Chapter 39 - 36-47

Chapter 36: The Battle of Harbor Town

Midnight, within the town of Harbor, people who had been peacefully asleep were abruptly awakened by the fierce blaze and the cacophonous cawing of crows.

"Fire... it's on fire!" "Help, someone save me!"

After more than a decade of peace, the residents of Harbor Town, suddenly under attack, descended into chaos. The streets were filled with panic, and screams echoed in every corner of the town.

At this moment, Lynn stood on the rooftop of a small house, her eyes scanning the direction where the flames raged. This was the magic at work—a spell known as "Tik's Farsight," granting a wizard the precision of a griffon's keen eyesight in a short span.

During the days Lynn had spent in Harbor Town, aside from gathering intelligence and concocting black powder, she hadn't neglected her magical studies. She had thoroughly devoured the book "Foundations of Universal Magic" she had brought along.

"Is it Jonny and Dove?" Lynn muttered to herself as she gazed at the flocks of gray crows in the distance and the figures dancing in the firelight.

Had they managed to escape ahead of time?

Wait...

Lynn soon noticed something amiss. The two witch's states didn't seem like they had suffered torture. Perhaps... they hadn't fled but were preparing to infiltrate Harbor Town's prison to rescue someone!

This possibility immediately crossed Lynn's mind, causing her to furrow her brows.

Before tonight's operation, he had considered dozens of unexpected scenarios and even foreseen that the Church might set traps within Harbor Town, waiting for him to fall into them.

But he hadn't anticipated Archbishop Anluke to boldly broadcast their actions without capturing anyone first.

The archbishop was undoubtedly taking a risk, betting that these few wizard apprentices couldn't find each other. Otherwise, the public witch hunt ceremony scheduled for tomorrow would be a complete farce.

In a world where true gods existed, a public witch hunt ceremony, if faked with a few prisoners posing as witches, was nothing short of blasphemy.

Evidently, Archbishop Anluke had guessed correctly. While Lynn had managed to avoid the trap, Jonny and Dove had unwittingly walked into it.

However, if the two witches weren't captured, then who had leaked information about the Ship Gang?

Archbishop Anluke's personal presence in Harbor Town, enforcing the port closure and taking action against the Ship Gang, couldn't be faked. This was one of the reasons he believed that these two might be arrested.

Deep in thought, the cawing of crows in the sky above Harbor Town grew weaker. This signified that Jonny and Dove were close to exhaustion.

Lynn didn't rush into action because there were only a few hundred guards surrounding the two witches. Archbishop Anluke and his three thousand elite guards hadn't entered the scene.

This, too, was a bait, and Lynn was the big fish that Archbishop Anluke wanted to catch...

"071, in our current state, what are our chances if we confront them head-on?" Lynn silently asked in his mind.

His greatest trump card was the massive stockpile of black powder he had hidden at the docks. By exploiting the information gap and the convenience of magic shaping, he could lure Anluke and the others there and blow them to the heavens. But now, it seemed like achieving that goal would be incredibly difficult.

"Estimated win rate falls below the safety threshold. As per the agreement, extraterrestrials should not be considered protected targets. According to the 'Federal Citizen Life Safety Act,' your priority should be self-preservation."

Lynn fell silent for a moment and then asked, "So, do you know why Jonny and Dove are risking their lives to enter Harbor Town?"

"Ninety-seven percent likelihood... they've come to rescue you, sir."

"So, you knew, 071?" Lynn gazed at the distant flames, speaking to himself in his mind. "Sometimes, extraterrestrials are human too..."

Meanwhile, inside the church of Harbor Town, Archbishop Anluke was lost in thought as he gazed at the chaos in the town.

The distant screams and cries made the attending priests turn pale, but Anluke appeared oblivious, turning to his side to address Aydan.

"How have the interrogations been progressing these last few days?" he asked.

"Reporting, Your Grace, there seems to be a powerful psychic magic placed in Hawk's brain. I've tried several methods but couldn't break through that barrier," Aydan explained apologetically.

A few days ago, while Archbishop Anluke led the elite guards to chase the devilish cultists, Aydan and his team had launched an assault on Urtown. Following the information they had received from Will, they had gone to the Drunkard's Tavern to capture the old Hawk, who had not managed to escape yet.

However, what disappointed Aydan was that there was some kind of psychic magic protecting Hawk's mind. When he tried to extract information using divine arts, he almost turned the man into a simpleton.

The only thing they had gained was some information about Harbor Town, found in a secret room in the Drunkard's Tavern.

"No matter, we'll soon have a new source of information," Anluke said casually, showing no intention of blaming Aydan.

"Your Grace, should we consider increasing our forces? If we continue like this, those two wizard apprentices might escape our control," Aydan cautiously asked as he looked at the commotion to the west of Harbor Town.

Due to someone's move to ignite the town's granaries, most of the stationed guards had been dispatched to put out the fire, leaving only two priests and three hundred guards in charge of the pursuit.

Continuing like this might endanger more and more civilians...

Aydan swallowed the latter part of his sentence silently. He had always disagreed with Archbishop Anluke's decision to set the battlefield within Harbor Town. This only put the defenseless townsfolk in danger.

"Now is not the time to act, Aydan!" Anluke's weathered face took on a hint of severity as he gazed at the priest before him, speaking again. "Momentary mercy will only lead to more terrible disasters."

"The hellfire that burns outside Urtown has yet to be extinguished. If we can't capture the wizard named Karl this time, the terrifying scenes may replay in every corner of the Nordanian territories."

"Merciful Lord will forgive our mistakes..."

Anluke looked back at the flames over Harbor Town, chanting with a raspy voice.

"May their souls return to the sacred land, receiving eternal protection. May their spirits not fall into the abyss of the devil..."

The priests in the church also showed a compassionate expression and soon joined in singing a melodious hymn, wishing that the townspeople who died in this conflict, suffering boundless hardships in life, would find new life in the Lord's sacred ground...

Chapter 37: The Turn of the Tide

The melodious hymns echoed over the church, intertwining with the chaotic scenes in the seaside town, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Adrian, amidst it all, felt as if his soul was being cleansed by the hymns, recalling the teachings from the Holy Scriptures.

Life and death weren't as important as they seemed; everywhere was the Lord's pasture, and these townspeople's sacrifices were simply an early return to the embrace of the Lord.

After the hymn ended, Archbishop Anluke surveyed the crowd and spoke softly, "The great Eternal God, Ella, will be with us."

Perhaps it was the words of the Archbishop, or perhaps Ella's radiance had already reached this remote town, but outside the church, the chaos was rapidly subsiding.

Surprisingly, Archbishop Anluke approached the window, looking down at the northwestern side of the seaside town. The flames that had been burning above the granary had been extinguished, and the townsfolk were being orderly evacuated from the battle zones.

He couldn't directly see the two wizard apprentices, but based on the trajectory of the ravens in the sky, Archbishop Anluke quickly deduced that the two were in trouble and were being driven away from the densely populated area.

It seemed like their destination was the town's harbor.

"Who's in command on the front lines now?" Archbishop Anluke asked in amazement.

"It should be Pastor Danny and Pastor Albert," Adrian replied.

The Archbishop pondered the usual performance of these two pastors and didn't remember them having such outstanding leadership skills. Could it be a judgment made by some captain of the town guard? With that thought in mind, Archbishop Anluke couldn't help but develop an appreciation for their talents and sent a guard to inquire.

Three minutes later, a guard entered, casting a strange glance at Adrian and then gave a peculiar response, "Reporting to Archbishop, according to the militiamen responsible for evacuation, it's..."

"It's Pastor Adrian's orders!"

At these words, everyone present turned their gaze to Adrian, who appeared confused. He had remained in the church and had never gone outside.

Archbishop Anluke's expression immediately turned ugly. In the more than ten years he had served as Archbishop in the Nordland domain, he had encountered wizards proficient in shape-shifting magic, so he was well aware of the chaos they could cause.

Under the questioning looks of everyone, Adrian seemed flustered, taking a step back. However, he quickly reacted, extending his hand to cast a divine spell, "Sacred Word: Shield!"

Witnessing the divine shield radiating with brilliance, the doubts in the hearts of the priests present vanished. But what followed was a chilling sensation creeping up from their feet to their heads.

If it really was Adrian here, then who was in command on the front lines now?

...

The priests who had been eagerly awaiting their leader were currently seated in a makeshift headquarters in the northern part of the seaside town. They sipped their tea and listened to reports from their "subordinates."

"Lord Adrian, following your orders, the hastily assembled militia has successfully evacuated the townsfolk. It won't be long before we have a cleared area. Also, the fire in the granary has been brought under control. The isolation spell you taught us was extremely effective..."

Priest Danny spoke rapidly, describing the current situation in the town. He looked at Lynn with admiration in his eyes.

