Chapter 297: The Dark Sorcerer
Chapter 297: The Dark Sorcerer
As Shalin had predicted, news of the front-line army's collapse soon reached them.
It was also discovered that the true nobles and upper-class citizens of the Capital City had secretly fled, leaving the city in chaos.
"Earl," Steward Terry spoke in a low voice.
"Today, several workers didn't show up at the manor, and I asked their acquaintances. I doubt they'll ever return."
The exodus from the Capital City stretched for over ten miles, and anyone with connections was not staying behind.
The same was true for the manor's employees.
"Hmm," Karl nodded and sat down, taking a sip of his drink. "With the recent instability, those who wish to leave can do so at any time. Just remember to settle their wages."
"Hmm..."
"Do you plan to leave?"
"You jest, Earl," Terry shook his head. "Here, you're safer than anywhere else. Besides, the Colonn Kingdom has always treated nobles well."
"Let's hope so," Karl chuckled.
"There are plenty of empty rooms in the manor. Those who choose to stay can reside here without the need to commute."
The city was unsafe, with reports of the City Guard forcibly recruiting young men to bolster their ranks and others taking advantage of the chaos to loot and plunder.
"Yes, sir," Terry replied.
"The Earl is kind-hearted and will surely receive divine protection, avoiding the calamities of war."
"Heh..." Karl chuckled, picking up a pastry and chewing slowly. "Who made these pastries?"
"A new cook, skilled in various desserts," Terry explained.
"This is called Osmanthus Cake, made with oil, flour, osmanthus, and milk. It's a specialty from the Sak Kingdom."
"Hmm," Karl nodded. "Send for her."
"Yes, sir," Terry responded.
Soon, a woman in her thirties, dressed in a simple gray cotton outfit, entered the dining room with quick, small steps and knelt down.
"Peasant... Peasant, greetings to the Earl!"
"Lift your head," Karl said.
The woman trembled as she raised her head, revealing fair skin and delicate features, a stark contrast to her peasant attire.
Karl's gaze deepened as he asked, "What's your name?"
"My name is Peasant Pai Tsui," the woman replied softly.
"From the Sak Kingdom?"
"Yes."
Karl picked up an Osmanthus Cake, examined it briefly, and sighed. "It would be better if it weren't cursed."
The woman's eyes widened, and a cold glint flashed within them. Her aura also changed.
Until now, she had been a simple peasant, her only distinction being her good looks.
But now, a sense of aloofness and arrogance emanated from her, even through her plain clothing.
"You know about curses," Karl observed. "You must have had contact with the Wizard World. It's a shame you've already eaten it."
"Who are you?" Terry's face paled, and he called out, "Help!"
"Someone, come quickly!"
"Never mind," Karl waved his hand. "Calling for help won't make a difference. There's no need to waste resources."
"You're right," the woman smirked. "I'm an apprentice wizard, wielding powers beyond mortals. If you listen and offer your wealth, you might just keep your lives."
"Heh..." Karl chuckled and shook his head. "So, it's my wealth you're after?"
"Not to mention the agreement between wizards and the gods," the woman said, her eyes glinting as a golden needle appeared in her hand. "Knowing a few people from the wizard organization won't threaten me."
"No." Karl sighed. "If you've had any dealings with the local Sorcerer's Guild, you'd know who the master of this manor is."
The woman was startled, but then, as if she had guessed something, she tossed the golden needle in her hand forward and turned to flee.
"Bang!"
An invisible, colossal force descended from above, crushing her legs and forcing her to kneel heavily on the ground.
As for the golden needle thrown at Karl, it hadn't even touched his clothes before it was incinerated by a flame, turning into a golden liquid.
"Ah!"
A scream of agony echoed.
"A Dark Sorcerer..." Karl's face turned cold. "To think you'd dare rob me. Truly absurd."
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
"Spare me! Spare me!" The woman's face was filled with terror as she desperately banged her head on the hard rock ground. "Earl, please spare me. I never imagined you'd be a noble Sorcerer."
"If I weren't a Sorcerer, just an ordinary person, I'd probably be cursed, with life and death beyond my control." Karl's voice was icy. "Since you've done this, you must face the consequences."
"No!" Sensing the bone-chilling killing intent rushing towards her, the woman's body trembled, and she cried out in haste, "If you kill me, my master will not let you off!"
"Your master?" Karl raised an eyebrow and with a light wave of his hand, the staff on the woman's body floated into his grasp.
"Let me see where he is."
Gently caressing the staff, he followed the aura emanating from it, and a trail of flames gradually appeared in the area, converging into a gateway.
Third Circle Warlock—Flame Gateway!
Karl reached out and lightly tapped the gateway, and from a distance of over ten li, a figure was pulled towards him.
"Patrick!"
The captured man was a middle-aged man with an unremarkable appearance. He felt that in the blink of an eye, he had been brought to the manor.
First, he looked at the woman in the field and subconsciously asked, "What happened?"
As for the woman, her eyes were already wide with shock.
Spatial Sorcery!
This... This was a spell that only a Third Circle Grand Sorcerer could cast. Was the person before him a Third Circle Warlock?
Despair rose in her heart, and her body went limp, collapsing to the ground.
"It seems you're not just master and disciple but also husband and wife."
Karl's voice was cold.
"Perfect. The Mind Separation Technique of the Lich's school requires test subjects, and you two will do nicely!"
In a void space, Alphur Augustus, staff in hand, strolled towards a set of stone steps. He looked up, gazing into the void above.
At the end of his line of sight was a pitch-black, deep, and all-consuming black 'sphere'.
Within this sphere, he could sense a power akin to what he had felt when he once stood before a divinity.
Supreme Will!
This sphere represented the Green Family.
"Venerable Elder."
Alphur, with his demigod bloodline, knelt on one knee with utmost respect on the stone steps.
The void seemed to tremble slightly, and then a vast voice echoed through the emptiness, reverberating in his ears.
"The ancient contract still stands, and I cannot go against it."
"Elder." Alphur looked up.
"I wish to make a trade!"
"One of the Green Family's enemies is on the Eastern Kingdom Continent. I can deliver him to you in exchange for allowing members of the Augustus Family to travel to the Calim Continent."
"..." The voice hesitated.
"Carl?"
Over the years, the Green Family had countless enemies, and there were few that 'it' held in such regard.
Fortunately, most of their enemies were on the Calim Continent, with fewer on the Eastern Kingdom Continent.
"Yes." Alphur nodded.
"Carl Bergman, it seems he's become a Third Circle Forbidden Knight, and his sorcery is not to be underestimated."
"Forbidden Knight?" The voice rippled with surprise. "Agreed!"
The Green Family might not care much about Carl, but the secrets behind his rapid advancement in such a short time were worth this price.
(End of Chapter)
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