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Chapter 570: Coastal Tower
Duke Aiden hurried forward with practiced courtesy, bowing deeply before speaking aloud:
"Good morning, The Hermit. Thank you for your assistance to our clan. Welcome to Silver Keep—your presence here is truly an honor."
"Good morning, The Hermit," echoed the voice behind him—Koshik, the chief mage, and the three Knight Commanders, all bowing in unison, their voices respectful and synchronized.
Yet Heloviz, having grown more at ease during their journey, simply smiled warmly. "We meet again, The Hermit."
"You must be Duke Aiden, the one Heloviz spoke of," The Hermit replied, nodding slightly. His pale green eyes swept across the hall, lingering last upon the duke.
The people of Silver Family did not know—beneath The Hermit’s gaze, or rather, beneath Kai Xiusu’s淡绿色 (pale green) eyes, they were as naked as the day they were born. There was no secret, no hidden truth. His Life Force Essence utterly crushed theirs.
As an Avatar of the Ancestral Bloodline of the Red Dragon, Kai Xiusu wielded a Life Force Essence far beyond their comprehension.
【Duke of the Golden Rose – Aiden (Class Level: Battle Division 12)】
【Silver Blade – Simon (Class Level: Champion Warrior 20)】
【Master of Arcane Arts – Koshik (Class Level: Mage – Enchantment School 19)】
【Mithril Hand Regiment Commander – Fyodo Pet (Class Level: Runewarden 16)】
“Hmm, no wonder this is the Feiansuo Continent—the realm of God and Monster Chaos. Even a noble governing part of a city possesses such strength.”
Kai Xiusu couldn’t help but inwardly marvel at the information displayed on the character sheets floating in his mind.
A Sub-Legendary Warrior, a Mage nearing Legendary status, and several other Power Warriors at the transcendent level—just the surface strength Silver Family chose to show was staggering.
Such a composition, in the Northern Regions, would be more than enough to lead a Duchy, perhaps even break through the most powerful of the Northern Kingdoms—Bosk Duchy itself.
Yet here, on the Feiansuo Continent, in Victoria Harbor—the largest, most flourishing port city on the western coast—this power could only stand as an equal to the other three major clans. They couldn’t even fully control the city.
Seeing this, Kai Xiusu spoke lightly, a hint of amusement in his tone:
"Ah, no wonder you’re one of Victoria Harbor’s ruling powers, Duke Aiden. Your clan truly does possess formidable strength."
At that moment, Koshik felt cold sweat bead across his forehead. The spells he’d woven throughout Silver Keep—layers of protective enchantments—had been utterly meaningless before this being. Worse still, he sensed something deeper: the existence before him had already seen through him. Every thought, every secret, lay bare.
Simon instinctively gripped the hilt of his Silver Sword, ensuring the duke’s safety. Yet his arm trembled slightly.
Just moments ago, an overwhelming aura had surged—so potent it stirred primal fear within him.
"Relax," Duke Aiden said quickly, forcing a broad, nervous smile. "The Hermit is our clan’s benefactor. There’s no need to be tense."
"The Hermit, you protected our caravan and rescued my daughter. I can’t begin to express my gratitude. This is but a small token of our sincerity—please accept it as a gesture of our thanks."
He signaled to several servants, who quickly brought forward several crates, prepped in advance. The boxes were heavy—so much so that the servants strained under the weight as they carried them to The Hermit’s feet and carefully opened them.
Golden light spilled across the floor.
Inside were mountains of gold coins—tens of thousands of them—jewelry crafted with exquisite detail, and pearls scattered like sand, glittering under the light.
Duke Aiden had clearly studied the Bronze Dragon’s tastes. He knew they, like all dragons, were driven by greed for gold, and that pearls were a favorite delicacy.
Even the hall’s assembled guests couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of such wealth. Yet they quickly composed themselves, their eyes flickering with subtle, unspoken longing—then refocusing on The Hermit.
The Hermit’s gaze lit up. His lips curled into a satisfied smile. He nodded repeatedly, clearly pleased.
In those pale green eyes, golden reflections danced—proof that even a Metal Dragon could not entirely suppress the instinctual greed of his draconic nature.
But this was only the appetizer.
Duke Aiden continued:
"The Hermit, this is only part of our gratitude. Though weapons can be valued in gold, my daughter—Heloviz—is priceless. I truly don’t know how to repay such a debt. So I offer you our entire collection of treasures, hoping you’ll find them to your liking."
“Clap, clap.”
Duke Aiden clapped his hands. The great doors slowly opened, and a line of elegantly dressed maids entered in perfect formation, each carrying transparent glass cases.
Inside were rare and precious collectibles—some glowing with magical auras.
A crimson coral from the deep sea. A ship preserved in a glass vial. A crown once worn by a Naga noble. A colossal pearl radiating iridescent light.
All of these were carefully gathered from the ocean’s depths—treasures of the sea, meticulously prepared by Duke Aiden.
He knew, beyond gold and pearls, that Bronze Dragons—Coastal Dragons—had a taste for other oceanic treasures. And the Silver Family, long established in Victoria Harbor, had amassed a vast hoard.
The dozen treasures were laid before The Hermit. Duke Aiden watched closely, waiting.
And The Hermit? He examined each piece with undisguised delight.
A satisfied smile played at the corners of his mouth.
Duke Aiden knew—his goal was achieved. The Silver Family had successfully gained the favor of the ancient Bronze Dragon.
The Hermit sighed.
"Victoria Harbor truly is the most prosperous port city. Your family’s wealth is staggering. Since you’ve offered so generously, I can’t refuse. I’ll accept these gifts. Should you ever need aid, let Heloviz send that coin."
Duke Aiden gave a subtle nod. Heloviz stepped forward, voice soft.