Those darned devil worshippers were setting fires everywhere, running amok in the crowded alleys, and even managed to burn down the granary, causing them a great deal of trouble.

Archbishop Anluke had only dispatched 800 soldiers to them. These soldiers were responsible for capturing the two witches, evacuating the townsfolk, and putting out the fires. Their manpower was severely insufficient.

After several unsuccessful requests to transfer elite guards, denied by Archbishop Anluke, Danny had no choice but to repeatedly redeploy the personnel originally assigned for firefighting and assisting the townsfolk to chase after the devil worshippers, so they wouldn't escape.

However, the chaotic situation had changed immediately upon the arrival of "Lord Adrian."

First, under "Adrian's" command, they used divine magic to calm down a group of fleeing townsfolk, forcefully conscripting able-bodied men. They then disbanded a small team of regular soldiers, assembling an ad-hoc militia guard, instantly multiplying their available manpower several times.

These untrained militiamen would likely break at the first sign of combat, but they were passable for firefighting and rescue work.

The isolation spell and the sand-fire extinguishing method mentioned by the other side were both highly effective...

Thinking of this, Priest Danny felt somewhat ashamed. He had previously complained about Archbishop Anluke not providing enough manpower to handle the complex situation.

Now, he had changed his mind, because "Adrian" had easily quelled the chaos with the same resources.

It was safe to say that "Adrian" was indeed Lord Anluke's right-hand man!

Sitting in a chair, Lynn smiled as he listened to the priest's words and praised him, "You've done a great job, Priest Danny. After tonight, I will personally commend your achievements to Lord Anluke."

"Thank you, Lord Adrian. I've only done what I could. This is all thanks to you!" Priest Danny responded excitedly.

Lynn waved his hand, bypassing the topic and inquiring, "Well, enough about that. Have you conveyed the orders I gave you earlier?"

Danny nodded. According to "Lord Adrian's" plan, their current task was to force the two witches to the empty area near the harbor. The Church had already stationed over a thousand crossbowmen there, ready to turn them into pincushions.

This plan would minimize casualties.

Given "Adrian's" excellent command earlier, Danny had no doubts about this plan.

"So, Danny, your mission is perfectly accomplished." Lynn stood up, patting Danny's shoulder, and sighed, "Now it's time to send you to meet with Pastor Albert!"

Albert? What happened to him?

Danny hesitated for a moment, not yet grasping the situation. However, a dazzling silver light suddenly streaked across his neck, and fresh red blood gushed from the wound. The young priest clutched his gaping neck, his face filled with disbelief, and collapsed to the ground.

Lynn looked at the lifeless body before him, shaking his head in resignation. He picked up a cloth from the table and wiped the bloodstains from the dagger.

At this point, both of Archbishop Anluke's lackeys sent to lure Lynn had been taken care of. However, Lynn's face didn't show much happiness.

After all, his opponent wasn't a fool. Using Adrian's identity to issue orders, Archbishop Anluke would soon realize something was amiss and deduce that Lynn possessed the ability to disguise himself as others.

But this was precisely what Lynn wanted to achieve! Regular priests couldn't break this kind of magic, so Archbishop Anluke... would have to come in person!

Though it was a roundabout approach, Lynn had ultimately used his enemy's power to lure out the Archbishop and redirect the upcoming battlefield back to the harbor in the seaside town!

Chapter 38: It Seems I Owe You an Apology This Time

"Multiple - Blades of Ice!"

In a street in the northern part of Harbor Town, Jonny spread her hands, and a dense array of diamond-shaped ice blades quickly materialized in the void, flying like locusts towards the guards blocking their path.

Amidst the wails of agony, several guards who couldn't dodge in time met their demise, but more soldiers armed with shields had already surrounded them.

Jonny clenched her silver teeth, pulling her sword to parry a guard's long spear. She then took the opportunity to rush forward, twirling her blade to sever her opponent's neck. Blood spurted out, but at the same moment, another guard swung a longsword toward her.

The sharp blade gleamed before her eyes, but after fighting continuously for half an hour, the young girl had already depleted her physical and magical stamina. She had no strength left to turn and defend against the incoming longsword.

Fortunately, at that moment, a fierce camel-like creature charged out, instantly toppling the guard to the ground. Seated atop the creature, Dove immediately blew the wooden flute in her hand.

The circling flock of gray crows in the sky, as if guided by her, went berserk, diving at the shielded soldiers.

Sharp talons and beaks clawed and pecked at unprotected faces and necks, but they were just palm-sized birds. Despite their efforts, they struggled to inflict fatal wounds.

Taking advantage of this opening, the two of them had already shifted to another direction. Dove's face had grown paler, her hands weakly bracing against the camel-like creature, relying on it to move forward.

Jonny looked at her with great concern and sighed silently.

"It seems I owe you an apology this time, Dove!"

"I never expected that we'd not only fail to rescue Karl but also fall into the Church's trap..."

Jonny conjured a fireball to temporarily drive back the pursuing guards, and she was beginning to regret her decision.

It wasn't that she regretted trying to save Lynn, but she regretted involving Dove in this mess.

A few days ago, upon learning that the Church had arrested Devil Worshippers and was preparing to execute them after Monday, Jonny had the idea of a prison break.

But with only her strength, she was too weak and had no chance of success. Dove's psychic magic was incredibly useful in this situation, allowing her to gather information, create chaos, or distract enemies by controlling creatures.

Jonny had planned the entire rescue mission based on this. She had Dove send crows carrying fire seeds to ignite important places like the granary, drawing the attention of the guards and causing chaos, before breaking into the prison to rescue the prisoners.

However, once they had started the operation, Jonny realized how mistaken she had been. The guards of Harbor Town were already well-prepared and their reactions were lightning-fast.

It seemed they had walked right into the trap set by the Church...

"No, it's me... I came here willingly." Despite trembling with fear, Dove, huddled on the camel-like creature, clenched her teeth and spoke.

She was terrified of death, but she also knew that it was Lynn's sacrifice that allowed them to escape the castle and live. So when Jonny learned of the plan to rescue Lynn, Dove had resolutely followed her.

The two young witches exchanged a glance, seeing the determination in each other's eyes. Jonny's grip on her longsword tightened as she encouraged Dove.

"Their assault is weakening. We might still have a slim chance to escape."

Dove nodded, tears glistening in her eyes, but she quickly put the wooden flute back to her lips and played it again.

The once formidable flock of crows, which had filled the sky, had dwindled to a hundred or so after several rounds of attacks. They could barely carry out reconnaissance tasks and couldn't distract the enemy any longer.

Almost all the pressure of direct combat had fallen on Jonny.

As if her prayers had been answered, the number of guards surrounding them began to decrease, and the intensity of their attacks noticeably waned. No one was attempting to charge at them fiercely anymore.

However, Jonny's expression grew increasingly grave. According to the information Dove had gathered, the soldiers had gradually encircled them, leaving only one escape route.

If they deviated from this path, they would face an unending wall of shields and a formation of swords. Even the most explosive fireball spell would struggle to break through.

Was the enemy toying with them, or were they planning an encirclement?

Jonny didn't know, but she was well aware that stopping would mean death. Continuing to run might offer a slim chance of survival, however faint that hope might be.

At the very least... she had to get Dove to safety.

Just as she was thinking this, Dove, seated on the camel-like creature beside her, suddenly began to tremble violently and shouted in terror. "It's Archbishop Anluke, the High Bishop of Norderland! He's here, just... just to our right!"

Jonny hesitated for a moment, then turned to see a dazzling white light rapidly charging towards them.

That was a second-tier divine spell, the Holy Light Impact.

"Ice Barrier!" Jonny managed to create an ice crystal wall with her right hand in front of her just in time, but the overwhelming white light was almost upon them!

The hastily cast first-tier protective magic appeared fragile under the power of the divine spell. It burst after just one or two seconds, and the tremendous force instantly sent Jonny and Dove, who was seated on the camel-like creature, flying.

Jonny hit the ground heavily, a sharp pain in her chest. A trickle of blood ran down her mouth, but she didn't have the luxury of caring about her own pain. She climbed up from the ground in a sorry state, positioning herself in front of Dove and glaring in the direction of the oncoming white light.

Steady footsteps approached from a distance. Amid the scattered ice crystals and dust, an elderly figure dressed in a gilded robe, flanked by a group of priests, appeared before them.

His mere presence exuded an indescribable sense of oppression...

Jonny's pupils contracted. Although the man before them had undergone significant changes in appearance and his age didn't match, she instantly recognized him based on his identity, attire, and Dove's warning.

The person before them was Archbishop Anluke!

The scene of being pursued in Wiltown was still fresh in her mind. His strength and terror needed no description. It was not something that a few apprentice witches like them could contend with.

What made Jonny even more desperate was that several figures appeared on their left as well. The one leading them was young, with a solemn face, and judging by their attire, they seemed to be a priest from the Church.

