Dungeon King: A Lady Knight Offered by My Goblins

Chapter 465 463-Prophet Magus

Under the watchful eyes of the innkeeper, Ethan and the Shadow Elf made their exit. The moment they stepped out, Ethan felt an icy chill pierce through him. 

"It seems the blizzards of the Glacial Peaks are indeed unlike any other. The Power of Curses that they harbor is excessively potent. Even with the blessings of multiple deities, I struggle to withstand them without preparation."

Regret was beginning to seep into Ethan's thoughts. 

After all, who would willingly leave the warmth of shelter to face the merciless, unshielded wilderness in such freezing conditions?

The Shadow Elf, however, was faring slightly better than Ethan. 

The innate Cryo resistance of the Power of Shadow afforded some reprieve. 

Yet, even for the Shadow Elf, the blizzard of the Glacial Peaks posed a significant threat. 

Urgency tinged their voice as they prompted Ethan to hasten their pace.

"We can't afford to waste more time; let's hurry!" urged the Shadow Elf. 

"Once we find the magus, we can make a quick return. If we linger too long out here, we might freeze to death!"

The urgency in the Shadow Elf's voice had its effect. 

Ethan knew all too well the dangers of staying outside for an extended period. 

Casting a final glance at the map the innkeeper had provided, he steeled himself for what lay ahead.

Ethan and the Shadow Elf advanced at their swiftest pace, their journey through the treacherous outdoors marked by a series of impediments. 

Some were mere structures of the small town, while others were menacing creatures birthed by the storm.

Though the monsters within the blizzard were formidable, Ethan and the Shadow Elf were no strangers to danger, having faced numerous crises before. 

Their ability to work in tandem was unparalleled, fully aware that facing such beasts required mutual support and unwavering cooperation.

In a display of perfect synergy, they vanquished every monster that crossed their path. 

Their combined strength and strategy saw them through each challenge, ensuring their steady advance towards their destination.

Finally, after a relentless pursuit through the icy winds and treacherous terrain, they reached the location marked by the innkeeper: the magus tower.

The magus tower stood as the most opulent building within the small town, a striking contrast to its surroundings. 

Yet, curiously, Ethan and the Shadow Elf had not noticed it upon their initial entry into the town.

Initially, Ethan didn't find this odd, but upon reaching the magus tower, a flood of unpleasant memories washed over him. 

He had encountered similar situations before, and each time, it had heralded significant danger.

"What's the matter? Why aren't you knocking?" the Shadow Elf complained, breaking Ethan's reverie. "We've already reached the magus tower. Do you plan to stand outside forever? If you want to freeze to death, don't drag me into it!"

The Shadow Elf's words were laced with urgency. 

They felt an icy numbness creeping over them, a stark reminder of the lethal cold. 

Any more delays at the doorstep of the magus tower, and they might well succumb to the freezing temperatures.

Ethan, now fully alert, moved to knock on the door of the magus tower. 

But just as his hand was poised to strike, the door abruptly swung open. 

Standing in the doorway was a young man, hooded and mysterious, his deep blue eyes intently gazing at Ethan and the Shadow Elf. 

"Come inside," he beckoned with a calm urgency, "it's far too cold out there."

Despite a sense of unease, Ethan and the Shadow Elf didn't hesitate to step inside. 

The biting cold of the Glacial Peaks was relentless, and the prospect of warmth inside the magus tower was too tempting to ignore.

Once inside, they were greeted by a comforting warmth, a stark contrast to the icy exterior. 

The hooded young man offered them two steaming cups of tea. 

The Shadow Elf, without a second thought, eagerly consumed the warm beverage, while Ethan opted to simply cradle the cup in his hands. 

Caution still lingered in his mind; the true nature of this young man, whether friend or foe, remained a mystery.

"You are indeed as vigilant as the visions I saw," the hooded young man observed, his eyes locked onto Ethan with a curious intensity. 

"But what puzzles me is why someone so cautious would take such a great risk. If I'm not mistaken, you've come from the inn on the eastern side, haven't you? You must be aware that the town's roads are perilous in this ongoing blizzard, not to mention the numerous monsters lurking about."

