Chapter 472: Chapter 402 Monarch!
"The academy sent word for us to continue investigating the whereabouts of the Holy Artifact."
The headquarters of the ’Black Bat’ guild—Levia read the mission scroll sent by the ’Summoning Cottage,’ her expression somewhat elated.
Mages across the Divine Throne Continent were all aware of the immense value of the Holy Artifact. Although she and her husband lacked the power to lay claim to it, if they could provide the academy with information regarding the artifact, they were certain to receive an extraordinary reward.
Take this time, for example.
As the first to report information on the ’Holy Artifact,’ this time the academy had not only issued a mission scroll but had also sent along a reward—
"Three free summons of the ’Bat Monarch’!"
The Bat Monarch’s strength was comparable to a Third-level Mage. In the Divine Throne Continent, that equated to the power of a Mage Tower Master—formidable indeed.
Three free summon opportunities for Green and Levia meant three powerful trump cards, three chances to save their lives.
This was unquestionably more precious than any magical item. Gaining such a fallback without much effort—no wonder Levia was so excited.
"If we can pinpoint the exact location of the ’Holy Artifact,’ the academy’s reward would undoubtedly be even greater."
Green was exhilarated as well.
He had always held gratitude and respect for the ’Summoning Cottage’ and Dean Benage and was happy to contribute to the academy. Yet the reciprocity from the academy provided motivation as well as a sense of fairness.
"Suspend all commercial operations!"
Green decisively ordered, "Deploy everyone in the guild to fully investigate the whereabouts of the ’Holy Artifact.’"
...
The next few days saw the quiet surface of the continent belie the currents of turbulent activity beneath.
The intelligence networks weren’t exclusive to the ’Summoning Cottage.’ Any organization with generations of heritage, some tracing back over a millennium, wielded deeply entrenched influence on the continent.
At the faintest shift in the winds, these groups would take notice.
A few short days later, news broke: a Third-level Mage from the East Continent entered ’Valgrion,’ carrying the ’Holy Artifact.’ The news traveled far and wide, shaking major empires, academies, and organizations across the continent.
Mages, seldom seen even on ordinary days, suddenly filled the land, appearing everywhere across the continent with surprising frequency.
On this day.
In the southern part of the Bilun Duchy, in ’Wangke City,’ within the City Lord Mansion, the Mage Tower’s Third-level Mage ’Golan’ sat, idly spinning a Magic Crystal Ball in his hand.
The city was bustling with a large-scale population screening. Every outsider and all strangers who had recently arrived were being thoroughly investigated.
Though cumbersome, it was the simplest method, requiring a tremendous amount of manpower.
Still, sometimes the simplest approach is the most effective.
The ’Atuman’ Mage Tower held considerable influence within the Bilun Duchy, so persuading the City Lord to conduct a census was a trivial matter.
Yet the target was a Third-level Mage, someone with countless tricks to deceive ordinary guards and officials.
Thus, two Great Mages from the ’Atuman’ Mage Tower personally undertook the investigation, each wielding a ’Magic Detection Crystal’ to oversee specific areas:
’Golan’ sweeping from south to north.
’Atuman’ combing from north to south.
Dividing the labor to cover the Bilun Duchy entirely, they were determined to uncover the trail of the ’Holy Artifact.’
Better to comb through their domain first before blindly wandering the continent—it was practical given their idle schedules.
Golan appeared relaxed, monitoring the Crystal Ball and chatting with the Wangke City Lord.
As they conversed about a noblewoman from the duchy, Golan’s expression abruptly shifted. He stood up sharply, and without uttering another word, rushed out as if carried by the wind.
"A Level 3 Mage!"
Elsewhere in the city, another aura erupted skywards, swiftly attempting to flee toward the outskirts. However, their speed was slightly slower than Golan’s; just as they exited the city limits, Golan intercepted them.
"Hold your steps."
Outside Wangke City, Golan stared at the mage before him, searching his memory but unable to recall this person. Golan was acquainted with nearly all renowned Third-level Mages across the continent. If this mage wasn’t someone new, then he was surely under some form of disguise.
For a dignified Third-level Mage to conceal themselves in a small city like this—it was suspicious indeed.
Had Golan not arrived himself to investigate, first detecting the surges of magic from this individual with the Crystal Ball, then discreetly dispatching mages to test and provoke, the mage might still have escaped unnoticed.
With a sense of anticipation rising within him, Golan asked loudly, "I am Golan. May I know your esteemed name, sir?"
"Golan?"
"The Great Mage of the ’Atuman’ Mage Tower?"
Rather than hastening his escape, the mage surprisingly paused upon hearing Golan and began conversing, appearing intrigued by the ’Atuman’ Mage Tower.
"Correct."
"’Atuman’ is my elder brother."
Golan didn’t mind engaging in dialogue.
On one hand, he wanted to discern this mage’s identity; ideally, he wished to duel the mage to test whether they carried the Holy Artifact. On the other hand, he had already sent word to his brother ’Atuman’ to hurry over. His current objective was to stall for time to ensure reinforcement arrived.
He had a hunch—this individual might just be the one.
"Ah, the renowned Golan Great Mage."
"I am ’Black Rope,’ an independent mage from the Hai’er Duchy. I only recently broke through to Third-level."
The mage, who introduced himself as ’Black Rope,’ wore a cordial smile and maintained a warm demeanor.
The Hai’er Duchy was located in the western edges of the continent, far from the Bilun Duchy. For someone like Black Rope, who claimed to have recently advanced to Third-level Mage status, his unfamiliarity made sense.
"Black Rope, sir."
Yet Golan didn’t believe a word of it. Despite this, he was willing to continue chatting along the provided thread.