Chapter 1606: Foul Air

Erend returned to the military base the following day to explain the situation once more. Captain Adrien, Billy, and the other special unit overseers gathered in the meeting room to hear his report. General Lennard also joined them after receiving an earlier briefing about the events.

Erend explained everything he saw happened in Erebus’s world. The terrible curse that threatened its inhabitants and the invasion he managed to postpone etc to the General.

He also described the preparations he made to investigate the curse, including his efforts to gather Adrius, Lysander, and Sylmira. With the three Magic experts preparing to join him, Erend hoped they could discover the curse’s nature and find a way to lift it before Erebus’s people lost their little hope.

After Erend finished his explanation, General Lennard leaned back in his chair and considered the situation for a moment.

"Then I’ll leave this in your hands, Erend. I’ll support you from here, but I doubt there’s much more I can do directly to help with a problem like this." He paused, sighed, before continuing again with a more sincere expression. "I’m grateful you managed to prevent that invasion. We don’t know how serious the consequences would have been for our world if you hadn’t intervened. I don’t want to imagine what might have happened if things went differently."

"I only did what was necessary, General," Erend replied.

Lennard smiled at his answer. He understood that Erend wasn’t looking for praise, and he knew there was little else he could offer beyond his support.

But he still wanted to make sure Erend understood how much he appreciated what he had done.

"All right, then. I won’t keep you any longer. Good luck to you and your companions. When do you plan to leave?"

"I’m waiting for the others to confirm that they’re ready," Erend answered. "Once Adrius, Lysander, and Sylmira finish their preparations, we’ll depart."

Adrien leaned forward slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Is there anything we should prepare on our end? Supplies, equipment, additional personnel, or anything else that might be useful?"

Erend considered the question before shaking his head. "Not for now. I don’t think we need to prepare anything here because we still don’t know exactly what we’re dealing with. I’ll contact you if we need assistance later, but I doubt that’ll be necessary. For the moment, there’s nothing you need to worry about."

Adrien nodded, accepting his answer, though the atmosphere in the room remained subdued.

Everyone present understood the scale of the problem Erend was facing, and none of them could think of a way to contribute much beyond what he was already doing.

Thomas and Conrad exchanged a brief glance, both of them feeling the same quiet frustration.

The others shared similar thoughts, even if none of them voiced them aloud. They wanted to help Erend carry the burden, yet they knew the situation was beyond their expertise.

In the end, they could only entrust the mission to him because he was the most capable person among them. That truth made them feel uneasy, but there was little point in pretending otherwise when so much was at stake.

Several days later, the time for departure finally arrived.

Erend stood inside the military base after receiving messages from Adrius, Lysander, and Sylmira confirming that they were ready to begin the journey.

He made his way to the area where the special unit members had gathered, with General Lennard standing among them again.

Adrien, Billy, Jessica, Thomas, and Conrad watched as Erend prepared to leave for Erebus’s world, knowing that they could do little more than wish him success.

"Well, it looks like it’s time," Erend said, glancing at the people gathered before him. "I’ll contact you if anything changes or if we need your help. Until then, keep things running here as usual."

"Take care of yourself," Adrien replied. "

Erend smiled and nodded before turning toward General Lennard and the others. He exchanged a final round of farewells with them, accepting their wishes of good luck.

Erend raised his hand and opened a portal before him. The swirling energy illuminated the surrounding area as the gateway connected to the distant world opened.

Erend stepped through the portal, leaving the military base behind.

—

Erend emerged inside Adrius’s tower chamber, where the Archmage and his apprentice were already waiting for him. Sylmira was there as well. The three of them seemed perfectly relaxed as they sat around a table, drinking tea and enjoying a plate of snacks.

The pleasant atmosphere made the room feel almost ordinary, a stark contrast to the dark and cursed world they were about to visit.

However, the moment Erend appeared, all three turned toward him and rose from their seats. They knew this was the signal they had been waiting for.

"Are you all ready?" Erend asked as he approached them.

"We’re ready," Adrius answered, setting his teacup down on the table. Lysander nodded in agreement. Sylmira gave Erend a calm look that conveyed the same answer without needing many words.

With everyone prepared, Erend raised his hand and opened a portal. The swirling gateway formed before them, revealing only a glimpse of the space beyond as its Magical energy spread through the chamber.

Erend stepped forward first, and the three Archmagus followed close behind him. One after another, they crossed the threshold and disappeared from the tower chamber, leaving the unfinished tea and snacks behind as the portal closed.

—

A moment later, they emerged in the dark city.

The oppressive atmosphere struck the three newcomers almost immediately. Adrius slowed his steps as he felt the foul air settle around him. Lysander instinctively wrinkled his nose at the unpleasant sensation. Sylmira’s expression also tightened as she sensed the strange Magic energy permeating the surroundings.

It felt tainted and unnatural, spreading through the city like an invisible stain that clung to everything around them.

All three of them frowned as they tried to make sense of what they were sensing, their earlier relaxed expressions replaced almost instantly.

Whatever had happened to this world, it turned out that its corruption was far more than simple.

—