Clues to a Wizard Apprentice

Sunan felt slightly heavier after unexpectedly learning of Golden Rock Marquis's scheme.

Unless they abandoned their territory, they would inevitably clash with Golden Rock Marquis in the future.

Shaking his head, Sunan temporarily put the matter aside and continued interrogating the Black Sword Knight.

When he heard that the Starfire Cult branch in Golden Rock Province had mobilized all its members some time ago solely to hunt down a Magical Creature, Sunan interrupted the Black Sword Knight and asked with interest, "What Magical Creature was it?"

"A cat."

A cat?

Sunan froze slightly.

He had assumed it was some powerful, ferocious Magical Creature that had forced the Starfire Cult branch to dispatch so many people to capture it. He had not expected it to be a cat.

He thought carefully, but he did not recall any particularly powerful feline Magical Creatures.

Still, Starlight Continent was vast and rich in wonders. Perhaps there were feline Magical Creatures he did not know about.

After pondering it for a moment without reaching any conclusion, Sunan continued, "Why were you trying to capture that Magical Creature?"

"It was an order from the High Priest. I don't know the specifics. I only know it seemed to be related to wizards."

The Black Sword Knight spoke with vacant eyes.

"We dispatched quite a few people, but that Magical Creature was very cunning. Up until I came to Blackstone City to carry out the assassination mission, I hadn't heard of anyone in the cult catching it."

"A Magical Creature related to wizards... Could it be a Magic Pet?"

Sunan fell into thought.

But from what the Black Sword Knight said, they had hunted that Magical Creature for a long time without anyone stepping in to stop them. That meant the Magical Creature was likely ownerless, which made it unlikely to be a Magic Pet.

Out of curiosity, Sunan questioned him repeatedly about the details. Only after confirming that he could get nothing more useful out of him did he dispel the spell.

Coming back to his senses from his daze, the Black Sword Knight's face filled with shock and bewilderment.

"Y-you... what did you do to me?"

Charm Human did not erase the target's memories. The Black Sword Knight clearly remembered how he had answered every one of Sunan's questions, and the thought sent chills down his spine. He could not understand how he had become like that.

Sunan had no intention of explaining. Without even sparing the Black Sword Knight a glance, he turned and left the cell, leaving the pale-faced knight behind to question his entire existence.

When he returned to the Council Hall, Kei, who had long since heard the news from Brad, eagerly came forward to meet him.

"Did that guy say anything else?"

Sunan did not hide anything and told him everything concerning the Starfire Cult.

As Kei listened, fury immediately rose in his eyes, and he slammed a fist against the armrest of his chair.

"I knew Father's death had something to do with them!"

Only after a long while did he take a deep breath and suppress his anger. Calming down, he said, "So Golden Rock Marquis was behind Storm Earl's attack as well?"

Sunan nodded. "Most likely."

"With Storm Earl attacked and unconscious, he could conveniently interfere in the succession struggle within Storm Territory from the shadows. As long as he supported a puppet's rise to power, he could secretly control Storm Territory."

Below the marquis in Golden Rock Province, Winter Frost Earl and Storm Earl were the two most powerful lords with real authority.

Winter Frost Earl had long since pledged himself to Golden Rock Marquis and was in league with him. If Storm Territory also fell into Golden Rock Marquis's hands, he would effectively have complete control over Golden Rock Province.

"We still have a chance."

Kei drew a deep breath, his gaze resolute.

"According to the news from Storm Territory, Storm Earl's sons have yet to determine a victor. Golden Rock Marquis will certainly focus his attention there and won't have time to concern himself with Shining Territory for now. If we reclaim Shining Territory during this period, we'll have the capital to contend with him."

If other nobles heard Kei's words, they would surely laugh and call him a fool dreaming of the impossible.

How could a single Shining Territory possibly contend with Golden Rock Marquis, who controlled more than half of Golden Rock Province?

Yet Kei was full of confidence.

The source of that confidence was naturally Sunan, this Wizard Apprentice!

Now that they controlled a single Blackstone City, they already had the confidence to stand against a baronial territory.

If they possessed an entire baronial territory, would they still need to fear contending with Golden Rock Marquis?

Seeing that Kei had not become discouraged or given up, but instead had his fighting spirit stirred, Sunan nodded inwardly and brought up another matter.

"I'm planning to leave Blackstone City for a while."

Kei paused, then asked instinctively, "Where are you going?"

"Stone Bell City."

Kei thought back and vaguely recalled that Stone Bell City seemed to be within Silver Moon Territory, the domain of Silver Moon Viscount.

"What are you going there for?"

"To look for something," Sunan replied vaguely, without elaborating.

Stone Bell City was precisely the town the Black Sword Knight had mentioned, where the Magical Creature being hunted by the Starfire Cult had appeared.

Since arriving in this world, this was the first clue Sunan had found relating to wizards. Naturally, he could not let the opportunity slip away.

Even if that Magical Creature ultimately had nothing to do with wizards, it did not matter.

A rare feline Magical Creature was worth the trip on its own. He might even gain something extra from it.

Besides, the Starfire Cult had attempted to assassinate the two brothers. Though he did not yet have enough strength to confront the Starfire Cult head-on and had to swallow this insult for now, he was still extremely displeased.

If he found that Magical Creature before the Starfire Cult and snatched it from under their noses, it would count as collecting a little interest in advance.

Kei did not press the matter after hearing Sunan's words.

After all, Silver Moon Viscount happened to be among the nobles who were not close to Golden Rock Marquis.

Within Silver Moon Territory, even if Golden Rock Marquis and Owen wanted to do something, they would be beyond their reach. There was no need to worry about Sunan encountering danger.

"When are you leaving?"

"In a few days."

Considering that he might run into the Starfire Cult on this trip, Sunan planned to make more preparations.

For example, crafting more Rune Gems for protection.

And continuing to strengthen Hidden Dragon.

Once he was fully prepared, it would not be too late to head for Stone Bell City.

From what the Black Sword Knight had said, the Starfire Cult was helpless against that Magical Creature. It was unlikely to be captured anytime soon.

To avoid another assassination attempt, Kei decided to move into the Military Camp. He would eat, sleep, and handle government affairs there.

Unless a Legendary Knight took action, there was basically no need to worry about anyone assassinating Kei while he was protected by over a thousand soldiers and more than three hundred knight-level combatants, including the Blackrock Panthers.

Since he was about to leave Blackstone City, Sunan also upgraded Kei's Blackrock Panther to the Grand Knight level to be extra safe.

Including the previous ones, this Grand Knight-level Blackrock Panther had consumed a total of forty-two Blackrock Panthers, at a cost of nearly 1,600 Gold Coins.

Even Blackstone City, with its mines, only collected enough taxes in a year to create three Grand Knight-level Blackrock Panthers.

Of course, whether it was Kei, Brad, or the others, all of them felt it was well worth it.

Trading 1,600 Gold Coins for a Grand Knight-level combatant was an absolute bargain!

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This book has also been renamed Synthesis Wizard.