Chapter 321: The Situation and the South

The autumn air carried a slight chill, and the firelight from the fireplace cast flickering shadows across the room.

Ansu sat at his desk, flipping through reports compiled from various regions by the cult, occasionally falling into deep thought.

His days since returning to Norvigel had been relatively peaceful. He spent his time researching magic with Miss Witch, accompanying Vera on shopping trips, and handling official business at the Magic Mutual Aid Association.

As Edmond spread the word, mages from all over came to seek refuge with him in a steady stream, and their numbers were only expected to grow.

Ansu had been secretly building his strength. As the president of the association, he could easily select promising young talents from the newcomers to join the battle mage regiment. At the same time, the executors of the Echoes of Truth cult could obtain legal status as mages recognized by the Empire through the association, making it much more convenient to carry out their missions.

This was exactly his primary objective when he first took over this organization of low-tier mages.

The people from the City of a Thousand Stars hadn’t appeared to cause any more trouble, but this brief peace was merely an illusion before the storm.

Two major events had occurred during this time.

First, the cult had gained complete control over Norvigel.

Taking advantage of the chaos in the Royal Capital, Count Alston had rallied a group of followers in an attempt to strip Edmond of his inheritance and reclaim this major northern stronghold. However, Ansu had long been prepared, and had even been waiting for the count to make the first move.

This ruthless uncle had feigned an invitation to a banquet for his nephew, expressing a desire for reconciliation, while actually planning to kill Edmond on the spot.

Ansu had already placed Elders Kurt and Matthew by Edmond’s side. As a result, this carefully planned treacherous banquet turned into the count’s own funeral—his hired assassins were all killed, and he himself, along with all his confidants, was thoroughly purged by the cult.

Following this incident, Edmond could take his position legitimately.

With the cult’s help, the new Count Alston firmly controlled Norvigel and all the surrounding territories.

As the largest and most prosperous city in the North, Norvigel’s influence radiated across the entire region. It had now become their most stable rear base, and Ansu’s vision of building a new home for all mages was being realized step by step.

The second major event was the total collapse of order within the Empire, particularly in the South.

Taking advantage of the infighting in the Royal Capital, several powerful high nobles, dissatisfied with the young new Emperor, declared their loyalty to the eldest prince who had already been killed. They even resigned from their official posts and secretly returned to their respective territories, publicly professing loyalty while privately ignoring all decrees.

The Royalist and Aristocrat factions immediately entered a state of all-out war. Following the example of their superiors, the minor nobles in the South also began attacking each other for their own interests, turning the entire southern region into a complete shambles.

Ansu slowly closed the documents, thinking that it was finally time to set out.

...

By late September, the weather in the South was clear and crisp.

The azure sky was streaked with a few thin clouds, and the wind carried the scent of ripe grain and a hint of coolness.

A massive caravan disguised as merchants set out from Norvigel, bypassing the turbulent Royal Capital and heading straight for the South.

Ansu brought a significant amount of manpower this time. Except for the researchers who stayed behind in Norvigel, the other elders, the battle mage regiment, Danielle and her husband, and Altina all came along. The caravan stretched for a long distance.

The interior of Ansu’s carriage was cozy and warm.

Celia had used various small magic circles to make the interior extremely comfortable, with gravity-based shock absorption and a constant temperature that showed no sign of the autumn chill.

Despite this, Celia irritably closed her grimoire and glanced expressionlessly toward the opposite side.

Vera was affectionately clinging to Ansu’s arm, pestering him to tell her stories. The two of them were chatting endlessly...

The temperature in the carriage seemed to drop several degrees. Ansu subconsciously looked over and saw Celia pursing her lips, giving him a sullen look.

“When is your sister leaving?”

Ansu replied with a helpless look: “I don't know.”

Vera happened to look up and blinked innocently at the two of them.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing...” Ansu watched as Vera snuggled into his arms. At the same time, the temperature in the carriage dropped a few more degrees.

“Oh, then keep telling the story, Brother~” Vera gave a cute smile, attempting to use her cuteness to smooth things over.

When they set out, she complained that her own carriage was too bumpy and dull, so she squeezed her way in here and had been clinging to her brother the whole way.

This resulted in Celia’s constant eye-rolling...

But what could she do? She was his sister. It was perfectly natural for a sister to cling to her brother; surely no one would get jealous over this?

Hehe, this was her exclusive advantage as a sister~

“Brother...”

After listening to Ansu explain the mysteries of magic and holy light for a long while, Vera suddenly shook his arm, her eyes pleading.

After her repeated pleas, she had finally gotten her brother to agree to bring her along for this adventure to the South, but Vera wanted more than just that.