Both sides soon formed a circular formation, completely enclosing Jonny and Dove.

At this moment, Jonny and Dove were like birds trapped in a cage, with any possibility of escape entirely cut off!

Chapter 39: Am I Not Right Here with You?

Considering the two witches were about to be used as bait to lure a formidable enemy, the priests didn't immediately take action. Instead, they turned their gaze to the priest 'Jonny' across from them, eagerly inquiring,

"Jonny, where is Archbishop Aydan now?"

"What do you mean? Isn't Lord Aydan right here with you?" The leader of the priests took a baffled step forward, questioning.

"Allow me to explain. According to the Archbishop's speculation, the devil's follower just impersonated my appearance and is responsible for directing your every move…"

Aydan explained, about to continue when a withered arm suddenly blocked his path.

"Lord Archbishop?" Aydan paused, his confusion evident.

Without a word and without hesitation, Archbishop Anluke raised his staff.

Tier Three Divine Art - Radiant Spirit's Light!

Dazzling points of light illuminated from the staff's tip, then transformed into a resonating shockwave, spreading in a semicircular shape towards the front, enveloping Jonny, Dove, 'Priest Jonny,' and even the guards behind them.

The battered road cracked layer by layer under the erosion of the powerful energy wave. Both witches felt the swift approach of death!

A dozen types of magic flashed through Jonny's mind, but she couldn't think of any magic that could resist this terrifying Tier Three Divine Art...

It seemed that awaiting death had become their only choice!

Hazy, Jonny saw the young priest to her left also raising his hand.

Then, a massive demon hand composed of endless flames burst out from the ground, forming a semicircular palm, like a shield wall that protected them.

This was the improved magic - White Phosphorus: Flame Demon's Hand!

Powerful divine art clashed with magic, accompanied by a tremendous explosion. The shattered road directly exploded, and the scorching airstream overturned the surrounding vegetation.

Countless dust and rubble flew into the air. The burning "Hellfire" formed a solid firewall, forcibly separating the two witches, Archbishop Anluke, and the others.

"Don't just stand there, let's go!"

Jonny hadn't yet recovered from this sudden turn of events when the young priest had already severed the throats of several guards by her side, grabbed their arms, blasted through the alley's wall, and raced off with the two of them.

"What on earth is going on? Who are you?" Jonny ran alongside Lynn, her mind filled with questions.

Why would a clergyman of the Holy See have witchcraft abilities, and why would he save them?

Suddenly, Jonny recalled the words of the priests from earlier...

Could it be shapeshifting magic?

"How come you've forgotten me in just a few days?" Lynn's face swiftly transformed back to its original appearance, teasingly remarking.

"Karl?!" Dove's face immediately showed a mix of surprise and bewilderment, with a hint of innocence. "But when did you learn shapeshifting magic?"

Before Lynn could respond, Jonny eagerly inquired, "Wait, weren't you captured by the Holy See?"

"Coincidentally, up until tonight, I thought you were enduring the Holy See's torture," Lynn shrugged helplessly. They all seemed to have underestimated the powers their companion possessed.

"So... we were all deceived?" Jonny realized, remembering the incredible power displayed by Lynn's Flame Demon's Hand, which allowed him to survive alone amidst Archbishop Anluke's pursuit.

"Where have you been hiding all these days? Did you go to find Loude and the Ship Gang?" Lynn asked, slightly puzzled.

After entering the port town, his main objectives, besides obtaining a ship for crossing the sea, were to gather information about the two witches. According to his understanding, if they hadn't been captured by the Holy See, they should have sought the other's help.

Jonny shook her head in frustration. The port town was heavily guarded, with Holy See priests stationed at every checkpoint. They had no way to sneak in, so for these days, they'd been catching jackdaws in the woods, using these inconspicuous birds to gather information.

As the three were explaining, behind them, dozens of sharp arrows were already speeding towards them.

Obviously, in just a few seconds, Archbishop Anluke had figured out how to break through that wall of fire.

Lynn turned to look, his Overload Mode processing each arrow's flight trajectory as data in his mind.

[Spell - Barrage]

In his thoughts, thirty-six flying projectiles composed of pure magic hovered in the air. Then, they were fired with pinpoint precision, detonating each of the numerous arrows in mid-air.

Jonny and Dove, who were just preparing to cast defensive spells, stopped and looked at Lynn. They couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

"Where are we going now?" Jonny asked in rapid speech.

"We have a ship at the town's pier. If we can get there, we'll have a chance to escape," Lynn explained succinctly, glancing back once more as Archbishop Anluke and the others caught up.

From their appearance, the Archbishop looked almost like an elderly man about to be laid to rest, with gray hair and sunken eyes, but his movements were swifter than the other priests around him.

Previously, when he'd disguised himself as Aydan, Lynn had learned some information: the Holy See's senior clergy had received blessings from the gods, granting them physical attributes far beyond ordinary people. Directly confronting them was not a good idea.

He had originally planned to appear as Priest Jonny, seeing if he could trick them further or set up a sneak attack, but to his surprise, the Archbishop immediately recognized him.

Was it because he lacked the divine radiance himself?

Lynn pondered silently. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks was increasing, and the port town's pier was already in the distance.

Just then, Dove suddenly grabbed his wrist tightly, her lips quivering, and with a shaky, teary voice, she screamed, "I see many soldiers in armor, too many of them, at least... at least thousands!"

Through the eyes of the jackdaws, Dove's heart was already filled with fear, as countless armored guards with massive shields approached them like a black tidal wave.

A shiver ran down Jonny's spine as well. She hadn't expected that aside from Archbishop Anluke, the port town concealed an elite guard of thousands.

However, in this perilous moment, Lynn couldn't help but smile.

"Perfect, after waiting for so long, they're finally making a move!"

Chapter 40: The Port Town...Turned Upside Down!

Jonny and Dove watched Lynn, who suddenly appeared delighted, utterly puzzled as to why he could still find a reason to smile.

"Come on, we need to move quickly!" Lynn didn't bother to explain; he couldn't be sure if the priests had some form of divine magic to eavesdrop on their conversation.

In the entire port town, Lynn was most apprehensive about Archbishop Anluke and the hidden three thousand elite guards. Now that these two troubles had converged, it was undoubtedly an ideal situation.

"Praise Aila—Storm of the Dawn!"

Behind them, the hoarse chanting of the Archbishop resounded once again, and an invisible storm carrying a plethora of debris and dust came rushing toward them.

The clergy of the Church continued to cast spells, sealing off their retreat with several layers of divine magic.

"Jonny, Dove!" Lynn gestured to the two witches, and they, understanding the unspoken command, channeled their remaining magic power and employed the "Transmute Stone to Sand" spell. Under its magical influence, the sturdy base of the watchtower crumbled into sand.

With a cacophony of violent impacts, the watchtower that had stood at the harbor for nearly a century, providing direction to countless ships, collapsed with a deafening crash.

The falling boulders and wooden framework not only shielded them from the invisible storm but also pinned two priests who couldn't evade in time under their weight.

Seizing this opportunity, Lynn and his companions had already distanced themselves by nearly a hundred meters.

Archbishop Anluke's fury had reached its limit. He cleared away the debris blocking his path with several "Holy Light Strikes" and was about to attack again when the ground beneath the port town slightly trembled.

Not just Archbishop Anluke, Lynn and the others also felt the same sensation, but the cause of this phenomenon was neither magic nor divine arts.

Elite guards from Nordland, wearing black armor, standing in perfect formation, and holding huge shields, quickly appeared in the sight of everyone. The arrows on their waists and the palpable aura of death in the air sent shivers down their spines.

Compared to the jubilant clergy of the Church, the bodies of the two witches involuntarily shivered.

With this many of them, how could they possibly fight back?

It's worth noting that fully-armored elite guards like these were rare even in the entire empire. It could be said that the Duke of Nordland had spared no expense in hunting down these wizards.

In front of them, thousands of soldiers had already raised their crossbows, and a dense rain of arrows, with a sharp whistling sound, shot out like a storm, leaving almost no gaps.

The moment Lynn saw the guards raise their shields, he immediately picked up Dove, rolled behind a broken high wall, and took cover.

The sharp arrows struck the makeshift wall, bursting it into clouds of dust and debris.

"What do we do now?" Jonny anxiously inquired.

Lynn didn't reply. He clenched his palm, and a massive fireball formed in his hand. Then, without hesitation, he flung it into the sky.

From a few hundred meters away, it looked as if a fireworks display had erupted in the sky above the port town.

Almost instantly, Archbishop Anluke recalled the horrifying witchcraft Lynn had used to annihilate dozens of elite guards and shouted without hesitation, "Everyone, defend!"

The dense barrage of arrows immediately ceased. Three thousand soldiers stood in perfect formation, raising their massive shields towards the sky. The priests in attendance didn't dare to be negligent and applied numerous protective divine spells in the vicinity.

