The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 489: Volume 11: Misty Cage and Smoke Lock, - 1: Entering the Trap

Chapter 489: Volume 11: Misty Cage and Smoke Lock, Chapter 1: Entering the Trap

Gently plucking the seven-string harp in his hand, a few enchanting notes immediately leapt into the air, like wind spirits gracefully dancing in the sky, instilling an urge to break free and soar. The air magic curtain surrounding the area slowly dispersed, and of course, outsiders were unable to detect this change in the elements of space magic, but Komer knew that his experiment using musical notes to control air magic had been a resounding success.

This magic curtain was in fact a combination of air magic and perception magic, controlled by two factors. One was tactile; should anyone enter its range, it would swiftly transform into the preset attack magic array. Whether it was a mage or a Martial Arts Expert wanting to forcefully enter, they would have to break the magic array first.

And to protect his most important workshop, Komer deliberately set up a mixed magic array of earth-based and Dark Corrosion magic.

Dark Corrosion magic was a challenge for any mage or Paladin, who could only break it if they were a Dark wizard or possessed exceptionally strong magic strength.

As for earth-based magic, Komer took advantage of the secret chamber set up beneath the room. On one hand, it could launch powerful earth-based attack magic; on the other, it allowed the invaded equipment and items in the room to retreat into the underground passage at their location in the shortest time possible, ensuring their protection.

On the workbench still lay the round cylindrical metal tube, barely taking shape. Just the processing of the metal tube had taken quite a bit of effort from Komer, who had mixed a large number of other magic power ores into the magic metal alloy dark iron tube which, in the dim light, faintly shimmered with sparks.

This was due to the addition of Fenn Stone to the forging of Usteel, known as the peak of fire-type magic ores, an extremely unstable fire magic power ore. It was supposed to be a non-metallic ore, yet it could be forged in special ways to imbue its magical properties onto metals, significantly enhancing the fire magic nature of the metal.

However, incorporating this ore into metal was a difficult task. To accomplish this, both the blacksmith and the mage needed not only a mastery of Fire Magic but also a deep understanding of the properties of both metal and this fire magic power ore.

Because the fire magic power richly contained in the natural ore from different sources was not necessarily the same, most had mixed magic properties. For instance, some leaned towards the Light Series ’Heavenly Sunshine Fire,’ a mixture of Light and Fire Magic properties, while others tended more towards the Dark Class ’Nether Shadow Flame,’ a fusion of Dark Series and Fire Magic.

Without proper attention during forging, failing to control the heat would not only prevent the very active starfire magic mineral’s fire magic power from being added to the metal, it could also burn the magic metal. Even more dangerously, it could potentially trigger an outbreak of either Heavenly Sunshine Fire or Nether Shadow Flame, posing a severe risk to both the blacksmith and the mage.

Maximi’s smelting workshop spent five working days barely forging the Usteel into a cylindrical shape, and then another week to polish the inner walls of the cylinder smooth. The Dwarf craftsmen in the workshop had no clue what this magic metal chimney, sent over by the Lord’s Mansion for processing, was actually for.

Calling it a chimney, made from the exceedingly expensive magic metal, seemed an extravagance even for the Lord. If it had some other purpose, it certainly didn’t look like any magic equipment or prop.

The conclusion the Dwarf craftsmen came to after countless debates over drinks was that the Lord was probably designing some special magic array that required this high-level magical instrument beyond the understanding of ordinary people.

After grinding the Fenn Stone into powder and subjecting it to a process of burning in magical flame and soaking in cathode water three times, Komer finally succeeded in fusing the fire magic power of the Fenn Stone onto the Usteel chimney. This project took five nights to complete, signifying that the launching tube of the magic-armed gun had, at last, reached an initial stage of completion.

What remained was even more complex and difficult, but at this point, Komer no longer had much time to concentrate on devising the launcher and the conversion and conduction devices for the magic power ore for the magic-armed cannon.

According to Komer’s own estimates, designing and completing these two key parts would require at least more than half a year, and his current preoccupation with tedious government affairs left him with little time to focus on the task.

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Originally, I thought that as long as the principle and process were mastered, I could easily design and produce a prototype in a short time. Now I realize this was a mere fantasy. Just completing the design of components requires a massive amount of time, and to process these parts, just stocking up enough magic metal materials will require a considerable period of waiting. Komer calculated that the material cost alone for one magic-armed gun prototype would not be less than 150,000 Gold Shields, not to mention the energy, time, and effort he had put into it.

