Chapter 437 - 297: Going Home (Part 2)

The Lord had been hoping Damon would stubbornly refuse Liya’s terms, giving him the perfect excuse to eliminate a future threat for good.

But whether it was because he knew the situation was hopeless, or because Liya had chosen to return Penny and her son, the Highland Golden Lion surprisingly agreed.

"Levi, you are a true hero." The man’s opening words caught the Lord by surprise.

"Just a bit of luck." It’s hard to be harsh to a smiling face, and Levi wasn’t the type to gloat over his victory. He simply gave a casual wave and hopped down from the carriage.

"Setting all else aside, please allow me to thank you." The man looked exhausted, but his face was serene, devoid of any bitterness or resentment.

"If not for you, all sixty thousand of my soldiers would have perished here."

Levi saw a clarity and peace in his eyes, a look he had only ever seen in one other person: Cross.

The old general had worn the same expression moments before his execution by fire—the look of a man who had come to terms with everything and found peace.

The Highland Golden Lion may have done many foolish things, but at his core, he was a Marshal who treated his soldiers exceptionally well.

After all, it was a rare thing for a man to swallow his pride and thank his enemy for the sake of his soldiers.

Not to mention how he had readily allowed his remaining soldiers to leave, to return to Kolon and their own homes.

The three thousand who remained were said to be loyalists who refused to leave.

Clearly, his prestige among the soldiers was exceptionally high, far surpassing even Fujero’s.

"There’s no need. I didn’t do it for you," Levi said, his expression placid.

"But that is what happened nonetheless," Damon said.

The two men then fell silent, their gazes fixed on the white clouds drifting along the horizon.

After a long moment, Damon shattered the silence that had stretched on for what felt like an eternity.

"Levi... do you think things would have turned out differently if I had tried to recruit you back in Kolon?"

Levi rolled his eyes at the sentimental question. He turned and walked away, leaving a single sentence hanging in the air.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery... Damon, cherish the present."

Just as the world does not stop for anyone, time does not turn back.

The Lord never regretted his past actions; he only ever cherished the present.

...

"Lord Levi, I never expected that in the end, I’d be the only one left with you."

Levi had just returned to camp and was taking a stroll with Bodoff, whom he had just run into.

The maverick Mage had come to offer his support alone, so his path now diverged from everyone else’s.

The people of High Cliff Castle were packing supplies. The Giants heaved and grunted as they loaded goods onto the wagons, while the Goat-men and Rabbit People covered the cargo with tarps and tied them down with hemp rope.

Summer weather in Debei was unpredictable. One moment, the sky would be clear and vast; the next, it could be thick with dark clouds, unleashing a downpour of massive raindrops.

So, they had to take precautions against the rain.

With the battlefield cleared, the High Cliff Castle contingent was about to begin their journey home.

"Just Levi is fine." Levi waved a hand dismissively. He found himself getting along with this Elder Mage who, despite being a Caster, preferred fighting up close with a Longsword.

"So, Bodoff, how many Casters does your Mage Tower have?"

’The moment he had some free time, the Lord’s mind couldn’t help but start scheming.’

The Mage Tower, also known as the White Tower, stood in the sea east of Debei. It was said to be ninety-nine stories tall and exceedingly mysterious, findable only by those guided by the Gods.

It was a faction that stood apart from the world, meaning its Casters were all unaffiliated. Naturally, this piqued the Lord’s interest.

"Levi, don’t even think about it." Bodoff was exasperated. He knew exactly what the Lord of High Cliff Castle was planning.

"The Mages of the Mage Tower may not belong to any faction, but they’re a bunch of old academics, completely uninterested in anything but Magic."

"Some wander the continent, exploring ancient history in search of traces of forgotten Magic, while others spend all day and night cooped up in the Mage Tower, researching."

"As for me, I only got involved because I happened to stumble upon this affair. After all, the duty of the Mage Tower is to protect the entire Material Realm."