In the gaze of everyone, the fireball that had risen into the sky suddenly exploded, releasing a plethora of dazzling sparks before gradually dissipating into the night sky.

The expectant expressions on the faces of the two witches froze instantly, but Lynn, looking at the sky, casually remarked, "No worries, let the fireball fly for a while!"

Fly? Wasn't this magic already over?

Jonny raised his head in bewilderment, only then noticing the faint specks of light flying from the other side of the sea.

As the faint lights drew closer, the witches realized it wasn't light at all – it was a barrage of hundreds of flaming arrows!

"Is that reinforcement?" Aden and the others also noticed this and quickly analyzed that the fireball magic earlier was not intended for them; it was merely a signal.

However, this reinforcement seemed rather feeble...

Perhaps due to the long distance and poor visibility at night, the fiery arrows soaring across the sky were completely off target. Even if they stood still without any defense, they wouldn't be hit.

Is that it? Is that all?

The several priests were feeling greatly disappointed, finding their earlier fear and apprehension somewhat absurd. They had allowed themselves to be frightened by a few devilish cultists.

Only Archbishop Anluke sensed something was amiss. His dark and murky eyes gradually transformed into a radiant dark gold. The unknown was often the most terrifying, but it was too late to intervene now. The oil-coated arrows rained down haphazardly on various corners of the harbor.

An indescribable sense of crisis gradually enveloped every individual, with no direction and no source.

In the midst of the people's anxiety, confusion, and fear, an endless sea of fire and light engulfed the entire harbor, as if doomsday had arrived. The entire city trembled violently.

The roar was a thousand times louder than thunder, and the flames and shockwaves instantly leveled the low, modest houses nearby. The air boiled intensely, and a massive cloud of dust and steam rose, mingling with the thick smoke.

Houses collapsed, massive stones were sent flying, and the tide, driven by the terrifying force, surged back and then unleashed larger waves onto the shore.

Some yellowish-white sparks drifted down from the cloud of smoke, as if a fire rain had fallen over the port, illuminating the entire sea, which was the white phosphorus mixed in with black powder.

All of this occurred in the blink of an eye. It was almost as if, in the time it took to blink, the entire harbor had been turned upside down, becoming a devastated wasteland.

The only relatively intact place was under Jonny and the others' feet. When they had set up the traps, they had meticulously designed the placement of every explosive charge.

Even so, the powerful shockwaves still shattered the earthy barriers, and Lynn had to cast several protective spells in succession to barely fend off the aftermath.

The two witches behind the wall felt their minds go blank for a moment, followed by a persistent ringing in their ears.

When the explosion finally subsided, the thousands of elite guards in black armor and the relentless Church priests had vanished without a trace. All that remained before them were the wreckage and a roaring sea of flames.

What is this?

Is this hell?

The two witches stood in a daze, unable to react for a good while.

Chapter 41: Heaven's Judgment!

Several minutes passed before the brief ringing in their ears gradually subsided, and the two witches snapped back to reality amidst a familiar shout.

"Hold your breath... filter the oxygen with magic!"

Jonny suddenly regained her composure, turned to look, and saw Lynn standing before a blazing inferno, gazing ahead as the scorching waves made her robes rustle.

The two witches were unfamiliar with the concept of oxygen, but they understood the need to hold their breath.

But what kind of magic was this?

Jonny was amazed and couldn't find the right words, while Dove huddled against a collapsed wall, too terrified by the scattered limbs and gore on the ground to stand.

Lynn didn't pay much attention to the two witches' states, her expression solemn as she stared at the once bustling harbor, now reduced to ruins.

In theory, no one should have survived such an explosion, yet the opposite was true. A figure stood in the center of the raging inferno!

Calling it a figure might be inaccurate because at this moment, Archbishop Anluke no longer resembled a human. His once magnificent golden robes had been torn to shreds, and his entire body was engulfed in a white phosphorus fire that burned at over a thousand degrees.

From any angle, Anluke should be dead. In fact, he should have died days ago in the great battle outside the town of Uhl. But his humble prayers had invoked a shred of divine mercy...

A thread of divine power forcibly preserved his life. When he sensed danger, Anluke had willingly harnessed this divine energy and used a fourth-level divine spell, the "Divine Sanctum," to resist the devastating explosion.

However, the power of a fourth-level divine spell was limited and couldn't block the subsequent shockwaves. His flesh and organs were continuously roasted at temperatures exceeding a thousand degrees, and his life was now in its final countdown.

At this moment, Anluke felt no pain in his mind. Only pure faith remained.

Death and suffering were merely the tests and tribulations one must endure to reach paradise! Anluke did not fear death, but if he could send the witch before him to hell, he was certain that the Lord would reward him even more in heaven...

"Praise - Heaven's Judgment!" Anluke's vocal cords had long been destroyed, but as his trembling lips moved, a glimmer of light appeared on his burning fingertips.

It was the purest light of death, rapidly expanding... The flames retreated, rocks shattered, and everything in its path dissolved under the power of this light.

"Ice Barrier."

Lynn reached out, and one sturdy ice crystal wall after another erected, but they were useless. They crumbled almost instantly. Nevertheless, Lynn used this brief moment of obstruction to sidestep, avoiding the deathly light.

Behind her, the pure light crashed into the surging sea, creating waves over ten meters high.

Anluke was relentless. He cast another spell, this time with a wider range, the inescapable "Apocalypse Storm!"

It was at this moment that Dove spoke!

A piercing sound wave swept through the entire area, and Anluke's actions came to an imperceptible halt. The tempest he had just conjured dissipated.

But soon, the archbishop turned his head. His irises shimmered with a dark golden glow, and without any visible movement, Dove seemed to be choked, just like someone had grabbed her by the throat. The sharp sound wave came to an abrupt stop.

The horrifying backlash pierced through the witch's mental defenses, and the girl's body slumped to the ground, coughing up blood.

"Dove!" Jonny hurriedly approached and helped the young witch up, checking on her condition.

Lynn's face now carried a tinge of anger. Dozens of Magic Missiles appeared in the air, rapidly igniting into numerous miniature white phosphorus fireballs, and they hurtled towards Archbishop Anluke.

Third-tier divine spell - "Holy Barrier"!

Confronted by the swarm of fireballs, Anluke dared not take them head-on. He immediately shifted to a defensive stance. Even with a touch of divine power, his current condition didn't allow for the continuous use of higher-tier divine spells. He could only employ two "Holy Barriers" to counter the threat.

The intangible barrier clashed with the exploding fireballs, and soon crumbled. However, the second "Holy Barrier" behind it remained resilient, successfully blocking the remaining white phosphorus fireballs.

At that moment, Lynn extended her right hand and clenched it tightly. The flames scattered around Anluke and those adhering to the invisible barrier seemed to receive some sort of guidance. They swiftly converged into a flaming ethereal hand that seized Anluke within its fiery grasp.

Crack...

The unexpected turn of events caught the Archbishop off guard. The previously battered "Holy Barrier" was instantly crushed by the hand of flames. With no other option, Anluke unleashed his remaining divine power to contend with the fearsome white phosphorus fire.

In unison, Lynn and Anluke staked their dwindling powers on this single attack. A dazzling divine light intermingled with the raging fire, canceling each other out...

At the same time, Jonny, holding Dove, shouted with frustration.

"Magic Missiles!"

Several Magic Orbs appeared around the girl and rapidly revolved, launching towards the Archbishop.

Under normal circumstances, Anluke would not have considered such feeble magic. But in the current situation, the incoming "Magic Missiles" became the final straw that broke the camel's back.

The delicate balance was immediately disrupted. The colossal hand of flames slowly penetrated the dazzling divine light, crushing the Archbishop, who wore an expression of bitter unwillingness.

It wasn't until the moment of death that Anluke suddenly realized that the two witches he had underestimated all along were not as useless as he had imagined.

Watching Anluke's body crumble in the grasp of the "Flame Daemon's Hand," Lynn couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Then, he remained vigilant and looked around, deeply concerned that his actions might provoke the wrath of the divine...

Fortunately, his concerns didn't come true as the horrifying aura in the air gradually dissipated.

It was finally over...

Lynn's body swayed, almost collapsing to the ground. An entire night of continuous battle had depleted his magical energy and physical strength, leaving him mentally exhausted.

"Overload mode deactivated, energy remaining 2.1%."

The alert tone of the Mindcore resonated in his mind. Lynn pushed his body to remain upright and turned his attention to Dove, who lay unconscious in Jonny's arms.

"How is Dove?"

"I don't know. Her condition is critical; she needs immediate treatment," Jonny replied with great concern.

Lynn glanced at the surging sea before him. If Loude received the signal he had transmitted and followed the plan, the ship should have arrived by now...

But why was there no sign of the ship?

Chapter 42: Return! Turn this ship around immediately!

A few minutes ago, on the Sea of Mists.

