Chapter 209

It seems that the trend of banning magic has indeed taken hold in Demacia.

The argument that "a villain who occupies a bridge is very strong, and we suspect he might be a magician" would have been laughable not long ago—does someone being stronger mean they use magic? Couldn't it be that they are exceptionally talented or have trained diligently? Being unable to bear seeing others strong is a vulgar thing to do.

But now... the wind has shifted, and so has public opinion.

Led by the royal family, the Mageseekers exaggerated the terror of magicians, reviving the long-dormant fear of them. Overnight, magicians once again became a monstrous threat and the target of public scorn.

Even children who had never seen a magician—or even understood what magic was—were filled with fear—and even hatred—for magicians under the menacing intimidation of people.

Among neighbors, if they noticed anything amiss, someone would usually report it—they would loudly proclaim that they had discovered a magician, and then grandly invite the Mageseekers to their home, only to find that the neighbor had merely used magic tricks to suspend a spoon by a string. Some trivial tricks and gimmicks were even considered "important evidence."

A son, resentful after being disciplined by his father, reports him to the authorities; a sheep goes missing from the family's sheepfold, and the father suspects the neighbor and reports them; someone loses money gambling and suspects the winner used some kind of "black magic"... No matter how absurd the claim, it always has to be reported.

With so many ridiculous chores, people no longer had to work, and they were constantly suspicious—doubting that others had black magic, and also fearing that others would falsely accuse them of having black magic.

This is a terrible thing that wastes people's money and resources.

The only ones Mageseeker Order. The more chaotic the situation, the more "clues" or "reports" there were, the greater their power and the higher their income. The more ridiculous the framing, the better, as they could reap all the benefits without taking any risks.

In short, this is undoubtedly a disaster for Demacia.

Anything taken to extremes will never end well... it's just that the king hasn't realized this yet.

But it won't be long.

Chen Ce, who was familiar with the development of Demacia's "history," wasn't too flustered—after all, he was a Mageseekers himself.

If you can't beat them, join them!

"Let's go, Chen Ce."

At the exit of the military camp, Jonathan, the leader of the Mageseekers hunter squad, waved.

"Great City Bridge... and see that so-called 'outsider who might have used magic'."

Jax sat cross-legged in the middle of the bridge, his long-handled weapon resting on his knees. Demacia hadn't changed much since he last passed this road, but that wasn't anything to be surprised about. The people were fiercely protective of their land, and as a result, they had become very respectable warriors.

Well, at least there's something decent... he thought, while wiping away a few drops of blood from the top of the lamppost, which was shimmering with a soft light. The drops were brushed over the railing and fell into the river below.

He reached into his cloak and took out the third hard-boiled egg of the day. He tapped the egg lightly on the pebbles a few times, then slowly began to peel it.

"You should add a little vinegar when eating boiled eggs." He suddenly remembered this saying... How many years ago was it? Thousands of years ago? Or perhaps ten thousand years ago?

I heard that before the war broke out... from a young man. What was his name again...? I can't quite remember.

He said... "Adding some vinegar will make peeling the shells easier."

Jax lifted a corner of his mask, took a bite of his egg, and just then overheard the warriors at the bridgehead deciding who to send as his next opponent.

The peaceful scene before him stirred up a longing for a land that no longer existed. He shook off the chill of memories, for he knew that yearning for Icathia would only distract him.

His cloak was thick, but the sun couldn't warm his mottled, oddly colored skin beneath it. Not a single patch of his skin was exposed. That was fine. He wasn't even quite sure what his skin looked like anymore.

A cold wind swept northward across the snow-capped mountains, and a distant storm poured rain onto the unfamiliar fields and dwellings. Icathia's homeland was almost cloudless, let alone rainy. Perhaps the storm would travel south, carrying rain that would soak the pebbles on the bridge. If that happened, perhaps it would make the battle even more intense.

The storm will further disadvantage his opponent. Perhaps that's for the best. After all, a warrior qualified to fight alongside him against monsters from another world must possess at least some adaptability.

But such companions are hard to find...

Jax quickly finished the boiled egg in his hand, rubbing his two thick fingers together, and the crumbs fell from his fingertips onto the ground below the bridge.

How many days has it been? He's been here for a long time... probably about the same amount of time he stayed last time? Maybe even longer...

He doesn't quite remember, but it must have been a whole week.

He still couldn't find a qualified companion.

Those Demacia warriors had enough courage, but not enough skill... They always liked to charge forward with loud shouts, only to end their battles in the most foolish way—they were so weak that sometimes they would even trip themselves up and fall off the bridge.

For Demacia? That's what they always like to shout.

But does it work? They've been saying that for a hundred or two hundred years now—oh, sorry, that's their ancestor.

But it's pretty much the same.

Demacia... What's the point of Demacia? Once those damned monsters arrive, what meaning will the nation have? Survival is the only thing that matters...

Even just one would be fine...

Jax yawned. The warm sunshine made him a little sleepy.

So he peeled another hard-boiled egg.

The crowd under the bridge was still shouting.

"That guy has already defeated more than a dozen knights!" someone boasted to the person next to him—not to brag about how strong the outsider on the bridge was, but to boast that he had witnessed all the duels. Perhaps this would only make others think he was idle, but he was unaware of it.

"Not just, I think there are... more than twenty? Or even more." Another person chimed in, his tone tinged with a thoughtful undertone. How comical. "He even defeated the dueling master from Mithral City, Vol Voss."

"What's a dueling master from Mithral City? Great City have been defeated by him!" someone else joined the discussion.

" From Great City? You mean that one from the House Sebastian?"

"Yes!"

"Ah... this is truly unexpected..."

