Chapter 736: Volume 21: The Dark Road - 16: Demon Straw
Xerob observed the Dark Inheritor with some curiosity. He had to admit that Dark Emperor Kenifer III had some fate in choosing this noble-born individual. Not only was he distinguished in Dark Magic, but the most critical part was his deep strategic vision for the growth and direction of the future of the Dark Lineage. Setting aside everything else, the immense changes he brought to the situation in the South over the past two or three months were enough to prove his far-sightedness and wisdom.
The Royal Court Magicians of the Iberian Kingdom were taking shape, and the mage team in Piraeus was also actively preparing. Both Trojan and Carthaginian people had shown great interest in the Dark Lineage, warmly inviting the Great Mysterium Sect and other Dark Sects to grow within their territories. Corinthian and Spartan people felt tremendous pressure, repeatedly contacting the Dark Lineage, which after so many years, finally began to see a time to hold its head high.
The performance of Komer also led other Dark Sects, which had never truly recognized Komer’s status as the Dark Lord, to gradually acknowledge his special identity. They could not deny the tremendous changes Komer had brought to the Dark Lineage in these few months. Komer’s proposed policy of "rooting in the populace, hand in hand with mainstream society" made those Dark Lineage followers who had always been focused on grassroots development and preaching realize the importance of changing their notions.
What impressed Xerob the most was the move on Flanders Territory. Not only did it successfully incite infighting among the Barbarians, but it also effectively pleased the upper Noble class of the Iberian Kingdom, and it took a solid step for the Caucasian powers to venture into the Southern Mediterranean region. Just look at Officer Neptune, bringing a large group of officers, almost all of whom were Komer’s direct followers from Caucasus and Leon. They quickly took control of the situation in Flanders Region and successfully won the hearts of the Flanders Citizens who were gradually returning home. In stark contrast to this, Count Claymon’s positive image with the women was vastly different from the sentiment among his Citizens in his own territory. As a Lord who commanded such a rich land yet failed to bring any benefit or advantage to his people, and in the end, even safety could not be guaranteed, the public quickly put him out of their minds.
Komer, ignoring the others present, including Xerob, chanted a series of spells continuously, his gaze fixed on the ground before him.
The ordinary ground suddenly underwent a strange transformation. Numerous green Vines and ivy sprouted from the ground, climbing upward like countless tree sprites’ roots suddenly exposed to the world. They even leapt into the air, fangs bared and claws outstretched as if to devour the Air above. Several unprepared Qian Cattle were shocked by this abrupt Attack, and after a moment of panic, began to struggle frantically.
Within seconds, the green Vines swelled from the thickness of a finger to the size of an arm and continued to grow and extend wildly, like a cluster of intelligent beings. Immediately, they enveloped the several Qian Cattle completely, the needle-like roots digging firmly into the cattle’s skin and quickly penetrating their bodies. The cattle’s agonized bellows echoed across the fields; soon enough, the roots had pinned themselves onto the animals and rapidly wrapped around their bodies.
The sight of the green Vines growing slick and vibrant while the robust bodies of the Qian Cattle wasted away at an alarming rate was terrifying. Soon, their bellows turned into pained moans, growing softer and softer, until one by one, the cattle, reduced to skin and bones, rolled out from the Vines, ultimately silenced, a shocking sight to behold.
The Vines, now full of the essence of the Qian Cattle, slowly entwined together, green mixed with subtle veins of blood, and their thick roots danced in the wind. Everyone present was alarmed; even the members of the Great Mysterium Sect had never witnessed such an eerie and bizarre scene. Mr. Mihailovich and Newman, however, seemed somewhat more composed than the rest, though the shock was clearly written all over their faces.
"Lord, is this the Vine Devil Strain that you have been diligently researching?" Taking a deep breath, Mr. Mihailovich took a few steps closer to closely examine the still-wriggling Vines on the ground. This had already surpassed the domain of Mixed Magic. Other variant magics like Hand of the Demon and earth spirits were plentiful and could shock outsiders, but for experts, while Mixed Magic was elaborate, traces could still be followed – at least mages skilled in these schools understood the origins of these spells.