Supreme Magus - Chapter 560

Chapter 560: 560
"Everything seems to be in order, but I can't follow such a command without hearing it directly from Lord Cestor . " Lith said while stepping forward .





The two guards crossed their lances in front of him, but he didn't stop .

"Even if the document is in order, I need to make sure it's not forged . Anyone could use the city Lord's seal . " Lith was now just a few millimeters from the blades .

"The Count requested the army's help and we've not been able to contact him ever since . Before I can leave, I must speak with him . Stand down and let me pass, because the moment your weapons touch my body you'll be persecuted for treason against the Crown . "

Lith's eyes flared up as he released a bit of killing intent . The mental pressure exerted by the mana filled with his violent emotions overwhelmed the guards, who turned pale but only took one step back .

Lith was surprised by their obstinacy . Without proper training or a mana core strong enough, killing intent was more than enough to send normal people running for their lives . Their fear had to be deep rooted to allow them to hold their ground .

"Fine . " A wave of Lith's hand generated two streams of lightning bolts which nailed the guards against the city walls . Their bodies trembled in seizure before falling unconscious onto the ground .

Three more guards rushed to the gate after hearing the screams . They were about to unsheathe their weapons when they recognized the Ranger uniform .

"Arrest and detain those two, I want to interrogate them later . " Lith said . The shocked soldiers kept moving their eyes from Lith to their companions, never removing their hands from the hilt of their blades .

Their lack of discipline annoyed Lith . He was used to being harassed by the inhabitants of small cities, but even there the local guards knew their place .





"Where is your Sergeant? I want to give him a piece of my mind about how he trains his soldiers . " Lith said .

"You just knocked him out, Sir . " Replied one of the guards after snapping out of his reverie .

"What happened?"

Lith explained the reason of his coming and his need for meeting the Count Cestor .

"I understand, Sir . I apologize on behalf of the Sergeant . I can assure you he is a good man . It's just that these days we are all jumpy . " The soldier replied . He was a young man in his early twenties, with light brown hair and blue eyes .

"My name is Firgon Heklas . Nice to meet you, Sir . " He said while giving Lith a salute . The other two took care of the injured guards before cuffing and move them to the nearest jail .

"What reason could possibly lead your comrades to commit such blatant insubordination?"

Firgon led Lith to the city Lord's mansion while explaining to him the details about Zantia's recent events .

"Please, don't be too harsh on them . Their families are going through a tough time . Not only is this winter really harsh, but a lot of people are falling ill . Healers are powerless against the disease and many of the relatives of its victims have joined a shady cult that claims to be able to treat any illness . " Firgon said .






"Are you saying there is a plague here in Zantia?"

"Not a plague . " Firgon shook his head .

"Technically, it's not even a disease . Every person displays different symptoms, so we don't even know if they are all suffering from the same thing, and it never lasts long . The problem is that after some time people get sick again, like it never heals . We call it: 'the Griever' . "

"What about your Healers?" Lith found the story ridiculous . Illnesses and even poisons acted all the same . Someone poisoning several different people each with a different substance was as cruel as it was idiotic .

"They have confirmed it's not poisoning, but an affliction of the body . They can cure it, but it only makes things worse . Whenever the disease gets removed, it returns almost immediately stronger than before . " Firgon replied .

"I can sympathize with them . One of my sisters has been ill for a long time, but that still doesn't explain your sergeant's odd behavior . "

"I'm afraid it's because of the Church of the Six . " Firgon sighed .

"Life in the north is harsh, so a lot of religions are born and die every year . They try to give people hope about the afterlife, but usually their absurd dogmas are just a cover to rob believers of their money .





"The Church of the Six is different for two reasons . First, they don't ask for 'donations' for everything, and second, whatever they do, it works . Or so they say . Some of them get rich, others get healed, and stuff like that .

"People whose relatives got the Griever became fanatics after word got out that the clerics can cure it for good . The bastards only treat the most loyal worshippers, though . "

"I've traveled quite a lot and have never heard about either the Church of the Six or the Griever . " Lith pondered .

"It's not a surprise . The Church was founded only last year and it would have already disappeared if not for the Griever . "

"Let me guess, your Sergeant is a believer . " Lith said .

"Yeah, a big one . He recently became a father, and there's nothing he wouldn't do to spare his son from all that suffering . His wife's hair is turning white from the fear . "

"When did the Griever appeared?"

"Right after the winter lockdown started . The worst stuff always happens during that period . Bad luck loves company . "

Lith nodded and decided to let the Sergeant off the hook . The man was already suffering enough .

'I doubt the Griever is a real illness . Most likely his son is terminally ill . If I accuse him of treason, he will lose his job, his life, and the little time they have left together . ' Lith thought .

'Why don't you cure the baby? It shouldn't be difficult for you . ' Solus thought .

'I sympathize with him, but that doesn't mean I care for him or his son . Especially after he pointed a blade at me . He made his choice when he preferred listening to a cleric rather than ask a Healer for help . '

After another few questions about the situation of Zantia, they reached Count Cestor's House . The city Lord was a short man in his mid fifties, around 1 . 62 meters (5'4") tall with white hair and thin mustaches .

The Count was sickly pale, far more than what passed for normal in the north, with bloodshot eyes and so many nervous tics that Lith suspected him of drug abuse .

"I'm really sorry to have wasted your time, Ranger Verhen, but as the guards told you at the city gates, our issues are already solved . I'm sure there are plenty of cities that need your help . " His voice was firm, yet it sounded old and tired like he hadn't sleep in days .

"Why you didn't just cancel your request? We've tried to contact you for several days . "

"Because I've seen the light, Ranger Verhen . Magic is the sad attempt of men to play god . Our arrogance has long since blinded us and angered the real gods . Only by relinquishing it can we pray to receive their mercy . "

Lith was tempted to give the man a soapbox and a "the end is near" t-shirt as the Count looked at him with the ill-concealed contempt a self-righteous man usually reserved for a nonbeliever .

Note : Please download the sponsor's game to support us!