The murmurs under the bridge didn't really reach the bridge itself, but Jax could hear them clearly—his senses had become incredibly sharp over thousands of years.

He could hear everyone's voices clearly... even the rhythm of their breathing. He knew what they were saying, but he didn't quite understand.

For example... who is Woolworth? And who is that person from the House Sebastian?

Are there any good Duel Master shows to watch these days? They all seem the same...

Jax shook his head and continued eating his boiled egg.

So he didn't notice a group of people in uniforms silently walking into the crowd—well, maybe he did notice, but he didn't think there was anything particularly noteworthy about them—only powerful warriors deserved his attention.

A group of Mageseekers walked into the crowd.

The residents made way for them, and even some minor nobles dared not provoke the Mageseeker Order at this time—they were currently "holding absolute power"!

"Is that him?" Jonathan, the leader of the Mageseekers squad, spotted the strange man sitting cross-legged on the bridgehead at a glance. "Short and stocky, completely hidden in a coat and cloak, wearing a mask... it must be him?"

"It's him." Another Mageseekers nodded. "He's been loitering here for days... He's knocked countless knights and duelists into the water these past few days."

"I know." Jonathan nodded, pulling a silver-white stone from his waist. "Take this and use it to test whether he used evil dark magic to defeat others—you know, that kind of cunning, treacherous, and dirty trick."

"Oh... ah?" The Mageseekers was stunned as soon as he took the Petricite. "How do I test it?"

"How do you test it? Don't you know how to use the Petricite?"

"I know, but..."

"Then why don't you just go up and fight him? You'll find out everything then."

"Ah...?"

"Put the Petricite on his face. If he can still easily beat you up, then it proves he's not some Black Mage."

"...?"

"Go quickly, go quickly," Jonathan nudged his subordinate. "The sooner you go, the sooner you'll be back. I'll treat you to dinner after we finish."

"Captain... Captain... You can't do this...!" The Mageseekers went weak at the sight of the bloodstains on the bridgehead, even before the fight began.

The two started pushing and shoving each other.

Chen Ce stood aside, silently watching the show without saying a word—although he knew Jax wasn't a "magician" in the true sense—at least he hadn't used any magic in the duel. But it wouldn't make a difference if he spoke.

Because he had absolutely no way to prove it—he had no evidence, so naturally no one would believe him.

Besides, it might arouse suspicion from others—how did you know? Do you know this monstrous outsider?

Jax does possess magical powers, but given my current status, it's not convenient for me to get involved with him.

He is a powerful ally in the fight against the Void, and one of the few who truly understands Void existence and terror, but now is certainly not the right time to go up and get to know it.

At least not in public.

It would be better to talk to him alone later.

With that thought in mind, Chen Ce began to idly observe his surroundings.

Then...

He happened to catch a glimpse of a somewhat familiar figure.

Although the man was wearing a coat and a hood, he recognized the figure from behind at a glance.

Using demonic power to investigate... it really is her.

Luxanna Crownguard.

She always kept her head down, her beautiful blue eyes constantly scanning her surroundings warily, as if afraid someone was going to kidnap her.

Driven by a desire to help (or perhaps deceive) others for pleasure, Chen Ce squeezed through the crowded throng and walked towards the girl.

Treasure chest reward... Oh no, Miss Lux, I'm here!

Chen Ce squeezed through the crowd little by little. When it got too crowded, he simply used his superb skills to leap over the heads of the crowd—but he didn't notice that someone was secretly watching his almost extraordinary move.

A sudden thud startled Lux, who was on edge.

She turned around nervously, but thankfully the person in front of her relieved her—she recognized him, of course. Chen Ce, Garen's friend.

"Good morning," Chen Ce greeted with a smile, "La--hmm?"

But halfway through his greeting, the girl frantically reached out to cover his mouth.

He nimbly dodged, his smile widening. "What's wrong, Miss Lala?"

"La la la... Oh..." Lux realized she'd been joked about.

Good morning, Miss Lala.

"Good morning, Mr. Chen." The girl rolled her eyes at him.

Then she saw the other person open their arms.

What are you doing...?

"Say hello." Chen Ce smiled again. "Back in the Mageseeker Order's rest room...didn't you say that when people here celebrate, they give each other a warm hug?"

"Eh...? Oh..." Lux recalled what had happened before—that time she inexplicably lost control of her magic and released it all in front of the other person... At the time, she could only use a hug to avoid being discovered, and then made up a reason for that hug...

Indeed, one lie requires countless more to cover it up.

"Hmm... yes... that's true..." The girl touched a strand of blonde hair on her cheek. "But... is there anything worth celebrating right now?"

Of course.

"What?"

"Celebrating seeing you again."

"Huh...?"

"Since our last parting, I've always hoped to see you again—and now that my feelings have finally been reciprocated, isn't that something to celebrate?"

"Want to see me...?" The slightly ambiguous question made Lux feel a little embarrassed—but also a little proud and happy.

"Yes, I've missed you a lot." Chen Ce smiled and glanced at the other person's chest—even though it was covered up tightly. "So, may I celebrate?"

"Hmm...of course." The outgoing Lux didn't hesitate and immediately hugged him.

Clang! The Heartsteel rang out again.

Chen Ce was very satisfied.

I was very pleased with the warm hug.

Lux is shorter than Sona, only about 1.63 meters tall, and her figure is also more petite—she's two or three years younger than Sona and still has room to grow. She has a more youthful aura; although she's not as soft to hug, the curves of her figure are very obvious.

"Okay..." Lux felt a little... strange about the hug from the opposite sex. She seemed to have overestimated her ability to handle it.

I don't dislike it, but it definitely feels different from hugging a girl... It's so strange...