Chapter 453: Invitation

Saul wasn’t sure whether Wizard Karon had noticed anything unusual—or whether the man himself had something wrong about him in the first place.

But if this person truly was the owner of the Broken Goblet, then this might be the best opportunity to approach him before he realized something had gone wrong in Bluewater Bay.

“Penny, can you check this servant’s memory and see if that Wizard Karon has left Bluewater City recently?”

A silver butterfly flew out from between Saul’s brows. “For an ordinary person, of course that’s no problem. I can access all his recent memories. If I couldn’t even do that, it would be a waste of all that Veiled Crystal Essence you fed me, Brother Saul.”

Penny’s voice held a trace of pride.

But before she could fly out, Little Algae suddenly darted out from behind Saul’s neck and used his wet tongue to write a single word on the wall of the carriage:

“Laugh.”

Agu’s face was complicated. Of all the characters he’d taught Little Algae, this was the one he remembered the best.

Saul’s face remained expressionless, though he chuckled silently to himself.

Little Algae, you really know how to mock people.

Penny fluttered furiously, but she was helpless against Little Algae.

That simple-minded blob didn’t even dream!

Trying to console herself, Penny told herself not to stoop to the level of a mudball. She flew out, then soon returned.

“In the servant’s memory, Wizard Karon hasn’t left his lab in a long time. He only just came out recently because the city lord summoned him.”

Saul gave it a little thought. “Since he’s already sent someone to invite me, I may as well go.”

He handed the Broken Goblet to Agu—just in case Karon really was its owner and had some way of sensing it, it was better not to bring it along.

After that, Saul boarded the carriage the servant had prepared and headed alone to the City Lord’s estate.

City Lord Maken received Saul in the main hall, where a generous spread of food and wine had been laid out. Beautiful maids and handsome servants stood ready to serve.

In all of Bluewater City, there were few who could still afford such a lavish reception.

But Saul touched none of it. After the introductions, he got straight to the point.

Perhaps used to the directness of wizards, Maken showed no awkwardness at all. Smiling, he raised his glass and said, “To be honest, Bluewater City hasn’t seen a new wizard in quite a long time. I wonder, Lord Saul, are you just passing through, or do you intend to stay for a while?”

Saul glanced at the silent Wizard Karon, who seemed uncomfortable with socializing.

“I came to see a friend. Now that I’ve met them, I plan to leave. No need for concern, Lord City.”

Saul currently had no desire to reveal that he came from a Wizard Tower, so his words were more polite than usual.

“Oh no, no, that wasn’t my meaning.” Though he was indeed somewhat worried, Maken refused to admit it aloud. He waved his hand quickly, not spilling a drop from his wineglass.

“Actually, Bluewater City would very much like to invite Lord Saul to settle here. While we’re not especially wealthy, we’re close to Bluewater Bay and do have some rare alchemical materials. We’re also near Caugust City, but far enough to be peaceful—an ideal residence for someone of your stature.”

He was trying to recruit him?

Saul was taken aback, but then realized: the concealing spell cast by Master Gorsa was still in effect. The man probably mistook him for a wandering Third Rank wizard.

And since his words didn’t suggest any awareness of Saul’s true strength—even though a true wizard would never be enticed by Bluewater City’s modest offer—Maken likely figured the worst that could happen was a polite rejection.

No harm in trying. He might even glean some information. Naturally, Maken was more than happy to give it a shot.

Meanwhile, Wizard Karon quietly sipped a black mulberry drink that dyed both his lips and teeth pitch black.

Karon doesn’t seem bothered about anyone coming to divide his profits. But if he’s really involved with the Broken Goblet, he surely wouldn’t want another wizard settling nearby.

With that in mind, Saul feigned interest, stroking his chin in thought.

Just then, Penny, who had secretly flown over to Karon, returned and whispered into Saul’s ear, “Saul, that Karon definitely isn’t just a Second Rank apprentice. I probed his mental realm—he hid it well, but I could tell. He’s most likely a First Rank wizard. I didn’t dig deeper, though, in case he noticed.”

Saul kept a polite smile on his face. “I’ll be heading to Caugust City, so I won’t trouble you or Wizard Karon further.”

Maken looked mildly disappointed, but he had expected this result from the start. He quickly composed himself.

“In that case, please enjoy some of Bluewater City’s finest delicacies before you leave.”

He gestured for everyone to begin eating again. The servants brought out fresh dishes.

One of them was a rare blackwater snail, though its parts useful for magic had already been removed.

Saul pretended to eat, but everything actually went into his sleeve—where Little Algae consumed it all.

The Soul-Devouring Mire gave him magic and poison resistance far beyond normal creatures. The only real weakness was his vulnerability to fire.

More importantly, some things Little Algae could eat and then spit back out untouched.

This would let Saul test them openly later to see if any tampering had been done—just one way to assess whether Karon was harmless or dangerous.

But before he could feed Little Algae much more, a middle-aged knight suddenly burst in, looking urgent and flustered.

“City Lord! Lord Karon! Something’s happened—no, something wonderful! The dark clouds above Bluewater Bay are starting to disperse!”

The knight was clearly agitated, and a bit dazed.

City Lord Maken leapt to his feet, bumping the table so hard his wine spilled all over the fish on his plate.

“The clouds… are clearing?”

Wizard Karon, who had been little more than scenery until now, immediately stood up. Upon hearing the knight confirm that the dark clouds were receding, he turned and walked straight out of the hall.

“Lord Karon, where are you going?” Maken wanted to invite him to the shore together, but to his surprise, Karon headed for the garden instead.

“I need to retrieve my instruments for testing.”

“Let me join you!” Maken said quickly.

But one of his officials leaned in and whispered, “Lord, we don’t know if it’s dangerous yet. Perhaps it would be better to send someone else ahead to check.”

Hearing that, Maken slowed his steps immediately, then said, “Then I’ll trouble you to take a look first. I’ll stay here to accompany Lord Saul.”

“No need, City Lord. Go ahead—it sounds important. I’ll return to my companions.”

Maken no longer had the heart to continue the feast, and didn’t insist. “Lord Saul, please consider staying the night. If the darkness truly lifts, it’ll be a cause for great celebration. We might host a grand banquet tonight, and we’d be honored if you’d attend.”

“That’s fine. I’d like to see how things unfold as well,” Saul said with a smile.

Maken assigned a servant to show Saul to his guest quarters, unaware that Saul was thinking only one thing:

As soon as Karon and Maken leave, I’m getting out of here.

If Karon really was the owner of the Broken Goblet, then upon returning and noticing it missing, it wouldn’t take long to suspect Saul.

A wizard capable of concealing his strength and hiding for who knew how many years…

A known associate of the sinister Mentor Gudor…

Even though the diary had issued no danger warning yet, Saul had no intention of clashing with him.

But what Saul didn’t expect at all was this:

Just as he stepped out of the banquet hall, a black longsword fell from the sky with a thud, cutting Wizard Karon in half mid-step.

The blade was so familiar.

I had seen it not long ago.

(End of Chapter)

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