Chapter 517 - 210: Truth Shall Descend

"...As for the specific time, please await further notice. Also, His Excellency Faceless, I wonder, will you have time to attend the next gathering?"

This was clearly a plea for Wei’en to attend the next gathering. Whether the two flaws were real or not, without the man himself present, Nana Mage would have a hard time providing a satisfactory resolution, even with her standing in the Spiritual Mystery School.

"I’m very busy. I don’t always have the time. Besides,"

However, Wei’en didn’t agree. He said coolly, "I have no obligation to act as your mentor and teach you the fundamentals of runology."

’I originally thought revealing one flaw in a Magic Rune would be enough to get every Wizard’s attention. I never expected this kind of reaction.’

He could already foresee that once the first two flaws were proven to be real, it would cause a massive sensation throughout the Wizard World.

And as the first Wizard to point out flaws in the inherited Magic Runes, he would undoubtedly be the first to face the consequences.

’Still, I anticipated this. A flaw in a single Magic Rune shouldn’t attract hostility. At worst, they’ll just want me to reveal more flaws.’

’Besides, I hope to use this opportunity to find out just how many Magic Runes are flawed. Or, to be more precise, what is causing these flaws to exist in the first place!’

’As for whether they can find me, or if my identity will be exposed because of this...’

’I have no faith in the Nightmare Sect’s principles. Relying on them is a fool’s errand. I’d be better off increasing my own strength as quickly as possible to protect myself...’

"You—"

"Then it’s settled. I will confirm your availability before the next gathering." Nana Mage cut in before the other Wizards could speak.

"Alright."

This time, Wei’en didn’t refuse.

He still needed to exchange that... Messenger, was it?... with Nana Mage to get in touch with the Legendary Fate Divination Wizard.

’On second thought, revealing the flaw in the Blink Spell might not be a bad thing. Maybe I can trade a third flaw for a legendary-grade Destiny Barrier Spell...’

A moment later, after reminding Flanta not to forget to gather intelligence on the Judgement Saintess, Wei’en gave Nana Mage a nod and withdrew from the Nightmare Realm World.

"Looks like the Wizard World isn’t so peaceful after all..."

"Oh? You’ve figured that out, have you?"

Hm?

Wei’en froze for a second. He turned to see who had spoken. "Good evening, Mr. Leonard. You’re right on time."

It was late, the perfect time for this old monster to appear—a creature who hardly lived up to the name "forbidden object."

A masked clown stood silently in a corner of the workshop, its lips stretched into a wide, "happy" grin, its scarlet eyes filled with excitement.

"Good evening, young Mr. Wizard!"

"What you just said... Do you know about the problems in the Wizard World?"

"I don’t," the clown said, shaking his head with a giggle. "But I do know this world has its share of problems, and that certainly includes that bunch of Wizards."

"So, what are the problems, exactly?"

"That’s for you to find out. Surely you don’t expect me, an old monster who’s been asleep for years, to tell you everything that’s happened, do you?"

’Old monster?’

’Damn it, I forgot about his Mind Reading Skill!’

"Uh, Mr. Leonard, I..."

"’I...’ what? If I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll never learn to look after Little White Fur!"

Before he could finish, the clown’s eyes glinted with madness. He grabbed Wei’en and vanished from the workshop before the young Wizard could react.

’Damn that clown! At least let me finish the trade agreement first!’

...

...

「At the same time, in a distant, unknown location.」

A castle stood on a colossal black Floating Island, encircled by a sea of ghastly white bones.

Bathed in the light of a red moon, endless ash rained down from above the castle, mingling with blood to shroud the entire Floating Island.

In the center of a spacious plaza atop the castle sat a single, ornately carved table.

Before twenty black chairs, each branded with the image of a red, spectral scythe, sat twenty slender figures. They were dressed in neat grey robes, their bodies completely wrapped in strips of golden cloth.

These were none other than members of the Dusk Sect!

The Secret Cultivator at the head of the table projected the Gemstone from his hand, replaying a battle that had taken place not long ago.

The image was nearly half-filled by *The Leonard*, a ship of white and gold, but the eyes of every Secret Cultivator were fixed on the voluptuous woman standing on its deck.

"Her?!"

"She’s still alive?"

"Is it a double?"

Upon seeing Clelia’s figure, the cold, indifferent gazes of the seated Secret Cultivators flickered. They seemed unable to believe she was really there.

"Lord Engelbert, is it truly her?"

The Secret Cultivator at the head of the table had a rhombus-shaped Gemstone on his forehead. It shot out a stream of ash that shattered the projecting Gemstone, causing the image to vanish. "Obviously, she is still alive!" he said coldly.

"How could the Puppet Queen possibly have survived that calamity?"

"This is, I must admit, terrible news."

"My Lord, could there be some hidden truth behind this?"

The Rhombus Secret Cultivator nodded slightly. "The True Sovereign has told me that in this illusory world, anything is possible. Perhaps it was a contingency she arranged in advance. Or perhaps someone from the Eternal Life Association sacrificed themselves to ensure her survival."

"In any case, her appearance during the Divine Prohibition Era is an obstacle to us, the servants of the True Sovereign!"

His gaze swept icily over everyone present as he continued, "But, just as before, her very existence can also be an aid to our great offering!"

"Lord Engelbert, are you suggesting we force her into submission using the same methods as in the last era?"