Chapter 250: Advanced Mage

The dragon hurtled through the upper reaches of the sky, and Romon soon arrived above Swamp Town.

"Let us head down, we will land directly on the meadow behind the castle."

Romon pointed out the general location, and Carlos reduced his speed to the absolute minimum, descending slowly.

Simultaneously, the light surrounding his massive frame began to warp, concealing both his form and Romon's silhouette.

This was the exact effect brought by the fifth-tier water magic, Light-Bending Shadow-Refraction.

Upon learning of the events at Red Mountain Town, Romon had Horwath assist him the very next day by spending two hundred gold pieces at the Silva Magitech Chamber of Commerce in Wu Mountain City to purchase this spellbook.

Carlos was truly worthy of being the descendant of a legendary dragon; his magical talent was exceedingly high, and it took him scarcely a day to cast this magic with proficiency.

With the magical enhancement active at this moment, coupled with the shroud of dusk, the guards upon the castle towers failed to discover Romon's presence.

Yet before Romon could rejoice, Elrond, who happened to be passing by, arrested his steps and looked into the courtyard with suspicion, seemingly sensing that something was amiss.

"Who goes there?"

He barked softly, simultaneously enveloping himself in a Divine Shield, having already determined that something unfamiliar occupied that empty space.

Romon's eyelids twitched slightly; he had not expected to be seen through.

Then again, it was understandable upon reflection; the concealment effect of this magic was mediocre, and Rulance had also noted that those with sharp perception could discern the warped light.

Elrond possessed not only keen observation but also immensely powerful mental fortitude as the Chief Mage, making it entirely reasonable that he could perceive Carlos's approach.

Seeing that the other man was already preparing to cast Light-Binding Magic, Romon spoke up hastily.

"No need for alarm, Elrond, it is I."

Romon patted Carlos, bidding him take flight and depart; once stripped of the shroud of Light-Bending Shadow-Refraction, his form was revealed.

"My Lord?"

Elrond was struck with bewilderment and dissipated the magic upon his person, "What is the meaning of this?"

"It was Carlos's concealment magic, though its effect is somewhat lacking, since you saw through it at a single glance."

Romon offered a brief explanation.

He intended to have men clear a patch of open ground at the rear of Swamp Castle, dedicated specifically for use as a landing pad, which would prove far more convenient.

Elrond came to a sudden realization, looking down at the four footprints upon the lawn, which were indeed left behind by a dragon.

He had not expected that a dragon could also employ concealment.

"How have things been lately? Has any progress been made on those few magical potions?" Romon inquired.

Elrond let out a sigh; while there was currently progress regarding herbal remedies, such as the disinfectants and hemostatic powders he had successfully concocted for common use.

Yet when it came to the magical potions alone, not a single one had been fully produced to this day.

"The Mana Restoration Potion and the Battle Qi Restoration Potion have yet to be crafted due to a shortage of two specific ingredients."

"However, I have already asked Pearson to keep an eye out, and I have also discovered several substitute materials; although initial results have been achieved, the efficacy of the concocted potions is less than ideal."

Romon could offer Elrond no assistance regarding matters of magical potions and could only leave the man to his own research.

"In about a month or so, you shall accompany me on a long journey."

While the research into magical potions was important, this war was of equal consequence.

"Does My Lord intend to take me along to participate in the war to reclaim Red Mountain Town?"

Romon was astonished, "How did you know?"

He himself had been at Wu Mountain Castle, and Karolina had sent no letters via messenger birds to the Northern Wu Territory.

Only after Elrond offered an explanation did Romon understand.

Indeed, no letters had arrived in the Northern Wu Territory, but Swamp Town maintained trade caravans flowing to the outside world, and Anthony of the Viper Exchange had delivered another batch of slaves over the past two days.

It was through these channels that they had learned of the matter.

"My Lord, Rhaegar and the others have all visited the castle over the last two days, stating that they must be notified the moment you return. I see that this band of knights can no longer contain themselves; they are burning with impatience to join you on the battlefield."

A knight's glory lay upon the battlefield.

As a modern man who had transmigrated, Romon did not feel this sentiment deeply.

Yet the knights under his command thought otherwise.

To them, participating in a war signified the beginning of establishing their names and careers.

It was merely a pity that Romon intended to bring only a few knights to the battlefield this time, with no intention of dragging the entire knight squad along.

"My Lord!"

"Brother Romon, you have returned~"

Upon entering the main keep, Romon encountered Janny and her daughter, Irene.

"Ah, My Lord, I nearly forgot to inform you of a joyous occasion just now."

Elrond pointed at Janny, saying with a smile, "Our Northern Wu Territory has gained another high-tier mage!"

Romon's eyes lit up, and he could not help but study Janny closely; the fluctuations of mana upon her person did indeed seem a fraction stronger.

A thirty-four-year-old water-attributed high-tier mage; Janny's magical talent was by no means lacking.

"Congratulations, Janny!"

As Romon spoke, he produced the two third-tier spellbooks that Rulance had gifted him.

"These are the two magics of Ice Bolt and Frost Confinement; I hope you master them at an early date."

Both spells possessed a certain destructive capacity, particularly Ice Bolt, whose power far exceeded the second-tier water-attributed spell, Water Bolt.

Should Janny master these two spells, her utility would be elevated by a significant margin.

"Many thanks, My Lord!"

She had been preparing to make a trip to Horse-Pasture City over the past few days to purchase suitable magical texts, never expecting that Romon would have them here.

"Brother Romon, I also have a gift to give you!"

Irene spoke up, turning around to run back into her room, and when she returned, a piece of cloth was held in her hands?

"What is this?" Romon accepted it with some surprise.

"Though it is a bit late, I still want to wish you a happy birthday!" Irene said.

Janny explained with a smile from the side, "This is the first Water Gathering spell scroll that Irene crafted. She originally intended to present it to you on your birthday, but unfortunately, you had departed."

Romon opened it for a look; it was indeed a spell scroll, though this type of beast hide differed from the magical beast leather he customarily purchased, which was why he had failed to recognize it at first glance.

"To be able to craft spell scrolls already, marvelous!"

Romon smiled and stroked her head, "Thank you for your gift, I like it very much."

Although the function of the Water Gathering spell was minor, it was enough to show that Irene possessed talent in this field; in the future, when she reached the level of a mid-tier or high-tier mage, she would be able to craft spell scrolls of greater power.

For this kind of strategic resource, the more people capable of crafting it, the better.

The news of Romon's return quickly reached the ears of the knights, and with Rhaegar, Maken, Rogner, and Joffrey representing them, they inquired about the upcoming operational plan.

However, Romon had not yet determined the specific choices, merely instructing everyone to train the soldiers well and prepare for the later stages of combat, while ordering Rhaegar to prepare a small amount of provisions to set out for Wu Mountain Castle in half a month.

The knights felt a certain regret at the lord’s decision to bring only a portion of his men to war.

Yet they also hoped that among those chosen, their names would be included.

Time crept forward, and the nobles of Wushan flocked to prepare with fervor.

Though most had no intention of sending their entire forces—such seasoned knights and cavalrymen were the fruit of years of painstaking cultivation, and each lost was a loss forever—

for if the whole army were annihilated, the blow to a domain would be catastrophic.

Yet none dared to withhold too much; the contingent they sent must at least appear respectable, must clearly demonstrate their obedience to the summons.

All proceeded as planned.

Until, midway through, a letter arrived from the southeast, shattering the carefully laid plans of all. (End of chapter)