Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1588  Element of Surprise

Constantine was built in wide rings around a single, enormous ash tree at its center.

Every street curved gently, following the shape of the city. From above, the layout looked almost like ripples on the surface of water, spreading outward from the trunk.

The ash tree was the heart of everything. The bark was thick and pale gray, marked with deep lines. The branches stretched far in every direction. The canopy was so broad that it shaded nearly half of the inner city.

Three-to-four-story buildings stood shoulder to shoulder. Most were made of stone and timber. Their walls were painted in soft colors. Wooden balconies filled the streets, laundry hung from ropes tied between windows, and clay pots filled with herbs and flowers sat on ledges.

The streets below were always busy. Merchants called out from open-front shops, bakers carried trays of fresh bread, and smiths worked with doors wide open. Carts rolled over the cobblestones, pulled by horses or pushed by hand.

Children moved through the gap between adults. They played tag, spun wooden tops, and chased each other in circles. Their laughter mixed with the noise from the market. No one seemed surprised by the noise. It was part of daily life.

Adam and Lucian walked side by side through the bustling road. They had cast a concealment spell on themselves, so no one was able to notice them.

Watching the colorful birds glide between rooftops, Lucian couldnʼt help but smile. ”This place… I like it.”

The air was warm, and the atmosphere was splendid. Just walking the streets of Constantine made oneʼs heart bloom with happiness, comfort, and safety.

”That is why we must protect it,” Adam said with a gentle smile as he gazed at a group of children playing in the distance.

”And not just Constantine,” he added, turning to the Emperor. ”We must protect this world. It is our duty.”

Lucian glanced at the determination in Adamʼs dark eyes. He then patted the youthʼs shoulder and said with a faint smile, ”Youʼre all right.”

”I have a few daughters who are of age,” he added with a laugh. ”A few of them have just reached the Mana Vortex Rank. How about you choose a wife among them? I wouldnʼt even mind if you married all of them.”

The corner of Adamʼs lips twitched. ”Yeah… no.”

He quickly changed the subject.

”Anyway, letʼs talk about Operation Constantine.”

Lucian roughly ruffled Adamʼs raven hair. ”Cheeky bugger.”

Adam quickly moved away and ran a hand through his hair, fixing it.

”Whatʼs the status of the portals?” Lucian asked in a solemn tone.

”The one in Hannes City had already been taken care of,” Adam replied. ”Iʼve dealt with the ones in Mabi, Yen-Lu, and Indus. Although Iʼm not sure about the current status of the portal in Indus. I heard that it had been conquered by the Cult.”

”Berger has dealt with the portal in Nahua,” Lucian said. ”So the western hemisphere is taken care of.”

He paused briefly as he turned to the youth. ”What about the one in Europa?”

”Impossible to infiltrate.” Adam shook his head. ”Its location is very close to the Cultʼs headquarters. If the portal in Indus remains untouched, then the only one we have to worry about is the one in Europa. More specifically, the Haynam Empire.”

Lucian nodded silently. He couldnʼt help but cast a side glance at the raven-haired youth. It was truly unbelievable that Adam had managed to deal with the portals in Mabi and Yen-Lu single-handedly.

And given that he was still a Mana Vortex Magus at the time, it was even more shocking.

”You did well, Adam,” Lucian said gently. ”I… am proud of you.”

Adam was slightly taken aback. He turned to the Emperor and smiled. ”Thank you, Your Grace.”

”Iʼve come into an agreement with the merfolk,” Lucian said casually. ”Theyʼll ally with us when the Great War arrives.”

Adam was stunned. ”The merfolk?! How did you manage to do that?”

Lucian sneered. ”Those creatures respond to strength, not diplomacy. And I had more than enough strength to show them.”

Adamʼs lips twitched. He then thought of something and said, ”Thereʼs a good chance the Magi of Yen-Lu will also join our cause.”

This time, it was Lucianʼs turn to get shocked.

”…What?”

Adam told Lucian about the Shadow Sect, its leader, and how he had been regularly maintaining communication with him. He also told him about the general situation in the lands of the east.

”So this… hermit is going to convince the leaders of the Nine Great Sects and Clans?” Lucian asked.

”Yeah, something like that.” Adam shrugged. ”Rest assured, heʼll most likely be able to convince them.”

He paused for a moment, his expression turning grim. ”Your Grace, there is one person in Yen-Lu that we need to be wary of. That man… heʼs undoubtedly the strongest Magus of the East.”

Lucianʼs golden gleamed with a sharp light. ”Strongest Magus of the East, eh?”

”From the intel that Iʼve gathered, heʼs incredibly strong.” Adam nodded. ”And…”

He paused, taking in a deep breath. ”I have reasons to believe he is in some sort of a loose alliance with the Cult Leader.”

Lucianʼs eyes narrowed. ”Then does that mean the factions of Yen-Lu also…”

”No.” Adam shook his head. ”The Nine Great Sects and Clans arenʼt even aware of his existence. He secretly controls all of them and rules all of Yen-Lu.”

”Interesting,” the Emperor murmured.

The pair continued discussing Operation Constantine in detail as they slowly made their way toward the great ash tree.

”…According to my judgment of the Cult and its leader, I believe they plan to conquer the whole world before the next planetary alignment. So that gives us about fifty years, give or take.”

Lucian solemnly nodded.

”But,” Adam continued, his eyes narrowing.

”Instead of waiting for him to come to us… why donʼt we take the fight to him?”

Aldo Wagner didnʼt know that not only had Adam uncovered his true identity, but also his plans to sacrifice the billions of souls of this world to the devils.

Moreover, the Cult Leader was also oblivious to the fact that Adam had tampered with the portals.

To Wagner, everything was still under control. His pieces were in place. His ritual was progressing. His enemies were scattered and blind.

But the truth was just the opposite.

For the first time since this conflict began, Adam and his allies held the advantage. He knew the enemyʼs face. He knew the enemyʼs goal. And he had quietly sabotaged the very mechanism that made their plan possible.

The element of surprise no longer belonged to the Cult Leader.

It belonged to Adam.

”What do you have on your mind?” Lucian asked solemnly.

Adam deeply looked at the Emperor.

And then, his lips slowly curled into a smirk.