Translator: AnubisTL
"Judging by the arrangement of these runes, if my deductions are correct, this magic formation is quite crude. It even includes many redundant elements, suggesting the person who set it up still has much to learn about rune studies..."
After evaluating the positions of the runes, Jieming couldn't help but fall into contemplation.
What was the other person's true purpose?
Could it be the same as his own?
Jieming frowned slightly, then relaxed his brow. "Well, the function of these runes doesn't conflict with my own goals. In fact, I might even be able to harness their power to reduce my workload... I just hope the wizard won't mind me hitching a ride."
In the dazzling banquet hall of Holly Palace in the royal capital of Elosia, crystal chandeliers cast a radiant glow, illuminating the space as if it were midday.
The walls were adorned with exquisite silk and gold thread, and the air was filled with the fragrance of fine wine, fresh flowers, and delicate perfume.
Nobles in their finest attire clinked glasses and murmured softly, as if the dark clouds of war looming over the land had never touched this haven of luxury.
Jieming, dressed in a dark, custom-tailored suit, stood out in his understated elegance amidst the vibrant colors. He held a glass of wine, a polite smile on his face, and occasionally exchanged pleasantries with nobles who approached him.
As someone outside the kingdom's political system, Jieming rarely received invitations to such events. But today, it seemed every noble in the realm was desperately hosting banquets to suppress their fear.
Amidst the bustling crowd, his gaze inadvertently fell upon the central area of the hall, where a group of young nobles and noblewomen had gathered around a young woman.
Her graceful figure was accentuated by a lake-blue gown, making her appear like a forest nymph. While her features weren't stunningly beautiful, she possessed an indescribable allure, pure and yearning, like the dewdrop on a morning leaf.
A smile played on her lips, and when she spoke, her eyes held a genuine warmth that seemed to see straight into people's hearts.
Jieming could clearly sense a gentle yet powerful affinity for life radiating from her, an invisible force that spread outward.
This power was not aggressive in the slightest, but it made those who drew near feel physically and mentally at ease, unconsciously lowering their guard and even developing a sincere fondness and trust.
After conversing with her, people would involuntarily wear expressions of relief and joy.
"What a powerful affinity for life..." Jieming thought to himself.
This woman was none other than Miss Mary, the most talked-about figure in the royal capital these past few months. She was the daughter of a viscount from a territory at the border between the elven kingdom and the human kingdoms.
As Jieming pondered, a familiar voice sounded in his ear.
"Lord Jack! You're here too!"
Turning, Jieming smiled faintly.
The newcomers were Earl Reinhardt, Baron Fabio, and General Brandon—three nobles who had once escaped Golden Harbor with Jieming. Now, they were dressed in splendid formal attire.
Though traces of fatigue still lingered on their faces, their spirits were clearly much improved.
They approached Jieming, their faces showing a perfect blend of relief at having survived and a touch of awe.
"Lord Earl, Lord Baron, General," Jieming said with a smile, nodding in greeting. He raised his glass in welcome. "It is a true blessing to see you all here again."
"A blessing! A true blessing indeed!" Baron Fabio's jowly face trembled with emotion. He gulped down his wine before saying, his voice still shaken, "If not for your bravery, my Lord, we would have been buried in the wilderness by now. How could we have ever enjoyed the splendor of the royal capital?"
Earl Reinhardt cast a meaningful glance at Jieming before turning his gaze toward Miss Mary. His voice carried a hint of wistfulness.
"Indeed, returning here feels like a dream. However, the atmosphere in the royal capital is far more tense than I imagined. The war at the front, the public's panic... Fortunately, we have His Majesty's wisdom and some reassuring presences."
He paused, then gestured toward Miss Mary. "Take Miss Mary, for example. She has become the darling of the capital's social circles. The ladies of the court praise her endlessly, saying her conversation and demeanor can soothe the soul. Even the most anxious nobles find themselves calmer after speaking with her."
Baron Fabio picked up the conversation. "What the Lord Earl says is true. Miss Mary is like a clear spring, refreshing the anxious hearts of the royal capital. I heard she came to the capital this time specifically to seek a marriage alliance. I wonder which fortunate man will have the good fortune to marry such a beauty."
General Brandon snorted softly from the side, his voice tinged with the pragmatism of an old soldier and a hint of worry. "I've heard of that viscount. He's nothing but a drunkard and a good-for-nothing. With all this free time, you'd do well to focus on what to do next with the allied forces. Those wizards won't care about your status."
