Assassin's Chronicle - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

For many people, things and sayings often become meaningless after they become familiar . For example, most people would simply laugh off the saying "success is the result of one percent innovation and ninety-nine percent hard work . " But is the saying truly childish? Perhaps not as much as people would like to think .

After a meal and some rest, some students, like Christian and Blavi, began meditating to recover their magic . Others, however, fell asleep . Everyone was exhausted and sleep deprived, but clearly students like Christian and Blavi had become some of the best for a reason .

There were many ways to understand a person, but self introduction was the least effective one . Anfey was an observant man, and he preferred observing the students in silence . Now, although he could not say he completely understood them, he could at least form a conclusive personality description for each and every one of them . Christian was stately and considerate, polite and accepting of criticism and of opposing opinions . Zubin was forbearing; silence was his protective shield . It was likely that Zubin was the most brilliant of everyone, including in his social skills . Sante was headstrong and not afraid of challenges and fights . Yesterday Anfey told him to take care of Phillip, if he arrived, and Sante had agreed without objection . It was clear that he was extremely confident . Blavi was impulsive, but at the same time cautious . Every time he became too stressed, he would show the more violent side of his personality . Riska was slightly careless, and was the weakest among the four leaders . Both Zubin and Sante were better fit for their jobs, but Anfey needed people he could trust .

Niya, who was sitting alone in the corner, finally began eating again . She glanced towards Anfey, but every time Anfey looked her way, she would look the other way .

Anfey knew that his slap had harmed Niya’s self esteem, but he did not regret it . He had said everything that needed to be said, and now he needed Niya to understand his words herself .

"Alright, everyone," Anfey called . "The sun is high . Let’s go . "

Everyone answered his call and stood up . Those meditating opened their eyes as well . Only deep meditation could restore their magic, but there was no time for deep meditation right now .

"Zubin," Anfey instructed, "use water magic . We need some water . " When they were in Lagan City, Anfey had thought about the water problem and had bought some waterskins . Then he remembered that he was travelling with mages, which meant they would have no trouble with water . He had even laughed at himself for it .

Zubin waved his hand, and a small stream appeared on the ground . The students all gathered around, drinking from it and washing their faces . Niya pushed through the group and reached for the water . Under the morning sun, the red mark on her face was clear for all to see . A few people stared at her and didn’t look away until Anfey coughed as a warning .

"Anfey," Christian whispered . "Let us rest a bit more . We can use levitation after we are done recovering . Walking through such a dense forest will tire all of us out . "

Anfey trusted Christian . Christian knew what should be done in each situation, and every time he had an idea, he would consult with Anfey first instead of openly arguing with him .

"All we need to do is go over that hill," Anfey said . "We will head down the valley and rest at noon . Everyone should be recovered by nightfall . We will start again then . "

"Alright," Christian said, nodding . He knew what Anfey was worried about . If the Lagan City Guards were fast enough, those from the Sacred City should have reached Forest Clarm by now . If they were levitating above the forest, they could be easily spotted by higher level mages . Walking among the trees was the safest bet .

Forest Clarm was bright and sunny, but thousands of miles away, Zuba City was under heavy grey clouds . Ellisen Empire’s Storm Legion and Dark Moon Magic Legion were camped right outside the city . Three legions from Maho Empire defended it, and they had seven to ten times the number of troops that Ellisen Empire had . Maho Empire was using a defensive strategy, since the Dark Moon Magic Legion was one of the best in the world and had never lost a battle . Its commander, Newyoheim, was an archmage who was considered to be even more powerful than Saul .

There was a reason people tended to think of Newyoheim as the more powerful one . Saul was a kind and amiable man who rarely clashed with anyone, let along having clashes that ended with fatalities . Newyoheim, however, could not tolerate any mistreatment . He had killed two archmages and a master swordsman . Ernest was someone who challenged others to further his skills . Newyoheim challenged to kill .