Everyone seemed to have grown so much. Even though she was the closest to her brother, she had become the one lagging behind the most, the weakest...

Heaven knew how surprised and jealous she had been when she learned Freya was nearing the strength of a demigod...

She wanted to become stronger too!

“Brother, if there’s a need for combat this time, just say the word. I can definitely help you!”

Celia and Ansu both looked at her.

Although they said nothing, Vera felt a thick sense of doubt.

“Really! I’ve become much stronger now! Super strong!” Vera raised her small arms, forcefully showing off her “muscles” with a serious expression.

“That’s enough!” Celia snorted. “Do we even need you to act? Besides, if the day ever comes when we need your help, then we adults would be far too incompetent.”

Ansu smiled and rubbed her head. “I’ve brought so many people with me; you definitely won’t need to worry about anything combat-related.”

“But...” He met his sister’s resentful gaze and comforted her, “If we encounter any wild beasts or monsters... I’ll definitely let you practice a bit. Be good, now.”

“Oh...” Vera pursed her lips, muttering to herself.

“Can I really not help Brother at all?”

Despite her disappointment, she made a silent vow.

No matter what, as long as her brother needed it...

When that day came, she would definitely do her absolute best to help him!

The carriage continued its journey, and Celia lowered her head to read her book again.

Ansu’s gaze fell upon her. She was currently frowning over an ancient magic formula, her brow slightly furrowed.

For some reason, he felt that Celia had been very anxious lately.

Since returning from the North, it felt like she was hiding something from him, occasionally showing a trace of undetectable... sadness?

What exactly was it? Could she not even tell him?

Ansu couldn't help but ask.

Celia paused but didn't give a direct answer.

She looked out the window and said slowly after a moment, “Ansu, I have a bad premonition. Ever since the people from the City of a Thousand Stars appeared, that sense of crisis has been growing heavier...”

“I don't think you need to worry too much about that academy of eccentrics.” Ansu curled his lip. “They aren't very bright.”

“But they are very powerful.” Celia shook her head. “Don't underestimate any opponent. Moreover, they really do have many Saint Tier powerhouses...”

“I know.” Ansu certainly wouldn't underestimate any opponent, but he felt that Celia’s concern wasn't just because of the City of a Thousand Stars.

After a long silence, Celia softly murmured to herself:

“Time really flies. We’re getting closer and closer to the truth of the gods...”

When they first obtained the demon treasure, the two of them had agreed to walk the “path of seeking the truth of the gods,” to expose their conspiracies and gain the power to defy them.

But as they drew closer to that final destination... she finally began to feel anxious.

She had concerns now. She was no longer the reckless Ash Witch she used to be.

“I’m always afraid I’ve missed something, so I force myself to learn more. But I don't even know what I’m lacking, so I just get more and more anxious...”

“Don't worry.” Ansu took her hand. “Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

Celia nodded gently. “Mhm, together...”

With Ansu there, they could turn danger into safety every time.

He was just that magical.

Hopefully, this time would be no different...

Ansu turned to look at the scenery flying past. That said, he also felt a trace of concern in his heart.

Because the world was starting to spin out of control.

The emergence of the City of a Thousand Stars was no accident; they were clearly brewing some shocking conspiracy. And the plot he originally knew had already spun completely out of control. This world was becoming more and more unfamiliar...

The atmosphere fell into silence.

Vera looked at the two of them, whose eyes were deep with thought, and obediently closed her mouth, asking nothing more.

The caravan continued, and after an unknown amount of time, the carriage suddenly came to a halt.

“What’s wrong?” Vera looked out the window curiously, only to see chaos and noise ahead.

Ansu stepped out to check. On the river ahead, a large bridge had been broken into several sections, the wreckage scattered in the muddy water. A massive crowd was congested at both ends of the bridge, anxiously trying various ways to cross.

This was already the heart of the South. Looking around, he could see countless ragged refugees moving with their families, struggling along the official road toward the Royal Capital. The massive procession kicked up clouds of dust.

“Lord Hermit.” David ran over to report. “The Aristocrat Alliance in the South blew up this bridge. Combined with the growing number of refugees ahead, the road forward will only get more difficult.”

Altina also jumped down. Looking at the tragedy before her, her expression gradually turned grave.

She noticed that many of the refugees were not only emaciated, but some were also in an extremely abnormal mental state.

Some had vacant eyes, while others curled up by the roadside, murmuring to themselves and twitching incessantly. An aura of rot and filth spread through the crowd.

“Has the mana plague broken out?”

Altina immediately became alert, her hand instinctively gripping the hilt of her sword.

Ansu stared at the crowd of refugees who looked like the shuffling dead, his brow furrowed.

The disaster that would sweep half the continent was a full two years earlier than in the original plot.

...