"The Hermit, I have a question… Do you know—those cultists who attacked us, those who called themselves followers of the 'God of Dominion'—what exactly are they?"
The Hermit let out a cold, mocking laugh.
"Hah. Just a bunch of foolish insects. They don’t even realize they’ve been mind-controlled. Pathetic. But by common reckoning, they’re puppets of the Mind Flayer."
"Mind Flayer?"
The name struck Koshik like a thunderbolt. His face paled instantly.
He had studied Multiverse lore under the Tralfranlo System. He knew full well how vile, how dangerous the Mind Flayer truly was.
He dredged through the vast archive of his mind—memories from the library of knowledge.
The Mind Flayer. Known in Underdark Common Tongue as "Soul Plunderer" or "Slave-Mind," sometimes called ghaik—"brain-eater scum"—by the Gis-Yangki.
A brutal abomination, its psionic power feared across the multiverse. It devoured living minds, consuming the very essence of its victims. These creatures dwelled deep in the Underdark, in twisted, distorted nests, seeking to dominate all other life forms—enslaving their wills, turning them into obedient puppets.
Koshik whispered, trembling:
"How… how could Mind Flayers be here, on the surface world?"
The Hermit glanced at him, his tone heavy with meaning:
"Young mage, their history runs deeper than you know. Their greed stretches farther than you can imagine. Four centuries ago, I destroyed a Mind Flayer Nautilus Warship. I’ve seen their grand design."
Duke Aiden frowned, his expression darkening.
"The Hermit, are these Mind Flayers after Victoria Harbor?"
The Hermit replied coolly:
"Partially. But not just that. That’s one reason I came here."
Duke Aiden straightened.
"The Hermit, my family will give you every assistance we can. Only please—join us. Let’s eradicate these monsters together."
"Of course," The Hermit said. "But first, I need a place to stay. I was hoping to return to my house in Tal Port… but it’s already sunk beneath the sea."
Duke Aiden hastened to reply:
"Of course! We’ll build you a residence in the finest part of the Upper District—so you may enjoy the most breathtaking sea views in Victoria Harbor."
The Hermit shook his head.
"No need. The Upper District is full of monks and nobles—boring, and cut off from the real world."
"Then… what do you mean?"
The Hermit turned toward the window, gazing out at the bustling harbor. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"How about this? Build me a tall tower—right in the Lower District. The most chaotic, the most diverse, the most… interesting part of the city. Name it Coastal Tower."
Duke Aiden nodded immediately.
"Yes, The Hermit. Ten days. We’ll have it ready in ten days."
Yet in his heart, he smirked. He was already mourning the fate of the underworld’s chaotic powers.
An ancient Bronze Dragon, fiercely just, emerging into the chaos of the Lower District? That would be a nightmare for thieves and cultists alike.
But deeper, a chill ran through him.
What do they want? Why target my only daughter?
Before he could dwell further, The Hermit spoke again, interrupting his thoughts.
"Oh, and Duke Aiden—don’t forget to move all these treasures into the tower."
With that, he tore open a spatial rift, vanishing into thin air.
Duke Aiden stood alone, caught between laughter and disbelief.
Still a dragon, after all.
Victoria Harbor remained its usual chaotic self—caravans arriving and departing, ships weaving through the harbor like fish in a stream.
But rumors spread like wildfire: Duke Aiden’s daughter, Heloviz, had been attacked by cultists. The duke, furious, sent Simon Amorim—the famed Silver Blade and his loyalist—leading hundreds of elite mercenaries into Wilson District—the city’s most lawless quarter.
To the district’s gangs and warlords, it seemed like a full-scale purge was imminent.
Instead, the mercenaries began construction.
Days passed. A stunning blue tower rose in the heart of Wilson District—its height and elegance jarring against the worn, crumbling buildings around it. A sign hung proudly: Coastal Tower.
Mithril Hand mercenaries escorted wagon after wagon of gold, piling them into the tower’s vaults. The sight ignited the greed of every thief and gang in the area.
Once complete, the mercenaries vanished—leaving behind only a handful of helpless servants and a man in a gray robe.
Though it was clearly Duke Aiden’s treasure, the tower’s weak defenses and dazzling wealth made it irresistible to the desperate.
Some gangs even allied with cults, dragging in undead to join their assault.
But on one storm-lashed night, when the sea raged and the wind howled, fishermen complained of the Sea Queen’s temper.
And the next morning, the front of the tower was piled high with ash. Servants labored to sweep it away.
Then, the people of Wilson District discovered something chilling: the cults and gangs who had plotted to raid the tower had vanished—completely. No trace. No bodies.
Another rumor spread:
The Master of Coastal Tower—the man who calls himself The Hermit—is an immensely powerful mage.
Some even swore the tower housed a fearsome dragon. But most dismissed it as fantasy.
Victoria Harbor, the largest port in Silvermoon Bay, was known for its tolerance. Humans, orcs, dwarves, elves, even Naga—no one raised an eyebrow.
Soon, the residents of Wilson District grew accustomed to the Coastal Tower. It became a pawnshop for sea treasures, a marketplace for secrets and intelligence.
But the most devoted visitors? The undead.
They came in droves, gathering at the tower’s base, accepting quests from the mysterious The Hermit.
To the players who used Victoria Harbor as their spawn point, the tower’s enigmatic figure had become the most mysterious and vital Non-Player Character in the city.
Standing atop the tower, Kai Xiusu squinted at the sea beyond the window—ships packed tightly like sardines.
"According to the original timeline," he murmured, "the Cult of the Lord of Dominion kidnapped Heloviz to pressure Duke Aiden, slowly seizing control of Victoria Harbor’s military."
"Now? My rescue of the caravan has disrupted everything. Let’s see what they’ll try next."
(End of Chapter)
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