Golden Mage - Chapter 78
Volume 3, Episode 18
Ardymos looked at the scene with anxious eyes. Ten years ago, when he had visited Duke Diard’s mansion, the Duke had declared that he wouldn’t follow any orders, even if they came from the Pope, unless it aligned with his own will. This was because he considered himself a faithful believer who followed the will of the gods, not someone who would simply obey the Pope’s commands.
Therefore, the matter at hand would never come to fruition if Duke Diard didn’t approve.
“Hmm!”
Meanwhile, Duke Diard pondered Ardymos’ words. The disappearance of the Grand Steward, Vollek, and the Glorious Knights meant that no ordinary power in the Empire could have done it. Whether there were demons or trolls in Trolberry, that fact remained unchanged.
“A Saint… Interesting.”
Duke Diard, who unwaveringly believed in the Gaia Goddess, felt his heart uplifted at the thought of a Saint’s appearance. He saw it as a manifestation of the goddess’s will.
Duke Diard nodded.
“Very well. I will do my best to assist in finding the Saint.”
Ardymos’ face brightened, and he deeply bowed to Duke Diard.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Duke Diard modestly lowered his head.
“It is my duty to follow the word of the gods. There’s no need to thank me, Grand Steward.”
Saying that, Duke Diard stood up and turned his back to Ardymos, asking him one last question.
“When will the scheduled date be?”
“It will be decided as soon as possible.”
“Understood. Please inform me then. I need to finish what I was practicing. Well…”
With those words, Duke Diard vanished from the reception room. Ardymos smiled as he saw Duke Diard’s figure disappear.
At that moment, El was having a conversation with the Deville Manor’s head, Deville. Deville had come directly to the Golden Tower and was flabbergasted as he listened to El’s recent actions.
“W-What are you saying? Y-You are taking the Saint with you? And you captured the Glorious Knights and the Grand Steward of the Empire… Unbelievable!”
Although Deville was astounded, he had something to say to El. It wasn’t about compromising with them. He had no intention of giving up what was his.
El calmly spoke up.
“I know. But what else can we do? Serena is the woman I love. I won’t stand by if someone tries to take what’s mine, be it the Empire or the Holy Kingdom.”
As El spoke, a faint red aura shimmered in his eyes.
Preparations for the departure weren’t lengthy. The Everlasting Cross Knights, who were always prepared for action, completed their preparations in three days. After two more days, Duke Diard finished his preparations, and they immediately set out for their expedition. The Pope expressed his gratitude to Duke Diard for joining the Saint’s expedition.
“Thank you for accepting my proposal, Your Grace.”
Duke Diard replied with a humble remark.
“Not at all. It is my duty to follow the word of the gods, so how can I refuse thanks for doing so?”
His demeanor made him even more reliable in the eyes of the people.
The Pope chuckled.
“You are always reliable, Your Grace. Do your best to bring back the Saint.”
“I will do my utmost.”
Duke Diard bowed his head, and the Pope shifted his gaze to the robed individuals standing on one side, then spoke again.
“I request the same of you.”
“Understood, Your Holiness.”
Replying with a respectful tone, the apparent leader stepped forward.
The Holy Kingdom had no magicians. The only magic users in the Kingdom were the Holy Knights and the clergy. As a result, Warp Gates, which existed all over the continent, were absent in the Kingdom. Therefore, when they needed space movement, they had to request it from the Magic Towers.
The magicians who had come to the Holy Kingdom were the eighth-class Master Magicians from the Cheong Tower, which was located at the top of the Devil Manor. They were specially invited by the Pope to facilitate the warping of Duke Diard and the Everlasting Cross Knights to the Trolberry Kingdom.
They had been working on installing a temporary Warp Gate here for a few days. This allowed them to activate the Warp Gate at any moment. The Pope spoke to the three Cardinal Grand Stewards accompanying him: Calio, Lexirion, and Duo.
“Your missions are equally important. Please return safely without any casualties.”
“We believe in you, Your Holiness.”
“Very well. I trust you all.”
With that, the Pope focused his gaze on them again.
“Show the will of the Holy Kingdom to the one who accompanies the Saint, Duke Diard.”
The Holy Kingdom’s party moved to the Methane Plain, located between the Trolberry Kingdom and the Rubyus Viscounty. Originally part of the Rubyus Viscounty, the place had become known as the Forsaken Plain due to the influx of trolls from Trolberry. Upon reaching the plain, Duke Diard gave a command to Cardinal Coronne, the vice-commander of the Everlasting Cross Knights.
“Send some of the knights to scout the situation.”
Duke Diard had a feeling that the dense fog had some extraordinary ability related to the Saint. Quickly realizing this, he nodded.
“Very well.”
The energetic reply from Cardinal Coronne echoed, and she dispatched three Master-class Holy Knights and twenty Holy Knights to scout the area.
Time passed, but no one returned. Cardinal Coronne’s face showed signs of concern.
“Why hasn’t there been any report even after so much time has passed?”
Growing impatient, she sought Duke Diard’s permission and sent three more Master-class Holy Knights and fifty Holy Knights.
However, they also didn’t return even after a long time.
When six Master-class Holy Knights and fifty Holy Knights disappeared in an instant, Duke Diard’s face stiffened, and he spoke with a resolute expression.
“We realized it too late. There seems to be something unusual about that fog. Everyone, follow me carefully as we approach.”