A burly man tightly gripped a longsword in his hand, with a fierce intent to strike Loude, but as the blade descended, it suddenly stopped in its tracks. His once menacing expression contorted into one filled with doubt, and he cautiously inquired, "Mr. Loude, do you really want me to strike?"

"Quit the nonsense and strike!" Lame Loude gritted his teeth and extended his right hand, revealing a prominent flame mark on the back.

As he gave the order, Loude's heart sank, but he had no other choice.

From the very beginning, he had little confidence in the audacious and outlandish rescue mission by a certain wizard. So, when chaos erupted in the harbor town and all the plans they had made were foiled, Loude quickly realized that the wizards who remained in the town would soon meet their demise!

That's why, amidst the chaos in the harbor town, Loude took decisive action, gathering a group of men and making his escape.

Benefitting from the fact that the Church had devoted most of its efforts to dealing with Lynn and the others, they didn't have much trouble seizing control of this ship and loading it with valuables before setting sail from the harbor town.

The only concern that now troubled Loude was the flame mark on his hand. If that wizard realized that he had fled during a time of crisis, he might decide to drag Loude to hell with him.

For someone who knew little about magic, his only option was to sever his hand!

The burly man with contorted muscles hesitated to strike with the sword, and Loude's emotions fluctuated along with the man's hesitation. Finally, Loude snatched the sword in irritation. It seemed more efficient to do it himself!

"Boss, it's a signal, a signal!"

At the ship's bow, a sailor suddenly shouted, and Loude instinctively looked in that direction. A fireball was rising from the harbor's pier, exploding in the night sky.

Loude was somewhat surprised; he had assumed that the cunning and ruthless wizard was as good as dead. He hadn't expected the wizard to return to the harbor pier.

Thinking about it, he turned to the first mate, who held alchemical goggles.

"I saw many Black Armor Guards; they've all been deployed, and Archbishop Anluke is there too! It seems the wizard lords are surrounded..." The first mate swallowed hard and continued, "It seems we've been hunted all the way here."

Loude suddenly understood. They had been lured to the predetermined location. After a brief thought, he stated straightforwardly, "Fire a round of rockets according to the plan, and then we'll immediately set sail across the sea!"

Since the enemy had successfully led Archbishop Anluke and others to the agreed-upon location, Loude had no reason to be heartless. Firing a round of rockets from a distance wasn't much trouble, but offering assistance onshore was out of the question.

Loude couldn't believe that in this dire situation, the enemy could make a significant impact. There was no way they would instantly become great wizards, annihilating thousands of elite guards with their magic.

This was beyond the realm of the absurd.

Cut or not cut...

How much should he cut...

This was a question worth pondering!

Just as Lame Loude was about to make up his mind to act, the entire ship suddenly lurched violently. A deafening roar echoed in his ears, followed by an enormous, earth-shaking impact that sent him sprawling to the ground. His body rolled all the way to the base of the mast, and his head thudded against a crossbeam.

Loude's head was still ringing, and his clothes were drenched by the surging waves. After a while, he managed to sit up, clutching his aching waist and abdomen. He looked up and asked the first mate beside him, "What's happening? Have we run into a storm?"

However, the first mate, with a vacant look, didn't respond. He stared in the direction of the harbor pier and muttered to himself, "It's over, all over..."

"What's over?" Loude frowned, displeased.

Could it be that the battle at the pier had already determined its outcome, and the wizard lords were all finished?

Loude turned to look, and when he saw the scene before him clearly, he couldn't help but take a sharp breath.

He realized it wasn't the wizards who were finished; it was the entire harbor town!

A massive cloud of dust was rising from above the city, and the previously dim night sky had turned into a brilliant fiery red, as if something had torn through the darkness.

The once bustling and beautiful harbor had been reduced to rubble, with billowing smoke rising and a raging heatwave sweeping upward, turning the sky red. A dense rain of fire was falling from the massive dust cloud, creating a scene reminiscent of hell.

Loude swallowed hard, and his legs trembled slightly. Even though he couldn't see clearly what was happening at the pier from this distance, he understood that under such overwhelming power, the so-called Black Armor Guards and Church priests were insignificant.

Could it be that he had seriously underestimated the enemy, and they were, in fact, a deeply hidden great wizard?

The magic that the enemy referred to as "fireworks" was truly terrifying. Loude wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The downfall of a harbor city was undoubtedly the most "spectacular" sight he had ever witnessed.

"Mr. Loude, should we turn back now?" a sailor stammered, asking.

But before Loude could respond, a dazzling death ray shot from the pier, crashing into the sea surface a hundred meters away, sending up a spray of waves several meters high. The ship with its billowing sails rocked violently once more. Loude immediately jumped up, shouting anxiously, "Turn back! Turn this ship around immediately!"

The sailors on board hurriedly adjusted the sails and changed course, not daring to waste a single moment. In their eyes, this was undoubtedly a stark warning from the wizard lord! If they didn't turn back now, the next spell might directly hit their ship!

Loude hastily changed into a more presentable outfit, and despite his still trembling legs, he put on his most welcoming smile, ready to greet the ruthless wizard lord. The idea of cutting off his hand was now far from his mind.

On the side, the burly man tugged on the ship's ropes, deeply grateful for his earlier judgment. He was relieved he hadn't gone through with cutting Loude's hand; otherwise, he might be the one who's now been killed!

Chapter 43: The Projection of the Divine

Under the dedicated efforts of the sailors, the large sailboat sailed across the turbulent sea, coming to a halt at a partially destroyed dock.

Feeling the scorching hot air, although Loude had prepared himself mentally, he couldn't help but shiver as he gazed up close at the port that had turned into ruins. The smile on his face became even more eager.

"Loude, you've finally arrived. I thought you might have successfully crossed the sea by now," Lynn, along with Jonny and the unconscious Dove, boarded the sailboat with the wooden planks placed down heavily.

"Hahaha, Wizard, you jest... How could that be possible? It's just that the plans changed temporarily, and we didn't receive your follow-up orders, so we had to drift on this sea while waiting," Loude chuckled, calmly explaining.

Lynn didn't expose their intentions. There wasn't much friendship between them and the Ship's Gang to begin with. Their temporary cooperation was solely based on the threat from the Church and their common goal of crossing the sea to reach the Wizard's territory.

So even though he suspected they might have abandoned him and fled, Lynn wasn't angry.

"Loude, is there a physician on this ship?" Jonny interjected, urgently asking as he looked at Dove, who remained unconscious.

Loude, after glancing at the unconscious Dove, immediately realized the severity of the situation. He instructed his assistant to fetch the ship's physician. He had prepared various herbs to deal with any unexpected situations during the sea voyage.

However, after the ship's physician examined Dove, he shook his head in helplessness. "The injuries this lady witch has sustained aren't severe, but her current condition may be due to other issues."

Upon hearing this, Jonny immediately thought of the time Dove had used the "Soul Shriek" to attack Archbishop Anluke, which resulted in a backlash on her own soul. This was likely a spiritual trauma.

Seeing that the ship's physician was unable to help, the silver-haired witch turned to Lynn, her last glimmer of hope in her eyes.

'071,' Lynn silently called out in his mind.

[Preliminary diagnosis: Target has suffered severe mental trauma. Recommend immediate transfer to the Federal Medical Center for professional neurological examination.]

Lynn felt somewhat helpless. He needed to get back there, and while the Federation had advanced technology, their knowledge of consciousness and soul studies was limited. Most of that information was classified and not something someone like him had the authority to access or review.

So, under the hopeful gaze of the witch, Lynn reluctantly shook his head.

Dove, a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, curled up her body, her eyes tightly closed, lips slightly parted, her breathing becoming more rapid. As her lips moved in a murmuring fashion, she unconsciously called out the names of her family. Her voice grew weaker, her hands trembled incessantly, as if trying to grasp something elusive.

Jonny held Dove tightly, tears glistening in his sapphire eyes. He had already become speechless.

Lynn watched this scene and sighed. He couldn't do everything, but he took a step forward, gently holding Dove's trembling hand, offering her a bit of comfort.

[Unknown energy detected... Extract?]

Suddenly, a system notification sounded in Lynn's mind. He hesitated for a moment as he watched the girl's vitality gradually fade away, then, after much thought, silently recited in his mind.

"Yes."

In the perceptive gaze, an almost imperceptible glow flowed through Dove's arm and into her body, stopping after about half a minute.

[Special energy absorbed, estimated to be convertible into a twelve percent energy reserve. Do you wish to use it immediately?]

"No!" Lynn immediately responded in his mind.

While he didn't know what the fluorescent substance absorbed by the smart brain was, one thing he was certain of was that it had already been recorded as magic power. So he could exclude that, leaving the possibility of... the soul?

A mysterious guess flickered in Lynn's mind. Over the past few days, many people had died in front of him, and he had been the one responsible for many killings. This was the first time the smart brain had provided a prompt.

