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Chapter 338: The Brazen Old Fox
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Just like with the normal Mansions’ impressions, the Grand Enchantment Temple is literally just a grand mansion from some rich family movie.
In fact, this is basically just a Manor.
The entire building was above a hill as everything around that hill is the manor’s garden courtyard as the walls that surrounded the 5km space of the Grand Temple were all made of some kind of rock metal… very cold, very durable, and very heavy.
“Boss, you might not believe it, but that’s a replica of the Crain Manor. It was said that during the mid1880’s, he killed his own wife and children and used their blood to burn an everlasting fire in the fireplace located in the main hall.”[1]
“Now that’s a story. But scientifically speaking, it’s impossible to use blood as gasoline to create fire isn’t it?”
“Not really. Present in human blood, once distilled and going to a specific process, is a type of oil that is as strong and as ‘everlasting’ as whale oil.”
“H-H-Hey now…”
Siva stopped the inquiry in his mind right there.
Basically speaking, aside from NOT looking creepy in any manner, the Grand Temple of the Enchantment Temple looked modernly regal to the eyes than it is in the imagination.
The bricks were grey and solid, the garden plants and grass lush with colors, there was not a hint of ghastly presence and in fact, as seen from the busy High Magistrate-robed people here, it was a fact that only people with special privileges can be granted access in this place of magic.
—at least, that’s how Siva felt when they entered the double iron doors of the Manor.
“The landscaping of this place is really good. It creates an illusion that the place is big despite the fact that it’s only a 5km-wide circle in the middle of the city.”
“Is it?”
When Siva voiced his thoughts, High Mage Halma felt like he was just complimented. He didn’t know who this person was but the sheer fact that the Archmage seemed to be his lover is proof alone that his status wasn’t simple.
Not only that, in terms of presence alone, he is miles and kilometers more powerful than the esteemed Archmage.
Even he himself could feel that if Siva chose to, he could crush Halma with just flick of his arm.
Also, it was a fact that the envelope that bore the Grand Elder Mage’s insignia and Mana Signature came from him. Those are enough cues for him to treat Siva with respect akin to how he treated his Archmage companion.
Besides that…
Siva also had two monstrously strong and scary bodyguards. Although he was a strong and a very scary individual, if Pistareen summoned him, then he could only be a guest.
“This way.” Halma led the group into the Manor.
When they entered, they saw the upholstery and interior design that represented wealth and years of prosperity. Gold and platinum lined every tool while the woven silks of the cloths were imbued with Mana that gave it an ethereal aesthetic sense to the eyes.
In short, while the interior boasted of a sturdy feeling to the heart, the interior was a place that told him that these people are rich kids.
—in a straight and actual sense.
“Have you noticed something?” Halma asked.
Siva tilted his head, confused, but when he heard Scion inhale, he looked at her and saw her smiling.
“The Mana here is denser than on the outside.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
“I see. I didn’t notice because…” Siva stopped here and Scion noticed it. She knew his situation and understood that because of the curse, his body’s constitution is different from normal.
His connection to Mana is severed and he didn’t need oxygen to live.
This was the reason why he could survive inside the dragon’s body for a very long time without the need for air. This was also the reason why his cold and heat endurances are high since he has a body that wasn’t made up of flesh and bones.
If there is one thing that’s good about this curse, then it’s the fact that he is a living ghost.
No. “He” is indeed a ghost.
This is the true effect of the «Malevolent Aura».
Scion held his hand as they followed Halma into a place with the same feeling as an inner sanctum.
“The Mana here is much denser than the other chamber of the manor.” Scion murmured.
“It’s because we are now entering the Inner Court of the Temple. Only the Core Magistrates are allowed to enter this place.”
“That so…”
Again, Siva felt a bit jealous because he could see that Scion was ‘feeling’ the environment of the Manor with a beaming smile. He could tell that she really feels comfortable in here.
He asked Halma, “How are you doing this, sir?”
“Hm? Hohoho… I didn’t know you were going to address this old man as a Sir that only befits the people with your esteemed status, Sir Knight.”
Siva was surprised, and he raised his left hand in defense, “I apologize for my cold demeanor, sir, it’s just that I am used to the wild and breaths the air of the battlefield so I am not very used to the clean air and warm feeling of an environment with a thick Mana.”
