Chapter 1095 432: Mebius's Child

"Can I say 'worthy of being Jellal's subordinate'? Before entering the city, I felt a magic power not weaker than mine."

Precht understood that this journey wouldn't be simple, first changing his appearance and carefully concealing his magic power fluctuation, before entering the city like an ordinary person.

The streets of Vistalion were spacious and clean, as bustling as those in the Fiore Kingdom.

The people on the streets were busy but not weary; most were energetic, appearing to live comfortably.

Soldiers patrolled back and forth on the streets, and the residents neither feared nor disliked them, suggesting good civil-military relations.

"Could it be that the Black Mage Jellal actually has the ability of a wise ruler?"

Precht walked casually along the street, coming to this bizarre conclusion that surprised even himself.

Originally, he thought Albarez, being a country conquered by sheer force, should have poor living conditions, but now it seemed that was not the case.

Even if Jellal himself did not have the ability to govern the country, it at least showed that he had capable ministers assisting him.

This was no good news for Fiore—as people living comfortably often indicated that a country had a strong logistical support capability.

Once war breaks out between the two sides, it would be quite troublesome.

Precht took out a notebook to record the intelligence, then cautiously found a lane to change his appearance before heading elsewhere.

After roughly touring the Royal Capital, Precht was a bit shocked.

Besides those patrolling soldiers, roughly five hundred thousand troops were stationed around Vistalion!

Is this right?

Why does it feel like the army outnumbers the residents?

The military prowess of the Western Continent seems overly abundant!

Why would a nation that has unified the entire continent station so many troops near the Royal Capital?

"Either the Royal Capital faces some threat, or they are preparing for war..."

Precht mused, perhaps war was truly imminent.

"Hmm? Have I been discovered?"

He suddenly sensed an overwhelming magic power coming towards him without concealment.

Precht calmly changed his route and disguise, quickly making his way out of the city.

Whoosh~~~

A cold wind blew through, and the street where Precht had briefly lingered was frozen in ice, transforming several adjacent streets into an icy world.

Snowflakes fluttered down, and the season seemed to instantly revert from early spring to freezing winter.

"So cold!"

"Ice?"

"Achoo~~"

Passersby shivered together, instinctively rubbing the goosebumps on their arms, and sneezing sounds echoed continuously.

The patrolling soldiers were startled for a moment but quickly reacted, shouting loudly, "Don't panic, it's Lord Yinbel's magic!"

In reality, no one panicked because, although the buildings on several streets had become ice sculptures, not a single person was harmed.

The frozen buildings still had open doors and windows; mischievous children curiously poked their heads into the icy world and soon began ice-skating playfully.

Clearly, Yinbel's mastery of his magic was extremely proficient.

A young man wearing glasses approached from the street's end, clad in a long blue coat with his blue hair styled dangerously, hands in his pockets, and long boots clicking on the ice.

"Lord Yinbel!"

"Lord Yinbel!"

The soldiers stood at attention and saluted, and the pedestrians looked at him with reverence.

Yinbel nodded slightly with a stern expression, frowning as he sensed the magic traces around him, "Escaped, did he?"

A kilometer away, in a secluded alley, Precht vanished like a phantom.

Simultaneously, a sky full of yellow sand appeared above the alley, like a giant hand descending to envelop and fill the entire passageway.

The nearby pedestrians quietly distanced themselves, muttering:

"Here we go again."

"Lord Agir often bursts out suddenly like this."

"It's going to be hard to clear up so much sand."

"No worries, Lord Yajil will take care of it."

A young man with dark skin and spiky hair swaggered to the alley entrance, frustratedly cursing, "Damn rat, escaped quickly!"

Precht cautiously leaned against a tree outside the city, "Today's youngsters are truly remarkable."

"Indeed, I too am gratified by these outstanding young people."

An elderly voice came from above, startling Precht; how could someone approach him so silently?

He looked up to see an old man with grey hair and beard slowly descending from the air, a magic staff in his hand emitting a barely noticeable glow.

With the concealment magic lifted, a suffocatingly powerful magic revealed itself, causing the air to quiver and the trees to moan.

"Such exaggerated magic power, and moreover..."

Precht was startled to realize that the opponent's concealment magic was identical to the one he used when infiltrating the city!

This ancient magic should have very few who understand it...

"I am Augustus, head of the Twelve Holy Shields."

Augustus landed before Precht, giving a brief self-introduction, then pointed his magic staff at Precht, asking calmly:

"Precht, second-generation President of Fairy Tail from the Ishujal Continent, former President of Demon Heart; what brings you to Albarez?"

The legendary Magic King who understands all the magic in the world?

Precht could sense a powerful magic brewing on the opponent's staff, seemingly ready to keep him here if he said the wrong word.

While considering how to respond, he suddenly noticed something peculiar about Augustus's magic attribute.

—It belonged neither to light nor to dark.

Precht's pupils narrowed; such unique and powerful magic he would never forget:

"You... you are... from that time..."

Augustus observed his expression, saying calmly, "It appears you remember some unpleasant memories.

"Fear not, I don't hate you.

"However, your presence in Albarez at such a time surely indicates ulterior motives.

"Can you kindly stay awhile as a guest?"

Precht's emotions surged; indeed, it's him!

Mebius' child!

Back then, Precht had contemplated killing the child because his father was Jellal!

But ultimately, he couldn't bring himself to do it, merely hesitated and abandoned the child.

Who would have thought, ninety years later, he'd encounter him again.

Was Jellal the one who found him?

Indeed, this is the country Jellal built.

This child, born with tremendous magic power, if by Jellal's side, could surely live for decades more...

Precht quickly made up his mind, "Sorry, I have no plans for lodging here."

"Is that so... what a pity." Augustus was not surprised, the magic brewing on his staff instantaneously activated.

Where Precht stood was engulfed by a thick red beam of light, the scorching magic melting trees and stones entirely.

The entire forest was illuminated by this magic; red light shot straight into the sky!