Was there something unique about Dove?

Lynn felt a mix of emotions, along with deep curiosity. However, the situation changed again as Jonny, holding Dove, suddenly collapsed.

Everyone present was startled. Loude even shot an angry glare at the physician, urging him to do something quickly. If this wizard were to become angry, they would all be in deep trouble!

After a frantic examination, the result finally brought relief to everyone. Jonny had merely passed out due to exhaustion and extreme grief.

Loude immediately ordered a few maids to take Jonny below decks to rest, then turned his gaze to Dove, who was lying on the ground. He cautiously inquired, "What should we do with this lady witch?"

Lynn didn't reply. He knelt down and placed his hand on Dove's abdomen. A freezing ice crystal appeared around her, eventually forming a massive ice coffin that encased her.

Although he currently had no means to save her, in the Wizard's territory, there might be wizards proficient in various mystical magics who could help.

"Look, the fires in the Harbor Town seem to have gone out!" A sailor suddenly shouted loudly.

Loude and the others immediately turned to look. In the time they had been delayed, the sailboat had already sailed out of the harbor and into the Sea of Mist. But even from a distance, they could clearly see the red flames in the sky above Harbor Town slowly fading.

The Church's reinforcements must have arrived. Lynn quickly thought of this. Archbishop Anluke hadn't been able to do anything with white phosphorus before, so the ones capable of resolving the crisis in Harbor Town must be higher-ranking clergy!

The next moment, a colossal goddess illusion, large enough to cover the entire city, appeared in the sky above Harbor Town. Her crystalline and transparent body shone brilliantly under the light of the silver moon, irresistibly compelling people to approach, kneel, and confess their sins before her.

Is that Eira?

Lynn suppressed the shock in his heart, while Loude and the others trembled in fear, burying their heads on the deck.

The goddess's face, impossible to discern, gradually turned her gaze towards them.

Fortunately, at that moment, the dense fog around them had surged up, and the entire sailboat disappeared from the surface of the sea...

Chapter 44: Archbishop Edwill's Arrival

"Hell... this is hell descending! Oh, great Lord, please save your faithful..."

As the scene that seemed like doomsday itself unfolded, chaos engulfed the entire harbor town. The hastily organized militia was powerless to maintain order, and throughout the streets and alleys, one could see frantic figures running.

The roaring flames that had erupted from the docks continued to expand in the direction of the wind, as if they aimed to engulf the entire harbor town.

"Get the things causing the fire moved away, create a large enough open area! Where is the fire brigade? Get moving!" Captain Teris, the temporary leader of the guards, shouted desperately, attempting to use the isolation spell taught by Lord Adan to block the spreading fire.

Unfortunately, the morale of the entire guard was on the brink of collapse. Many people had abandoned their weapons and were running away from the harbor town as if in a frenzy, completely ignoring his orders.

Seeing the advancing tongues of fire, Teris was already in despair.

It was at that very moment that a thunderous voice resounded in his ears.

"Praise be to Ella—The Kingdom descends!"

In this moment, the intensely chaotic harbor town seemed to freeze in time. Everyone who had been frantically fleeing came to a halt, almost instinctively stopping in their tracks, looking up at the night sky.

The dust cloud that had shrouded the city's sky was torn apart by the influence of some powerful force. Subsequently, a dazzling white radiance descended from the heavens, bathing every corner of the harbor town.

Under the cleansing light, everyone felt a surge of renewed vitality, and the despair and fear in their hearts quickly receded.

A man who had his leg crushed by falling debris during the disaster astonishingly found that his broken leg had miraculously healed. His face displayed an overwhelming fervor of devotion.

The blazing flames, referred to as the hellfire, the embodiment of the devil, which had covered half the city, rapidly extinguished and vanished without a trace under this power.

Following that, the pure and untarnished white radiance gradually coalesced into the ethereal figure of a holy and noble goddess. She gazed down upon the people, her eyes sparkling with stars, exuding an air of mystery and majesty.

"Oh, Lord, you have not forsaken your most devout followers!"

"The devil... the devil is dead... Oh, great Lord of the Stars, Ella, we thank you for your redemption..."

"Oh, Lord, I must repent for my sins..."

Thousands of townsfolk in the harbor town knelt down one after another, continuously praying and expressing their gratitude for the grace of the Lord. Many of them passionately kissed the ground, demonstrating their piety.

Among all the people present, the only one who managed to retain some sense of reason was Teris.

After being bathed in the white light, he, too, felt a fervent devotion welling up within him. However, he did not kneel down on the spot; it was as though some mystical force had prevented him from doing so.

Unbeknownst to him, a middle-aged man wearing a red and gold robe, with an iron mask, had appeared by his side.

"Archbishop, Lord Edwill!" Teris immediately recognized the newcomer's identity from his attire and respectfully saluted.

"Where is Anluke? Why has the harbor town turned into such a state?" Edwill glanced at the townsfolk who were devoutly praying and asked directly. "If I'm not mistaken, the witch-hunting ritual was supposed to begin tomorrow at noon."

Two days ago, the Holy City had received a plea for help from Anluke, the Archbishop of Noreland. Leading an elite guard, he had almost been wiped out while attempting to capture several witches. Even the use of divine magic hadn't allowed him to apprehend any of the witches.

According to the Inquisition's procedures, even the most troublesome witches weren't worth his personal intervention. However, Anluke had specifically mentioned in his letter that the witch in question was very young and could pose a future threat to the Church.

What was even more terrifying was that this witch had the ability to wield a unique hellfire. If it spread, it could likely consume an entire town in a short time, and Anluke had no means to counter it.

Considering this, to ensure that nothing went wrong, he had decided to personally visit the harbor town. Along the way, he had sensed the fluctuation caused by the eruption of divine power and had rushed here as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, he was still a step too late.

"The situation is as follows, Archbishop Edwill. Earlier tonight, two devil's disciples infiltrated the harbor town and set fire to the granary..." Teris recounted the events concisely.

Upon hearing that the one responsible for destroying the harbor docks was the very witch he was pursuing, Edwill's expression grew solemn.

The fact that a powerful wizard had been concealing his abilities, lurking within the borders of Noreland, implied that he was plotting some conspiracy against the Empire and the Church.

With this in mind, Edwill used the divine projection through his sight to observe a sailing warship entering the fog from afar. After a rough estimation of the distance, he quickly abandoned the idea of taking action. Even with his most potent divine magic, it was not enough to threaten a powerful wizard from such a distance.

"You've done well this time, at least it hasn't caused the Empire greater losses."

To Edwill, revealing a deeply hidden high wizard at the cost of half of the harbor town was a reason for celebration.

Previously, he had considered Anluke a useless leader, being brought into such a dire situation by a formal wizard. He had intended to relieve Anluke of his position as Archbishop after this incident. However, now it seemed like an unjust accusation. Anluke's failure was solely due to the overwhelming strength of the enemy.

Moreover, the casualties among the harbor town's residents were much lower than he had expected. Edwill had anticipated that in a disaster of this magnitude, at least over half of the tens of thousands of townspeople would have been killed or injured. However, from the number of spirits collected within the sanctuary, less than five thousand people had died, including three thousand Black Armor Guards.

This was nothing short of a miracle...

"This was all Lord Adan's instructions," Teris said with no intention of taking credit, his face bearing a hint of resentment. "But Lord Adan has already followed Archbishop Anluke into the harbor, and now, I'm afraid..."

"What a pity," Edwill lamented. Being able to swiftly quell the chaos in the harbor town and organize the militia guards to evacuate the townsfolk was a rare talent for command.

"Has Anluke gathered any information about that high wizard in these past few days?" Edwill inquired once more.

Teris hesitated for a moment. These were not things that he, as the captain of the guard, could access. Thankfully, the lord of the harbor town, Merk, had arrived at this moment. Upon learning of Archbishop Edwill's request, he promptly retrieved the information that Anluke had previously handed over.

However, after skimming through the parchment scroll for a few moments, Edwill's expression quickly hardened.

Carl... the illegitimate son of Viscount Stedlan of the Empire, only seventeen years old, went missing six months ago, around the same time that the captured wizard, Kora, arrived in Stedlan territory. It was speculated that this individual named Carl might be one of Kora's apprentices.

"Who collected this nonsense of information?" Edwill scolded angrily.

This was utter nonsense. An apprentice, not even in the service of a formal wizard for more than half a year, using magic capable of destroying half of a harbor town? The intelligence personnel of Noreland territory must have gone mad...

The lord of the harbor town quivered and did not dare to reply.

Edwill paid no further attention to Merk but retrieved a golden tome from his waist and flipped to the most recent page. Using his finger as a pen, he inscribed the new information.

[Name: Carl (Unconfirmed Real Name)

Highly Dangerous (High Wizard)

Crimes: Killing Archbishop Anluke, annihilating three thousand Black Armor Guards, destroying half of the harbor town!

