Chapter 222 (1/2)
Chapter 222: To Think It Would Be Someone as Prominent as You
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Ice Peak Military Fortress
In order to keep his mission a secret, Link stood in front of the fortress door clad in a low-level magic robe. He then shouted at the guards on the outer wall. “I am Mirose, a Magician from the East Cove Higher Magic Academy, here to join the army.”
“Prove your identity!” the captain of the outer guards replied. He did not receive any news that a Magician from the academy would be arriving at the fortress today. If it were an ordinary Warrior, he would not even bother entertaining him. He might even order for him to be killed if he got too close. However, the other party now was a Magician; he had to be cautious.
Proving my identity? Link was slightly stunned at this request and thought for a moment before replying, “I am friends with a disciple of Dean Anthony named Marco. If you do not believe me, you can testify with him.”
Although his mission was a secret, King Leon had already arranged everything beforehand. The alias Mirose was also one that they decided on together so as to ensure consistency.
The guard captain hesitated. He knew Marco personally and, in the past, such an action would be enough for him to let his guard down. However, the situation now was extremely tense. How would he know if this person was not a Dark Elf spy?
He then said, “Please wait while I get Marco here.”
He then immediately turned around and walked towards the Mage Tower in the fortress. Link naturally could only wait outside the castle wall.
Ten minutes later, Magician Marco appeared on the castle wall with a perplexed look on his face.
Mirose? Who is that?
He received news two days ago that the academy would be sending a young Magician named Mirose over to the fortress. This news was exceptionally strange. He could not understand why the academy would send merely one Magician over. It would be fine if that Magician were strong and famous. However, Mirose…Could it be a name of a Magician’s Apprentice?
From the castle wall, Marco looked down and saw a young man standing right outside the castle wall, looking at him with an inviting smile on his face.
Marco could recognize this person just from a glance—black hair and black eyes with a youthful demeanor. There was only one person in the entire academy who looked like that—the new Master Magician Link Morani!
He was, after all, a Level-4 Magician and could maintain his composure. Although he was excited and surprised at Link’s arrival, he did not show any of those emotional fluctuations on his face and said, “He is someone from the academy. Let him in.”
With his testimony, the guard captain was naturally relieved and ordered the guards beside him, “Open the gate.”
The rattling sounds of gears could be heard as the drawbridge was lowered slowly to pave the way for Link’s entrance. Before Link could enter the fortress, Magician Marco had already come out to welcome him.
After reaching Link’s side, he looked around to make sure no one was looking before whispering in excitement, “Sir, I have been informed that a combat Magician would arrive. To think that it would be someone as prominent as you!”
Link had already made his name known throughout the Magician world reaching the status of a master at a tender age of 18 years old. His accomplishment of defeating a Level-8 demon with a Level-9 spell had also proved his overwhelming strength, just shy of reaching the Legendary status.
Under his dazzling brilliance, Wavier of the South, Eliard who managed to become a level-3 Magician in half a year, and other Magicians who call themselves genius all dimmed in comparison.
Link smiled meekly and corrected, “I am not a master. I am Mirose, a Level-2 Magician. Have you forgotten?”
“Oh, yes, yes. It is Mirose.” Marco nodded.
Link headed into the fortress while Magician Marco followed hastily behind like a follower.
“Where is the Dawn Swordsman? Bring me to him.” Link did not waste a single moment. He knew that the longer he stayed in the fortress, the likelihood of his identity being exposed would increase.
He was the nemesis of the Dark Elves, the criminal who killed the Constellation Assassin of the Norigan Familia. If the Dark Elves had noticed his arrival in the Dark Forest, they would definitely pursue him with all their might.
However, this sentence caused a frown to appear on Marco’s face, his melancholy obvious.
Link suddenly got a bad premonition and said, “What happened?”
Marco whispered, “The pioneer group that the army sent out had been breached and annihilated by the Dark Elves. Kanorse had chosen to be the defensive force for that mission and is nowhere to be found. The Duke had sent out a rescue team for this purpose alone. Even Princess Annie went along this time around.”
Link as startled at the news and paused, “When did this happen?”
“Just an hour before you arrived. The rescue team was just dispatched. However, the Dark Forest is infested with ghouls; I’m afraid this mission will also…” Marco did not complete his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
Link captured a single word in his entire speech and asked, “Ghouls? You mean the things that recently appeared in the Dark Forest?”
An expression of fear immediately appeared on Marco’s face. “Yes, that’s them! They are way too strong! The entire army is in a state of despair. The ghouls have nearly taken over the entire Dark Forest!”
Upon hearing those words, Link fell silent and stopped moving forward. He then heard the rattling sound of gears coming from behind him. The guards were retracting the drawbridge.
“It seems like I need to take action now. Marco, tell them to lower the drawbridge. I am setting off now.” Link walked towards the fortress gate.
“Link…I mean, Mirose…alone?” Marco followed behind Link hastily as he signaled for the guards to lower the drawbridge.
“No, I will catch up with the rescue team and move together with them. The Duke made the right decision. The Dawn Swordsman’s current state cannot be ambiguous! In fact, he must live!”