Legacy of the Dark Sage

Traveling from Starhorn to Noser through the regular route would take a few days. For this reason, transmission arrays were crucial. In the early years of the empire, small to large-scale transmission arrays were available in all main cities. Other medium-sized cities also had small transmission or transportation arrays. However, because of the previous emperor's fear of rebellion, he ordered the destruction of all arrays.

Only after Euan succeeded the throne that new transmission arrays were created, nevertheless, the location of these arrays was limited, and their route was restricted to two-way. Apart from this, the arrays could only be used with the emperor's consent.

Of course, there are transportation arrays that medium to large factions possess nowadays. But those arrays are closely monitored.

The Royal Family's attitude toward transmission arrays showed their confidence in ruling the empire. Obviously, they had considered a transmission array would be needed for emergencies; a good example was the army deployment. Because of this, the location of the transmission arrays had been thought of well. Each end points of the transmission arrays were close to the Royal Army Headquarters.

In any case, if a crisis occurred, all Royal Army Headquarters had over ten thousand officers that could take action. Apart from these, the Combat Hall and Magic Schools could deploy their own forces if the need arises.

The Royal Family, and other leaders of the army believed that a crisis that could exhaust all these forces in a short time was unlikely to happen.

Until now.

Euan, clad in his red and gold armor, was inside the royal carriage along with the Mannick and Imman. The latter two had also changed into their combat uniform, a black and gold armor.

The three of them along with fifty thousand officers from the east were on their way to the City of Timen.

The transmission array in Timen was connected to Thunlough, a small city near Meliora.

Currently, two hundred thousand army officers had gathered in Meliora and were preparing to go to Mourchton.

Mourchton is also a small city located in the west of Meliora and is connected to Thunknam Peak, another city in the west that is five hours away from Noser.

Euan, Mannick and Imman, with fifty thousand officers, would also go there after arriving at Thunlough.

Thinking of the number of transmissions they had to do before they could arrive in Noser gave Euan a headache. It made him regret not having more transmission arrays built around the empire.

Even hidden arrays would have been good.

Anyhow, Euan would only waste his time by thinking of such sentiment. Pushing all unnecessary thoughts to the back of his mind, he looked at the white recording orb on his hand and let his magic sense read through its content.

What Euan was holding was Gael's report about the young man the army found, possessing Void magic.

According to the report, this young man had stayed in the Regis Clan for years. But then a month ago, something happened during the Regis Young Master's birthday. It was said that the young man caused a disturbance within the Regis Estate and took the Regis's Young Master hostage before fleeing.

Due to a series of misunderstanding, the Regis and the Royal Army fought, which ended with the Regis Clan activating its defensive array to protect themselves.

Euan was seething mad when he first discovered what happened. Because of this, he reclaimed full authority over the Royal Army and dismissed the leading officer who ordered the attack to the Regis Clan. Then he ordered Gael to look for the young man and ensure to bring back the Regis Young Master alive.

Euan believed it was the only way he could show the Regis Clan his sincerity. But then, the outsiders arrived, complicating matters even more.

Haylee assured him that the outsiders were part of the Winfrey's inheritance and that they would listen to her.

Nevertheless, Euan had seen through the outsiders' ill-intentions toward the Regis Clan, especially that man called Ruin. Apart from this, there was something suspicious about the story of the young man and the Regis Clan.

For one thing, the Regis Clan was known for their moral code. It was because of this that their members, who were not direct descendants of the Regis Clan, were very loyal to them. So why would the young man cause a disturbance? Because the Regis Clan discovered his magic? Euan believed that if that was the case, the Regis would still do their utmost to protect him. That was how becoming a member of the Regis Clan meant. They would never abandon you.

If for argument's sake, the young man indeed caused a disturbance. What prompted him to do so? And why would he take the Regis Young Master as hostage?

Euan could not put it into words, but he felt something was definitely amiss.

Closing his eyes, Euan retracted his magic sense from the recording orb and leaned on his seat.

It was not the time to get distracted by these questions.

The young man he ordered Gael to find suddenly decided to reveal himself. Apart from this, contrary to what the report says about him not knowing how to use magic, warping a good part of the Noser's market district clearly showed he had a certain mastery over his Void magic.

Why would the young man appear now? And where is the Regis Young Master?

These questions lingered in Euan's mind. Of course, he could come up with a few guesses as to the young man's reasons but with little information about his character, it was impossible to draw a plausible conclusion.

Most importantly, for what purpose did he 'warp' those city guards in the Courtenay Land? Why didn't he just kill them?

As far as the updates Euan received in Noser, the young man had started killing his men. But why did he not kill the city guards?

What was even more curious, was the update that the young man avoided the residential district.

This clearly showed the young man had been affected by the Regis Clan's moral code.

But then... why attack only the Royal Army?

Euan opened his eyes. It seemed he had to observe the situation with his own eyes.

*

Gael, with two hundred army officers stood outside the south entrance of Noser City. Beside him stood a woman wearing a tight fitting red dress and a long veil. Looking at her seductive figure, one could easily imagine that she was also a beauty. Unfortunately, it was hard to tell given the veil covering her face.

The woman was Deception.

"I can't hear anything anymore," Gael said with a slight frown.

Half an hour had already passed since the time Deception's army entered the city. After only a few minutes, they heard sounds of fighitng. But it only took about ten or fifteen minutes, before the sounds disappeared. Yet, Deception did not say anything.

"Hm," Deception finally replied. She had not exactly spoken, but the sound of her voice put most of the officers nearby in a trance.

Gael's frown deepened. He also felt the potency of Deception's alluring voice and he was already a Magus. Just how high was this woman's mage level?

"I will go and check the situation," he declared, wanting to stay away from this woman as soon as possible.

Deception let out a sultry laugh, sending ripples down their body.

"No," she said while taking a step forward. "I will go. He is my prey, after all."

Suddenly, a thick murderous intent swept through them, almost choking them to death. In their mind's eye, countless scenes of death and murder flashed through and sent them doubling over in fear. Those who were new and had yet to see a real battlefield even vomitted.

Gael also fought back the influence of Deception's voice. If not, he might also keel over. Of course, he would not vomit like the others, but keeling over just from experiencing the murderous intent within her voice was humiliating.

"The Crown Princess wants him alive."

Deception giggled, "Ruin wants him, too. But do I care? No."

In a blink of an eye, she disappeared.

The moment Deception left, something heavy seemed to have been lifted from them and the army officers snapped out of their senses.

As for Gael, he could only grit his teeth and reign in his annoyance before sending a coded message to Haylee.

Inside Noser.

Kryan, standing in one of the tallest building in the market district— or to be precise, the only remaining tall building in the market district—, sensed a familiar approaching.

The speed was not rushed, but it was not slow either.

Bas, who had slithered his way back to the tall building also sensed the incoming aura and he turned toward the south and hissed.

A smile tugged at the corner of Kyran's lips and he said, "Bas, go join Manti. There are more officers coming his way."

HISS!

Bas seemed reluctant to leave, however, after seeing Kyran's indifference, he slithered away to join Manti.

RAWRGH!

HISS!

Mera, the chimera and Iss, the female mutated basilisk reacted from within the rift. They could sense the approaching aura and though they were afraid, they did not Kyran to face whoever it was alone.

'It's fine,' Kyran assured them before jumping down the building.

Suddenly, a soft sultry laugh echoed throughout what was left of the deserted market district.

"It has been a while."

Kyran looked in front.

"Deception."

A distortion appeared a few meters away from Kyran and Deception slowly appeared.

"Young man~ return what you've taken and I might let you live."