Komer dared not take them lightly. After all, more than a hundred years had passed since the first Lord encountered misfortune, and in that time, Magicians from Cyprus had also entered the Castle to sweep it clean, yet still came out with nothing. Subsequent Lords continued to meet with misfortune, indicating that the entity hidden deep within the Castle was not an ordinary undead creature but was an intelligent and possibly cunning being. Whether it was a ghost, a spirit seeking redress, a successfully cultivated specter, or even a rare Demon from the Land of the Underworld that even they had no knowledge of, neither of them could be sure. To quote Rebury, they could only take one step at a time, and only after personally encountering it could they be certain.
Various Magic Scrolls and props were indispensable. For Mages of insufficient strength, these were lifesaving protective charms, and Komer was no exception. Even the usually proud Rebury dared not underestimate their value. Various preventive potions were equally important. In the Land of Underworld, one would inevitably encounter attacks from Dark and Necromancy Class forces. Besides defense through spells, potions could often play a supporting role at critical moments. This was Komer’s strong suit, and even after Rebury witnessed the various supporting potions Komer had researched himself, he couldn’t help praising him. He believed that if Komer were not a Lord, he could easily become the most successful merchant in the adventurer’s world with his endless stream of potions and props, which would undoubtedly be the most popular goods among Magicians, Adventurers, and even Knights.
Rebry had been waiting, and the person he had been expecting finally arrived. When Rebry asked Komer whether he wanted to embark on the adventure with just the two of them or to look for some reliable friends to explore Damarlinsk Castle together, Komer, after hesitating, decided to accept the more prudent suggestion. However, he asked Rebry not to take too much time, as with the growing prosperity within the territory, people of various races began to appear in Ugru more frequently, and the number of officials and public representatives coming to see him increased. The farm that temporarily served as the Lord’s Mansion was becoming increasingly inadequate for Komer’s status. Komer hoped to resolve this issue, which he would have to face sooner or later, as soon as possible.
The gaunt face of the man was half covered by a half-visored black iron helmet. It was only when he removed his helmet that Komer realized that the person before him was not very old, at most around thirty years old. His eyes were deep and filled with a cold indifference, only occasionally sparking with flames when Rebry mentioned the interesting things inside Damarlinsk Castle. His physique was not robust; in fact, he could be considered somewhat slender. Yet, the knight spear hanging between the legs of his mighty steed appeared to be no ordinary item. Komer guessed it was at least a century-old relic. The thin-bladed long sword slanted across his waist seemed more decorative, with a scabbard made of fish skin, embellished at the top with silver threads and emeralds making up a crest, possibly from those ancient families with long histories in the mainland southern regions. However, from the quiet bloodlust that seeped out from the scabbard of the decorative sword, Komer sensed a killing intent—it was an unequivocal instrument of murder. Although the gem that appeared to be an emerald was deliberately suppressing the aura in the scabbard, it was not so easy to control an object that has tasted the blood and souls of more than a hundred people.
Earlier, Rebry had simply told Komer that the visitor was a Dark Knight, which marked Komer’s first encounter with the Dark Knight Sorrenberger, known throughout the Continent. He lived on the edge of the swamp at the southern part of the Gratz region, south of the Galle Region, and was the closest ally Rebry could summon.
Komer found that the relationship between Rebry and this Dark Knight was not as close as he had imagined. Their relationship was more like a bizarre mutual need yet also mutual enmity—a strange sort of rivalry. Discussion and competition were probably the best means for them to elevate their own skills. After the arrival of the Dark Knight, Rebry simply briefed him on the upcoming mission and went to a secluded place with the Dark Knight, leaving Komer unsure what form their contest would take. However, when the two returned to the farm, their appearance took Komer by surprise—Rebry had dark circles under his eyes and purple-black bloodstains even soaked his arms, looking so weak that walking seemed to make him wobbly, while the Dark Knight seemed not much better off. His helmet had clearly been caved in by a heavy blow, leaving an indent, and his dignified knight’s attire was riddled with injuries, including a large slash across his waist, with bloodstains around his mouth indicating he had sustained considerable injury as well.
Although Komer could not understand why this Dark Knight would travel thousands of miles at the behest of such a disheveled magician, only to engage in such a baffling battle, he knew this would somehow impact his own plans of conquering the castle, for better or worse. As expected, Rebry proposed to delay the exploration until three days later, grabbing the majority of the potions Komer had carefully prepared. Fortunately, Komer saw that some of the potions had already reached the Dark Knight’s desk, so he had no choice but to take up his old profession and once again act as a Potion master.