The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 657: Volume Eighteen: Stormy Secrets, - Eight: A Rising Demon

Chapter 657: Volume Eighteen: Stormy Secrets, Chapter Eight: A Rising Demon

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.

"Lord, I have to admire your brilliance, using hidden treasure to divert their attention. This tactic is truly cunning; no one can resist being attracted by those two items," Rebury said, not so much in flattery but with genuine respect, as he genuinely admired Komer’s arrangements.

"Mr. Rebry, there’s no need for such language between you and me, is there? If it weren’t for your solemn reminders, I wouldn’t have gone to such great lengths to devise such a plan. I hadn’t anticipated that your former comrade would be so formidable, nearly exposing all my arrangements." Komer joined in the laughter freely, feeling as though even the weather in the Caucasus brightened as he saw off the two judges.

"Heh, one would hardly become famous as a Protector of the Faith within the Church’s Pericles Cathedral for nothing," Rebury said, with a complex expression surfacing on his face again. "I never thought he would eventually step through the doors of the Court."

"Mr. Rebry, do you think we have passed this test?" Komer hadn’t much interest in delving into Rebry’s past with Caru. Having successfully disposed of the two nearly sword-wielding judges, he finally could act boldly according to his own plans. The threat from the Thunderhorse Knights would diminish substantially with the departure of the judges. If even the judges of the Tribunal had verified everything in person, what else would escape their magical sight?

"Let’s say we passed for now. To be honest, Lord, I don’t really understand whether my colleague has changed over the years. Everything seems quite perfect this time, without any flaws, seamless. But I still feel that he gave in too easily. I don’t know if I’m being overly sensitive. After all, it’s been ten years since I had any contact with him," Rebry answered after some thought, expressing his innermost thoughts hesitantly. Caru and Boritz had indeed left the Caucasus in front of him and Komer without any incidents. With Caru’s relentless nature, it seemed somewhat off, yet he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what—whether it was mere oversensitivity or something else, even Rebry was unsure for the first time.

"Heh, Mr. Rebry, you’re overthinking it. Still, I respect your intuition. Uma and Mihailovich won’t be returning to the Caucasus anytime soon. I hope they get a good dose of the rugged natural beauty of the Cordillera Wilderness, and eliminating the menace of the Wicked Dragon will also enhance their strength to fight against nature, don’t you think? As for the rest, I think everything should remain as it is for now, including everything within Damarlinsk Castle. However, it seems these land affairs aren’t of their concern, and they have no objections to our use of Half-Beastmen and Barbarians. After such turmoil, it’s time for me to dwell on these matters. I’ll focus on these worldly affairs for a while."

Komer was somewhat skeptical of Rebury’s intuition but, out of respect, he kept his partner’s words in mind.

The brig unfurled its sails and made its way upstream along the broad Catania River. Yet, this once thriving route was eerily quiet due to the blockade by the Jellyfish People. Although Caucasus had twice requested an increase in the quota of ships allowed to travel between the middle and upper reaches of the Catania River and Caucasus, the Jellyfish People had refused both times. They remained wary of mortals who frequently traveled the Catania River. If it weren’t for the medicine provided by Caucasus that they couldn’t replicate, they would have torn up the trade agreement long ago. Unfortunately, no matter how they analyzed and studied the components of the medicine provided by Caucasus, they couldn’t achieve satisfactory results, and so they reluctantly continued to honor the agreement.

Boritz had long noticed his partner’s unease, but during their time in Caucasus, his partner seemed quite carefree. Apart from the unusual synergy they have developed as partners, everything else appeared to be going smoothly. It wasn’t until the brig had sailed more than ten miles from the Bahomon Pier that Boritz noticed his partner’s demeanor turn grim, with a hint of worry.

"Caru, is something on your mind?" Boritz, who hated such a morose atmosphere, eventually couldn’t resist breaking the silence.

With a long sigh, the wrinkles on Caru’s face seemed to deepen, "Boritz, I’m afraid you might have unfortunately hit the nail on the head."

"What do you mean hit the nail on the head?" asked a bewildered Boritz.

"There might indeed be a problem with Caucasus and not a small one at that. I’m afraid we won’t be having peace for a good while," Caru said deliberately, with each word ringing clear and firm.

"Ah?" An overjoyed Boritz furrowed his brow in surprise, "Caru, why are you always speaking in riddles? I don’t see any problem with Caucasus. Where exactly is it?"

"Hmm, you simply didn’t notice it, in that treasure room," Caru said indifferently.

"Really? Even though there were some bans, I’ve thoroughly searched it, and I believe if there were any traces of dark magic power, they wouldn’t have escaped my perception," Boritz stated confidently.

"I haven’t found any traces either," Caru maintained his composure, "but I did notice the lord’s nervousness. He even subconsciously wanted to gather mana. What does that signify?"

"Are you suggesting he wanted to attack us?" Boritz couldn’t believe it.

"He should be well aware of our identities from Rebury, and the fact that he was willing to give us those two magical instruments indicates he was already prepared. If it’s not the treasures within the room that he cares about, why would he be so nervous?" Caru countered, "There can only be one explanation: there is a secret behind this treasure room that they don’t want us to know about. What could be so significant that both the noble lord and my former colleague would go to such lengths to conceal and hide it?"

The new book "Exotic Hunting in Different Space and Time" is making a push on the new book rankings, with the ID number 141568. Reigen really hopes to make it into the top three and would like VIP readers who have subscribed to the book to cast their Recommendation Tickets for the new book, helping it reach the top three. In return, Reigen promises stable updates. Currently away on training for a month, I’m relying on the little time I have in the evenings to write and update. If each VIP reader could cast six Recommendation Tickets for the new book, it could make it into the top three of the new book rankings. I promise to not sleep this week and update every day, and strive for two updates on Saturday and Sunday. I earnestly request the support of VIP readers—only you have so many Recommendation Tickets! (To be continued, if you wish to know what happens next, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM for more Chapters, support the author, support authorized reading!)