The Vastness of Magical Destiny

Komer’s timely arrival made the meeting somewhat awkward for everyone involved. However, Komer conducted himself with considerable rationality and understanding, which not only slightly reassured Caru and Boritz but also made them sense that this young noble lord had a depth and sophistication to him.

Komer’s positive demeanor with Rebury did not dispel Caru and Boritz’s suspicions. However, from the first subterranean level of Damarlinsk Castle to the second aboveground floor, Caru and Boritz had indeed found nothing of interest. Instead, Rebury’s five laboratories amazed both Caru and Boritz. They had not expected that in such a remote land as the Caucasus, this minor lord would have such grand ambitions, so much so that he provided ample magic experimental materials and supplies. To explain this as a mere hobby or friendship was far-fetched.

Without a doubt, Rebury was experimenting with a massive mixed magic combining wind and ice systems, taking advantage of the endless Nether Qi flowing from the Eye of Darkness. The abundance of Profound Ice Crystal Stones and Thousand Maple Wood was unquestionably essential for these magical experiments. Some special magic metals and materials were clearly the raw ingredients for experimental props. Although Caru and Boritz were not experts in Elemental Magic, they still recognized this.

While Caru admired his former colleague’s extensive magical knowledge, he also felt sorry for Rebury. Rebury’s talent in magic, which even surpassed his own, was somewhat wasted due to his somewhat unrestrained nature, which made him quite the black sheep in the Church of Light. The heavy constraints of the Church failed to smooth his rough edges, straining his relationship with the higher-ups of the Church. Perhaps it was this very reason that forced him to leave, though Caru was not clear about the real reason for Rebury’s departure.

Watching the sail disappearing from the dock, both Komer and Rebury couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. They had finally sent the two plague gods away. The masters from the Religious Court were indeed not simple; the passageway leading further down from the first subterranean level had been subjected to Komer’s two bans and three illusion magics, yet still could not escape Caru and Boritz’s keen senses and scrutiny. Had Komer not secretly opened a secret chamber next to the passage and strategically placed a large number of Gold Shields along with many valuable jewels and magical instruments, Komer believed they would have certainly noticed something amiss with the bans.

The appearance of the treasure chamber perfectly explained why such strict bans and illusion magic were used to hide and seal the place, and the convenient discovery of the treasure room indeed shifted the judges’ attention at once, particularly when the two artifacts inside, dignified as treasures, sparked envy in the worldly-wise Caru and Boritz—a Fire God Ring and a Thunderbolt Staff.

Although Komer generously offered to give the two magical instruments to Caru and Boritz, they politely declined. For one, despite the artifacts’ value, they were not particularly useful to those who devoted their lives to practicing Light Magic, and more importantly, they did not wish to incur any reciprocal obligation to this mysterious lord, whom they were still unable to fully absolve of suspicion.

The two judges from Ugru appeared very relaxed at their lack of findings, even briskly declining Komer’s invitation for them to inspect the holy lands of Santiago and Mattdam, heading directly from Ugru to Bahomon, from where they would embark on a ship along the Catania River towards Rosenborg in the middle and upper reaches. In their own words, this region of the middle and upper reaches of the Catania River was the key focus of their current journey.