Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1439: Father and Son

Bunosilo was a rare anomaly.

He was a lone Magus who had forged his mana core entirely on his own, without the backing of a great family, an arcane institution, or a state.

His ascension was recent by the standards of the Sovereign Union, yet it had already earned him considerable recognition and praise.

After all, he was a man who had ascended to the peak of arcane strength in Tron all on his own!

He did not belong to any kingdom or political power. Instead, he stood apart by choice, aligning himself with the Union not out of loyalty, but out of open hostility towards the Haynam Empire.

Their expansionist methods and arcane abuses had earned his ire long before his ascension to the Mana Core Rank, and that enmity alone was enough to place him firmly on the Union’s side.

Among the Union’s ranks, Bunosilo was considered one of its true powerhouses. Independent, unpredictable, and immensely capable, he was not someone easily commanded. Only consulted.

That was why he had chosen to live out his days in the mercantile city of Amberfall, far from the politics of mainland Union. His responsibility out here was simple: protect the city and its people from possible attacks from the Empire.

And when Bunosilo involved himself in a matter, it was never without reason.

That was why Maximillian and Marlow were so astonished when they saw the old man approach them on his own accord. After all, the Magus was known to be a recluse and, in fact, had rarely conversed with House Fireborne.

”To what do we owe this pleasure, Lord Bunosilo?” Maximillian respectfully asked the old man.

He may be the king of a prosperous kingdom, but at the end of the day, he was but a Mana Vortex Magus. In front of a Mana Core Magus, he had to offer his due respects.

And he did respect the man. After all, the latter was stationed here for their sake, to ensure their safety and to prevent Amberfall from descending into chaos.

Bunosilo, huh? Adam thought to himself in amusement.

So that’s his name. Heh, good to know.

With a detached look on his face, Bunosilo first scanned the father and son duo, his gaze lingering a tad bit longer on Maximillian. This was the first time he was meeting the man, after all.

The Firebornes felt slightly uncomfortable under his gaze. Well, that was because he didn’t bother to hide the mana pressure radiating from him. Although it was subtle, it was still... tyrannical.

Then he weaved a simple hand seal, erecting a simple barrier around the three.

Just that simple action caused the Firebornes to feel slightly tense. Bunosilo’s arrival had caused them to feel unsettled, to begin with.

The old Magus silently looked at the two, causing them to subconsciously feel nervous.

Now, how do I address Anna’s father?

These were Adam’s thoughts.

Your Majesty? My King? Lord Fireborne? Or simply call him by his name?

Hmm, no, that might be a bit disrespectful. Never mind...

At last, his lips parted, and he solemnly declared:

”The kingdom is in danger. Our enemies have already infiltrated the city. They’ve been using your son subtly to sow discord within your family.”

He paused, his gaze sharpening.

”And there is a Mana Core Magus hiding in Amberfall.”

Those last few words rang like thunder in Maximillian and Marlow’s ears. They had never expected an enemy Mana Core Magus to actually secretly infiltrate the city!

After the shock and terror came a wave of relief. If it wasn’t for Bunosilo, they didn’t know what fate would have awaited them.

The king was the first to snap out of his shock. ”Lord Bunosilo, I’m already aware of the enemy trying to use my son against me. In fact...”

He turned to Marlow and added with slight approval in his voice, ”My son was able to find their machinations and act accordingly.”

”Hmph.” The old man scoffed as he looked at Marlow. ”It seems that the lecherous prince isn’t so useless, after all.”

All the color drained away from Marlow’s face. He simply lowered his head in shame, not daring to retort or even look the old man in the eye.

Maximillian smiled bitterly. ”My son may be flawed, but he still places the interests of our House and Kingdom above his own.”

Adam sneered inwardly.

Uncle, if it wasn’t for me, your horny son might have already driven a stake through your heart!

On the surface, however, he nodded in approval.

”No man is free of sin,” he said. ”It does gladden me to see that Marlow is a responsible young man.”

The red-haired prince didn’t feel proud. Instead, he felt extremely ashamed at the moment. He wished he could find a hole to hide in.

Bunosilo continued after a brief pause, ”Our enemies are within reach. We must strike and deal with all of them in a single sweep.”

”My Lord,” Maximillian began with a solemn voice.

”Are you aware of the number of enemies that have infiltrated the city? In fact, my son and I were just discussing how to deal with them, but without knowing their true numbers, we were unable to form a proper battle plan.”

Right at that moment, Marlow finally gathered the courage to speak.

”Lord Bunosilo,” he said with a heated gaze. ”Is that wandering Magus, Nilrem, one of the enemy?”

”Fool!” The old man reprimanded. ”Do not interrupt when your elders are speaking!”

Marlow immediately shrank back. ”Yes, sir...”

Bunosilo scoffed, then turned his attention back to the King, who was awkwardly staring at his son.

”There are only two you need to worry about,” said the old man, lifting two fingers. ”One is the Mana Core Magus named Osbert. Judging by the stench of death around him, he is likely from the Cult of Bones. And the second...”

He turned back to Marlow and continued, ”It’s the whore you’ve been fooling around with for the past couple of months. You can even take care of your so-called friend, Burne Ward, while you’re at it.”

Both Maximillian and Marlow were startled by how much intelligence about the enemies Bunosilo had already gathered.

The old Magus turned to the king and said with a faint smile, his murky eyes flashing with hints of... encouragement.

”You and I will take care of the necromancer.”

”Me?” Maximillian couldn’t help but frown. ”But my lord, I...” he smiled wryly. ”How can a Mana Vortex Magus like myself help you?”

Bunosilo raised his chin slightly and said matter-of-factly.

”Because I shall help you ascend to the Mana Core Rank.”