His words fell like a stone, and the others fell silent.
Jieming understood why they were acting this way. It was the main reason why the kingdom's nobles were hosting banquets today.
In fact, if he hadn't known the inside story, he might have been frightened too.
After all, today was the day the contribution ranking would be updated.
Once again, the people of the Elosia Plane witnessed the sky torn open as the spirits and the Foreign Evil Gods clashed in battle.
Perhaps to differentiate this event from the previous ones, to provide the indigenous population with a sense of urgency, or perhaps this time the high-rank wizards of the fate system simply got their hands dirty...
In the end, during its final moments, the Foreign Evil God unleashed its last reserves of power, dragging a divine being down with it in a mutual destruction.
...Or, more accurately, it snatched a god from its divine throne as the gods kicked it out of their plane and stuffed it into its pocket as it fled.
Though the god taken was only a lower god that had barely reached the fourth-tier, the fall of any divine being was an unimaginable catastrophe for mortals.
"But speaking of which," Baron Fabio said, taking another swig of wine as he tried to change the subject, "if there's anyone in the royal capital who's truly fought those foreign demons, it must be that 'lucky one' Kaden now! Lord Jack, you've surely heard of him, haven't you? The rural warrior who barely survived the Great David Annihilation War!"
Earl Reinhardt frowned slightly, clearly displeased with the topic, but still explained, "It's best not to use that title for him, Mr. Kaden has gained considerable popularity among the commoners in the royal capital recently."
"He often gives speeches in taverns and public squares, recounting the brutal realities of war and the evil of the wizard David. His words are highly inflammatory, each time igniting the people's emotions completely. Now, almost everyone in the royal capital is calling for His Majesty the King to launch an immediate general offensive against the wizards!"
General Brandon snorted coldly. "That Kaden is a complete madman. But I have to admit, his wild rhetoric has whipped the entire royal capital into a frenzy. Many of the new recruits joined the army because of his fiery speeches, each one as wired as if they'd been injected with adrenaline. While it might boost morale, this kind of pre-war hysteria... it's not a good sign!"
Baron Fabio, however, shrugged it off. "Whether he's a madman or not, as long as he makes ordinary people willing to fight for the kingdom, he's a madman worth having! The people of the capital are now dead set on taking on the wizards, even those timid merchants are clamoring to donate money and supplies!"
Jieming's heart skipped a beat at these words.
He was now almost certain that this "Kaden" was actually a wizard in disguise. As for the wizard's true identity...
Jieming remained unsure. It could be David, but it was just as likely not.
Looking at the recently updated contribution ranking, David's contribution points hadn't increased significantly this month. The situation remained unclear, making it difficult to draw any conclusions.
"It seems the capital's peace won't last much longer," Jieming said calmly, raising his goblet. He clinked glasses with the three nobles, a deep glint flashing in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Miss Mary, surrounded by a crowd, skillfully handled her social duties while subtly glancing in Jieming's direction.
After the banquet, Jieming returned to his mansion.
He entered the study, shrouded in illusion magic, his expression solemn.
The information he had gathered at the banquet had sparked a new insight.
He began meticulously redrawing the traces of runic arrays he had discovered recently onto paper, re-examining each rune node and every energy flow.
Soon, Jieming realized that the distribution of some runes was not as chaotic as he had initially thought.
Through constant sketching and cross-referencing, he discovered that these runes seemed to outline three massive magic formations!
These three formations were located in different regions of the royal capital, interconnected, with their final energy convergence point all converging on the royal city's most central Faith Nexus—the collective faith power of all the churches within the royal city.
"Three magic formations..." Jieming murmured, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Truly, great minds think alike..."
This indicated that besides himself, other Noren Workshop wizards were lurking within the royal capital, all working towards a common goal.
Jieming struggled to suppress the excitement on his face.
If he had only planned to hitch a ride before, he now resolved to get involved himself.
"The magic formation is well constructed, but it still has minor flaws. The three of you lack perfect coordination. Let me... serve as your intermediary!"
"Huh? Wait!"
Jieming suddenly noticed something else. He unfurled the schematic of the rune network beneath the capital again, comparing the new diagram with the previous one.
"Indeed, several runes here have vanished... and the style in which these runes are carved doesn't quite match the habits of the other three..."
As he spoke, the corners of Jieming's mouth curled up involuntarily. "Not three... but four people?"
(End of the Chapter)
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