Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1837 Laws of Davos

Davos was held together not by kings, armies, or fear.

It was held together by law.

For all its wealth, diversity, and chaos, the City of Marvels functioned because nearly everyone, from beggars and nobles to Magi and Paladins, understood that there were rules, and those rules were enforced.

Davos was not a frontier town where disputes were settled with steel and spell.

If one drew a sword in the middle of the street, then someone would summon the Watch. If one killed a man, then the city would hunt them down regardless of their wealth and status.

Even nobles and powerful adventurers were expected to answer before justiciars if they broke the law.

Adam sat at the base of a towering statue in the heart of Trade Borough.

The statue depicted an impossibly old woman known by the locals as the Crone. Her weathered face was lined with countless wrinkles, and her shoulders were slightly hunched. Yet there was an aura of dignity around her.

The raven-haired youth took a bite out of an apple and silently observed the scenery around him. Both his hands were sheathed in unassuming-looking white handwraps.

Today was his day off, and so he was out exploring the district and getting familiar with his new home.

Around the statue stretched a lively plaza bathed in sunlight. Merchants called out from nearby stalls, advertising exotic wares and fresh food. Travelers from distant lands wandered through the square while locals went about their daily business.

Closer to the statue, children chased one another across the cobblestones, their laughter echoing through the air. Others lounged on benches or patches of grass, enjoying the pleasant weather and enjoying a rare moment of peace amidst the bustle of the city.

For all the noise and activity surrounding it, the Crone stood silent and unmoving.

Adam raised his head and glanced at the stone statue with fascination. He thought, Apparently, there are seven such statues scattered across Davos.

The Father, the Mother, the Warrior, the Maiden, the Sage, the Crone, and the Stranger.

Hmm, how fascinating.

I wonder if thereʼs some hidden lore—

His thoughts came to a halt when his gaze landed on a hooded figure in black robes calmly walking across the cobbled street in the distance.

He was surrounded by a small group of individuals wearing blue scale armour beneath white cloaks and tabards. They also wore helms with chainmail neck guards and carried swords and shields.

Emblazoned on the shields was the symbol of Davos — a mountain rising above the water, with seven stars shining overhead.

Where they passed, the people made way and greeted them respectfully.

Adamʼs eyes narrowed.

The justiciar and the City Guards.

He watched the group disappear around a corner and thought to himself:

Rules. Rules. Rules.

He retrieved a rolled parchment from his shoulder bag and began reading it.

The Civic Code was Davosʼ body of laws, a publicly known set of rules that governed everything from petty theft to murder, fraud, arson and the misuse of magic.

Unlike the often arbitrary justice of other cities, the Civic Code clearly defined crimes and their punishment, ensuring that citizens, merchants, nobles, and adventurers alike were subject to the same legal framework.

Copies of the Civic Code were posted throughout the city, particularly near the two gates, markets, and government buildings, so that no one could easily ignore the laws. It was enforced by the City Watch and interpreted by the justiciars, who determined guilt and handed down sentences.

Theft, assault, murder, fraud, summoning dangerous creatures, or abusing magic, and the city would respond. Not with mob justice, but with courts, guards, fines, imprisonment, exile, or in the gravest cases… death.

In many ways, the Civic Code was what transformed Davos from a collection of districts into a functioning civilization. It was the reason merchants trusted the city, travelers felt safe within its walls, and even powerful adventurers thought twice before drawing steel in the streets.

After going through the various laws of Davos for one more time, he finished the rest of the apple and rose to his feet.

It had been over a week since he had applied for the Magic Practitionerʼs License. With the money he had earned working at the Rabbit Hole over the past month, he would finally be able to receive this mandatory permit.

It was, after all, the primary license that made a Magusʼ spellcasting legal within the city.

He had already registered himself at the government office, passed the safety exam, completed his background check, and cleared the magical ethics interview.

Now all that remained was to pay the fees and collect the licence.

Adamʼs expression twisted into a scowl. The permit would cost him nearly all the money he had earned. In fact, he had even borrowed a little extra from Hannibal to afford it.

”Having no money is a sin!” he grumbled under his breath as he made his way to Lordsʼ Borough.

***

Office of Magical Affairs.

The clerk adjusted her glasses and stamped the parchment.

”Very good. Everything appears to be in order.”

She blew gently on the wet ink before sliding the documents across the desk. Then she said evenly:

”Congratulations, Magus Constantine. As of this moment, you are registered with the Office of Magical Affairs and recognized as a lawful practitioner of magic within Davos. Before you leave, there are a few important things you should know.”

Adam politely gestured for her to continue.

The clerk cleared her throat before reciting:

”First, magic is legal. Nobody cares if youʼre a Magus. Second, magic is not above the law. A crime committed with a spell is still a crime. Third, donʼt charm, compel, or magically influence citizens without their consent.

”Fourth, do not cast destructive spells within the city. Youʼll get in a lot of trouble for that. Fifth, do not summon dangerous creatures. Sixth, do not raise undead. Seventh, self-defence is legal, but expect questions afterward.

”Eighth, if you discover a magical threat, report to the Watch. Ninth, respect the authority of the Watch, the justiciars, and the law. And lastly, this license does not protect you from consequences.”

”Then what does it protect me from?” Adam joked.

”Having to sit through this speech again,” the clerk replied flatly.

She then stretched a hand and gestured. ”Twenty-five gold pieces for the lisence. Must be paid yearly.”

Adam cleared his throat and said meekly, ”Just curious… there isnʼt any discount for gentlemen like me, is there?”

The clerk cast him a deadpan look.

”H-Heh, just kidding.” Adam awkwardly handed over the leather pouch to the woman.

The woman counted the money in the pouch, then put it away. She turned to Adam and nodded.

”Welcome to Davos. Obey the law, practice responsibly, and most importantly, donʼt blow anything up.”