Chapter 285 - 217: Chaotic Norwegian Kingdom (2)

Chapter 285: Chapter 217: Chaotic Norwegian Kingdom (2)

A short while later, Shushu was steering the flying carriage through the sky. It periodically glanced down at a map and flicked the reins, looking utterly serious. Inside the carriage, however, a hint of disdain flickered in Liu Li’s eyes.

The pumpkin carriage actually had an auto-navigation function. Shushu’s role was merely as an accessory; its presence simply served to further perfect the carriage’s "Concept," making it fly faster.

Isaac, however, watched with great interest. He had always been fond and lenient with his little companions, like Shushu and Harmon.

Before long, the pumpkin carriage was soaring over a town. Gazing down from on high, Isaac frowned. It was yet another town of rubble and ruins.

Still, it was a slight improvement over Benos Town. At the very least, he could spot a few scattered tents pitched below.

Isaac glanced at his map, then, after a moment of thought, had the carriage descend. He didn’t fly directly into the town, but landed on its outskirts to avoid provoking a hostile reaction.

After all, the nerves of people living in such a war-torn land were perpetually frayed. One wrong move could easily spark a conflict.

"BOOM!"

A while later, a massive, billowing cloud of Magic Power rose from within the town. Isaac emerged resignedly and sighed. In the end, the conflict had been unavoidable.

It wasn’t because he had triggered their defenses. ’Well, that’s not entirely accurate,’ he mused. ’My arrival wasn’t the trigger. My question was.’

The person Isaac was looking for was named Evans Airston Krellag Rudy, the leader of the largest Rebel Army in the Norwegian Kingdom!

Yes, the Rebel Army. This fellow, with more names than Isaac had, wasn’t part of any noble faction. He led the largest contingent of the Rebel Army, representing the common people. The names that followed his first weren’t his original surname—they weren’t surnames at all.

They were the names of the previous leaders of the Rebel Army. Evans was a commoner through and through. By a stroke of luck, he had stumbled upon a ritual of Legend and become a Legendary Mage. Capitalizing on the rarity of Casters among the lower classes, he had struggled and clawed his way to where he was today.

He didn’t even learn to read and write until after he became a Wizard.

Theoretically, a man like that should have commanded considerable respect in this country. Unfortunately, the town Isaac had landed in belonged to the most quintessential of enemy factions—the territory of Duke Mengo, the largest and most ancient house in the Nobility faction.

So, when Isaac mentioned Evans’s name, and with apparent goodwill, they had instantly flown into a rage and attacked him without a moment’s hesitation.

Unfortunately for them, not a single Tier Three existence was among them; they were no match for Isaac. He hadn’t even bothered with Privilege Magic. He simply raised a Mana Shield, blasted them with a few Magic Beams, and finished the job with a single Magic Cannon shot.

What exasperated Isaac was that, according to the map, this was supposed to be the territory of the Falis Alliance Association—allies of Evans’s Holy Federation and fellow members of the Rebel Army. How had that changed?

Maps of the Norwegian Kingdom were notoriously difficult to obtain due to the constant warfare, but Isaac had gone to great lengths to acquire this one. It had even been updated just three days ago—at least, the faction territories were.

But who the hell could have predicted such a massive shift in just three damn days?

For a moment, all Isaac could do was lament the sheer chaos of this place.

’Then again, it’s to be expected,’ he thought. A land of perpetual war might be hell for ordinary people, but for the wicked, it was an undeniable paradise.

In a world where great power resided with the individual, all it took was one powerful person to show up, and a place could be wiped off the map...

...just as he had done moments ago.

But...

this left Isaac feeling utterly exasperated.

Staring at the map in his hands, Isaac sighed again. He would have to change his route. He had landed here because it was marked as the nearest friendly territory. It looked like a mess, but he had hoped to just ask for directions and get the whole thing over with quickly.

Instead...

...the place had been wiped out.

So...

Isaac sat in the carriage, frowning at the map. This had been the closest friendly location. The next one was a two-day flight, even for the pumpkin carriage. The most troublesome part was the sheer chaos of the region; in two days, there was no telling who would be in control of that next location.

Therefore, his best bet was to fly directly to their main stronghold. This meant bypassing numerous, complex defensive lines—unless he wanted to just slaughter his way there.

To make matters worse, it was such a chaotic area that any stronghold of a decent size had Barriers set up to block Space Teleportation. This made travel via Phase Space inconvenient.

With another sigh, Isaac finally decided to just accept the trouble. He would take the long way around and fly directly to the main stronghold.

With a magical clatter of wheels and the neigh of a fine steed, the pumpkin carriage soared toward the horizon.

...

After a rough flight of more than ten days, the pumpkin carriage finally reached the largest stronghold of the Holy Monarchy. The carriage landed, and Isaac stepped out with a weary expression, brushing off his slightly grimy Wizard Robe.

"And you are?"

The guard at the gate watched Isaac cautiously as he disembarked. He was wary, but not like the guards of the other factions—paranoid, jumpy, and ready to erupt at the slightest provocation. This man remained cautious but didn’t make any rash moves.

It was clear that the people here lived better than those in the other territories he had passed through.

That had to be why he wasn’t immediately attacked. Over the past several days, Isaac had come to fully understand the brutal conditions these people lived in.

So, seeing a guard who was merely vigilant and not openly hostile felt almost surreal. ’Truly...’

Isaac let out a long breath, once again patting down his travel-stained Wizard Robe. He remained where he was and said with a smile, "Isaac Solomon, High-level Mage of the Flesh Sect. I wish to see Master Evans."

Hearing the name, the guard froze for a second before a look of shock spread across his face. In the Norwegian Kingdom, the name Isaac Solomon had become legendary in just the past few days.

A single man who had carved a bloody path from the Kingdom’s border all the way to its heartland!

The number of towns destroyed in his wake was immeasurable!

Rumor had it that eight High-level Knights had fallen to him!

Three High-level Mages had been enslaved!

It was said he had plundered the power of Evil Gods (Outer Gods) on multiple occasions, styling himself the "God-Usurper"!

He had even performed a blood sacrifice of millions, all to seize power from an Evil God!

An arrogant, powerful, and evil Mad Witch!

Of course, the guard knew much of this information had to be false. Their leader, Master Evans, had already told them that Isaac was an ally. Since Master Evans vouched for him, he couldn’t possibly be that evil.

’Things like being a God-Usurper and sacrificing millions sounded fake on their face,’ the guard thought. ’There were probably some dead and enslaved High-level Mages, but surely not that many. It’s most likely just slander cooked up by those rotten dogs in the Nobility faction!’

And so, after the initial shock, the guard’s expression relaxed. ’If he’s someone Master Evans recognizes, then there’s no problem.’

"Please wait a moment. We’ll go inform Master Evans. He has been expecting you for some time," the guard said, bowing respectfully. He then quickly turned and jogged inside to pass on the message.

Clearly, they hadn’t completely let their guard down. Although he matched the portrait, this was a Magic World, and appearances could be deceiving. His true identity would have to be confirmed by Master Evans himself. After all, besides being their leader, he was also the strongest expert in the Holy Monarchy. Only he had the power to verify Isaac’s authenticity.