novelnext Chapter 167 The Battle of the Passage
Chapter 167 The Battle of the Passage
Chapter 167 The Battle of the Passage
The passage through the mountain was long, echoing with the sound of dripping water.
Outside the most powerful capital of Sussas, there is a secret passage that leads directly to the city.
Judging from Arundel's actions, the guards seem to be aware of its existence.
Kane's eyes flickered slightly as he fell into thought.
It seems that the mage academy holds a somewhat detached position in Sussas.
However, the academy has, after all, trained many spellcasters.
Within the territory of Susas, relationships are intricate and intertwined, ranging from spellcasters and traveling scholars among adventurers to mages in the army and even directly under the royal court.
It's quite normal for them to form a powerful force.
"Lord Kane, once this matter is settled, please sign a spell agreement stipulating that this passage cannot be disclosed to anyone else."
Arundel walked in front, speaking without turning his head.
Kane nodded: "No problem."
Risa scoffed, "Tch, it's just a tunnel slowly dug out by a bunch of mages using fossils as mud. Why make it sound so precious, requiring a signed agreement?"
Ella shook her head: "The mountains outside the royal court are all extremely thick rock layers, and the fossils are mud," which consumes a lot of ether.
Such projects, accumulated over time, are very difficult.
Risa scoffed and didn't argue further.
Arundel chuckled, offering no explanation, and continued, "Although this passage exists, it is very complex inside, with multiple branch paths. It also uses methods such as 'fossils as mud' to change its route from time to time, and sets traps and ambushes."
So before arriving, I had already communicated with the academy. My friend will meet me at the fork in the road ahead, and then we'll be safe.
Kane nodded and looked at Arundel: "May I ask you a question?"
"Please speak."
"If the intelligence we bring is verified, and the academy decides to intervene, how will this matter be handled subsequently?"
Kane's expression shifted slightly as he stared intently at Arundel's face, trying to find the answer.
At first, he was told that the duke was colluding with a demon cult.
According to Ella, this level of culpability, before causing serious consequences, would at most harm the duke's interests, such as losing part of his guard and territory.
But now, the royal family has been drawn in, and the heir to the throne is also involved.
He speculated that it was very likely that the heir and the duke were working together to assassinate King Sussas.
This can be considered a serious consequence.
Moreover, in order to carry out the Stigmata Ceremony, the Duke's merchant guilds have clearly begun to plunder mercenaries and civilians from various regions.
This is clearly preparing for a war.
He even speculated that if the usurpation succeeded, they might pin the blame for King Sussus's death on the Nords, thereby instigating a war between the two countries.
If the Nord army suffers repeated defeats, Nord and other nations will likely implement the Stigmata Ritual on a large scale to enhance their strength.
At that point, the demon cult's conspiracy will have completely succeeded, and this material plane will ultimately be devoured by the abyss's consciousness.
Kane pondered for a long time, his gaze still fixed on Arundel.
The other party frowned: "Sorry, this is my domestic affairs."
He paused briefly, "However, given that Lord Kane shares the same goal as us, I can explain."
The usual procedure is: upon receiving intelligence, notify the court sorcerer, contact the council of nobles — and then, with authorization —”
Kane frowned: "Can't we take direct action?"
Arundel shook his head: "This is legal procedure, it's about legitimacy."
Kane's gaze was calm.
Rigid, but reasonable.
He changed his mind, temporarily setting aside the topic and instead talking about unimportant things.
The passage was long, and after walking for an unknown amount of time, the group continued in silence.
The sound of dripping water continued.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, they came to a fork in the road.
Kane and the others stopped in their tracks.
There were more than a dozen forks in the road ahead.
Without guidance, it is very easy to get lost.
"I know the road may have changed or been rigged," Arundel said, "but he should have arrived by now."
He whistled.
The whistle echoed through the passageway, reaching its depths.
Soon, footsteps could be heard.
Kane's eyes flickered slightly—besides the sound of footsteps, there seemed to be other subtle noises mixed in.
boom!
