79 Winter Snow, Sudden Thunder Part 2 (1/2)

Protect Bitter Water Prefecture?

Saleen could not quite understand. Who would have the audacity to cause trouble in Bitter Water Prefecture? However, this request was in line with Saleen’s thoughts. He would not have wanted to be tasked with protecting or following someone.

Magic training was greatly related to how pure a person’s mind was.

”I’m willing to stay and be Faerun’s assistant. If someday Bitter Water Prefecture is met with an assault, I will protect it together with all of the other mages in this city,” Saleen replied carefully.

If one wanted to gain something, he would need to pay something of the same value.

Saleen thought about this saying and he put aside any worries he had in the past. If he wished to receive help from someone, he certainly needed to give something. He believed in this wholeheartedly.

”Yes, Saleen. Come.” Viscountess Lex smiled as she took out a silver badge.

Saleen took two steps forward and received the badge in his hands. The badge was cold and heavy, the viscountess’ hands warm and soft.

”This badge does not have many uses. By the time you reach Grade 4 and want to leave Bitter Water Prefecture, you will have better grasped the essence of magic. With this badge and your identity as a grand mage, you’ll be pardoned for any mistakes you make.”

Viscountess Lex blew on her fingers. Her smile was so innocent, almost like a wealthy teenager who had no idea of the atrocities happening around them.

”Viscountess…”

”Saleen, if you have any other questions, ask Faerun. I have told him everything I have gathered. What you need now is rest. Do not interrupt your magic training because of this. If you need anything else in the future, you can find me. However, the mages in the residence cannot help you take revenge. I will not allow that.”

”Thank you, viscountess.” Saleen gave a mage’s bow and swallowed whatever he was about to say.

He really had wanted help from the mages in the residence. Even though he wanted to dispose of Earl Sufonso himself, he wanted to hire someone to kill the mage in Yaoyang City. With his wealth, he definitely had enough money to hire a few mages. However, since Viscountess Lex hadn’t forced him to do anything, the other mages must have received the same treatment.

If the viscountess did not say anything, these mages would not want to leave this place no matter how much money Saleen offered.

”Saleen, I admire your teacher a lot, to actually challenge a grand mage in his magic tower. You need to work hard and not disappoint your teacher.” Viscountess Lex possessed no air of authority as she said this, her eyes even gleaming with yearning.

She was a mage too, and upon hearing the news from Bain’s men, her heart had swelled. If it had been her, would she have had the courage to challenge a Grade 6 mage with a magic tower?

A feeling of warmth coursed through Saleen. Jason had done something so shocking for his sake. It was a pity that he had fallen into Earl Sufonso’s trap and had been taken advantage of.

Saleen left the room. From the shadows of the window, Bain slowly appeared.

The snow continued blowing into the room. Just before it reached Bain, it would silently disappear.

”Bain, chaos is descending. Call back all the people from the swordsmen’s camp. Their training is over.” Viscountess Lex spoke with a heavy tone. She knew far more than what she had told Saleen.

Seeing how determined Earl Sufonso was this time, it seemed that he was fully prepared to side with the Holy See. Sikeqinya would plunge into chaos and the black mages in Phoenix Duchy had not yet been wiped out. There were only two roads leading from the Phoenix Duchy to the Qin Empire and they were easy to defend. Even if the situation in Phoenix were to worsen, it would not affect the Qin Empire directly.

However, there were many small roads from Phoenix to Loulan Duchy, and it would be hard to stop the spread of black mages. Loulan Duchy was the first line of defense for the Qin Empire and if chaos were to ensue there, it would affect the surrounding duchies. These duchies were the buffer zones for the four empires and if a conflict were to break out, every country would be involved.

The news from the Cloudflow Empire had not been positive either. The emperor was determined to strive for the well-being of his citizens and had being thinking up of ways to expand the number of grand mages they had. Now they were taking up a more active position and had started chasing away pastors from the sacred Holy See like the Qin Empire.

All of these things had not happened by chance. It was almost as if an invisible hand was controlling everything.

”How about the team of mages?”

”There’s no rush. If Bitter Water Prefecture is in danger, they will return.” Viscountess Lex said confidently.

”But you’re turning eighteen next year…”