Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1231: Strange Man

Saratoga Castle.

Inside the Headmaster’s office, Nylian Feno sat in his chair, glancing at the figure sitting across from him with a slightly puzzled expression.

This was a highly unexpected guest, after all.

A long time of silence ensued inside the chamber, with both men simply staring at one another. At last, the elven Magus couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer, and he couldn’t help but ask:

”What brings you here... Your Majesty?”

The unexpected guest was none other than the Emperor of Acadia, Lucian Acadia. The man glanced at the Headmaster with his golden eyes that burned like a pair of suns.

His lips curled into a faint smile, and he said:

”Do I need a reason?”

Nylian’s lips twitched a little. ”No. Of course, not. I was just curious.”

The smile on Lucian’s face widened. He leaned back in his chair, chuckling, ”I jest. I do have a reason to visit—a couple of them actually.”

His expression gradually turned solemn, and he continued, ”How are rebuilding efforts coming along?”

Nylian adjusted in his chair, then answered, ”Thanks to the additional funding appropriated by the crown, there haven’t been any major issues. The other Pillars have also sent plenty of manpower and resources to help us. I am grateful for the support of the Empire, your majesty.”

”Good.” Lucian nodded, his gaze shifting to the window where he could see Marian Lake. ”What about the Castle? And the children?”

The elf deeply looked at the Emperor, then answered honestly, ”Us Saratoga Magi are quite stalwart, your majesty. No matter how many times we’re pushed to the ground, we always get back on our feet.”

Lucian turned his attention back to the elf, his lips forming a genuine smile. ”That you are, Nylian. That you are...”

Another bout of silence descended within the chamber.

Nylian thought of the right words to say, then spoke at last, ”Your Majesty... how can I help you?”

Lucian remained silent, deep in thought. His gaze remained fixed on Marian Lake, his golden eyes flashing with countless emotions. There was hesitancy in them, but soon... it was replaced by resolve.

He turned to the elf and said with a faint smile, ”What about news of the Dark King? Or should I say... Adam the Deceitful? How are your people reacting to his absence?”

Nylian’s eyebrows rose in surprise. ”Adam Constatine?”

But in the next instant, his brows creased together into a frown. ”Your Majesty, have you perhaps found out anything about him?”

”No,” Lucian said with a faint smile. ”Just curious, that’s all.”

Nylian deeply looked at the Emperor. At last, he said with a helpless sigh:

”They still blame him for everything. It would be an understatement to say they hate him. Heh, but no one loathes him more than the surviving Magi of the Black Legion and the newest Lord Marshall of Ravenfell.”

”And what do you think?” Lucian asked, his eyes flashing with a peculiar light.

Nylian remained silent for a long time. Then, he said in a low voice, ”I think... there’s more than meets the eye.”

Lucian was truly surprised by the elf’s answer. Considering Nylian’s mentor had died in the Battle of Ravenfell, Lucian had thought that the elf would despise Adam to a great extent. But it turned out that might not be the case, after all.

”I see.” Lucian nodded, his gaze involuntarily shifting to the distant Marian Lake.

The elf glanced at the Emperor, then asked after a moment of deliberation, ”Your Majesty... what do you think about him?”

Lucian turned towards him again, displaying a faint smile. ”There is another reason I’ve visited you today, Nylian.”

The elf couldn’t help but frown a little. He couldn’t understand why the Emperor would dodge his question. But it would be ill-mannered of him to ask the question again. Thus, he said:

”Please, go ahead, your majesty. How can I be of help to you?”

With the same smile etched on his face, Lucian stated without hesitation:

”I wish to speak with the Lord of Marian Lake, the one they call... Ink.”

***

In the deepest underground layer of Saratoga Castle, Nylian and Lucian stood before an unassuming stone wall. The light of wall-mounted torches illuminated the chamber, revealing it to be a vast storage room of sorts.

The elf had a puzzled look on his face as he faced the Emperor. He couldn’t help but speak his mind:

”Your Majesty, I’m not sure why you’d want to meet with Lord Ink, but I should warn you in advance... he doesn’t like meeting with people.”

”Let me worry about that.” Lucian waved his hand dismissively.

He then gestured at the wall before him and asked, ”So this is the entrance to the castle at the bottom of the lake?”

”Yes, your majesty.” The elf nodded. ”Once you pass through this wall, you will arrive at the grand hall of the underwater castle. Lord Ink will know you are a friend of Saratoga Castle since this entrance is only accessible to the Headmaster. But beware. He’s a little... asocial.”

”I see.” Lucian nodded, curiously scrutinizing the unassuming wall before him. Then, he turned to the elf and placed a hand on his shoulder. ”Don’t wait for me, Nylian.”

With that said, he took a step forward and entered straight through the wall. The surface of the wall rippled like water for a moment before settling back to normal.

Meanwhile, Nylian glanced at the wall before him with a dazed look on his face. This was the first time he’d met the Emperor of Acadia. Needless to say, he had formed an opinion of him.

He remained silent for a long time before shaking his head. The elf turned back around and left the storage chamber, his words echoing within the dimly lit walls.

”What a strange man...”

***

In the depths of Marain Lake, Lucian arrived inside the grand chamber within the underwater castle that was an exact replica of Saratoga Castle.

Before him lay an entity that he’d only read about in ancient records and heard of in passing tales.

It was a colossal kraken, its massive body coiled within the vast hall. Its countless tentacles lay draped over broken pillars and submerged stone. Even in the dim light, Lucian could see the creature clearly. It was awe-inspiring.

Ink’s giant eyes were cold and unblinking as they settled on Lucian. Those cold eyes... they gleamed with a flicker of annoyance. A moment later, a booming voice echoed inside the castle, forming visible ripples underwater:

”Return to the surface, human. I do not care who you are, and I do not care about your relationship with Nylian. You are not welcome in my domain.”

Despite the blatant threat in those words, Lucian remained calm and unflinching. His lips slowly curled into a faint smirk, and he spat one single word:

”No.”