Chapter 266: Browning
Chapter 266: Browning
Before purchasing a residence, Karl resided in a newly built luxury hotel, rumored to be backed by a multinational corporation. It was said that even if the Kolon Kingdom's army invaded the Royal City, the hotel could guarantee the safety of its guests.
Besides security, the hotel boasted modern amenities.
Electric lamps, showers, flush toilets...
All these technological products, which required a certain industrial foundation to manufacture, were available in the rooms.
"Trains have already appeared, and telephones are now being mass-produced from prototypes, but currently, only wealthy families can afford the installation," Karl mused as he put down the technology magazine given by Sarah.
"I wonder when wireless phones will be available?"
The current telephones converted sound into corresponding electrical signals through a transmitter and then used conductive wires to transmit these signals to a distant location. Finally, a receiver would convert the electrical signals back into the original sound.
The process required connecting wires, registering with a 'Telegraph Bureau,' and then someone would come to install it, all at a considerable cost.
Although, in Karl's eyes, wired telephones were already outdated, they had begun to find their way into ordinary households.
Recalling the steam carriage he encountered on his journey, Karl couldn't help but chuckle. Few people realized that the times were changing dramatically without them even noticing.
"Hmm..."
Karl lowered his head, and the words on the magazine seemed to blur.
He focused his gaze, and upon closer inspection, he discovered that the words were distorted like tadpoles, writhing and gradually transforming into a bizarre human face.
The eyes on the face were deep and terrifying, as if pulling one's soul into an endless abyss.
Intriguing.
A soul wizardry of a wizard apprentice.
This type of wizardry acted directly on the soul, lacking lethality but capable of evoking deep-seated fears in people.
Ordinary folks couldn't defend against it.
"Mortal!"
The eerie face opened wide, like a massive black hole, swallowing Karl.
"Do not dare to approach demons. Your soul is already decayed, but I wouldn't mind tasting it."
"If you continue to acquire that estate..."
"Hehe..."
The black hole slowly retracted until it disappeared, and the distorted words on the magazine returned to normal.
"Interesting," Karl mused, closing the magazine and nodding slowly.
"No wonder that estate hasn't been sold in the past six months, despite multiple price adjustments. It turns out a wizard apprentice has been tampering with it in secret."
"It's just a scare tactic..."
"But there's no malicious intent."
Abe was a Colonnian who, in his eagerness to join the Sunlight Church, was deceived into burning his body.
As a result, he not only failed to join the church but also suffered extensive burns, particularly on his face.
Setting down the bell-shaped magical item in his hand, Abe steadied himself and stepped out onto the street.
After navigating through the narrow alleys several times, Abe arrived at his mentor's research location.
"Mentor!"
"Hmm?" The tall and lanky senior wizard apprentice, Browning, with his full head of white hair, was preparing potions and nodded in response.
"Any news?"
"Yes," Abe bowed his head.
"A man named Karl is interested in purchasing the estate, and the price has been negotiated down to two thousand gold coins."
"It's unclear if the deal can be finalized at this price."
"Two thousand gold coins?" Browning paused, his face contorted with disdainful laughter.
"That estate was sold for ten thousand gold coins when I sold it, and that was already a discounted price."
"Now, it can only fetch two thousand?"
Abe remained silent.
The war had just begun back then, and no one anticipated the Kolon Kingdom's army reaching the Royal City.
Moreover, over the years, the mentor had caused the deaths of several estate owners, leading to a continuous drop in the property's value.
"Forget it."
Browning, aware of the reasons, sighed.
"Two thousand gold coins it is. In the next few days, find out where the buyer lives. Once they move in, I'll take action."
"Mentor."
Abe's expression changed slightly, "The news of the estate owner's successive murders has already caused quite a stir. If something happens to another person, it might draw the attention of the church."
"And this time, the buyer of the estate is an Earl. What if there's something else behind his actions..."
"Heh..." Browning glanced at his disciple, "Rest assured!"
"The items in the basement of the estate were personally arranged by my mentor. Unless an archangel intervenes, it's impossible for the church to discover any issues. Do you think they haven't inspected it over the years?"
Browning surveyed his research base, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"My research has reached a critical point. I heard that the Sax Kingdom has the latest cell samples. If I can get my hands on them, I might become an official wizard within my lifetime."
"All this requires money!"
Abe opened his mouth, then hesitated.
"Go!"
Browning waved his hand, "Keep a close eye on things. After the task is complete, I'll teach you a Zero Circle Witchcraft as a reward."
"..." Abe nodded, lowering his head as he prepared to leave, but his body suddenly froze.
"What's wrong?"
Browning turned to look at him.
"My... my mentor..." Abe's face turned pale, his eyes filled with fear, "I... I can't move!"
---
"Hmm?"
Browning frowned, instinctively grabbing his staff. The Zero Circle Witchcraft, Venomous Thorns, stirred with malicious intent.
Abe's facial muscles contorted strangely, as if something was hidden beneath his skin. His flesh stretched and expanded, and gradually, a face emerged from within, eventually detaching itself and forming a separate person.
Dream Walk!
Karl rubbed his cheek, sighing in resignation, "This continent is indeed a desert for wizards. Even bloodline abilities are suppressed to this extent."
In another world or the Magic Forest, his Dream Walk could hide within the consciousness of others, allowing his original body to manifest at will.
But here...
It almost tore Abe's body apart.
"It's you!"
Abe's eyes widened in shock, "Earl Karl!"
"Hmm?"
Browning's expression changed dramatically, and he pointed his staff, causing countless tiny spores to appear in the air.
Zero Circle Witchcraft - Venomous Thorns! Although it was a basic technique, its power depended entirely on the chosen plant.
Browning had spent decades researching various organisms, and the plant spores on his body were a complex product. Once activated, they could shred and corrode even hard steel, let alone fragile flesh.
Under the spell's influence, the spores instantly transformed into writhing vines.
Karl's fingers twitched, instinctively reaching for his own magic. However, he seemed to recall something and waved his hand over Abe, producing a soft sword.
"Swoosh!"
A flash of sword light filled the room.
Everything in the room suddenly froze.
Then, the hideous, venomous vines lost their vitality and fell to the ground.
Browning's body stiffened, his mouth agape. A crack appeared, splitting him in two from top to bottom.
"Pfft!"
The two halves of his body fell to the sides, blood spraying from the wound.
"Ah!"
Abe retreated instinctively, his body trembling, face pale, and his legs gave way, causing him to kneel on the ground.
"A legendary knight?"
At that moment, a gentle, soothing female voice came from behind them, "Not just that! I never expected that unremarkable wizard apprentice from back then would have come this far."
"Remiel." Karl turned to face the white-robed angel who had appeared in the room, shaking his head in resignation, "This is a dispute between wizards. Does a deity need to intervene?"
"Hmph!" Remiel snorted, "You should be grateful you used knight's methods. If you had cast a First Circle Witchcraft in the royal city, I could have killed you."
"This doesn't violate the rules!"
(End of Chapter)
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