Chapter 1371: Rotten Apples

Royal Palace, Acryon.

Somewhere inside the Acadian family’s lavish residence, away from the prying eyes of the world, three figures had gathered.

They sat at a table, sharing warm tea and snacks. It seemed like a warm get-together, but in reality, they were discussing topics that would go on to change not just the Ulier Continent, but the entire planet.

"Anything?" the blond-haired, golden-eyed ruler of the Acadian Empire, Lucian, turned to look at the elderly woman sitting beside him.

Old Ani, the great seer of the Empire, shook her head and sighed. "No, your majesty. I cannot

see

the child’s current whereabouts. But I can tell that he is alive."

The third person in the room was an old friend of the Emperor’s. He looked to be a middle-aged man with graying hair at his temples. This was none other than Blackfire Balthazar.

His eyes flickered with complicated emotions, and he couldn’t help but murmur, "I still can’t believe he was able to survive my flames. Till now... no one has."

Lucian turned to look at him with an arched eyebrow. Seeing his friend’s conflicting emotions, he couldn’t help but find it a little amusing.

"You don’t have to worry about any retaliation from Adam," he began. "From what I’ve heard, he seems to be a reasonable fellow."

Balthazar scoffed. "Why would I be worried? You think I won’t last in a battle against him if he were to become a Mana Core Magus?"

"Just saying." Lucian shrugged, the corner of his lips curling into an amused smirk. "It’s not like you’re

that

strong either."

"You..." Balthazar growled in frustration.

He had known Lucian since they were children. Even after hundreds of years had passed, the man’s arrogance hadn’t faded one bit.

But Balthazar also knew that Lucian had every right to be arrogant. He stood at the pinnacle of strength in this world, after all. Even the strongest Magus in Nahua wasn’t his match.

Old Ani cleared her throat. "Gentlemen, can we get back on topic?"

Balthazar straightened his back. "Yes, of course."

Even Lucian turned serious.

Both men were among the strongest beings to exist on the Ulier Continent, yet in front of Old Ani, they were well-behaved.

"Berger’s recent letter is very concerning," Old Ani began, her tone solemn. "He believes at least half of the upper echelon of the Twilight Brotherhood are Cult spies. As to who they are... he isn’t certain."

The Twilight Brotherhood,

Balthazar thought to himself.

This clandestine organization was so secretive that he hadn’t even heard of them until the Battle of Ravenfell.

And to think that, at one point in time, eight Mana Core Magi sat at its helm! And one of them was Old Man Acadia!

Old Ani turned to Lucian and asked in a solemn voice, "Your Majesty, has your Father ever revealed anything about the Twilight Brotherhood to you?"

Lucian shook his head. "That would defeat the whole purpose, no? I only got to know about them after the conclusion of the Battle of Ravenfell."

"I see." Old Ani nodded. She paused for a moment before asking, "Do you think there’s anyone in the Palace who could potentially be an agent for the Brotherhood?"

Lucian thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I can’t say for certain."

He recalled his father’s temperament, a reminiscent light flickering in his golden eyes. Then he said:

"But I doubt my father would station agents in his own home. Anyway, these folks from the Brotherhood are very secretive. The only other people I know who have sworn allegiance to it are Berger and Adam."

"I doubt the two want anything to do with the Brotherhood now," Old Ani murmured, shaking her head.

"Are you going to divine for any spies within the palace?" Lucian asked.

"...I will try my best, your majesty." Old Ani nodded. "Although I don’t hope to get much information on the leaders of the organization."

"Ah, you don’t have to worry about that." Lucian waved his hand. After a brief pause, he continued, "Berger is sending his familiar to the palace. He’ll tell us everything we need to know about the Brotherhood, especially its upper echelon."

"So now we have an ancient clandestine organization as our enemy?" Balthazar couldn’t help but feel exasperated. "The damned Cult wasn’t enough?"

"Unless someone takes care of the rotten apples within the Twilight Brotherhood, then yes." Lucian shrugged.

Balthazar massaged his temple as he grumbled, "It’s just one thing after the other. Not to mention, there’s still the threat of the devils."

Lucian patted his friend’s shoulder and said with a faint smile, "Well, it’s a good thing we have time to prepare, eh?"

Balthazar didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. To him, it seemed that Lucian was almost excited to fight the whole world.

***

Saratoga Castle.

In a secret chamber, somewhere in one of the many underground levels of the ancient castle, a large runic formation inscribed on the ground hummed. Its ethereal glow ebbed and flowed, almost as if it were a living entity.

At the center of the formation, a figure with a muscular build sat cross-legged, absorbing mana into his body. He seemed to be undergoing a profound change as the air around him visibly distorted, and his aura continued to climb higher and higher.

Until, at last, his mana fluctuations stabilized. At the same time, the runic formation on the ground dimmed.

The figure slowly opened his eyes. He clenched his fists, feeling the vast strength coursing through his veins. He had transformed fundamentally, both on the physical and spiritual levels.

For he had formed the Mana Core!

"Congratulations," a gentle voice echoed in the figure’s ears.

He turned to the source of the voice and saw a silver-haired elf standing by the entrance with a faint smile on his lips.

"Nylian," the figure murmured. His eyes flashed with cold resolve, and he added, "Do not stop me."

A flicker of sadness flashed across the Headmaster’s eyes. "I won’t."

The figure’s expression softened.

"...Thank you," he murmured.

He rose to his feet and donned his robes. He then prepared to exit the chamber. The man stopped right beside the elf and patted his shoulder.

"I’ve already appointed a new Lord Marshall," he said. "The city is in good hands."

Nylian smiled and nodded.

The figure then walked past him and gradually dissipated into shadows. Long after he had left, Nylian still remained standing in his spot.

At last, he sighed and muttered under his breath:

"Don’t you die as well... Daniel."