Chapter 389: Escaping with Life

Intense battle destroyed several structures of Black Serpent Castle, shards of stone and splintered wood littering the ground.

But no one cared about the damaged buildings; under Nigen's summons, all knights stationed around the castle scattered in every direction, searching for the escaped mage.

An hour, two hours, until the sun dipped below the horizon, they found nothing.

Crack!

The crystal goblet was hurled to the ground, shattering into pieces.

Auson's beard and hair bristled with rage. "Miloslav has been hiding his hand! He mastered the earth-walking technique, so difficult to learn!"

Moving beneath the earth, ordinary methods were powerless against him; tracking his direction proved immensely challenging.

"If only the Divine Envoy were here, his perception would have sensed the direction the moment he fled."

If the escape route were known, Black Wound could target the ground to force him out.

Even if not, it would narrow the search area.

A city-wide manhunt for one man? Hardly effective.

Black Serpent City was vast; the knights scattered like a drop in the ocean.

"Since we can't find him, we must strategize for what comes next."

Miloslav held high status; allied with nobles and factions, a vassal of Wushan Castle, head of the Wushan Academy of the Supernatural, with countless students.

Auson and Black Wound failed to assassinate him; now they'd face Miloslav's wrath.

This was Black Wound's concern.

Per Mephisto's plan, besides Moonlight Valley, they intended Heid County as a second base, infiltrating factions while building strength.

Miloslav's escape would expose events at Black Serpent Castle.

Auson's recovery and Black Wound's presence would be revealed; whether Black Serpent Castle remained a base was uncertain.

"Send word to the Divine Envoy. This has gone awry; we need his counsel."

Auson grunted. Altered yet retaining memories, he had discarded his first persona, embracing the second.

"I know your worry, but rest assured—Wushan Castle lacks the power to attack us."

Auson knew Lu Rans and the Wushan domain intimately.

He chuckled coldly. "If Lu Rans brings his knights to fight me, it will hasten the Wushan family's loss of control."

Auson maintained two knightly orders; with effort, he could muster three.

Wushan Castle could destroy him, but even in victory, losses would be severe.

When Polant Raiders or Black Gold Brotherhood returned, what would Wushan Castle have to counter them?

"I hope you're right," Black Wound nodded.

Black Wound nodded. Negotiation, not war, would be best.

"If we negotiate, perhaps we can draw Lu Rans into our fold. If successful, the Wushan domain is ours!"

They came to Black Serpent City after learning of Auson's condition from Hesus.

Mephisto deduced from Hesus's account that the tormenting force was pure soul force, so they came.

Mephisto didn't know the source of the pure soul force, but with the Soul Pearl, he easily transformed Auson.

Auson's case mirrored Lu Rans'.

The old marquis had suffered for decades; his body held more soul force, making transformation easier for Mephisto.

After Auson's transformation, they planned for him to send an invitation to Wushan Castle to approach Lu Rans.

But Auson refused.

On one hand, his petty heart couldn't forgive Lu Rans' torment.

He didn't want Lu Rans to escape pain early; he wished to see him suffer until the end.

On the other, Wushan Castle wasn't easy to infiltrate.

Even with Lu Rans' combat limitations, the castle had energy cannons, magic arrows, knights, and high-ranking warriors.

A rash move could spark a battle like today's, losing Wushan Castle and themselves.

But now, to avoid greater trouble, perhaps bringing Lu Rans into their fold was better?

Auson pondered. "When Wushan Castle inquires about Miloslav, I'll seek a chance to lure Lu Rans out."

Black Wound nodded. "Best!"

He added, "But first, search every corner of Black Serpent City. A mage surviving my blow is remarkable; such wounds wouldn't let him flee the city. He's hiding somewhere."

Indeed.

Moon bright, stars sparse, in a desolate hill's grass near Black Serpent City, Miloslav panted as he curled up to rest.

He'd fled here, magic depleted, exhaustion gnawing at his nerves, urging sleep.

But sleep wasn't an option.

He needed to meditate, harness his magic, stay vigilant, act swiftly.

If he slept and couldn't wake, even a Silver Knight would capture him.

"Thankfully I mastered earth-walking; otherwise, I'd be dead in Black Serpent Castle."

He shuddered, relieved to escape, but thought of guard captain Buloff, still in their hands, fate unknown.

The Golden Knight had served him for years; their bond was deep.

Thinking Buloff might be dead, rage surged in Miloslav.

"Cough!"

As rage rose, his chest wound tore with agony.

To avoid revealing himself, he stifled the cough.

"Auson!"

He gritted his teeth. "This isn't over!"

Miloslav knew Lu Rans had recovered; he came to Black Serpent Castle after consulting him.

They planned for Auson to spend heavily on magic potions to weaken Black Serpent Castle, but Auson had also escaped the Soul-Sucking Surge.

Lu Rans had suffered the Soul-Sucking Surge for decades, only recently freed.

How did Auson escape it?

Was it the same one who helped Lu Rans aiding Auson?

The old dean shook his head; this was secondary.

He was assassinated in Auson's castle; Lu Rans would surely intervene.

And perhaps Auson needed an excuse to punish Black Serpent Castle, drifting from Wushan Castle.

(End of Chapter)