Reward: 50,000 Secas gold coins...]

Chapter 45: How long has it been since you last experienced a battle, Father?

Midnight, inside the Pedroel estate, the continuous explosions and thunderous sounds from outside went unnoticed by Ivina, who was leaning against the wall. The severed cowhide ropes, cut by sharp wooden spikes, lay scattered around her, and her fair fingers trembled as she turned the yellowed diary's pages.

[In the year 708 of the Holy Calendar, in November, another child was born in Pedroel. They look so tiny and delicate. Their name is... Ivina? Am I a big brother now?]

[It's another day of training. As the eldest son of Pedroel, I must work even harder. Are you watching me practice swordplay, Ivina? I need to show better performance...]

[Sparring, how I miss it. The way I held a sword back then. Now, it's my turn to be the teacher...]

[Ten moves, I'll give you a bit of face... but you won't cry if you lose, will you? You're so adorable, Ivina...]

[Thirty-seven moves, and it's only been four months. Wait, maybe I didn't put in my full effort. I'll be more serious next time...]

[I lost. I actually lost. How is this possible? It's so embarrassing in front of you. As your brother, I must work harder to win next time...]

[Ivina, why can you effortlessly learn techniques that I can't grasp? Am I not trying hard enough?]

[In the year 722 of the Holy Calendar, in July, the first knight's assessment... If I pass, I can become a priest, right? The Pedroel family can finally have a chance...]

[Failure... Failure... Failure!]

[The second knight's assessment, the third round. Is this my limit?]

[From morning till night, it's nothing but training. It's pointless. I fear I'll never pass the knight's assessment...]

[Father, why do you look at me with those hopeful eyes? Why won't you give up on me?]

[It's that look again. Do you hate me, Ivina? I understand your feelings. An inept person stole your opportunity... If it were you, you would surely succeed, my sister...]

[Maybe without me, everything will turn out better... Ivina, I will give you everything you desire. It's the only way...]

The brown-haired girl flipped through the diary, page after page, and through the cold words, she gained insight into her brother, who she had envied and who bore their father's high expectations but couldn't excel at anything.

She used to resent this unfairness, feeling that all her efforts and her prided sword skills were merely tools to capture the attention of the Duke of Noreland's son in her father's eyes.

If she had the chance, she was sure she could pass the knight's assessment, revive the Pedroel family, and make her father see her clearly.

So, her brother, who had all the family's resources and the privilege of receiving formal knight training but repeatedly failed... Ivina detested him, even hated him.

"You're so adorable, Ivina..." Her finger traced the crumpled pages, and as she looked at the words, her body trembled, tears streaming down her cheeks onto the pages.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Ivina muttered to herself, her mind blank, her eyes filling with uncontrollable regret. She had never hated herself this much.

She thought she had forgotten how to cry, a privilege reserved for those in the spotlight...

Outside the estate, flames leaped into the sky, but the room remained eerily quiet. The only sound was the stifled, intermittent sobs echoing through the room.

It was only when the estate's grand door was forcefully pushed open that the girl turned her head, confused.

Baron Pedroel rushed into the room, surveyed the chaotic scene, and, upon seeing Ivina, who had been frightened into silently crying in the corner, he was instantly furious. He spoke in frustration.

"Do you have any idea what's happening outside, Ivina? Why are you sitting here all alone? Where's Lotte?"

As he spoke, another explosion resonated from outside.

"What's happening outside?" Ivina held the tear-stained diary to her chest and asked, keeping her head down.

"Those damned wizards are wreaking havoc in Harbor Town. They used a terrifying magic to destroy the entire harbor. Priest Yadan is dead, Priest Danny is also dead, and even Sir Zeke, not to mention Archbishop Anluke, couldn't escape..." Baron Pedroel said in fear and uncertainty.

Previously, in order to enhance his credentials, he had even proposed to participate in the witch-hunting operation before the Archbishop of Noreland. Now, he realized that if Archbishop Anluke had agreed, he would have already perished at the Harbor Town docks.

Listening to one lofty name after another being sentenced to death in her ears, the brown-haired girl was deeply shaken. She couldn't help but recall the words Lotte had whispered to her before he left.

"I'm just too insignificant, Ivina..."

Becoming a wizard, is that your choice, brother?

Rumors had it that one could become a wizard with forbidden powers by sacrificing their soul to a demon. However, as a price, the person would often undergo a drastic change in personality and gradually fall into the abyss...

And all of this was for her sake.

"Where's your brother? You haven't answered me. Where is Lotte? We need to leave immediately!" Baron Pedroel firmly gripped the girl's wrist and shouted.

"He's dead!" Ivina whispered. She was well aware that if the information about her brother becoming a wizard were to be revealed, the entire Pedroel family would be doomed.

Baron Pedroel paused for a moment, a terrifying expression on his face.

"Don't play tricks with me, Ivina!"

"Let me tell you, even if your brother is truly dead, the title of Baron will never fall into your hands! Don't ever dream of getting what you can't have!" Baron Pedroel said, furious. Under no circumstances would he allow an outsider to take over the Pedroel family, no matter how capable they were!

"In that case, I'm leaving..." Ivina broke free from the large hand restraining her, placed the diary in her bosom, and without hesitation, walked toward the door.

"Stop! Explain yourself to me!" Baron Pedroel hadn't expected that Ivina, who had never dared to defy him, would act so defiantly. He was overwhelmed by anger and drew his longsword from his waist, swinging it aggressively at Ivina.

Clang!

The unsheathed sword slipped from his hand, spinning and landing on the ground, emitting a dull thud.

Baron Pedroel froze in place. A three-finger-long, extremely sharp wooden spike was now horizontally positioned at his neck.

"How long has it been since you last experienced a battle, Father?" Ivina gazed at Baron Pedroel with a complex expression and asked.

Baron Pedroel's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he sat down on the ground. It was only now that he realized Ivina's swordsmanship was far more advanced than he had known, and she had completely surpassed him.

Ivina discarded the wooden spike in her hand and walked out of the room without looking back.

"Where are you going, Ivina? What about Lotte? Tell me where he is!" Baron Pedroel finally regained his composure, shouting loudly.

"My brother is already dead. You can consider it as if I killed him... Father," Ivina said softly. "And I'm leaving Harbor Town to explore the world."

Chapter 46: Lynn - I Smell the Scent of a Culprit

Drip, drip, drip...

The relentless raindrops pounded on the deck, creating a series of crisp, low-pitched notes. Inside the cabin, Lynn awoke from a night of continuous nightmares.

Once he had a clear view of his surroundings, Lynn couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The sudden appearance of the goddess's apparition last night had put significant psychological pressure on him, but thankfully, she had shown no intention of pursuing them.

They should be safe now.

Lynn sat up, swung his legs over the hard wooden bunk, and grabbed a cloak hanging by the door. Then, he opened the cabin door and stepped out onto the deck.

The gentle sea breeze carried with it the scent of the ocean and a touch of salt, dispelling the stagnant air from the cabin.

Lynn gazed into the distance, where a thick fog shrouded the surface of the sea, engulfing the entire sailing ship. Visibility was limited to about three to five meters beyond the ship's sides.

This fog seemed to possess some mysterious power, as even when he used a first-tier spell, "Tik's Farseeing Art," he couldn't see beyond the white mist.

Navigating under such conditions was undeniably perilous. Not only was it difficult to discern direction, but there was also the risk of colliding with hidden rocks.

"Wizard, are you awake? Did you rest well last night?" a familiar voice came from behind. Lynn turned to see Lame Loude.

However, compared to last night, Loude seemed somewhat dejected, clearly affected by their recent encounter with the apparition.

Lynn didn't respond to Loude's question but instead spoke directly, "Is this the Sea of Mist? How do you usually navigate in these conditions, and how much longer until we reach the Wizard's territory?"

"Normally, departing from the Seaport Town would require sailing for almost half a month. As for navigating in these conditions..." Loude was very cautious as he pulled out a compass.

Lynn curiously leaned in. The compass had a round wooden body adorned with intricate runes and symbols, but the most eye-catching feature was the pointer on top, which remained fixed on the ship's heading.

Could this be a compass?

Lynn speculated silently, then listened as Loude explained, "This compass was created by the Great Wizard Herlram, an alchemical invention. No matter where you are, it will always point in the direction of the Wizard's territory."

This was their key to navigating the Sea of Mist. Regardless of where they set out, following the compass's guidance would always lead them to the Wizard's territory.

It was truly miraculous. Lynn picked up the compass, carefully examined it, and became somewhat interested in the Great Wizard Herlram, as this was the second time he had heard that name.

It appeared that Archbishop Anluke had gone to great lengths to trap a few wizard apprentices, all in pursuit of obtaining this compass.

Handing this over to the Church would undoubtedly be a significant achievement!

Lynn couldn't decipher the runes on the compass, so he just memorized them and returned the item.

