e-booksonline Chapter 83: The True Strength of Mentor Perot!
Chapter 83: The True Strength of Mentor Perot!
Leaving his men behind on the edge of the desert, Hick leaped onto an eagle-headed bat and, with a heavy heart, followed his mentor Pero toward the all-consuming heart of the Kurs Desert.
The vast sea of sand, with yellow sand filling the sky, and the raging wind elements tearing at the air, howling like ghosts.
The two remained silent the entire way, exchanging no further words.
But Hick, the imposter who was only a third-level apprentice on the surface but had already stepped into the realm of a formal wizard, keenly sensed something unusual from the figure in front of him!
A faint, suppressed excitement, and a greedy look, like a hunter scrutinizing his prey about to be caught in his net!
And this spearhead of greed seems to be pointing right at himself!
"Mentor... what exactly are you planning?"
Alarm bells rang in Hick's mind, and countless thoughts surged wildly, but his face maintained the humility and calmness expected of an apprentice, as if he were completely unaware of his mentor's abnormality.
His mind raced as he considered a way to escape.
"No matter what, Perot could never know that I'm already a full-fledged wizard! He certainly couldn't know that my Soul Transference technique has reached the level of a full-fledged wizard! This is my trump card; I still have a chance!"
However, the thought of the "Lord of Silence"—the third-level archmage Mochamo—who has yet to appear but casts a shadow over the entire plan, is unbearable!
Unsure whether the other party harbored the same malice towards him, a heavy gloom settled over Hick's heart.
The future is uncertain, and every step feels like walking on the edge of an abyss.
They flew for an unknown amount of time; time lost its meaning in this sea of death.
It might be a few days, or it might just be a few hours where the senses are stretched out infinitely.
The endless storms and yellow sand formed a labyrinth of despair, where one's sense of direction had long been completely lost.
If his mentor hadn't blocked most of the deadly sandstorms and chaotic energy flows in front of him, Hick had no doubt that he and the eagle-headed bat beneath him would have been torn to pieces and completely buried by this merciless sea of sand.
Just as Hick felt his magic power was being greatly depleted and he was struggling to maintain his defensive barrier, the speed of Instructor Pero in front of him suddenly slowed down.
Then, at the edge of his vision, on the horizon blurred by wind and sand, the silhouette of a solitary figure clearly came into Hick's view!
As the distance rapidly closed, the figure's face became clearly visible—long, gray-white hair danced in the wind, deep eyes seemed to pierce through the soul, and an aura of suffocating power emanated from its body.
He is none other than Mochamo, the current "Lord of Silence" and a Level 3 Archmage, who is also the ruler of the Silent Forest!
"We've been waiting for you!"
Mochamo's voice pierced through the sandstorm, carrying a hint of relief.
However, when his gaze swept over Hick behind Perot, his brows furrowed imperceptibly, and his tone carried a hint of doubt.
"Huh? Pero, what are you doing bringing this kid here?"
Hick piloted the eagle-headed bat and landed on the ground with his mentor, Perot, as the yellow sand immediately enveloped their ankles.
Professor Pello wore his usual gentle smile, his tone as relaxed as if on a picnic:
"I brought my disciples here to broaden their horizons and let them experience the 'unique scenery' of the Kurs Desert. Young people should always broaden their horizons."
"Heh, it seems you care quite a bit about this little guy."
Mochamo smiled noncommittally, clearly indicating that the life or death of an apprentice was not of any concern to him.
He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sharpening, and asked pointedly:
"But, Pello, this matter... there weren't any other 'accidents,' were there? Was everything cleaned up?"
Upon understanding the implied meaning, Hick's heart skipped a beat, almost leaping out of his throat.
Under Mochamona's unfathomable gaze, he felt as if he had been stripped naked, and any attempt to hide anything was futile.
He immediately bowed, his voice carrying just the right amount of reverence and certainty:
"Rest assured, my lord! I have personally placed the most severe curse on all my subordinates who know anything about this place! If they dare to utter even a single word about this place, their souls and bodies will instantly turn to ashes!"
Mochamo's scrutinizing gaze lingered on Hick for a few seconds, and the invisible pressure caused Hick's back to be instantly soaked with cold sweat.
Finally, Mochamo nodded in satisfaction, indicating his approval of the outcome.
He stopped looking at Hick and turned to gaze at the boundless sea of sand that had buried a legend, his tone tinged with complex emotions:
"I never imagined... that 'Fire of Death,' Kabus Rells, who once dominated the entire Aicar and struck fear into the hearts of countless people, would ultimately perish in such a godforsaken place!"
Pelosi also sighed, a flicker of reminiscence seeming to cross her eyes:
"Yes, fate is cruel. Who could have imagined that he would end David's life in this desert, and that his own legendary journey would also come to a close here? This desert is like a giant cycle."
"Speaking of which," Mochamo turned to look at Pero, a strange smile on his face, "that guy, Cabus, strictly speaking, was someone you got his hands on! If it weren't for you back then..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Perot's slightly pale face, his tone turning to deep regret.
"What a pity, Perot. The price you paid... was too high. A dignified third-level archmage, reduced to..."
Perot's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly masked it with an even deeper gentleness. He waved his hand, his tone carrying a deliberately feigned magnanimity:
"Let bygones be bygones. Dwelling on the past is pointless. Look, my strength is gradually recovering, isn't it? There's always hope."
However, standing to the side as if he were invisible, Hick felt a chill run up from the soles of his feet and straight to the top of his head the moment he heard the words "third-level archmage"!
It was as if all the blood in his body had frozen at that moment!
Level three?! My mentor... he... he was actually a level three archmage?!
This realization exploded in Hick's mind like a thunderbolt!
He recalled all his previous schemes and plots—framing someone, using someone else to do the dirty work, exploiting the Tower of Eternity…did they really…work?
Overwhelmed by immense fear and a sense of absurdity, he was momentarily stunned, his mind going blank for a moment.
"That's true, one should always look forward."
Mochamo seemed oblivious to Hick's sudden pallor and trembling fingers. He turned his gaze back to the depths of the desert, his eyes gleaming with a determined light.
"If we can find Qaboos's burial site this time, your problems might be completely resolved! And we should also be able to find clues about David's remains at the same time."
His tone was filled with absolute confidence:
"This time, to ensure absolute success, aside from necessary disguises and routine procedures, we both deliberately cut off all active contact with the outside world, especially regarding the movements of those guys at the Eternal Tower. They never dreamed that we could locate this place so quietly!"
Mochamo and Pero exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing a mutual satisfaction and understanding that the plan was progressing smoothly.
To Hick, that smile was full of cold arrogance and a sense of complete control.
Hick, who was already hanging his head, now almost buried his head in the sand.
Given the meticulous planning and terrifying strength of these two important figures, their plan was indeed flawless.
But... but the people of the Eternal Tower must have known already, right?!
And I... seem to be the "informant"!
Thinking of this, Hick, who was already shaken by his mentor's true identity, was even more shocked!