Chapter 215 (2/2)

Link sighed. He knew who was responsible for bringing the god-level device into this world, and he knew the consequences as well.

In the game, this dark god-level device was called the “Dark Serpent, the Lady of Darkness’ Noose,” and it was the Spider Queen Lolth’s weapon. The only reason why it could be brought to the mortal world was because the Dark Elves had sacrificed 10,000 souls when they attacked Gladstone.

But the Change of the Bloody Moon didn’t happen in this world, yet the Dark Elves still managed to bring about this god-level device. There could only be one explanation for this, that is that they’ve found another race of people to sacrifice!

“I think,” Link whispered, “the Dark Elves must’ve used the sacrificial method to bring this device to the mortal world.”

“Sacrificial method? To summon a god-level device?” asked Grinth, still incredulous. “But that would need at least 10,000 souls!”

Link only replied with one word.

“Gladstone.”

The word sent a chill down Grinth’s spine. Kin Leon refused to understand it at first, but after a while, all the blood was drained from his face, and his face looked pallid.

Yes, a year ago the Dark Elves had plotted a sneak attack on the town of Gladstone. It was an atrocious plan, but even though some people were sent to investigate the Dark Elves’ true motives behind such an act, no convincing conclusions had ever been reached.

But now, Link had made step-by-step deductions through the existence of the dark runes in the Dark Elf’s eyes and concluded that there must be a dark god-level device in the mortal world. Thus, he’d now found the horrifying reason behind the attack in Gladstone.

The Dark Elves had attempted to massacre the innocent souls in Gladstone and sacrifice them to summon the dark god-level device then use it to launch an all-out war on the Realm of Light.

If the Dark Elves’ plan had been successful, then the Norton Kingdom would be suffering the most brutal blow by now. Any possibility of a counterattack or minor victories would merely be a joke then.

There was still one last shred of doubt in King Leon’s mind.

“Master Link,” he asked, “are these all just your guesses?”

Link nodded. He couldn’t deny that he had absolutely no proof to back up his claims no matter how sure he was of the truth in them.

“But, Your Majesty,” Link said, “there is a simple way to confirm my theory. We only need to investigate whether there were any other massacres in the North. They can’t hide such a thing completely. Maybe the MI3 could find some traces of…”

Before Link could finish his sentence, King Leon slumped hopelessly into the throne. Cold beads of sweat saturated his forehead, and his eyes turned as dark and bleak as a storm. Link’s words must have been a great blow to him, even though Link wasn’t exactly sure why.

Link turned to Grinth for the explanation but soon found that even the Master Magician wasn’t in the best condition himself. His face was ashen gray, and both of his hands were gripping his wand. It seemed as if all his senses took leave of his body and all he wished for was death.

“What’s going on?” asked Link.

Grinth chuckled cynically for a long time before answering Link. His laugh sounded more like a grievous cry when Link listened to it.

“Actually,” said Grinth in a hoarse and bleak voice, “we’ve received some reports from the North. Have you heard of the Icefield Barbarians?”

“Yes,” answered Link. “They are a race of people who lived for generations on the Icefield Island and they hunt whales for a living.” He’d read about them in books, but these people were primitive and did not participate much in the affairs between kingdoms, so no one paid much attention to them.

“Well,” continued Grinth, “three months earlier, our army received pleas for help from these people. They said that the demons had descended upon their island and massacred most of its inhabitants. They were hoping that we’d be able to help them. No one took it seriously at the time because they were just barbarians. Besides, our army was already engaged in a plan to wage war against the Dark Elves…But who would’ve thought…Who would’ve thought that things would turn out this way!”

In other words, the Icefield Barbarians had been massacred instead of the citizens of Norton Kingdom. As a result, the dark god-level device was here, and the Norton Kingdom had to suffer the apocalyptic consequences that were to come.

What a sign of karma at work!

King Leon rubbed the corners of his eyes with his fingers, wiping away the tears that he’d quietly shed. He then turned to Link and spoke to him almost with a tone of humility.

“Master Link,” he began, almost as a plea, “do you think we have any chance to win this war?”

The young Magician had displayed incredible wisdom and insight in front of his eyes. He’d managed to guess the Dark Elves’ terrible plots with the minimal number of clues and infer the existence of a dark god-level device while staying calm and collected through it all.

The existence of such a figure made King Leon slightly hopeful. Perhaps there was some truth to the rumors that he was the God of Light’s Chosen One. Perhaps this young man could one day save the Realm of Light.

Link didn’t say whether they could win or not.

“Your Majesty,” said Link, waving the blood-stained scroll that contained the image of the Dark Elf in his hand, “the future cannot be predicted. Whether we win or lose depends on our present efforts. We haven’t yet reached the lowest point, so, first of all, we must capture the Occult Dark Elf Assassin and study its weakest points. Then we’ll be able to handle the dark god-level device. Do you agree with me, Your Majesty?”

“But these Dark Elves are too strong,” said King Leon, “and their combat skills are at an unimaginable level. They work in groups, and they move incredibly fast. Even the Dawn Swordsman Karnose couldn’t capture any of them.”

The Dawn Swordsman Karnose, a Level-8 Warrior, was the strongest Warrior in the Norton Kingdom and perhaps in the entire human realm. He’d always been stationed in the palace, but judging from the king’s words, he must’ve been sent to the battlefield in the North too. This just proved how dire the situation had become for the Norton Kingdom!

Link interlaced his fingers in front of his chest and fell into silent contemplation for a few seconds.

“I will go north myself,” said Link finally.

“Huh?” King Leon and Grinth looked at each other in shock. Ever since defeating the Level-8 demon Tarviss, Link was recognized by the whole Realm of Light as the most powerful Battle Mage. What a formidable team they would make if he could work together with the Dawn Swordsman!

It could be said that if these two couldn’t succeed after working together, then no one else in the whole realm could either!

“When can you make the journey, Master Link?” asked Grinth.

“I would need a week to get my affairs in order before leaving,” Link answered.

“Of course! Of course!” said the king, he’d stood up in excitement by now. “Please let me know what I can do for you, Master Link. I’ll do my best to satisfy you!”

“Then please make sure no one knows of my movements and whereabouts, Your Majesty,” said Link.

Link was hesitant to go north himself, but it seemed that Norton Kingdom’s army was about to collapse in defeat in front of his eyes. Link could no longer stay out of the action and do nothing at this point.