The Great Canyon Margaret spanned across the Inlan Dukedom and several nearby kingdoms. It was also a place that was necessary to travel through to enter the Ennea Ivory Ring Tower, controlled by the Light Magi.
Of course, this was only with regards to Magi.
Ordinary citizens of this dukedom seldom step out of the kingdom, from their birth until their death. Even their mercenaries only received missions within the kingdom.
Mercenaries and wandering bards who had travelled the vicinity could use the experience they gained to flaunt or gain respect.
“Great Canyon Margaret is filled with danger. Even a hastened journey takes several months…”
Transportation in the Magus World was inconvenient, causing a great deal of inconvenience for magicians who travel far and wide.
Of course, he had another choice — he could ride in an airship.
But Leylin didn’t want to follow through that route, His destination is The Wilderness itself.
‘I will only able to grow further here’ Leylin thought as he silently commanded A. I. Chip to bring forth his status.
[Beep! Leylin Farlier. Rank 1 Warlock, Bloodline: Giant Kemoyin Serpent. Saint Knight Strength: 15.7, Agility: 14.6, Vitality: 17.3, Spiritual force: 42.5, Magic power: 42 (Magic Power is in synchronisation with Spiritual Force). Elemental essence conversion: 40%. Status: Healthy]
‘Hmm. Only my Spiritual Force growth lagging behind, No Matter I have a remedy for it too’ Leylin didn’t really worry for Spiritual Force since he has Tears of Mary Potion Formula.
When a Magus Spiritual force increase all other attributes also increase. As leylin has only half the requirements needed to breakthrough to Rank 2 Warlock his stats is remarkable. One has to keep in mind that after his bloodline evolution he will experience a huge leap in his stats.
Leylin has made remarkable progress in his Stats, He has observed that even his regular meditation session is 3 Times faster than Feng Meng, According it A.I.Chip if he used only meditation, it will take him 5 years to reach Rank 2 instead of 14 years.
This is the difference that is established with his investment in himself and his Foundation, rather than blindly chasing for miniscule Improvement.
He is gaining twice the results for half the work. Leylin has been restraining his use of abilities for far too long, he knows that he cannot flag himself without proper strength.
Many people will be intrigued by his fast development and may foster malicious intent. This is the reason he abandoned the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy as soon as possible.
But now leylin can let loose and properly exhibit his full potential. This wilderness is a place usually visited and crossed by criminals and Wanted people. No one will care if they die.
‘I can progress rapidly here’ Leylin plans to raise his strength level quickly because he knows that in order to squeeze out most benefit from Secret Plane he need at Least Rank 2 Status.
“Your parent’s good friend, that Aunt Marian, where does she live?”
Leylin asked Ivy, who was behind him.
“Angler Town beside the Great Canyon!” Ivy said in a low voice.
Leylin nodded and gently touched a Pendant around his neck. This girl’s blood had greatly helped him and the Defense of Fallen Star Pendant has increased by a level, Probably establishing itself in the High-Grade Magical Artifacts level.
“Well then! I will first send you to Angler Town to find your Aunt Marian!”
Leylin told Ivy.
“L…Lord! Is it okay if I followed you around?”
After what Leylin said, Ivy stayed silent for a moment before asking this question.
*Sigh*
Leylin knew that this was coming, He don’t mind helping her but it’s not worth it. Her future is too much limited, She will in the end only bring disaster to herself.
“Is this for revenge?” He spoked, what the girl had in mind.
Ivy lowered her head, obviously tacitly agreeing.
“Ivy you should be aware that due to the genetic constitution of your family, before you can find the lost meditation technique, you’ll never be able to be an apprentice. Even I can’t do anything about it!”
Only because Ivy and Leylin were inheritors of the same ancient bloodline, he felt that he should clarify it with her.
“I know! But I request from you to get me vengeance! For this reason, I’m willing to suffer any consequence!”
The little girl made her last effort.
“My apologies. Magus advocate fair transactions. And regardless of your wealth, health or spirit, it is not enough for me to deal with another official Magus!”
Leylin did not hesitate to reject the girl’s plea, This the reality of the world he lives in. It will be good for her to understand this. Any tenderness and sympathy shown by Leylin will only flare up hope in her heart which will future rot her from inside.
Upon hearing Leylin’s ruthless yet very real words, Ivy’s shoulders trembled, hugged her knees as she sat in the carriage and fell silent.
Soon, the carriage entered Angler Town.
This was obviously a Magus gathering area. There were little, almost none, ordinary people, and the architecture of the buildings around portrayed a gloomy style that appeared cold and weird. Even the atmosphere was filled with a moist putrefying stench.