His words took Ethan and the Shadow Elf by surprise, hinting at a foreknowledge of their arrival that was both unsettling and intriguing. 

It seemed the young man had anticipated their visit, which raised more questions than answers.

At this moment, a flicker of regret crossed the Shadow Elf's mind. 

The realization dawned that they had consumed the beverage offered by this enigmatic figure without first ascertaining his intentions. 

If the drink had been poisoned, they would be rendered defenseless, a vulnerability that could prove fatal.

"Why do you know so much? We came here seeking a magus who could help us with our troubles. Are you that magus?" Ethan asked, opting not to escalate into hostility. 

He sensed that the young man's knowledge and lack of overt aggression might indicate a willingness to assist.

Upon hearing Ethan's query, the young man chuckled softly, "You are indeed looking for me. The innkeeper sent you because I have the ability to discern the unusual occurrences at her establishment."

He then proceeded to take the tea cup from beside the Shadow Elf, pouring another cup of steaming tea. 

"I am a Prophet Magus. In today's prophecy, I foresaw your arrival seeking my help. And your quest must relate to the inn on the east. What I don't know yet is what peculiar circumstances have driven two individuals of your caliber to seek help. What has happened at that inn to leave you both feeling so powerless?"

The revelation that the young man before them was a Prophet Magus took Ethan by surprise. 

In his mind, a Prophet Magus was expected to be of an advanced age. 

The thought of a young Prophet Magus was almost inconceivable, as gaining trust in such a role typically required years, if not decades.

Prophet Magi, unlike their counterparts, derive their prophetic abilities by directly observing the River of Destiny. 

Other magi enhance their powers through the study and practice of spells, but a Prophet Magus's strength lies in their continuous perception of the shifts in destiny around them and their evolving ability to sense the River of Destiny more keenly over time.

The notion of a young Prophet Magus achieving significant prowess seemed unlikely. 

If this Prophet Magus's abilities were not even on par with Ethan's own, why would he risk so much to seek him out?

"I truly didn't expect you to be a Prophet Magus," Ethan said, his voice heavy with disappointment. 

"From what I've understood, a Prophet Magus's power is supposed to grow with age. You seem far too young. I doubt you can actually help me resolve my troubles."

As he spoke, a tone of dejection seeped into his words. 

Ethan hadn't anticipated that after all the time and effort spent in seeking help, he would end up finding a Prophet Magus whose abilities appeared so limited due to his youth. 

His expectation of encountering a figure of profound wisdom and power, shaped by the passage of time, had been starkly contrasted by the reality before him. 

Upon hearing Ethan's words, the Prophet Magus displayed a flicker of anger. 

He retorted sharply, "Although I may not be old, my strength is not to be underestimated. Isn't my foresight of your arrival proof enough of my formidable power? Are you not aware of the extent of your own strengths? Your combat abilities and the Power of Shadow you possess are indeed impressive, beyond what I had imagined. Yet, I was still able to predict your coming, which clearly demonstrates my strong perception of the River of Destiny. The innkeeper sought me out precisely because she believes in my ability to discern the specific events happening in her inn through the River of Destiny."

This explanation from the Prophet Magus was indeed logical and hard to refute. Ethan, despite his initial lack of trust, found no fault in the young magus's reasoning. 

In response to the situation, Ethan turned his gaze towards the Shadow Elf, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. 

He sought the Shadow Elf's opinion, to gauge whether their views aligned. 

If the Shadow Elf shared his skepticism, they might not place too much emphasis on the Prophet Magus's insights. 

They would, at best, consider the information provided by the Prophet Magus as just another piece of the puzzle.

"I think we have no choice but to trust him for now," the Shadow Elf finally spoke. 

"While he may not be the most powerful Prophet Magus, a Prophet Magus can still offer us considerable assistance. They have the ability to see through the River of Destiny and access information that has long vanished. This lost information is invaluable to us, something even the God of Shadow cannot achieve."

Ultimately, the Shadow Elf chose to place their trust in the young Prophet Magus.