Having flipped the letter over several times and even used a panel and detection spells to check for hidden messages, Murphy casually tossed it onto the table before him.
“All flash and no substance, this old geezer,” murmured Murphy with a tinge of annoyance as he leaned back. “I asked why he had to go after Seth, and he tells me he's coming for a home visit."
“That's dodging the question if I've ever seen it. Total evasion.”
Byron, who had been standing by, offered no comment. After a brief silence, Murphy casually inquired, “What’s today’s date?”
“The fourth of September, Your Majesty,” Byron answered with brisk precision.
Murphy's eyes widened, “The fourth? That old coot arrives tomorrow!”
Murphy wasn’t scared of this yet unseen archmage; after all, the guy wasn’t a Hero. Given the temperament of the Hero from a century ago, if there had been a whisper of a mage consorting with demonkind, he’d have been over with his sword at the ready, not sending polite notices.
Besides, even if Melrose turned out to be that Hero in disguise, under the Sacred Peace Accord, Murphy had at least another ten years to live. There'd be other ways to handle it.
He realized what was stirring his excitement: this could be the highest level of human combat power he had encountered since coming to this world. Spencer Raventa, at level eighty-five, had looked invincible, his title no more than the 'Guardian of the Northern Borders.' Yet, Melrose? The old man had several titles to his name, and Murphy wouldn’t believe him to be under level ninety.
Excluding the T0 class of Demon Lords and Heroes, this venerable figure must be a top-tier T1 fighter. As for Raventa and Arwin, well, Murphy considered them more like T1.5.
“Call the others to see me,” Murphy said, turning to Byron.
Moments later, the drawing-room filled with all the inhabitants... all creatures of the great house: a Demon Lord, a Dark Wizard, a skeleton, two Slimes, and a cultist.
Murphy briefly stated the coming day’s events and started assigning tasks:
“Buster.”
The golden retriever plopped down attentively, looking doggier than any actual dog.
“Start cleaning the whole place right away. No matter what happens tomorrow, we can’t lose face—we don’t want to seem like dirty, dumb, lazy dogs to our guests. After you’re done, use the basement portal back to the demon realm.”
“Woof!” Buster waggled his tail, morphing into a color-changing gelatinous form and began scouring away the dust.
Murphy handed Byron, the bionic being, a one-use crystal sealed with a teleportation spell, “You two, immediately dismiss all the low-level skeletons and Slimes at number two Clyster Street. Then stand guard at the door. If we start fighting tomorrow, teleport back to the demon realm straight away.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“As you wish.” Despite their reluctance, Byron and Brue, as low-tier demon lords, knew their presence here would only serve as cannon fodder. Their unquestionable loyalty had them promptly obeying Murphy’s command.
“Pepe, you’ll stick with me tomorrow. You might learn something from watching a top-tier mage.” He handed the girl another teleport crystal. “Remember what your teacher taught you?”
“When immortals battle, mortals suffer.”
“Right, you just run if things get heated. Go rest for now.”
“Bye, master.” Pepe waved and left the drawing-room, leaving Murphy and Lambert eye to eye.
The tall man seemed unjustly maltreated, his expression screaming, “What about me? What do I get?"
“Forget it, there’s nothing for you,” Murphy said offhandedly. “Even if I gave you one, you couldn’t use it in your state. A blank-slate priest teleporting to the demon realm? The environmental debuffs alone would do you in.”
“And why stoop to their level anyway? You're level fifty. If they don’t target you specifically, you can make a run for it when we start fighting,” Murphy added consolingly. “Your task is... trim the lawn, and prepare a meal to welcome our esteemed guest tomorrow.”
---
City of Gath, September 5th, clear skies turning to otherworldly phenomena.
Nearing noon, Murphy watched clouds in the sky beginning to swirl, thinking the old man really knew how to make an entrance. In a fast-cast teleportation spell, all you'd usually see was a flash of light before the person vanishes.
But by intentionally slowing down the casting, you create this kind of show-offy effect, like how a fast punch would only leave a hole in a wooden board, but slow it down, and you push the whole board over.
As the clouds spun faster, Murphy switched off the two layers of defensive shields around number two Clyster Street. Seconds later, a dazzling beam shot straight down from the center of the swirling clouds, landing right at the mansion's grand entrance.
"A major light spell for sure," Murphy thought, watching the spectacle unfold, convinced the old timer had added some showy magic to his arrival.
Two figures emerged from the beam, the lead one — an old man with a slender black staff in hand, the end adorned with three large, differently colored gems, alternately casting soft light. Murphy couldn’t help but wonder if the old chap was actually holding a traffic light.
Though slightly stooped, the old mage still matched an average person's height. Despite the slack skin on his face, he must have been quite handsome in his youth. His clothes were simple but impeccable. A plain grey cloak hung over his shoulders, adding to his mysterious aura.
Trailing behind him was a young man with short braided hair — it was Connor, who had suffered a setback here just days earlier. Still, Connor seemed calm whether due to facing the one who had defeated him or standing by his deeply respected teacher. There was neither arrogance nor timidity.
Connor wasn’t carrying anything. Pepe, behind Murphy, nervously tucked her own staff further behind her. They exchanged a quick glance before Connor looked away, his gaze fixed on Murphy.
There they stood at the estate entrance, Murphy and Pepe inside, Melrose and Connor outside.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in? Young man,” Melrose’s amiable voice carried a note of firmness.
Murphy didn’t care for the undertones. “Don’t believe we’ve met,” he replied coolly.
“Oh, my memory,” chuckled Melrose warmly. “The mind tends to slip with age. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Melrose, a nearly spent old mage.”
---
Public Intelligence (as if it were true):
Panel (Eye of All-Seeing):
A unique special ability possessed by both the native Demon Lords and Heroes of this world and those from other realms.
Activating the ability doesn’t require any attributes, just a gaze upon the target. It allows the user to observe all living creatures, items, and materials.
Factors influencing the results of panel observation: frequency and nature of contact with the subject (intimacy), power discrepancy (level difference).