Chapter 965: Gape of the Abyss
The Black Bishop brought a dozen cult devotees and stomped their way across the Frozen Wing, only to return empty-handed. They never thought Sennefer was here. And with her, they could not take their time and search the vehicle thoroughly.
They might both be truth-finders, but Sennefer was already one of the strongest wizards in the southern region these days, while the Black Bishop couldnât go up against her yet.
âSennefer won the round for now, but the Supreme Cult will have their dominance in the long run.â Madelyne sighed. âTodayâs incident will only cause the cult to pay more attention to the Moonfrost Union from now on. Something like keeping every nook and cranny monitored in the name of the worldâs consciousness⊠Pah!
âLetâs head to the market. Stock up whatever you need when you still have the chance because youâll not find supplies so easily once youâre in the Abyss.â
While moving toward the center area of the island with Madelyne, Angor glanced back at the giant âice blockâ quietly resting in the sunlight.
He wondered,
Did they find something in Brofenâs workshop?
He hoped he could reach the same level as Sennefer soon, because when that happened, he would be free from whatever unwanted treatment that was thrown his way.
âŠ
The wizard fair located at the Frontier Island was named the âGape of the Abyssâ. Despite being called a âwizard fairâ, it looked rather abandoned. There were only a few temporary buildings made out of spells, which were ready to be torn down at any moment.
Madelyne explained as they were on their way, âThis place used to be way better than this. Better than most wizard fairs you know about. Because lots of wizards used to go through here and enter the Abyss Plane in search of treasures and fortune, or creatures to be used as slaves.â
She showed a yearning look as she remembered her old days at her clan, when she also went to the Abyss to look for a good bloodline.
âWith such a⊠peculiar situation going on, there arenât too many people brave enough to set foot in the Abyss. When there are not enough people, these markets wonât do very well either.â
Madelyne took Angor to walk around the marketplace, without actually buying many things. They were already done with shopping in Brute Cavern prior to departure. Besides, the prices of the goods here were far from reasonable.
In an item shop, Madelyne procured a black hooded overall dress with luminous green marks sewn on it. In Angorâs view, it would look better when used on the flagpole of a tribe than being worn on someoneâs body.
âThe green stuff is made of the blood of a certain demon,â Madelyne explained. âIt works similarly to the perfume you got from Leonaâto keep demons away.â
She put on her new dress without much of a thought.
Angor looked at her again and found the new getup to be viciously charming. She now looked almost like a demon lady straight out of the Abyss herself.
They heard someoneâs emotionless voice echoing across the sky.
âThe inter-plane tunnel is about to open. Those planning to head to the Abyss shall go to the Hollow immediately.â
In the next second, almost everyone in their view, including several shopkeepers, shot up into the sky and flew toward a high cliff at the other side of the island.
âTheyâre all going to travel to the Abyss?â Angor frowned when he saw the witch who sold Madelyneâs new dress also joining the others.
âNo.â Madelyne shook her head and lowered her voice. âTheyâre going to send people off.â
Without explaining her words, Madelyne took Angor and went after the trails of the precedents, until they came to an artificial platform built on top of the cliff.
Angor looked around and saw all the passengers of the Frozen Wing already here, except for the cheap workers occupying the bottom level of the vehicle.
There were also groups of people floating above the platform. According to Madelyne, these people were here to âsee their friends offâ. Although the grim silence and occasional sobs made the scene appear more like a funeral rather than a farewell meeting.
A large, round-shaped figure suddenly slid into Angorâs view. It was Brofen.
Before the fat alchemist could speak, Madelyne stepped in front of Angor and blocked him. âWhat do you want?â
Brofen gave Madelyne an innocuous smile. âJust a few words with dear Angor. I failed to give him a good time because of⊠something.â
Then he moved aside and looked at Angor. âYou shouldnât have left so fast back there. I didnât get a chance to explain!â
âI apologize, Mister Brofen. But I didnât want to be put to sleep again so
someone
can take advantage and âheat me upâ.â
âYou took me wrong!â Brofen kept faking his honest look. âI know better than to hurt you of all people on the Frozen Wing. Not to mention you are a big hero to us!â
Madelyne lost patience. âGet to the point. Are you here to say sorry or to pay Angor whatâs due? Do it or leave.â
Madelyne was confident that her Bloodline Art could keep Brofen at bay if there was a need for violence. However, she would respect the professional alchemist of the union, as long as he didnât step over the line first.
âPay for what?â Brofen shrugged. âI didnât actually do anything wrong, you know?â
Madelyne scoffed. âDo note that youâre not the only one with dirty tricks. So, youâre not sorry. Then why are you here?â
âI-I have this, experiment, ongoing. I want Angor to help me a little bit.â
Madelyne looked at Angor.
Angor shook his head. âSorry, sir. Proceeding to my next level is more crucial than anything right now. I canât get distracted.â
It was an excuse. Angor wouldnât get anywhere near Brofenâs workshop again even if he had time.
With nothing else to say, Brofen stepped away in disappointment.
A moment later, they saw Sennefer coming to them. She landed on the edge of the platform, looked at everyone, and fixed her gaze upon a group of apprentices at the outermost of the crowd.
âThe Abyss Plane is not a place for childish ambitions and dreams, that I can tell you. This is the last chance. If anyone wants to quit, do it now.â
The apprentices looked at each other warily, but no one moved. They came here because they willingly accepted tasks that sent them here. And it might be the biggest chance in their lives to earn a bright future.
âIf so, weâll proceed.â
Sennefer turned around and tapped the air in front of her with a slim finger, creating a faint image in everyoneâs view.
At first, the image looked like a simple illusion weaved by an amateur Illusionist that kept flickering. But slowly, it grew clearer and clearer, until it became the figure of a graceful woman with long, straight hair.
She was dressed in what seemed to be a nunâs habit from medieval times. Her face was, however, all blurry.
âGood afternoon, Fortuna,â Sennefer greeted her.
The womanâs shadow slightly bowed. âWelcome, Miss Sennefer.â
Even her tone and manners resembled that of an educated lady from old times.
âFortuna, whatâs the situation at Cinder Rock?â
âNot looking good, Iâm afraid. The Scythe Wielder, together with three troops, combining the Butchers, the Venom Stabbers, and the Flame Bearers, have launched three separate attacks.â
âHow did the Scythe Wielder discover Cinder Rock?â
âThey captured an apprentice of Gravity Forest. We did not hear any clues from the apprentice ever since, though itâs safe to assume that this apprentice gave out the location to the demons.â
Sennefer frowned as she glanced at a group of people wearing dark green robes.
A wizard from Gravity Forest, who just heard Fortunaâs words, looked away.
âWe should have never brought these troublemakers with usâŠâ Sennefer turned back to speak to Fortuna again. âHow long can we hold the enemies off from Cinder Rock?â
Fortune told a worrying answer with a calm expression. âHalf a day, at best.â
âI see⊠Light up the coordinates, Iâll open the inter-plane tunnel.â
âAs you wish.â Fortuna vanished from everyoneâs view.
Sennefer turned around to speak to everyone waiting. âYou heard her. A battle awaits at Cinder Rock. Try to stay alive.â
Some of the apprentices flinched. They now had second opinions about their plans.
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