Chapter 525 - Time to Do Something Big (2/2)

The tunnel was cramped and low with damp stone walls on either side. Eliard stooped down and walked for half an hour. By the end, he didn’t even know where he was. All he was sure about was that they should be outside the city.

After five or six minutes, Morrigan slowed down at the front. “The exit is up ahead,” he whispered. “There’s a small village outside the city. Most villagers have something to do with the Gale Mercenary Group. We can’t disturb them easily. Their leader is a Level-8 Assassin. He’s really powerful. We’ll use an Invisibility spell later. Make sure you don’t get discovered.”

This was targeted at Eliard. He quickly replied, “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.” With that, he cast a Traceless spell on everyone present.

Morrigan chuckled. “Heh, this spell is nice. Much better than my Invisibility. Let’s go, we’re at the exit.”

Eliard looked forward. He found a puddle of water before him with light shining down. This was probably a dried well.

“Alright, climb up. Eliard, do you need help?” Skinorse asked.

“No, it’s easy,” Eliard replied. When the others were out, he cast a Levitation spell and used the Magician’s Hand to pick himself out.

They climbed out of the well and into the alley. It was empty, but people passed to and fro outside. It was very lively. They didn’t waste any time and rushed into the woods behind the village under the help of the Traceless spell.

Once deep in the woods, they became visible again and let out exhaled deeply. Finally, Skinorse said, “Hey, Eliard, I heard them earlier saying you killed the dean. Is that true?”

“Yes.” Eliard smiled wryly and nodded.

Morrigan didn’t understand. “I heard that Andal is a great person. Did he piss you off?”

Archer Irvan was more troubled. “Andal is an important figure. We’re in trouble now.”

Eliard sighed again. Ethereals were so scary. “Listen, things aren’t so simple.”

The four looked to him, ready to hear his explanation.

Eliard first looked to Irvan. “First, thanks. You and that priest saved me. I’m Eliard, a Magician from Ferde. And you?”

Everyone introduced themselves. After learning all their names, Eliard said, “Irvan, didn’t you find something strange about the guy you killed?”

Irvan thought back and nodded. “A bit. Green smoke came out of his mouth when he did. I’ve never seen that before.”

“Yes, it’s the green smoke. When I killed the dean, that also happened. This smoke means that the person was taken over by an Ethereal. Do you understand?”

“Ethereal? From the Soul Realm?” Priest Moya furrowed her brows. She was highly sensitive to this term.

Eliard shook his head. “Not the Soul Realm but the Isomerism Realm. The dean was taken over by an Ethereal and wanted to kill me. I was forced to fight back. Many people in the academy are possessed. The entire royal family might be possessed too. So basically, we’re in trouble.”

The four stared at each other at this. They didn’t know what to say.

After a long while, Skinorse said, “According to what you said, we’ve just angered a beehive?”

Morrigan gritted his teeth. “This is troublesome. Not only did we not get money, but we’re also wanted by the kingdom now.”

Irvan scratched his head too. “Eliard, how about we escort you back to Ferde? We’ll be safe there.”

Eliard quickly shook his head. “No, no, no. I’m not going back. I have to solve this and find the mastermind behind all this. From what I know, Ethreals need a Secret Magician’s help to possess someone. I must find and kill him. Otherwise, Southmoon Kingdom will become a blight to the south of Ferde and Norton.

Hearing this, Skinorse shrugged. “Alright,” he said helplessly. “I knew the lord wouldn’t give such a simple mission. We’ll have to work now.”

“What lord?” Eliard was confused.

Beside them, Moya explained, “We met the Ferde lord in another city. He gave us this mission to come help you.”

Hearing this, Eliard felt warm inside. He knew Link must have prepared for this. “Did he say where he’ll be?” he asked.

“No,” Skinorse replied. “He said that he’d be busy with something.”

“Good. We’ll take care of this.” Eliard waved a fist. He was a Level-8 Magician now. He couldn’t stay cooped up in the safe Mage Tower; it was time to do something big.

“If you insist, then let’s do it. But what do you plan on doing?” Skinorse asked.

Eliard had thought of this. “I heard there are robbers outside the city. I think there’s something up with them. They must be related to the Ethereals. If I was that Secret Magician, I wouldn’t hide inside Full Moon City because that’s not safe. It’s highly possible to meet a Legendary Magician. I’d definitely hide outside the city. Those robbers must know something.”

“Oh, I see. So you’re saying that we have to avoid Southmoon’s capture while fighting with those robbers. This is a classic example of finding trouble for yourself.” Skinorse looked frustrated. The source of all this trouble was that he didn’t mind his own business and wanted to help his friend. What had he been thinking?

“What, are you scared?” Eliard glanced at Skinorse, his gaze falling on the man’s dagger. “Your dagger looks nice. Crystal-red, high light refraction… it’s Level-10 material. Link must have given it to you as a prepayment. You don’t want to work after getting paid?”

Skinorse slapped his forehead and muttered, “I hate Magicians.”