Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1826 Always About Money

Springdale, Sovereign Union.

Several days later, Adam arrived in Europa.

His destination was none other than the headquarters of the Twilight Brotherhood.

”Old man, wonʼt you change your mind?” The raven-haired youthʼs voice echoed in the dim corridors of the underground stronghold.

Beside him, the Ghost of Twilight, walked calmly while smoking from a long wooden pipe.

”You brat,” the gnome grumbled. ”I already told you I have matters to tend to. Donʼt keep asking the same thing!”

The Twilight Brotherhood had suffered grievous losses during the war.

Many of its agents had perished. Entire cells had been wiped out. By the warʼs end, Berger was the only Councilor still alive.

As a result, the burden of rebuilding the secret order fell squarely upon his shoulders.

For years, Berger traveled across the world, recruiting new members and reestablishing old networks. Safehouses were rebuilt, intelligence channels were restored, and dormant sources were activated.

It was slow, painstaking work. But Berger did not complain.

The Brotherhood survived countless crises throughout its history. This would simply be another chapter in its long existence.

And under his leadership, it would eventually begin to reclaim its former strength from the shadows. The organization already had abundant resources. Now all it needed was guidance.

They arrived at the sprawling common floor of the headquarters, where many young agents could be seen going about their duties. Whenever they passed by Berger, they greeted him with admiration and respect. And when they saw Adam, their gazes turned fanatical.

He was, after all, a famed member of the Twilight Brotherhood.

The pair arrived before the towering statue. Adamʼs eyes flickered with conflicting emotions when he gazed at the tall figure. Berger, however, remained solemn.

”I owe it to my mentor and the Founder,” the gnome said sincerely.

”I must guide these new agents. I must carry on the teachings of Gerald Acadia and Aldo Wagner. It is my duty to ensure their legacy carries on.”

He then turned to his student and said gently.

”So, no, Adam. I wonʼt change my mind.”

Adam remained silent for a long time. The image of Aldo Wagner dying at his hands resurfaced in his mind. But he said nothing. Nothing at all.

Not out of some kind of twisted sense of responsibility toward the Founder. But because he respected the Twilight Brotherhood.

The order had survived for millennia. It had protected countless lives and shaped the course of history from the shadows. Adam could not allow the truth from Wagnerʼs final years to destroy everything the Brotherhood stood for.

So he remained silent.

And he would remain silent for the rest of his life.

His lips curled into a happy smile, and he said, ”Theyʼd be proud of you, old man.”

Berger intently studied the youth. In the end, he scoffed. ”Get lost.”

The two traveled above ground. Soon, they found themselves walking in the bustling streets of the City of Everlasting Warmth.

”You know,” Adam began after a long moment of deliberation.

”Those of us who are leaving… weʼre not sure if weʼre ever coming back. This is a cruel thing to say, but most of us probably wonʼt even survive the Greater Universe. Yes, there are countless opportunities out there. Fortunes to be made. Knowledge to be gained. Realms to explore.”

He chuckled softly.

”But for every opportunity, there are a hundred dangers. The Greater Universe is far larger, far harsher, and far more unforgiving than anything weʼve faced on Tron. What I mean to say is…”

His steps came to a halt, and he turned toward the gnome. Then he continued in a solemn voice, ”If you donʼt come this time, we may never meet again. Besides, you wonʼt live another thousand years to see the next opportunity to leave this world. So think carefully, old man.”

Adam knew just how much the Brotherhood meant to Berger. It was one of the main reasons why he didnʼt force the gnome to leave this world with him.

Berger exhaled a plume of smoke into the air. He gazed at the twilight sky bathed in the setting sun.

”Donʼt worry, my boy.” He smiled. ”Once my work here is done, I will leave.”

Adam frowned. He was about to retort, but the gnomeʼs next words surprised him.

”Blackie says there are other ways to leave this world.”

”…What?” The raven-haired youth was speechless.

”I donʼt know.” Berger shrugged. ”Heʼs been acting mysterious ever since the war was over. He says itʼs not time for him to return to the Greater Universe.”

Adam frowned. ”Return?”

”Donʼt ask me,” said the gnome as the two resumed walking through the cobbled streets. ”Blackie has his reasons. And if he says there are other ways to leave Tron, then I believe him.”

What other way is there? Adam couldnʼt help but wonder in silence.

Berger turned to him and casually said, ”You can try talking to him, but I doubt heʼll tell you anything. As I said… heʼs been acting strange lately.”

His gaze subconsciously drifted to the patch of white hair on the youthʼs head. Blackie seemed unusually interested in its origins. Berger didnʼt know why. Nor did he think much of it.

”Anyway, your worries are unfounded,” he said. ”Instead of worrying about me, you should focus on yourself. Have you thought of what youʼre going to do once you reach Myrrandor?”

Adam snapped out of his thoughts. He absentmindedly nodded.

”Uh, right, yes,” he said softly.

Excitement once again returned to his eyes.

”There are many guilds scattered across the worlds of the Greater Universe. Some are so big and influential that their reach spans countless galaxies. Iʼll join one of them and make some money!”

”Always about money.” Berger sighed helplessly.

”Of course! What could be more important than money? Anyway, I think the Adventurersʼ Guild would suit me perfectly. Either that or the Herbalistsʼ Guild. But admission into the latter is notoriously strict. I donʼt know if they…”

Adamʼs excited voice echoed through the streets as the two headed deeper into the city. Meanwhile, Berger listened patiently, a warm and doting smile on his elderly face.

And just like that…

Another thirty-two years passed.

The time had finally come to depart for the Greater Universe.