Chapter 363 - Then Don’t Use Me in the Future! (1/2)
Chapter 363: Then Don’t Use Me in the Future!
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Returning to the Mage Tower from the commanding hall, Link’s spirits were low. On the way back, he suddenly saw a scout run hurriedly.
The man’s expression was anxious, and his footsteps were messy. His clothing was covered in dust and mud. He ran past Link, snaked through the generals leaving, and sprinted straight towards the hall.
Only the top officials could enter the hall. Seeing the strange scout run in, everyone felt that something was wrong. They all stopped and looked over.
Link had a bad feeling too. He halted and waited for Duke Abel to call them to reconvene. But strangely, that didn’t happen.
After the scout entered the citadel, he didn’t reappear. The hall was as calm as before as if nothing had happened.
Seeing this, the generals found it weird, but they soon departed. They were all busy; at the critical point before the final battle, there was much to do.
Link didn’t leave. Not only that, he even walked over.
His vision was shockingly good now. The scout’s clothing was horribly dirty, but he could still vaguely see the emblem on it. It was a roaring golden lion.
Only soldiers of the Hot Springs City could wear the golden lion. This meant that the messenger came from the capital city. From the looks of him, the capital was most likely in trouble.
Link returned to the hall. It was still organized with the officers taking care of matters orderly. Nothing seemed to have happened.
However, Link didn’t see Duke Abel. The duke had still been sitting when Link left earlier.
He pulled an officer over and asked, “Where’s the duke?”
Seeing that it was Link, the officer pointed at the stairs. “He went to the library.”
“Oh, write it down that I’m going to visit him now.”
It was the army’s rule that solo meetings with the general must be recorded. In the proper process, a message would be sent after the recording, and one could visit the general after being given permission. Link obviously didn’t need that.
He strode upstairs and to the duke’s library. He knocked lightly.
“I’m busy!” the duke’s voice traveled from the room. He sounded normal, but Link could hear the anxiety.
I’m afraid something has really happened.
Using the Magician’s Hand, Link opened the lock and pushed the door open.
There were two people inside the room. One was the messenger from earlier. He was now shoveling food into his mouth from the small table in the corner; he was clearly famished. The duke sat before a long table, gaping at a letter covered in sweat and blood.
Click. Link closed the door.
“Did something happen to the capital?” he asked. “Let me guess, did Delonga attack suddenly? Did their army pass through the Girvent Forest, going straight to the Hot Springs City?”
At least 10,000 soldiers were always positioned at the Hot Springs City. It wasn’t easy to conquer, so Link wasn’t too worried.
The duke let out a long sigh and sagged in his seat.
At that time, the scout reached at the wine on the table and was about to drink. Link used the Magician’s Hand to steal the cup and add in a drowsiness spell. The man was already exhausted. With the spell, he fell asleep without a sound.
Magic flashed on his hand and the wine bottle dissolved into sand. “There’s no use in killing a loyal messenger to hide news,” Link said. “Let him sleep. When he wakes up, he’ll forget everything.”
The duke looked at the sky with lifeless eyes. “Master Link,” he muttered, “the situation is worse than you think. When the messenger departed, Hot Springs City’s outer walls were already breached. Everyone is holding down the inner city. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn’t send a letter asking for reinforcements.”
He passed the letter to Link, who accepted it with the Magician’s Hand. Scanning it, his pupils constricted. “Dark Magician Andrew and the Syndicate. This is indeed a crisis.”
Duke Abel glanced at Link and sighed. “What should I do? Abandon Orida and go south to help? No, I can’t do that!”
If the Orida Fortress was breached by the Dark Army, it would be a catastrophe for the entire human world. The Dark Army would rush southward like a flood. Everyone in their path would die.
Furthermore, sending reinforcements now would be too late. He could only cover up the news by trying to kill the messenger.
This thin piece of paper held such heavyweight.
Link slowly placed the letter on the table. “The final battle is inescapable, and no problems should occur. Sorry for butting in.”
With that, white light glowed around Link. He disappeared from the library and returned to the Mage Tower.
In the library, Duke Abel lit a flame and burned the letter. Then he wiped his face, wiping away all anxiety and frustrations. When he lowered his hand, the mighty general had returned.
…
Back in the Mage Tower, Link felt inexplicably anxious.
The world was riddled with pores and darkness was seeping in from every crack. He’d already done his best, but danger was still looming, even getting worse.
If the Hot Springs City was attacked, what about the East Cove Magic Academy? What about Ferde? Will Celine be okay? The thoughts poured into Link’s mind, almost driving him crazy.
“Master, what’s wrong?” Nana’s crisp voice rang out, shocking Link.
Oh no, my mind is a mess. I still have to lead the magic seal! I can’t be a mess!
His library was at the top level of the Mage Tower and included a one-way glass. He could see the Black Forest from here.
Pulling a chair over, Link forced him to sit down and stare quietly at the Black Forest without moving. Time passed slowly. His chaotic thoughts lessened, and finally, he let out a long breath.
I was being impatient. There are many Mage Towers in the Ferde Wilderness. There are many strong fighters, and Celine’s gun is powerful too. I left her a lot of bullets. Andrew is only Level-7. If he dares go, a few bullets will end him…
Thinking like that, Link gradually calmed down.
Just then, a message appeared in his vision. It was a mission.
Activate Mission: Orida Fortress