Chapter 110: Return to the Fortress

Bayen, who was chased by the Merfolk, was fortunate to have learned the two Lesser Spells, Lesser Transformation and Lesser Mana Fluctuation Concealment. With the aid of a special Wonder, he managed to evade the Merfolk and blend into Borg’s caravan.

Bayen’s Grimoire had not been updated, so it did not have the notification function. However, he still accidentally discovered the secret of the weathered knight: this knight emitted Mana fluctuations.

According to Bayen’s observation, the knight seemed to use a meditation method similar to his own. The Mana fluctuations that occurred every night could not be hidden.

Bayen did not rashly approach the weathered knight. The Merfolk priests’ pursuit had taught him a sufficient lesson: not all supernatural beings can be approached.

Night arrived. The caravan set up camp by a crossroads. As time passed, the people in the caravan gradually fell asleep.

On the other side, Ancestar, the weathered knight, was deep in thought. Although he had become a Wizard Apprentice, he still firmly remembered that he was a Knight.

He did not dedicate excessive energy to studying the complex and varied runes and Spell Models. He relied solely on sheer willpower to forcibly learn the Mid-Level Apprentice Meditation spell and Lesser Mana Fluctuation Concealment, which he had successfully replicated. The rest of his time was spent researching Enchanted Martial Arts and Mana Crystal Shaping.

He held fast to his Knightly Creed, traveling south.

He hunted Monsters that harmed villagers, rescued pitiable children from the clutches of dark worshipers, and was also pursued by dark worshipers, narrowly escaping death.

He overcame danger along the way, reached the Royal City, killed bandits, and eliminated swarms of Merfolk who came ashore to plunder the Pontos Coast.

He consistently adhered to his original intention and strictly upheld his creed of Compassion. This was the pact he made with that person: no matter how dangerous the situation, he must remain true to his creed and shout loudly: “That enemy is worth a fight!”

“I will definitely be able to merge the path of Magic with the Thought-Flow philosophy. Perhaps my understanding of Compassion is still not profound enough!” After yet another failure, Ancestar rubbed his golden long hair. His melancholic eyes held a deep conviction.

“The existence of Inherent Mana can absolutely be merged with the Thought-Flow philosophy. My understanding of Inherent Mana is that it is the product of natural Mana and mental power infecting and intertwining with each other. If this substance is purified by a singular belief, it will possess an even more incredible power!”

“The Knightly Virtues can surely merge with it. I need to cleanse my inner self with greater resolve, strengthen my will, and infuse my creed into my Inherent Mana.”

Ancestar gradually ceased thinking and focused on the natural cultivation of the Thought-Flow. He instinctively adjusted his breathing, walking, sitting, and resting, following the rhythm of natural Mana. Gradually, his Inherent Mana also began to pulse and dance along with the rhythm of the natural Mana.

Fortunately, it was the middle of the night and everyone was fast asleep. Otherwise, this invisible rhythm, like a ghost, would surely terrify everyone.

Bayen quietly observed the knight. He periodically moved away from the others, secretly casting the Lesser Transformation Spell. He had been extremely cautious along the way and hadn’t even meditated more than a few times.

“This knight’s meditation method is similar to mine, but there are some differences. I really want to discuss it with him. Does he also have a Grimoire? Only by meeting Ace can I confirm all this. Is my speculation correct? The mysterious Torch-Bearer…”

Bayen, lying on the salted fish, turned over and slowly drifted off to sleep.

As the caravan slept soundly, a stone silently rolled. It leaped onto the back of Borg’s carriage and transformed into an iron nail, firmly fixed there.

Morning dawned. Accompanied by the cold air, the caravan arrived at the South Gate of the fortress. A squad of soldiers was on duty.

“Strangers, please show your identification!” the leading soldier said. He was a somewhat weathered man with the characteristic high-altitude blush on his face and a full, untrimmed, messy beard. A red tassel on his head marked him as the squad leader.

“If you are a Noble, please display your coat of arms; if you are a Citizen, please show your badge; if you are a public official, please also show your badge; if you are a Freeman, please present the ceramic token issued by the Royal City.”

The iron nail on the back of the carriage, hearing the voice, smiled in a human-like fashion.

It was Solon. How familiar all this is.

“Captain, I am a merchant transporting grain from Cimali. This is the transit ceramic token issued by the Royal City.”

Borg handed the ceramic token to Solon and, concealed by the wide fur sleeve, slipped a handful of Gold Thales to Solon.

Solon felt the Gold Thales, and said seriously: “Transit ceramic token verified. You may proceed!”

He pulled Borg aside and whispered: “The fortress is closely monitoring Devil worshipers lately. Control your caravan members, act cautiously, and try not to cause any trouble!”

“Yes, sir! We are all legitimate businessmen. We will certainly abide by the law!” Borg nodded repeatedly in agreement.

The group entered the fortress. A set of wanted posters on the city wall caught everyone’s attention. A string of portraits was listed on the wanted posters. Fortunately, Daina is not on them!

The weathered knight, Ancestar, saw a few names and his pupils constricted slightly. He had encountered a few of the wanted men while practicing Enchanted Martial Arts. They were conspicuously listed!

However, he had been focused on finding a way to integrate the Compassion creed into his Inherent Mana and hadn’t lingered long in the camps. He had simply followed his intuition and headed south.

Bayen, who was riding on the carriage full of salted fish, saw the posters and the description of the wanted Enchanted Wizard Apprentices. His heart seized up!

These descriptions likely refer to Wizard Apprentices!

Bayen’s mind was heavy. He hadn’t expected the Northern March to be in such a state. He didn’t know if Ace was under suspicion. He couldn’t seek out Ace carelessly now; he might be targeted!

He had to act cautiously.

【You have arrived at the Northern March Fortress. The environment for Wizard Apprentices is currently deteriorating. We have been falsely accused by the old powers of being Devil worshipers and are undergoing cruel persecution. Apprentices who have not exchanged for the Lesser Spell Mana Fluctuation Concealment should exchange for it immediately. Points can be exchanged on credit.】

【Contractors are advised to act cautiously, activate the Grimoire’s concealment function, minimize contact with other apprentices, and await instructions from the Torch-Bearer.】

Ace used his Grimoire to connect with the signal high tower in the city. He edited the information and sent the updated status, tailored to the apprentices’ plight, to all Wizard Apprentices.

Bayen and Ancestar both received this message on the final page of their Grimoires. They remained calm outwardly, but their brows furrowed inwardly, sensing a storm cloud hanging over the city.

“The Wizards must rise eventually. Once I thoroughly investigate the current situation, it may be time to assemble all Wizard Apprentices and evacuate!” Ace the iron nail thought silently.

As the entire caravan entered the marketplace inside the fortress, Ace, the transformed iron nail, slipped off the carriage and rolled away. He quickly rolled into a secluded corner, waiting quietly for time to pass and for night to fall.

You can support the translator and get advanced chapter by join his patreon at https://www.patreon.com/caleredhair