"Frankly, if they don’t reveal their identity, you could never imagine that a barefoot farmer tilling a field might actually be a Mage from the White Tower." Bodoff threw up his hands. "And that Mage, who studies Earth Magic, is only farming because he believes it enhances his affinity with the land."

"So, Levi, unless a Mage from the Tower seeks you out first, don’t even try to find one. It’ll just be a waste of your time!"

"Are you interested in coming to High Cliff Castle for a drink?" Levi asked, his expression unreadable. "Everyone in High Cliff Castle would welcome you with open arms."

...Bodoff was silent for a long moment.

’I thought he wanted to poach my friends and colleagues, but it turns out he was after me all along.’

"To be honest, I’d love to visit High Cliff Castle. You’re a truly remarkable person, Levi. I’ve met many people in my time, but none quite like you, so full of miracles." Bodoff spoke frankly, hiding nothing. "But I’m afraid that’s not possible right now. I have to return to the White Tower first."

His gaze deepened as he looked toward the horizon, at the endless plains to the east.

"The White Tower is responsible for guarding the Material Realm. But now, Space Channels to other worlds are appearing all over, like a tree riddled with holes by insects."

"Logically, this should be impossible. Something must have happened to the White Tower. I have to go back and find out what’s going on."

"Alright. Be safe." The Lord was filled with a sudden respect and offered his sincere well-wishes.

This old man in his Mage Robe and hat was genuinely concerned for everyone. Levi wasn’t that sort of person himself, but that didn’t stop him from respecting someone who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Besides, he was also curious about the underlying cause of it all.

The Zor Elves from the Dark Nether Realm had come to the surface through a Space Channel, as had the Demons. And that was just in Debei.

It was impossible to imagine how many other such Space Channels had opened across the entire Middle Ages Continent.

"Though I can’t go to High Cliff Castle, I’ll give you this Four-Star Stone."

"There are four of these Alchemy Creations in total. They are linked and can sense one another within a certain range. If my old friends happen to pass by High Cliff Castle, they will surely pay you a visit. I hope this will be of some help to you, Levi."

Bodoff gave a knowing wink and pulled a crystal from his robes. It was four-pointed, about the size of a thumb, and as clear and brilliant as White Crystal. He handed it over.

Levi didn’t stand on ceremony, taking the crystal and stuffing it into his pocket. He planned to tie it to a cord and wear it around his neck when he had a moment.

’After all, this little thing was a link to three other Casters who were at least as powerful as Bodoff.’

’He really hadn’t expected Bodoff to be so decent.’

When the sun was high in the sky, the Mage mounted a black warhorse—a gift from the Lord—and, pulling his hat low, rode off alone toward the east. The fierce wind made his robes snap and flutter, and the fields of ryegrass, dancing like wheat, seemed to bid him farewell.

He and the vast, fertile fields under the clear, washed-out sky formed a breathtaking picture.

Soon after, the High Cliff Castle contingent was also packed and ready. A long line of supply-laden wagons, like the body of a great dragon, trailed behind them as they set off to the north.

Standing on a wagon, Levi looked back. The camp, once so vast he couldn’t see the end of it, was now just a desolate, empty mess.

Everyone he knew was gone. Only the High Cliff Castle contingent remained, the last to leave.

He couldn’t help but feel a pang of emptiness, but the feeling passed as quickly as it came.

He looked at Heather, Sophia, Mier, and Leiden on the wagon, then glanced at Zat, Gus, and Hog beside him.

He was no longer alone; he had a whole crew of people with him. A heroic pride swelled in his chest, and he couldn’t help but roar:

"Alright! Time to go home!"

The response was instantaneous, and a chaotic symphony of sounds erupted.

The Barbarians threw back their heads and let out excited, guttural roars. The Centaurs galloped across the fertile plains, their hoofbeats thundering like drums. The Jackal Wolfmen’s Warg Mounts joined in, howling at the sky.