CH377 - CH378

CH377

Helag emerged from the ground in a safe, deserted spot—a small pit overgrown with weeds.

He glanced at the distant city silhouette and drank a Changer’s Potion.

His appearance shifted to that of an average-looking man, unremarkable in the Land of Dawn.

This look was common, easily lost in a crowd.

Helag donned a plain black robe, completing his basic disguise.

Now, he appeared as an ordinary wizard, with nothing distinguishing him.

Disguised, Helag used Shadow Corner to become a shadow, silently approaching the city.

Once the city was within Deep Blue’s detection range, Helag stopped to observe.

The city had a wall, but it seemed more decorative than defensive.

The gates were open, guarded by only two men, with weak defenses.

Helag, seeing this, grew more cautious.

Such weak defenses indicated the city’s leaders were confident in their strength, not relying on walls.

The city, unlike Silvermoon, had an outer wall against the polluted zone.

Internally, threats were minimal.

City safety relied on manpower and wizard towers.

Like Silvermoon, this city had many wizard towers throughout.

Helag, as a shadow, circled to another side, finding no gate or guards.

He saw a dense residential area, clearly a poor district with cramped, low houses.

The area was crowded, with low living standards.

After scouting, Helag moved on.

The crowded area wasn’t suitable for sneaking in.

Though he saw no official wizards, caution was wise.

Continuing, Helag found a less populated area.

It appeared to be a market, chaotic, likely a place for residents to buy and sell goods.

Reaching the wall, seeing no one, Helag climbed over as a shadow, landing inside.

Once inside, he dispelled Shadow Corner, blending in as a pedestrian.

In the city, using Shadow Corner was risky; many powerful wizards were present.

Being spotted using stealth magic would raise suspicion.

Walking normally drew no attention; no one would question a passerby.

Most cities in the Land of Dawn had no curfew; Silvermoon’s taverns were open 24/7.

After observing, Helag confirmed there was no curfew and entered under cover of night.

His priority was gathering information, identifying the city and its ruling wizard organization.

Without a communication stone, information was harder to obtain.

But in the city, Helag knew where to find information.

Wrapped in his robe, Helag shivered as the cold wind blew.

After two streets, he turned a corner, finding a lit tavern.

A lamp above the door casts a warm glow, illuminating the entrance.

Approaching, Helag heard the tavern’s lively noise.

In the cold, dark night, the noise felt welcoming.

Helag entered, letting in a gust of cold air.

He quickly shut the door, blocking the wind.

Dusting off, Helag saw the bustling tavern, filled with people drinking and chatting.

Few noticed him; those who did quickly looked away.

Helag seemed like any late-night patron, unremarkable.

Only the waitress paid him mind, a young woman in black stockings approached, tray in hand, asking, “What can I get you?”

Helag glanced around, noting the drinks were similar to Silvermoon’s.

He ordered, “A butterbeer, please.”

After ordering, Helag found a quiet corner to sit on.

The waitress soon returned, placing a butterbeer on his table.

Sitting alone, Helag drank silently, avoiding conversation.

Others left him be; his solitary drinking signaled a desire for privacy.

As he drank, Helag listened to the tavern’s chatter.

Amidst the noise, he sifted for useful information.

“Sord City.”

Listening, Helag learned the city’s name.

He had Deep Blue check the database, learning about Sord City.

As expected, it was an Eye of the Storm city.

Sord City, on the Land of Dawn’s western edge, was large and powerful.

It dwarfed Silvermoon, five times its size, with a large population and strong internal power.

Seeing the massive wall, Helag knew the city was significant.

Such walls were unnecessary for small cities.

In his mind, Helag visualized the Land of Dawn map, locating Sord and Silvermoon.

The cities were far apart, making return difficult.

Helag knew a direct route to Silvermoon was unlikely.


CH378

Helag sipped his butterbeer, contemplating how to leave Sord City and reach Seranthiel’s territory.

He considered seeking help from the Array Masters’ or Potion Masters’ Associations but dismissed the idea.

Though these associations spanned the Land of Dawn, each city’s management was usually local.

In Silvermoon City, for instance, Israel and Barren were Seranthiel members holding positions in the associations.

Thus, Sord City’s associations were likely managed by Eye of the Storm members.

Helag couldn’t risk contacting them.

He knew if the second-level wizard survived, he couldn’t reveal himself.

And if Buck was alive, he’d recognize Helag too.

Checking his mental map, Helag noted a city called North Slope within Eye of the Storm’s territory.

North Slope was a crucial hub, connecting to all parts of the Land of Dawn, including Seranthiel.

The nearest Seranthiel city was Silver Beach; reaching it meant entering Seranthiel’s domain.

Helag planned a route: Sord City to North Slope, then to Silver Beach.

This was the shortest, most efficient path.

The challenge was safely reaching Silver Beach.

In the Land of Dawn, cities were typically connected by airships.

Residents could buy tickets to travel between cities.

Merchants also used airships for trade and transport.

While ordinary residents could buy tickets easily, Helag couldn’t without identification.

This was a problem with no clear solution.

If all else failed, he’d risk sneaking onto an airship.

However, airship security was tight, making infiltration difficult.

Helag pondered these issues while sipping his drink.

He remained vigilant, noting new developments from the tavern’s private rooms.

The tavern’s second-floor private rooms were quieter, each a separate space.

These rooms had protective arrays, ensuring privacy and preventing eavesdropping.

People often discussed semi-private matters in these rooms.

While the arrays blocked typical surveillance, they couldn’t block Deep Blue’s detection.

Through it, Helag observed the rooms clearly.

He noted four occupied rooms but initially paid little attention.

Room One hosted a physical altercation, which Helag found amusing.

Room Five’s conversation caught his interest.

***

Tavern’s Second Floor, Room Five.

“Mr. Sam, aren’t 2,000 magic stones a bit steep for just delivering something?” A slender, mustached man inquired, looking troubled.

Across from him sat a burly man with a beard and a scarred face.

Sam sneered, “Just delivering something? I don’t ask what you bring; I just handle the delivery. But do you think I’m clueless? If Eye of the Storm finds out, we’re dead!”

“This box may seem small and easy to deliver, but do you realize the risk involved?”

The mustached man nodded reluctantly, unable to argue.

Sam leaned back, “2,000 magic stones, not a stone less. As usual, no stone transfers. Once I have the stones, I’ll get this to Gulatine without asking questions.”

The mustached man hesitated, pained, “Fine, 2,000 it is. I’ll bring them tomorrow night.”

Sam’s expression softened slightly, forcing a smile that looked menacing with his scar.

He poured the man a drink, “To our successful partnership, my friend!”

The mustached man, though bitter, raised his glass.

Downstairs, Helag watched, curious about the small wooden box’s contents.

The box, made of special material, blocked conventional magic detection.

Through Deep Blue, Helag saw inside: a wooden carving of a mummy-like figure.

The real interest lay within the carving: a blood-red insect.

“Abyssal cultist…”

Helag, familiar with Abyssal cultists, recognized their work.

The mustached man was likely a cultist, and Sam seemed an underworld figure in Sord City, involved in smuggling.

Many items were banned in the Land of Dawn, including necromancy materials, which required registration and official sale.

Despite restrictions, necromancy materials circulated through smuggling.

Smugglers were often underworld figures with strong connections, enabling their activities.