His tone and manner of speech was humble and his gestures were that of a young man.
This made Halma look at him in a brighter light and he laughed as he caressed his long grey beard.
“Hohoho… so that is so. Well, to answer your question, this is because there are Tier-12 Magic Formations placed around the Manor that gathers the Mana in the surroundings. This helps create an environment that is beneficial to our magic engineering.”
Tier 12… Siva wanted to scream in shock.
In the outside world, Tier-5 was already the limit of everyone’s magic knowledge but who would’ve thought that there is actually a Tier-12 as well?
Siva, to preserve his pride, donned an all-knowing attitude as he gave Halma a nod and an, “I see” reply. But just then, something was unlocked from his [memory] and he paused, absorbed in the very vivid apparition.
There was a planet much like Earth and on that planet was a civilization of a futuristic Earth where people wore one-piece cloths over their clothes that represented their social status.
And then in the center of that society is the rich culture of magic similar to that of how the Magic Junction of Terroa works.
This time though, it wasn’t just a plain vision. For there was also audio… and he heard the word “magical chant” spoken by a high mage-looking individual.
When a magician holding a wand ‘chanted’ a spell, a phenomenon occurred that resulted in a human-shaped golem whose entire body was draped in water.
It was a water spirit.
SWOOSH!!
The vision ended there and his foot that’s been in the midst of its descent had finally touched the carpeted floor.
“Now that was intense.” Cortana spoke.
Siva stopped walking and this alerted Scion. “Are you alright? Is there something wrong?”
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He shook his head, “No, I’m okay. Nothing’s wrong.”
“Why did you stop?”
“I just… remembered something.”
“I see.”
At this point, Halma had led them on a door that is not overly plain but not too intricately designed. It was just a plain wooden door but there something in it drove people to not knock nor pass on it.
“We’re here.” Halma said. “The Grand Elder Mage is right behind this door. My duty ends here.” And then he looked behind the two of them. “Brea, you take charge from here.”
Lady Brea who’s been quiet all this while, became the center of the two’s attention as they turned behind them to see her nodding.
She took the lead and knocked on the door, then turned on the metal handle to open the door.
“Master, he’s here.”
“Thank you, Brea, you can leave us now.”
Brea stepped aside. Siva and Scion thank her and they passed the open door to see a garden… a wide window, a table, and a middle-aged looking man humming a tune while watering the plants.
“Excuse m—“ Siva was cut short on his words when he noticed a different sensation that came from the magician. He smiled instead. “So you are Pistareen.”
Pistareen, wearing a green-themed magician outfit stopped watering the plants and then turned to the two of them, stopping his gaze to him first before landing to Scion.
“What a surprise.”
“Hello. My name is Scion. Nice to meet you, sir Pistareen.” Scion gave a westerly greeting of a noblewoman; bending down on a curtsey while holding the sides of her skirt.
“Ah… don’t mind it. Anyways, hello. You can call me Elder Mage or Grand Mage, either of the two is my title. The name is Pistareen by the way and ever since I became the Grand Elder Mage of the Enchantment Temple 200 years ago, I’ve stopped using my family name so I hope you don’t mind it.”
“200…” “200…?!“
The two of them were surprised, it should be said that Terrans and Humans have the same lifespans of around 100 years but this guy had just doubled that amount of years and still looked quite young.
“Is this magic?” asked Siva.
Pistareen smiled warmly, “To be precise, it’s the nature of Mana. When one had truly reached a high level in the mastery of Mana, one will be able to use it to heal wounds, repair severed limbs, or just like how you’re seeing, prolong one’s life. I and the other High Magistrates scattered in the planet have all reached that level but the seat of the Grand Elder Mage belongs to the one who had managed to master another level that is higher than the others.”
Siva was really shocked but more than that, he was very interested. One of his goals for coming here was to trade for this knowledge but he had never expected that it was to this degree.
“Is it the tiers?” Siva couldn’t help asking.
Pistareen smiled, “Yes.” When he spoke, he then gestured them to the side of the room where two sofas faced each other with a table in the middle.