Leylin looked at the surroundings. He knows that, these kinds of dangerous district beside the major transportation road, dwells those who harbors bad thoughts, Magus who have nowhere to turn to. Simply put, wanted criminals!
Leylin felt bad for Ivy. They followed the street and eventually got to the number plate Ivy had reported before.
Appearing in front of Leylin was a dilapidated two-story loft. Black wooden planks on the verge of collapsing revealed a decadent atmosphere.
The first floor had been converted to look like a grocery store. But it didn’t seem to be doing very well, and the people who entered were but a few.
Parking the carriage at a side, Leylin pulled Ivy’s hand as they entered the grocery store.
“Marian! Is Marian here?” Leylin yelled out. He did not attempt to conceal the energy fluctuations in his body as the road to Angler Town was unimpeded.
“Respected Magus Lord, how may I serve you?”
Before Leylin could finish his words, an obese middle-aged lady with a greasy grey apron and thick makeup made her way out, expressing humility and flattery.
If it wasn’t for the level 3 acolyte’s aura she had on her body, with this kind of image, she looked exactly like an unkind housewife.
“Is this Marian?” Leylin asked Ivy who was standing at a corner.
“Yes… Yes!” Ivy nodded her head. Leylin finally understood why Ivy was so unwilling.
By the looks of it, Ivy’s parents probably did not have anyone else to turn to back then. Hence, they allowed their housekeeper to send Ivy to Marian.
“This is Ivy! Any impression?” Leylin pulled Ivy in front of him.
“John’s daughter?!” Marian’s face changed slightly. “About the Langster family matter, I feel sad…” Marian said as she squeezed out a few drops of tears.
“…Back then, I just happened to pass by and the housekeeper begged me to bring her here…”
Leylin briefly spoke about the cause and effects.
Upon hearing that she has to offer shelter for Ivy again, Marian’s face completely turned embarrassed, as if things were already difficult for her. Leylin knew, if he wasn’t around, Ivy would have already been chased away.
“Since it is what the Lord wants, then alright!” She replied with an ugly smile after struggling for a long time.
Leylin looked at Ivy and finally decided to leave her with some hope. He touched her head for a moment and threw some Potions in Marian retreating quickly .
Ivy stayed rooted in her spot for a moment, suddenly a stream of information came gushing in her head, a voice also sounded in her head ” We will meet again if fate allows it ” . she quickly looked at Leylin back and bowed her head grateful.
Leylin has given her a Knight Technique that can be used to reach upto Grand Knight level, If anyone practice this technique, No Grand Knight can ever match that person and he/She will be simply unmatched in that level.
With his research surpassing Grand Knight level, it is easy for Leylin to create this. As for why he didn’t gave Saint Knight technique, It will simple be a Treasure that she can hold but never have. it will bring trouble to herself and maybe him too.
In regards to bringing her along on the journey, Leylin felt that he didn’t have the spare time to take care of such a cumbersome being.
Not to mention, if there was no suitable Warlock meditation method for her, Ivy would never be able to become a level 1 acolyte.
Warlock meditation methods were straining on blood vessels. Just like Leylin’s Kemoyin’s Pupil meditation technique, it was limited to only Warlocks who came from the bloodline of the Giant Kemoyin Serpent or its subspecies.
Other Warlocks and Magi would not be able to practice this technique even if they had the Kemoyin’s Pupil technique. It could only serve as a reference for them.
While thinking, Leylin rushed the carriage and arrived at the heart of the town.
As he went deeper into town, Leylin saw that the average strength of passersby were greater. At the heart of the town, he saw a few level 2 acolytes and even a few other official Magi.
All of the official Magi here wore cloaks and mantles, and their faces were covered by a face flannel— almost as if they did not want anyone to recognise them.
In general, Magi who’d risk passing through the Grand Canyon Margaret rather than riding the airship were usually individuals who had been classified as criminal scum who were on the run.
Some of them had offended local forces and had been forced to flee. Others simply had to flee to save their lives because someone hankered after something they possessed.
As a result, abruptly using detection spells here was often the cause of a huge battle.
Leylin looked at the crystal watch that he was wearing, whose hands were showing five past noon.
The sky slowly darkened, and the pedestrians present on the road lessened.
Approaching the centremost pub, Leylin commanded his people to stop the carriage and wait for him.
He knocked on the somewhat rotten door.
*Dong Dong!* A dull noise reverberated throughout the somewhat empty street, even drawing the caws from a couple ravens.
“Who are you?” The wooden door quickly opened, and a long-haired man with sparse wispy hair appeared, sizing Leylin up.
