After a night of rest, Leon's injuries had stabilized. Though he still appeared frail, he was no longer in mortal danger.
Kael sat by the fire, deeply engrossed in the blood-soaked, incomplete map they had retrieved from the warlock. The map, crafted from some type of resilient beast hide, was meticulously drawn. It not only marked the capital city and its surrounding rivers and mountains but also designated several unique locations with crimson ink as if painted with blood.
One of these locations was the abandoned mine they had previously learned about from Leon. Besides that, there were three other marked spots: the entrance to an ancient, dilapidated sewer system in the northern district of the city; a notorious black market hidden deep in the slums; and an old cemetery located in the eastern part of the city, belonging to a fallen noble family.
At first glance, these places seemed unrelated, scattered far apart. However, when Kael traced his finger over the map, connecting the points in the air, a strange and sinister pattern began to emerge.
"Kid, project these points into your vision and take a closer look." In Kael's mind, Vix's voice suddenly turned unusually serious.
Kael followed the instruction. With his "Voidseer's Eye," the four crimson energy coordinates surfaced in his consciousness. He attempted to connect them.
In an instant, a bone-chilling, ominous feeling enveloped him entirely! The connection of these points did not form a simple geometric shape but instead revealed a corner of a massive, malevolent, and incomplete magical formation. They resembled four nails, hammering into the land surrounding the capital city.
"A Sacrificial Circle..." Vix's voice carried unprecedented heaviness. "I understand now. The abandoned mine supplies the 'sacrifices,' the sewers transport them, the black market serves as a cover and resource hub, and the cemetery... that must be the actual altar!"
"This isn't just a plan—it's a bloody assembly line!" Vix couldn't help but curse. "'Scarlet Covenant,' those maniacs, they're not just scheming around the capital's outskirts. They aim to turn the entire city into a breeding ground for their accursed 'World Annihilator!'"
Kael's heart sank to the bottom. He had originally thought the enemies simply intended to set up a secret altar within the capital. Now, it was clear their ambition was to transform this magnificent city, home to millions, into nourishment for their sacrificial plans.
"I must stop them," Kael asserted, his eyes steeling with determination.
"Stop them? How? With what?" Vix retorted. "Just the three of you? A rookie who's barely crossed the threshold of an Adept, a half-dead knight, and a girl who only knows how to throw stones? Investigating any of these places is no different from walking straight into death."
As harsh as Vix's words were, they rang true. Although Kael had made some progress, his abilities were still akin to that of an ant when compared to the colossal organization capable of orchestrating such an earth-shattering scheme around the capital.
"A frontal assault would be suicide," Kael admitted. His gaze fixed on the most prominent building at the map's center. "But what if I could dismantle them from the inside?"
His finger landed on the towering spire that pierced the clouds—the Silver Tower Academy.
"You mean..." Vix immediately caught on to Kael's plan. "You want to join the Academy and use its influence and resources to investigate this?"
"Exactly," Kael nodded. "'Scarlet Covenant's' 'Seed Project' is linked to the Academy. That means they must have infiltrators or even strongholds within. My mission is to root them out, one by one. Instead of being hunted down passively outside, I'll strike at their heart directly."
"A mad plan, but I like it!" Vix burst into laughter. "This is the kind of spirit befitting my successor!"
Kael's goal crystallized at that moment. Entering the Silver Tower Academy was no longer merely about growing stronger or seeking shelter; it was about taking the offensive. It was about eradicating the "Scarlet Covenant" tumor embedded within the heart of the capital city.
Days later, as the first rays of dawn pierced the clouds and bathed the land in light, an awe-inspiring city finally appeared before the trio.
Towering white walls stretched heavenward, resembling the arms of giants encircling the grand city. Inside, countless spired towers and ornate domes stood in harmonious disarray, their brilliance radiating under the sun. At the city's heart, a silver-white tower soared skyward as though forged from crystal and moonlight, exuding an overwhelming aura of Etheric Energy that commanded respect and awe.
That was the Silver Tower Academy—the center of the entire kingdom.
"My heavens..." Amy's jaw dropped as her eyes widened in astonishment. Even Leon, a young knight from a distinguished order, couldn't help but marvel at the capital's grandeur upon witnessing it once more.
Kael's emotions surged as well. This was where his next battlefield lay.
The broad avenue leading to the city gate swarmed with people and carriages. Merchants, travelers, and nobles in lavishly adorned carriages formed a seemingly endless line, awaiting inspection by the guards.
Kael and his companions blended inconspicuously into the crowd.
As they waited to enter, an extravagant carriage drawn by four majestic white unicorns slowly passed through the nobles' exclusive lane under the respectful escort of the guards. The carriage bore the Flaming Rose Emblem of the city lord's estate.
Kael's attention was drawn instinctively. His "Voidseer's Eye" swept over the carriage.
A slender, pale hand gently lifted a corner of the curtain on the carriage window.
Through the window, Kael "saw" a face that was both familiar and foreign—an exquisitely beautiful countenance radiating an icy-blue aura of energy. The energy felt pure, potent, and unapproachable, like a glacial expanse in the far north.
It was her—Seraphina!
The daughter of the city lord, Kael's former fiancée—the very person who had humiliated him to the point of death in front of everyone.
As if sensing his distinct gaze, Seraphina's delicate brow furrowed slightly. Her ice-blue, gem-like eyes scanned the crowd and locked onto Kael's direction.
Their gazes met in mid-air.
Kael's eyes remained dull and lifeless.
Seraphina's, in contrast, carried scrutiny, confusion, and a fleeting hint of astonishment even she failed to notice.
She seemed to find the unremarkable young man familiar, yet the emptiness in his eyes made her dismiss the notion. In her mind, the blind fool from Storm Vein should have long perished in some dark corner, far removed from this place.
She withdrew her gaze, letting the curtain fall and sealing herself off from the outside world.
The lavish carriage proceeded through the imposing city gates.
Kael, too, lowered his gaze. His expression remained blank, but a ripple stirred within his heart. He hadn't expected to encounter his past so soon.
"What's wrong, kid?" Vix picked up on his emotional shift. "Saw an old flame? Tch, she's stunning, but that holier-than-thou demeanor is irritating."
Kael ignored Vix's teasing.
He simply raised his head and stared once more at the towering silver spire, his eyes growing deeper and more resolute.
The humiliation of the past, his family's blood feud, the "Scarlet Covenant's" schemes, and the truth of this world...
Everything was about to unfold in this city.