“Coffee or tea?” He asked them.
“Tea, please.” said Scion courteously. She does not have any defenses up unlike Siva who was still wary and made his two bodyguards stand not too far away from him.
Right now, he was putting effort to not leak out any battle intent as much as possible.
“I’ll have a latte.” Siva said.
Pistareen went into a cabinet and pulled three cups, a thermos, a trey, and a few sachets of 3-in-1 brands.
“…” Siva could feel his face twitching.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know how to prepare them so I only have instant. Hehe…” Pistareen scratched his head and smiled a very shameless yet also bashful smile.
Why did I even expect it?!!
Siva received his cup and the three of them made their own preparations for the hot blend. Scion still had no defenses up.
“I have biscuits though.” Pistareen offered.
“Let me guess, bought from city.”
“Bingo. Hehe…” Pistareen sounded proud. “It’s made by Pink Ribbon so it’s definitely delicious.”
“…” Siva felt the left side of his face twitching but he still accepted the snacks and just ate his way through the two’s merry chitchat.
Pistareen was very easy to talk to and Scion, who didn’t have any defenses up, was carried over.
“Cortana.”
“Don’t worry boss, I have the security under my control.”
When enough time had passed, half of the snacks have been consumed while their cups had been empty for a while now.
Siva heaved a long sigh as a prompt and the Elder Mage perceived it as a signal so he changed the topic of their discussion.
“Well, let’s get down to business.” Pistareen still had a look of cheerfulness as if nothing in the world could ever make him serious.
“So why did you want me here?”
“Two things.” The Elder said, paused, and then corrected himself, “Actually now it’s three.”
Siva could feel his veins bulging on his head. Can I punch this guy?
“Ehehehe… I seemed to have taken a liking to your wife here and so I would like to take her as my disciple and teach her real magic!”
“W-W-Wife!!”
“Disciple?!!”
While the two had differing reactions, it was still a fact that they are surprised by his opening case.
“Truth be told, I may look young, but I am already an old man and I am too tired…”
Pistareen wore a near-teary eyed expression as he sighed, assuming an air of a tired old man.
“…and all these years, I’ve been searching for the right disciple that could help me carry over the legacy of the Enchantment Temple.”
Scion was affected and she was closing in to the source of light on that long dark tunnel.
Then, Siva spoke, “If you don’t get to the point, I will leave now.”
“Re–Siva… let’s hear him first.”
Siva’s hand was held tightly by Scion but that’s not the reason why he can’t stand on his seat. The real reason is because of her eyes. Those were Bambi Eyes! No one can say no to Bambi Eyes!
—this is cheating!
Siva cried inwardly.
Pistareen only smiled as if it didn’t matter to him as he continued, “Ehem. Ehem. Okay, the second matter is about Lady Brea whom you have met a bit of a time earlier in Alexandria. The Black Ironwood Alloy you received from Billion came from me and it was supposed to be used for my commission but was instead used to pay you for your timely protection services.”
Siva cleared his throat. Pistareen continued: “My request is that in exchange for anything you might want that I can provide, I want you to protect her during the entirety of the King Test.”
“Huh? You want me to play as her Bodyguard?”
“Protector, more like. And not just you, what I mean is if your organization… or at least just the division under your rule, can serve as her protector while the King Test is happening, I would really appreciate it. Just keep her safe. You don’t have to do anything to ensure she would be able to pass her tests. Just making sure that she’ll be able to return alive is already plenty enough.”
Scion blinked at Siva, “Is that the tall female knight earlier?” Siva nodded then asked Pistareen: “She is from the Wall of Jeremiah, why ask an outsider to be her protector?”
Pistareen wore a helpless expression, “Well, you might have heard this already, but the internal political structure of Jeremiah is a very fragile thing when seen from the inside. The world might view them as the strongest force but when you’ve spent a few years within, you’d smell the rotting scent of corruption and selfishness in it.”
Siva naturally was aware of it in some degree.
“Wasn’t it only natural that a large monster like your Kingdom has their own internal problems to handle? Like I said, why let an outside meddle in this messy business?”
Pistareen’s expression sunk into solemnness and Scion just sat there, eating cookies and listening.