Loude accepted the compass and then appeared somewhat conflicted. After a while, he cautiously asked, "Are you a Grand Wizard?"

"Naturally not," Lynn shook his head. He couldn't admit to such a thing.

At this point, he was just a novice wizard who had recently started delving into magic. Being mistaken for a full-fledged wizard was one thing, especially since with the aid of his intelligence, he could achieve many feats that only accomplished wizards could. However, reaching the level of a Grand Wizard was still a distant dream.

If it weren't for the assistance of the thousand-plus members of the "Ship Gang," he wouldn't have been able to set up a trap capable of destroying the entire seaport. What had brought down Archbishop Anluke and his group was less magic and more the power of science.

Seeing Lynn's denial, Loude appeared somewhat skeptical. After all, he had witnessed the terrifying explosion last night, a feat achievable only with advanced magic.

However, recalling Lynn's request for gathering large amounts of materials, Loude speculated that the magic known as "fireworks" probably required a special ritual to unleash such powerful magic.

"In that case, after we arrive in the Wizard's territory, you might face some scrutiny," Loude sighed repeatedly.

Lynn's expression changed abruptly, and a dangerous glint shone in his eyes. He could now smell the scent of trouble.

Under the watchful gaze of someone who seemed "friendly," Loude hastened to explain. While he had been operating this route from Seaport Town to the Wizard's territory, the person who had established it was the Grand Wizard Herlram.

In essence, the entire Ship Gang was merely tools in his hands. Whether they liked it or not, they were obligated to transport scarce resources to the Wizard's territory each year.

Although they had always operated discreetly and without major incidents for over a decade, the actions of Jonny and others had led to the destruction of this critical transportation route.

If Lynn turned out to be a Grand Wizard, they had nothing to worry about. But if he wasn't, they needed to be prepared for consequences. This was the reason for Loude's confirmation.

With Loude's explanation, Lynn quickly understood the situation. He felt torn, as he understood the significance of this route. The blame should fall on his mentor, Kora. If Kora hadn't been so audacious, attempting to abduct the Duke's second daughter and getting caught red-handed, the Church wouldn't have traced the problem all the way to Seaport Town.

"Is this the only route from the Wizard's territory to the Sekas Empire?" Lynn inquired.

"Probably not... The Sea of Mist also connects to another vital port, the imperial capital of the Sekas Empire, Vikniel City," Loude said hesitantly. Although he couldn't be certain, he suspected that there might be others in Vikniel City doing the same work as him.

"I see," Lynn nodded. It appeared that the situation might not be as dire as he initially thought. However, he had no intention of shouldering this blame. He needed to find a way to avoid it.

As Lynn contemplated, he casually inquired about various pieces of information regarding the Wizard's territory. He was still relatively unfamiliar with the place, and having insufficient knowledge could leave him at a disadvantage.

Through several rounds of questioning, Lynn learned that the Wizard's territory was different from what he had initially assumed. It wasn't a refuge established by persecuted wizards but a land that had existed for centuries, boasting a city, a port, and a population of six hundred thousand, almost like a small kingdom.

However, there were no kings or nobles here. Instead, it was governed by wizards and various schools of magic. The highest authority was the Wizard Council, composed of several legendary wizards.

Chapter 47: The Eye of Death

Lynn couldn't help but be astonished by the "advanced" political system in the land of the wizards, which seemed to operate under a fast-paced democratic parliamentary structure.

But upon further reflection, it made perfect sense. High-level wizards were akin to entire armies on their own, and denying them corresponding rights would only breed chaos.

In this world, the status of wizards was nearly equal to that of nobility.

"Once we reach the port, you'll be amazed by the sight there," Loude said with great emotion.

Over the years, he had visited the land of the wizards a few times, and it was as if a farmer living in a village suddenly arrived in Vicnil, a feeling too incredible to put into words.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing it," Lynn replied with a smile.

As they talked, a sailor suddenly approached and whispered a few words in Loude's ear. Loude waved the sailor away and respectfully inquired, "Milady Witch has awakened. Do you plan to go see her?"

Lynn nodded; he had many questions to ask Jonny, so he quickened his pace toward the cabin.

Watching Lynn's departing figure, Loude had no intention of following. Instead, he gazed up at the misty sky. The occasional raindrops were piercing through the fog and falling on the deck.

Though this light rain didn't affect their voyage, Loude couldn't shake a sense of unease in his heart. This year, to evade the Church's pursuit, their departure from the harbor was somewhat delayed.

He hoped for some calmness before crossing this stretch of sea.

Lynn followed the sailor through the interior of the ship. The wooden vessel rocked constantly, and the air carried a faint, unpleasant odor.

Fortunately, after these days, he had grown accustomed to the medieval sanitary conditions. In fact, things were going quite well. Loude had arranged separate cabins for them, so they didn't have to squeeze in with the other crew members.

"Milady Witch, we're here!" the guiding sailor stopped in front of a cabin door, looking at Lynn with some fear in his eyes, probably recalling the gruesome scene in the port town.

Lynn paid it no mind and pushed open the door to enter.

It was a small cabin, barely a few square meters in size. The silver-haired witch was leaning against the wooden bedpost, her gaze fixed on the ocean outside the window, shrouded in mist. Dim light spilled through the window, casting a sickly pallor on the girl's face, emphasizing her peculiar, morbid beauty.

Perhaps having heard the door creak, Jonny turned her head, her exquisite profile half-shrouded in shadows. She gazed at Lynn, who had walked to the edge of the bed, and after a moment of silence, she spoke.

"Dove is dead."

Lynn paused for a moment and then replied softly, "I've already preserved her body in ice. Maybe the influential figures in the land of the wizards will have some way to help. Although, I understand that hope is slim. Not only may the powerful wizards lack the ability, but they're unlikely to save a mere apprentice."

He said this for two reasons. First, Dove, who was usually terrified of death, had ventured into the port town to "rescue" him in the face of almost certain death, which touched Lynn in a profound way.

Second, he was deeply concerned about the unknown energy absorbed by the smart brain last night.

Jonny seemed to have not heard Lynn's words and continued to murmur softly.

Lynn sighed inwardly, realizing that with Jonny's current state of mind, it would be difficult to extract any useful information. He was about to suggest that Jonny take some rest when a soft, slightly warm body collided with his.

Lynn paused for a moment before he could react, and then the sound of the girl's sobbing reached his ears.

"Dove is dead... Teacher is dead... and Kent, Will, Buck, and Barton..."

With each name she cried out, Jonny's voice choked a bit more. Her shoulders trembled, and crystal tears rolled down her cheeks, wetting Lynn's robes. In a choked voice, she continued to recount everything that had happened within the Nordland territory.

When the Church's personnel discovered their whereabouts, Kora had a chance to escape, but she chose to stay behind to cover their retreat. She survived, but she couldn't keep her promise to her teacher to safely bring back all the apprentices. Everyone except the two of them had perished.

Lynn stood silently, not interrupting the girl's outpouring. He understood that Jonny needed an outlet to release the fear, sorrow, and despair that had accumulated within her over the past ten days and could not be shared with anyone else.

The intermittent crying continued for over ten minutes before Jonny's emotions began to settle. It was only then that she realized she had been holding onto Lynn, and his clothes were drenched with her tears.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she released her arms, and the atmosphere in the cabin suddenly became awkward. Jonny wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and spoke softly.

"If our teacher had chosen to take you to the capital of Nordland in the first place, perhaps everything would have been different."

"You're overestimating me, Jonny," Lynn shook his head. At that time, he hadn't even crossed over. With his original self, Karl's abilities, he probably would have been captured alongside her.

"Besides, you've done more than enough," Lynn said earnestly. Jonny wasn't a tactical genius, nor was she as cunning as Loude, but in Karl's memories, she was just a girl with decent magical talent who liked to sit under the shade of a tree and read.

Kora had entrusted the fate of these wizard apprentices to Jonny, which was, in reality, an unrealistic expectation.

Jonny didn't respond to Lynn's comfort; instead, she pursed her lips and asked, "When we were in Ur Town, why did you choose to face Archbishop Anluke alone?"

This question had been bothering her ever since then. While they were all Kora's apprentices, they didn't have much of a personal relationship. Yet, in Ur Town, Lynn had been willing to face danger alone and leave a path of escape for them.

Of course, it was because you standing there was somewhat distracting...

The words were on the tip of Lynn's tongue, but he swallowed them back and chose a more tactful response. "Facing Archbishop Anluke, I didn't have a high chance of success, and I couldn't afford to be distracted by protecting all of you."

Jonny stared at Lynn in amazement. She was about to say something, but the cabin, which had been relatively stable, suddenly rocked violently. Without warning, the two of them were nearly thrown into the wooden wall.

Before Lynn could regain his balance, terrified screams from the deck above rang out.

"The Eye of Death... It's the Eye of Death!"