A person emerged from the third passage from the left. Arundel breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the newcomer.
He was a monk wearing a hooded robe, a red robe, with a white beard and a long scar on his face, looking somewhat fierce.
Arundel spoke up, "Asler, you've come to pick us up."
Asler nodded: "Is your travels over?"
"The journey has been forced to a halt. I have learned of a massive conspiracy that could even shake Susas, and I must urgently report it to the Dean and convene an academy meeting for a decision by the Deans."
These three are the witnesses I brought.
Upon hearing this, Asler's eyes flickered slightly, and his brows furrowed.
Arundel stepped closer, and the distance between them shortened.
Just then, Kane narrowed his eyes slightly, finally catching the source of that unease, and shouted urgently, "Arundel, watch out!"
Just as Arundel showed a surprised expression, the "red-robed mage" suddenly rushed forward, his short staff in his right hand transforming into a dagger made of solidified wax, and thrusting it swiftly towards him!
boom!
Kane sprinted forward, his scimitar flashing as it was drawn from its sheath.
The blades clashed with the wax bayonets; the two men moved with incredible speed, their figures flashing past each other.
A scream rang out.
The "red-robed mage" wore a malicious smile.
Kane caught a glimpse of Arundel's horrified expression as he staggered and fell, only to be attacked by two demonic hounds, one of which was a Quassamon.
They were grinning maliciously as they tore at his corpse.
A second-tier mage—just like that, he died?
Kane had just had this thought when he suddenly regained his composure.
No, that's not right.
His sharp eyes looked towards the open space on the other side.
Sure enough, Arundel reappeared on the other side, standing in front of Risa and Ella, his face grim, his robes torn, and he demanded sharply, "What happened to my companions?!"
The "corpses" that the two Quassa demons had torn apart had turned into a mass of scattered soil.
The two Quassa demons paused, looking puzzled. Then they turned to stare at the others, their eyes filled with malice. They let out a strange "giggle" and their figures quickly faded away, disappearing back into the air.
"Asler" took Kane's blow head-on with his bayonet; the wax on the blade melted and then quickly solidified, allowing him to retreat.
His face began to change, twisting from the appearance of a red-robed mage into that of a melting wax demon.
It laughed maliciously: "His flesh and blood are delicious."
"Damn it!" Arundel roared angrily, chanting a spell as sharp spikes suddenly rose from the ground.
But the wax demon seemed to have a premonition and suddenly threw something to block it. At the same time, Kane suddenly turned around, and his dagger flew out of his hand, heading straight for Arundel's side!
Arundel was stunned, but the next second, blood splattered in the void, and the corpse of a canine demon fell out of thin air.
Kane didn't stop, and swung his sword again.
The scimitar drew a sharp arc—Susas Scimitar Technique! Yet another Quassa demon was slain in mid-air.
But there was no joy on his face.
But now that the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light, he wouldn't be surprised if a few more second-tier Wax Demons appeared.
Arundel's expression grew increasingly grim.
If Kane hadn't intervened, he probably would have been bitten by that demon hound.
Kane forced back the Molten Wax Assassin with his scimitar, took a step back, and said in a deep voice, "Arundel, they're trying to provoke you. Your friend may not be dead. Don't fall for their trap."
He knew very well that if a mage lost his mind, he could easily be dealt with in close combat.
As an illusion spellcaster, Arundel should have had stronger defensive capabilities—
"Take them away and go back the way you came."
Kane replied decisively, "I caught up with them."
"Don't even think about leaving!" The Wax Demon Assassin increased his attack speed and swung his sword again.
In the dark passage, the two figures clashed again, their blades clashing, and a foul stench filled the air.
Arundel's expression shifted, and finally he took out a potion from his pocket, gesturing for the two women to take it.
The three figures immediately changed, their colors blending seamlessly with the surrounding stone walls, as if they had entered a state of invisibility, and quickly walked outside.