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CH395 - CH396
🕑 Added 2025-02-19 13:01:13 +0000 UTCCH395
To Reese, Helag, despite his exceptional talent, seemed like he would take decades to become a crystallized wizard.
She never imagined Helag spent the past three years working towards this goal, thinking he was merely meditating.
Thus, when Helag announced his advancement, Reese was genuinely surprised.
Helag hugged her, smiling, “This is just the beginning. I’ll become a second-level wizard eventually, gaining more power to control my destiny.”
Reese, delighted, kissed Helag repeatedly, but soon her expression turned somber.
“What’s wrong?” Helag asked, noticing her change in demeanor.
“You’re advancing too fast…” Reese said, looking downcast.
Helag was puzzled, “Too fast? You know how fast I am.”
Reese giggled, playfully hitting Helag, “Not that. I mean your progress is so rapid, I feel I’ll never catch up. As you advance, we’ll drift further apart.”
Helag was momentarily speechless. As he ascended to higher levels, the gap between him and Reese might widen.
Eventually, they might not even share the same life tier, unable to enjoy simple moments like this.
Moreover, as Helag’s lifespan increased, those around him would age, lacking his longevity.
It seemed likely that, in time, he’d be the only one continuing forward.
Reese had clearly thought of this, realizing she might not accompany Helag throughout his life, hence her sadness.
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she leaned into Helag, saying, “It’s okay, I’ve come to terms with it. I may not be with you forever, but I’ll be with you as long as I can, as long as you don’t mind me growing old.”
Feeling the dampness on his chest, Helag embraced Reese, saying, “Don’t worry. As I grow stronger, I’ll find a way to solve these problems.”
Though it seemed unsolvable now, Helag believed that what might be insurmountable for others might not be for him.
If he advanced quickly enough, he could extend the lives of those around him.
At 24, Helag knew he had a long road ahead.
The two embraced tightly, emotions deepening into another passionate encounter.
***
A month later.
Helag spent his days meditating at the wizard tower, stabilizing his newly advanced mental power and adjusting his state.
Over time, he stabilized his mental power, no longer fluctuating as it did post-advancement.
For wizards, stable mental power is crucial for consistent spellcasting, model construction, and potion experiments.
Though seemingly minor, it’s of great importance.
One day, as usual, Helag left the wizard tower, walking along King Street towards home.
From a distance, he saw a middle-aged man in a black bowler hat stepping off a carriage, looking towards his house.
“Can I help you?” Helag asked, approaching the stranger.
The round-faced man turned, recognizing Helag, and smiled politely, “Are you Helag Merlin?”
“Yes, that’s me. What can I do for you?” Helag replied.
“Oh, Mr. Helag, hello. I’m Toby, vice president of the Eastern Source Trading Company. I’m here to discuss something important with you,” Toby said, his expression complex.
“Eastern Source Trading Company?”
Helag recalled the company.
David had joined it to explore future trade routes for the Terchy family, assessing the situation.
Eastern Source was a large trading organization with business across the Land of Dawn.
Joining was beneficial for David, helping him understand the Land of Dawn and build resources and connections.
However, Toby’s visit suggested something happened to David.
“Did something happen to David?” Helag asked immediately.
Toby hesitated, unsure how to proceed, then sighed, “Mr. Helag, I’m sorry. We didn’t take good care of him. Recently, while traveling with a company caravan, he was attacked by Abyssal cultists outside Crystal City.”
“Many from the company died or were scattered, now missing in the polluted zone. You know how dangerous it is there; their situation isn’t promising.”
Helag asked for details.
Toby explained.
While the airship was still some distance from Crystal City, Abyssal cultists attacked, causing it to crash in the polluted zone.
Those with strength or luck reached Crystal City.
Many remained in the polluted zone, their fate uncertain.
Despite Eastern Source’s wide reach, they lacked the means to retrieve everyone from the zone.
For a trading company, rescuing them was too costly.
Those missing were ordinary members, lacking the importance to warrant rescue.
Thus, their survival depended on themselves.
Toby informed Helag because he was a Seranthiel member, and records showed David as his follower.
This connection prompted Toby to notify Helag, ensuring he wasn’t unaware.
Helag pondered silently.
Reese, having overheard, emerged, her eyes wet.
She knew the zone’s dangers; Helag barely survived it. David’s chances seemed slim.
Reese felt grateful to David, her cousin, who always cared for her.
CH396
“Wasn’t Seranthiel involved in the rescue after such a major airship crash?” Helag asked.