Normally, a man with his personality was not fit to lead an entire legion . However, he had an outstanding helper: Sarick . Sarick was no more than a junior magister, but his skill in commanding the army was exceptional . He had saved the empire’s armies from losing numerous times, and had led the army to major victories . With those two in charge, the Dark Moon Magic Legion had become one of the most fearsome armies in the world .

It was not just the commanders, either . The core of the Legion was made up of two archmages, more than thirty magisters, and more than two hundred senior mages . Maho Empire, unless it brought together all the mages from all of its legions, could not dream of competing against them . But what was a legion without mages?

In addition, Dark Moon Magic Legion had a long history . Newyoheim came to fame early in life, and achieved archmage status when he was only in his early thirties . His oldest student was only a year younger than he . Now that he was in his sixties, his connections and power over the legion were not something to joke about . Within the legion, half of the core mages were either his students or his student’s students . Whenever something urgent arose, all the mages were willing to die for him . A normal legion would not have this level of dedication .

So, even though Saul was in the city and had the advantage in troop numbers, Maho Empire’s army could only rely on the magical shield to protect the city .

To the south of Zuba City center was a small, strangely-built building . The building was tall and straight, its bricks embedded with shining rocks that would reveal to be magical crystals . On top of the building was a small white orb, which glowed softly . This was the Tower of Mages, which supported the magical shield over Zuba City . Despite the city’s magic ban, a shadow flew into the sky and towards the tower . Before it entered the tower’s self-defense spell, it landed and began jogging to its door .

The guards saluted the prince of Maho Empire, Granden .

"Urgent business," the prince said . "Take me to Master Saul immediately . "

"A moment, my lord," the head guard, an intermediate swordmaster, said . He hurried into the tower, and a moment later the door opened . "Please, my lord . Master Saul awaits . "

Granden nodded and hurried inside . He stepped into the transportation portal in the middle of the tower .

"My lord, what happened?" Saul asked . He was already waiting for the prince on the other side of the portal .

Granden looked at the mages at work in the room and glanced at Saul .

Saul nodded and led the prince into another room . He soundproofed the room before turning back to Granden . "My lord, please . "

"Father sent me a message . He has already been assassinated . "

"What?" Saul’s eyes widened . "What do you mean?"

"Master, be at ease . Father sent a message telling me he was assassinated," Granden explained .

"You mean, the emperor is safe?"

"Yes," Granden nodded . "Father told us to get ready to retreat . Seven days hence . "

"Retreat?"

"Yes . "

"But why retreat? You mean…"

"Father said that he would go to great lengths to eliminate the Dark Moon Magic Legion," Granden said slowly . "Ellisen Empire must have learned about what happened to father by now . It was no secret that Wester and I do not get along . Now Wester is on the throne, he is in control of the empire, but I still hold the military . I have to retreat with my armies in order to fight Wester . No one would suspect anything . "

"Then?"

"Baery is already leading his Roaring Dead Legion and two other legions northward . As long as we can lead the Dark Moon Magic Legion past the Yagor Mountain Range, Baery will be able to cut off their retreat . Father was determined to eliminate Dark Moon Magic Legion, no matter the cost . "

"I understand," Saul said after a few moments of silence . Although he was not the brightest with military affairs, and Granden had offered only a brief explanation, he was still able to sort through the plan . "His Grace is wise," he said .

The plan sounded easy, but was in fact very difficult to execute . First, Yolanthe needed to recall the Roaring Dead Legion and order it to travel to the north without anyone noticing . Then, he needed to pick the perfect time to fake his own death, making sure that Ellisen Empire’s rulers would believe he had died . Saul and Yolanthe had been friends for years, and he knew that Yolanthe was brilliant but cautious . If Yolanthe had already executed the plan, Saul knew the man had already learned everything that needed to be learned about the situation . Otherwise, he would never leave so much of his territory for the taking .

"But, Master Saul," Granden said hesitantly . "There were some . . . mishaps . "