His palm gently caressed the dark metal chimney, as if he were caressing a beloved woman. Komer shook his head.

The Gray Skull would send someone to inquire about the progress almost every other week, but considering the Gray Skull’s behavior in the Nether Sea, Komer felt it necessary to take his time and test their patience. Mattdam’s status as an open port is under such pressure from the Homer Navy, yet under their very eyes, these people remain indifferent.

Although the agreement did not include this obligation, such intentional neglect still left Komer deeply dissatisfied.

Support is always mutual; Komer had duly delivered several Mirrors of Thousand Miles, but now the Gray Skull was focused on competing with Katrina for supremacy over the Northern Mediterranean. Komer didn’t have that much time either, so the magic-armed gun would have to be put on hold; after all, the Gray Skull had yet to fully deliver on the magic loaded cannon research grant, which provided a perfect excuse.

The wooden door was gently opened, revealing a pair of slightly sluggish eyes on golden cheeks, as if not yet fully awake. The nimble, agile steps and open eyes showed his condition had greatly improved from previous encounters.

Upon entering the workshop, Komer had given a mental suggestion to the zombie at the other end to awaken from its slumber. After dealing with daily affairs, this place had become Komer’s most relaxing haven. For Komer, being busy here was also a way to rest and adjust his psyche. The constant scheming was exhausting, and those trivial government affairs were a fatal medicine that aged one quickly. Komer found himself enjoying more and more the solitude of being immersed in the world of magic.

He designed and crafted magical instruments, concocted and refined some medicines, trained the reaction of zombies, enhanced his command over spiritual power, and spent time with Lome, the Pure Dark Mage whose original memories were gradually being erased by Komer. Even the thought of it was pleasing. Sometimes Komer even wished he could stay in his workshop forever, quietly working according to his own will and ideas, free from external factors and constraints—though he knew this was but a dream.

This was a spacious training room filled with wooden pillars, ropes, iron balls, sliding chains, and even hidden weapon boxes—all meant for training reaction ability. The young girl mage stood beside Komer, her curious gaze silently watching the figure moving within the room.

The stiletto in hand glided lightly through the air, and the gray mist that enveloped the corpse signified that it had attained the realm of magic Fighting Qi. The fleeting dark gleam at the tip of the stiletto blade was particularly mysterious, and the ghostly figure moved and leaped among the numerous wooden pillars, ropes, and swinging iron balls—almost flying. Occasionally triggering the magic hidden weapon device, one or two hidden weapons would shoot out; the body avoided, greeted, and struck with the agility and natural grace that belied that of a zombie and more akin to a trained assassin.

"Great sage, your Silver Corpse has reached the highest level of the Silver Corpse class. Lome thinks it’s entirely appropriate for it to enter the next phase of training," the girl’s coquettish voice had fully recovered its original tone, no longer carrying the cold fury of before, making it very pleasant and natural for Komer to hear.

Komer had gone through great lengths to completely erase the past memories of this charming young girl. The aura of youth and vitality had returned to the girl. The masks and makeup were long forgotten, and her painted brow and delicate, exquisite cheeks radiated a calming beauty that could make any man’s heart leap with delight. A playful ring bun sat atop her head, adding a touch of refined maturity to her youthful charm. Despite seeing her almost daily, Komer couldn’t help but feel an impulse to protect and cherish her.

Such a natural beauty, ruined by the Church of Light, indoctrinated with countless doctrines that shackle humanity. If Komer hadn’t rescued her from the Withered Soul Forbidden Land, this young girl would have likely withered away slowly in the suffocating life of the Church of Light, eventually becoming one of those conservative and unimaginative old nuns.

But Komer had to admit that the Church of Light’s selection of talent was indeed incomparable to that of ordinary organizations. Although it cost Komer countless efforts to achieve his goal with this young girl, her talent was genuinely extraordinary—keen memory, sensitive intuition, and an exceptional magic ability. She was a treasure sent by Hades, the god of darkness himself.

After completing the mental purification and Solidification Technique, in just one month, the girl could easily discuss and exchange ideas with Komer on the subject of Dark Magic. Of course, in this month, Komer had systematically imparted his knowledge of the Dark Magic system to the girl using his powerful spiritual power and profound Psychic Magic. Still, such a feat was enough to astonish the world.

Transforming from a pure Light Mage, a Sanctuary Guardian of the Church of Light, into a Nether wizard was nothing short of miraculous—Komer was immensely proud of this achievement.

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