66 Out of Control Part 1 (1/2)

Even though Saleen did not know anything about alchemy architecture, he was an expert on the principles of magic. The surroundings of the tower obviously had not fit in with the architecture of the original castle. Even though there had been some attempts to make it appear old and some signs of corrosion due to magic, Saleen could still tell that these constructions had been built later.

The four large constructions that had been built at a later time had made the tower a fortress that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. There must have been some secret hidden within this tower.

If Aini had dared to take action against Baron Cook, he must have known some things about what was happening below.

”Altar.” After saying this word, Aini started coughing violently.

”Is it dangerous?”

”Yes.” Aini stopped coughing and said, ”I will have Flamenco go down first.”

The metal plate had almost finished corroding. A soldier fell into the dense fog and landed beside Saleen. He wasn’t moving and was completely dead. Flamenco waved his heavy sword and cut an entrance out of the metal plate. Saleen released two Fluorescence spells to light the way ahead.

Under the blueish green light, a large body was lying in the middle of the stairway, his head below and his legs above. A spear had pierced through his heart completely, pinning him to the floor.

With the Nut mercenaries in front, Aini walked in the middle while Saleen was at the back. After about ten meters, just as they were about to reach the bottom floor, Aini stopped.

”Saleen, the effect of the poisonous pill is still present.”

Saleen hurriedly released a cleaning spell, a Grade 0 magic. Saleen usually used this to clean his body, but in reality this magic had not been created for showering or cleaning clothes, but rather to disperse poisonous gases. Just like the Grade 1 Fire Magic, Fire Washing spell, the cleaning spell was used as magic in daily life.

The poisonous gases at the bottom floor were quickly removed by the cleaning spell. Aini was no longer surprised that Saleen’s knowledge of magic surpassed his.

This level was connected to the surface, but the road to the exit had been sealed shut by a metal gate, forming an enclosed space. There were a table and chairs in the room. Aini commanded Flamenco to push aside the table and expose the metal plate below. Complicated magic streaks appeared on the metal plate.

Magic lock? Saleen furrowed his brows.

A magic lock was Grade 0 magic; however, its effect varied with the grade of the mage that casted it. This was the same as alchemy. Saleen saw Aini sprawled on the ground, studying the magic streaks. He felt a tinge of regret. If he had known Aini had such a character, seeking revenge for petty grievances, he wouldn’t have insulted Aini at all.

Now that he was in the same boat as Aini, it was too late. Since they had already offended the baron, it would be wise not to offend the Clyde family now.

There was no way ahead and he wanted to turn back! Saleen thought of another magic saying.

Saleen liked to be in control of the situation, and that was a must for any excellent mage. Aini, however, had let the situation spin out of control. A mage who knew how to shoot fireballs was not the best mage, nor was he the worst. The worst mage would make a mess of a situation. If Aini had lasted until Saleen had taken care of the situation, it would not have been too late for revenge.

”How much longer?” Saleen was a little anxious. He didn’t know how long Baron Cook would be able to last up top.

”Luckily, it’s a Baldur’s Gate.” Aini smiled and took out a key, inserting it into the small hole at the center of the magic pattern. He lightly twisted the key and the magic pattern split from the center into three parts, revealing the entrance.

”Flamenco, you’ll wait here and kill anyone who comes close.” Aini instructed while letting the rest of the people from the Nut Mercenary enter the hole first. Flamenco had entirely lost his will to fight back. Answering in a daze, he carried his heavy sword and faced the stairway leading to the top of the tower.

Entering underground, a cold wind blew, carrying a smell of decay along with it. Saleen immediately cast a cleaning spell, trying his best to get rid of the foul air before casting two more Fluorescence spells to extend the radius of the glow.

The stairway was wide and long. Saleen counted a thousand and four hundred steps before their group reached flat ground.

This was a natural underground cave, gloomy and wide. At the center of the cave was a four-sided altar.

At the center was a stone platform that was one meter high. Black magic symbols were carved onto the stone platform. There were curved patterns in between these symbols that were etched deeply into the stone, forming a connected trough. Saleen could smell blood. Nailisi was even more sensitive and swallowed her saliva. It was almost as if she could see the offerings that had been placed on the platform in the past.

Black mages loved to cut open people’s blood vessels, laying them on that altar and letting the blood run dry. This blood would flow through the trough between the symbols into a magic array, and was part of the offerings.

”How do we leave?” Saleen surveyed the surroundings, not seeing another entryway.

”Provide the offerings and naturally there will be an exit,” Aini replied calmly. He was much more familiar with the Qin Empire’s history than Saleen and was more knowledgeable when it came to the altars of black mages.

Offerings?