“I wish to pass through the Great Canyon Margaret and I hear that I will be able to find a means of transportation nearby…”
Leylin used a shroud to cover his face. The voice that emanated from within sounded somewhat gruff.
“Great Canyon Margaret? Are you a Magus Lord?”
The old geezer patted his head, and immediately opened the wooden door, “Greetings, Sir! What you say is correct; the Broken Axe Pub is the only place where you can find the Seated Lupin Wolf…”
This old man was just an acolyte, but it was obvious that he had seen the world, and that he knew both how to read a situation and how to protect himself.
Leylin nodded his head and walked into the Broken Axe Pub.
He knows that; the Great Canyon Margaret was always surrounded with terrifying sandstorms and it required several months to traverse it.
Also, there were a lot of hidden dangers in areas of the canyon. Being filled with dangerous swamps full of poisonous insects and the like, even horses could not be used in there.
Even Magi had lost their lives in some of the most dangerous spots!
Hence, forming a group and riding the Seated Lupin Wolf was the only way to get across the Great Canyon Margaret.
This particular pub was extremely quiet, up to the point of it being somewhat eerie.
Under the dim lighting, long chairs were placed along some partitioned rooms and sofas in the surroundings.
The little cubicle had three walls. Only the side facing the bar was wide open, as if the cubicle was a recess into the wall.
In the hall, several magicians sat in groups, drinking different coloured alcoholic drinks from time to time.
Leylin sniffed the aroma, and made out that the alcoholic content was extremely low, only meant to taste good, and not to induce drunkenness.
The magicians in the lobby were mostly level 3 acolytes. There were also several official Magi.
Leylin came in front of a horseshoe-shaped counter, sat down, and watched a bartender in a black western-looking suit.
“Sir! Do you want an ‘Ice Mountain Beauty’? Many magicians love this drink!” The bartender smiled and asked.
“I’ll have a cup! How much is it?” Under the dim lighting, Leylin’s tone sounded lazy.
“3 magic crystals!”
It was a very steep price that normal acolytes would definitely not be able to afford. Moreover, only the currency of magicians was accepted.
Leylin nodded his head nonchalantly, tossing a middle grade magic crystal to the bartender. “I’ll just have one cup! Furthermore, I wish to employ a Seated Lupin Wolf. Give me the information I require, and the remainder will be yours!”
Without a word, the bartender accepted the magic crystal. His hands moved swiftly, shaking the silver mixer on his hand, and drawing a few shiny arcs in the air.
“Sir, are you preparing to travel across the Great Canyon Margaret? Although the sandstorms have stopped, there have been rumours of a pack of Kary Vultures having seized the route leading towards the single necessary replenishing point. How about forming a group before setting off?”
The bartender shook the mixer in his hands as he explained to Leylin.
“Kary Vultures”
Leylin’s frowned outwardly but a smile graced his covered face. This was one of the mystical creatures in the Magus World. In its mature stages, a Kary Vulture was comparable to a level 3 acolyte. As for the King Kary Vulture, it had an existence equivalent to a rank 1 Magus.
If there really was such a group of Kary Vultures occupying the single route towards the canyon leading to the supply point, a traveller’s plan to cross the canyon would be compromised.
“All of these things that you have said were told to you by someone else, no?”
Leylin did not answer and stared at the bartender, before suddenly speaking up.
“Yes! Several official Magi have already formed small groups, and they’re lacking a few members. Hence, they had to stay in this area, and entrusted me to find a suitable member for them…”
The bartender smiled as he placed a drink with large amounts of ice on top and alcohol below to Leylin. It looked like a mountain of ice.
“Your ‘Ice Mountain Beauty’, Sir!”
Leylin raised the glass. There was a layer of thin frost around it, and even the alcohol inside had somewhat frozen over.
The refreshing cocktail entered his mouth, and the chill even spread from his throat to his four limbs.
The ice cold feeling subsided, and a fiery sensation followed. At first, it was extremely faint, but the heat grew stronger and stronger, even overcoming the previous iciness.
This feeling of freezing and burning was extremely strange, indeed worthy of its price of 3 magic crystals.
“Good wine! It has been a while since I’ve had such good liquor!”
Leylin slightly closed his eyes for a moment, exhaled a breath of contentedness, and said to the bartender.
“It is an honour to have satisfied my customer!” The bartender bowed slightly.
“Very well!” Leylin gulped down another mouthful of the ‘Ice Mountain Beauty’ before saying, “I wish to meet with the group before considering joining them or not!”
“Of course. In fact, the group was formed by solo travellers, so they have been staying here…”
The bartender smiled and nodded his head…
