Golden Mage - Chapter 74

Volume 3, Chapter 14

And suddenly, he could feel it. It was the realization that Lord Rubius’ office was not much different from other noble houses. Ironically, the reason for such an office was because El had renovated it to avoid being outdone by other noble estates. Bollec’s mind was filled with questions.

“How strange. Lord Rubius is known to have a very poor territory… Yet, his office is comparable to those of prominent dukes and marquises…”

As he thought about it, Bollec’s gaze turned to Rowelin. When Rowelin noticed Bollec looking at her, she slightly raised her head and asked.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Well, I mean, your lord’s office is hardly any different from those of other nobles. No, in fact, it rivals the offices of two dukes.”

“I see.”

Rowelin chuckled softly at Bollec’s words and nodded her head. Then, with a tone of pride, she spoke.

“In fact, this is the office that was generously renovated by Sir Martup, who was recently appointed in the kingdom.”

“Martup? Are you talking about the Martup who appeared at the kingdom’s assembly?”

“Yes, that’s right. Since I have a close relationship with him, he went ahead and completely refurbished this office for me. He’s truly a generous person.”

“Martup… Martup, you say…”

Bollec mumbled to himself. Then, suddenly, his eyes widened.

“Certainly… Even after exploring all over the kingdom, they couldn’t find Martup. That means the Martup was in a different location. Perhaps it’s in the area of sealed magic… Yes, that’s it. The Martup! The place where the Saintess is!”

The conclusion was quickly drawn. The Radiant Knights had scoured every corner of the kingdom, yet they couldn’t find Martup, which strongly suggested that Martup was in a location where magic was blocked.

Bollec’s eyes sparkled, and he turned to Rowelin.

“The Martup! Where is it located?”

“Excuse me? The Martup?”

Rowelin’s eyes widened, and upon hearing Bollec’s thoughts, she could instantly understand what he meant.

He intended to go to the Martup, believing that the Saintess was there.

Numerous thoughts crossed Rowelin’s mind, and in the blink of an eye, she made a quick decision. She had a bad feeling about this.

“The Martup… Come to think of it, I don’t know where it is. Lord Martup didn’t teach me that.”

“I see…”

Bollec responded with a disappointed expression. It was odd that she had a close relationship with Martup yet didn’t know the location of the Martup, but he didn’t think she would readily tell him even if she knew.

He stood up and looked at Rowelin.

“We’ve been indebted to you for a few days. We’ll be leaving now.”

“Are you going to another kingdom?”

Rowelin asked with a hint of hope, but the answer she received shattered her expectations.

“No, we’re looking for the Martup. I haven’t been there yet.”

With those words, Bollec left the office.

Watching the Radiant Knights leave the mansion, Rowelin muttered in an uneasy tone.

“No way… Sir El is going after the Saintess… Surely, that can’t be.”

Her anxiety filled voice did nothing to ease her worries. Unfortunately, her intuition was right. El had chosen the Saintess, Serena, and was preparing to engage in battle with the Holy Kingdom.

After leaving the mansion, Bollec asked Hayden.

“Do you know where the Martup entered the Tolyan Kingdom?”

In response to his words, Hayden hesitated and said, “Unfortunately, we only heard that the Martup appeared, but we don’t know where it entered.”

“Hmm! I see. I assume that’s where the Saintess is. However, not being able to find the Martup there…”

“If that’s the case, I have something to say to Lord Martup on your behalf.”

“Oh?”

Bollec looked at Hayden, and he quickly revealed what he had in mind.

“To be honest, when the Vice-Chancellor felt that the Saintess was in the Tolyan Kingdom, I also had the same feeling. And when we couldn’t find the Saintess in Lord Rubius’ territory, I thought she might be in the Martup. And according to the interpretation of the Trust, the Martup’s location was traced. Of course, this is under the assumption that the Saintess is in the Martup.”

“Wow! That’s impressive! So, where is the Martup likely to be?”

Bollec’s eyes brightened. He had initially been skeptical, but after hearing Hayden’s words, he felt that this place was a better fit for the Trust than anywhere else.

“I wasn’t entirely sure myself. However, my instincts led me to believe the same thing when the Vice-Chancellor felt it. And then, when he couldn’t find the Martup in Lord Rubius’ territory, I began to think that it might be in the Martup. There was a phrase in the Trust’s content that said: ‘The end is not the end, and the place never understood.’ I also found a phrase that says ‘The place where the Martup is located may be…’”

Hayden’s hand moved to the west on the map of the Tolyan Kingdom. There, they found the area marked as “Orc Forest” and “Troll Valley.”

Then Hayden said confidently, “If ‘the end is not the end’ and ‘the place never understood’ are the key phrases, then the Martup could likely be in one of these two places… And considering the odds, it’s more likely to be in Troll Valley.”

“I see!”

Bollec’s eyes lit up. At first, he had doubts, but after hearing Hayden’s explanation, he felt that this place was more fitting for the Trust than anywhere else.

“Your interpretation is quite remarkable. Let’s go to that place right away. I have a feeling the Saintess is there.”

Filled with confidence in his opinion being positively received, Hayden looked pleased.

“Understood, Lord Bollec.”

Thus, it took two months for the Radiant Knights to make their way to Troll Valley, now called Golden Valley.

“Hoo! How much is done now?”

El murmured as he layered the final magic on the barrier. Two months had passed since the Radiant Knights entered the Tolyan Kingdom.

During that time, El had been diligently engraving magic over the entire valley, which was now called Golden Valley.

This was a new idea that El had come up with. While it hadn’t been confirmed, it was likely that it would be a solid defense against any threats.

“Conflict with the Holy Kingdom is unavoidable. However, we must minimize the damage. If it becomes irreversible, it’ll be difficult for me.”

As he pondered how to confront the Holy Kingdom, El suddenly heard the alarm magic he had set up at the entrance of the valley.

In response, El froze. He turned his gaze toward the entrance of the valley and muttered.

“They’re here.”

With that, a bright white light enveloped El as he activated the Blink magic.

Zzt!

The light flashed, and El disappeared from where he stood.

When El appeared at the valley entrance, he found a hundred people gathered there.

They were the Radiant Knights sent from the Holy Kingdom, including Bollec and Hayden.

Upon seeing El, Bollec felt that he was no ordinary individual. Then, quickly realizing the situation, he stepped forward and revealed his identity.

“I am Bollec, a Radiant Knight sent from the Holy Kingdom. May I know who you are?”

El looked at Bollec and politely greeted him.

“I am Elimis, the Tower Lord of the Golden Tower, located here. What brings you from the Holy Kingdom?”

With a courteous gesture, El introduced himself.