“And I can’t help but notice… why do you speak as if you’re not part of this kingdom.”
Pistareen smiled at him warmly, “Of course we are not part of The Kingdom. We may have our base here in their capital but we are a different entity of our own. We don’t have any affiliations to any and all countries, and our existence is solely to help the Terrans… or rather… teach Terrans on the true path of magic.”
When he spoke, Pistareen glanced at Scion. “To tell you the truth, I originally planned for Brea to be my disciple after the King Test. Of all the many qualifications that were needed for the seat of the Grad Elder Mage, she fit 90% of them. Only, her interests lay on the sword and not of the path of Magic. But… but when I saw her… I knew I had found my successor.”
Scion blushed as she sought help through Siva’s glove-covered hand.
“I will be honest here, Siva, I am indeed old and although I can prolong my lifespan through the use of Mana, I have been living a very long life as it is, and I’ve seen all my friends die before me. I am sad and alone… and even in the Temples, we have been infiltrated by these political viruses that surround us. The reason I’m still here and alive is because I cannot find the right person to inherit the chair I am seated. If I could pass on my seat to Lady Scion, then perhaps I can die with a smile.”
Siva recalled what happened to Alexandria. He met there the “Vassal of Lord Malory” who spoke on and on about the identity of Lord Malory.
If what Pistareen said about the Enchantment Temple being a separate entity, the fact that there is a faction inside it alone was enough proof that it was indeed have been tainted by corruption.
Pistareen had spoken of the sole purpose and role of the Enchantment Temple: to teach Terrans the true Path of Magic.
But if there are the existence of factions in such a selfless institution, then the future of this name is indeed bleak and dark.
“Cortana…?”
“His heartrate and expressions indicated that he wasn’t lying. I can say that he’s an Oscar winner or he’s telling us the truth.”
Siva smacked his lips. He was in a dilemma. It is true that he needed something from Pistareen and this might well be his key to getting it; but it was also a fact that if he agrees to his request, not only will he become a bodyguard, Scion would be his disciple as well.
In the end, he still doesn’t trust Pistareen.
“Well, I’ve heard you got your own Magic Knight division. Many of the factions in the capital are wary of you because they are wary of an unknown Knight Order with an unknown amount of power. I also heard that they only answer to your call and no one else and that you were the one who trained them yourself. Why not ask them to be the protector of Brea instead?”
Pistareen wore an embarrassed look as he smiled bashfully and scratched his head.
“Ahehehe… I wish I could do that.”
Siva was puzzled, “What do you mean?”
“Well, I already told you the internal structure of The Kingdom and the Temples, and that many are eyeing my position with greedy intent. You know that I am alone and I don’t have trusty friends so in order to minimize the pressure on me, I made up an imaginary organization and called them my own Magic Knights. For the past few decades, the effect is real and the people pressuring me to bid my retirement have been lessened. But another problem occurred, and it’s the fact that they don’t actually exist. Ahehehe…”
Siva, right at this moment, was really struggling.
He was struggling against himself if he really had to punch this guy’s face or pity him. As it turned out, it’s not him who received the help of this so called Magic Knight Division; it was him who had helped solidify the establishment of this imaginary Knight Order.
And so, in the end, he chose the latter.
Pistareen is a sad excuse for a lonely leader of a large organization that had grown so big that there were termites that were living inside it and slowly tearing it down.
From the side, Scion was wiping her tears and she was weeping, crying, it was clear that she was touched by Pistareen’s story.
“Oi, oi, oi… he’s clearly just making things up!”
He wanted to warn her but her Bambi Eyes-no jutsu was just too formidable that he slumped at his own words.
“And the third thing—” Pistareen, sighing, spoke in a calm manner while wearing his benevolent, amiable, god-like smile complete with a gold halo behind his head. “—I would like to borrow one of your friends, Volt, to be our representative in the incoming King Test.”
“…”
“……”
“……….”
“Oh, and there was a fourth thing.”
“SHUT UP—”
—he wanted to scream but Scion tightly grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
“We will help, right?”
“…!!”
Right that moment, Siva dearly wished: he wished he could pretend he was having a heart attack.
.
.
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Pistareen… he is a shameless bas—grrrrr….
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