The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Chapter 215

On the third morning, Elder Connas and his weary band of adventurers arrived at Azure Mountain.

After six grueling days and nights of relentless pursuit, their spirits were worn thin. The first two days were fueled by purpose and direction, but as time went on, their search became chaotic and haphazard, and they were flitting about like headless sprites. The most infuriating part was that from beginning to end, they hadn't caught so much as a glimpse of Alavin.

It wasn't until yesterday morning that they considered the possibility that Alavin hadn't actually fled that night. They had assumed he had escaped, and in their fervor, they had chased phantoms for a hundred leagues, leading their hunt in the completely wrong direction. Meanwhile, Alavin likely watched them leave like they were fools, then casually circled around, arriving at Azure Mountain ahead of them.

The more they thought about it, the more plausible it seemed; otherwise, they wouldn't have lost track of Alavin so completely.

Today, on the outskirts of the mining district, they faced the reality when they were met by Alavin himself, who hadn't fled at all. They had been played, and quite thoroughly at that. The cunning whelp was certainly too sly.

"Elder Connas, you lot are too slow. Did you run into trouble on the road?" Alavin greeted them with a smile, flanked by five hundred guards of the Mallister family.

Adirich bristled at the sight of Alavin's smiling face, fighting the urge to slap him right there.

Elder Connas' face was stern as he rebuked, "Who permitted you to leave early? What if you had encountered danger? How would we explain that to the Commander?"

"I was longing for home. It won't happen again."

"And where is Elder Vandill? Why did you come alone?" Elder Connas asked coldly, not ready to give up. As long as Alavin was within Cloudveil Woods, there was still a chance to strike. Next time, he would not let Alavin succeed.

"There was... an accident. Elder Vandill made the ultimate sacrifice."

"Damnation! How dare you jest about such matters?" Elder Connas was furious.

"No jest. You should see for yourself."

"Your audacity grows. Step aside!"

With a cold snort, Elder Connas strode past Alavin, but stopped in his tracks a few steps later. The clearing ahead was filled with bodies, covered in white and black shrouds, easily numbering seven or eight hundred. Elder Connas' mouth hung open in shock.

Adirich and the others followed, equally stunned by the sight before them.

Alavin approached one of the bodies and lifted the white shroud. "This is Elder Vandill."

Elder Connas quickly moved closer and, upon seeing the body, recognized Vandill immediately. Vandill's face was pale, eyes wide and mouth agape, as if he had died in disbelief. Could it be that Vandill, the esteemed Cobalt Strike Elder, was dead?

Alavin stood up. "And these others..."

"What of them?" Adirich demanded, looking at Alavin.

"See for yourself."

Adirich hurriedly uncovered other white shrouds to find the bodies of the Protégés tasked with guarding the Azure Mountain mining district. Bodies, nothing but bodies, densely covered the

ground.

They were stunned. What on earth had happened?

Elder Connas closed Vandill's eyes with a solemn gesture. Bowing his head and gritting his teeth, he struggled to contain his emotions. "Alavin, I demand an explanation!"

"Two nights ago, a band of mountain brigands stormed Azure Mountain, looting and killing, and forced their way into the manor. Elder Vandill led the guardian Protégés in a bloody battle, ultimately falling with honor. Alas, such a pity."

"Enough!" Elder Connas rose abruptly, barely holding back a curse.

Alavin shook his head, feigning regret. "I know it's hard to accept, but what's done is done, Elder Connas. Mourn with dignity." NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

Elder Connas was seething. Brigands? A bloody battle? Was Alavin mocking them?

Adirich and the others took a deep breath, a cold realization dawning upon them. Were they all dead? Who had done this? Surely, it was Alavin's doing. Did he dare to kill a Cobalt Strike Elder? Were all the Protégés slew by his hand?

Such wickedness, such a foul deed.

Alavin continued, "I owe a great debt to Elder Vandill. He sent the Mallister family guards away to protect the panicked citizens. Otherwise... well..."

Lucan and the others exchanged knowing glances. Lord Alavin's acting was not half bad. He was quite convincing!

Elder Connas clenched his jaw, suppressing his rage. "What brigands? How could the ones around Azure Mountain be so bold as to slay a Cobalt Strike Elder?"

"We're just as puzzled. There were a thousand of them, reckless in their raiding and arson. Those covered with black shrouds are the brigands' bodies, about three hundred, I'd say. The rest fled."