He had been focused on his training and hadn’t kept up with current events.
Crystal City, located in eastern Seranthiel, was a significant city.
Toby replied, “Seranthiel acted immediately to rescue people, saving as many as they could. But Abyssal creatures appeared on the airship, causing chaos. Many fled into the polluted zone, and those scattered couldn’t be easily rescued. They have to find their own way back.”
The crash was indeed a major event, and Seranthiel dispatched rescue teams as soon as they learned of it.
However, by the time they arrived, only a few survivors and Abyssal creatures remained near the crash site.
Most survivors had fled into various parts of the polluted zone to escape the creatures.
This made it difficult for Seranthiel to rescue everyone.
The cost of deploying resources to save people was too high, and they’d already fulfilled their basic duty by rescuing those they could.
Those scattered in the zone had to rely on themselves or their factions to send rescue teams.
Seranthiel’s responsibility was limited to the airship crash site.
“When did this happen?” Helag asked.
“Just last night. After hearing about David, I came to contact you immediately. I happened to be in Silvermoon City for business,” Toby answered.
Helag thought for a moment and said, “Could you send me more detailed information? I plan to head to Crystal City tomorrow to find David.”
“Helag…” Reese instinctively held Helag’s hand.
She hoped for David’s safety but feared Helag risking himself in the polluted zone.
Helag reassured her with a smile, “Don’t worry. The polluted zones within the Land of Dawn aren’t as dangerous as those outside. I have enough experience to keep myself safe.”
“And if I don’t go after David, no one else in the Land of Dawn will care about his fate.”
Helag, usually cautious, decided to take this risk.
From a benefit perspective, the Terchy family had helped him greatly, and he felt obligated to go.
From Larry’s early assistance to opportunities in the Elven Plane, the Terchy family had been instrumental.
Without their help, Helag wouldn’t have progressed so quickly or easily.
Moreover, David was a good person, and Helag was pleased with him.
Though quiet and reserved, David was hardworking and never complained.
Helag brought David and Reese to the Land of Dawn, hoping for their improvement.
Learning of David’s uncertain fate in the polluted zone, Helag chose to act despite the risks.
As Helag said, he was the only one who could rescue David in the Land of Dawn.
“I’ll go with you,” Reese insisted.
Helag shook his head, “Stay home. More people in the polluted zone won’t necessarily help. I can handle many situations alone. Trust me.”
Reese, still worried, was eventually convinced by Helag’s reassurances.
She didn’t want to be a burden.
“I can arrange a small airship for you, from our Eastern Source Trading Company,” Toby offered, admiring Helag’s courage.
“Thank you, Mr. Toby,” Helag replied gratefully.
***
Toby efficiently arranged for the Eastern Source airship to approach Silvermoon City, expected to arrive at the port in a few hours.
Helag used this time to gather detailed information about the airship crash near Crystal City.
Crystal City wasn’t far from Silvermoon; the airship journey would take about six days.
While six days seemed short, the urgency made it feel longer.
However, the airship was the fastest mode of transport available.
After preparing at home, Helag left with Toby for Silvermoon’s port.
Through Pruis’s channels, Helag confirmed the crash details and verified Toby’s account.
He also had Pruis check the airship’s passenger list, confirming David’s presence and current status as missing.
Helag did this to ensure Toby’s intentions were genuine, as they weren’t well-acquainted.
Pruis’s information was reliable.
Helag informed Pruis of his situation, though Pruis couldn’t spare resources for Helag’s personal matter.
Helag hadn’t expected Pruis to help, only to inform him.
Silvermoon’s northern port was quiet, as it was late at night.
Airships typically arrive between dawn and early evening, avoiding late-night arrivals due to noise.
The Eastern Source airship, being small, caused minimal noise, even at night.
At the port, Helag saw the airship on the plaza.
It resembled a three-deck ship but differed in structure.
Small airships lacked open decks and had limited interior space.
The airship had five crew members from Eastern Source, maintaining its operations.
Toby accompanied Helag onto the airship, also heading to Crystal City for business.
Once aboard, the airship took off for Crystal City.
The interior was luxurious, though small and exclusive, intended for the wealthy and influential.
After a brief conversation with Toby, Helag retreated to his assigned room to meditate.
While meditating, he planned his next steps, aware of the polluted zone’s dangers.
Though the Land of Dawn’s zones were relatively safer, vigilance was necessary.
In his mind, Helag visualized a map of the polluted zone’s terrain outside Crystal City.
