Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 2054: When and Where

Sandra quirked a brow in amusement.

”Oh, do you mean the agreement between you and His Majesty, where you would betray your own kind and provide him with innocent maidens, and in return he would show you the way to leave this secret plane?”

There was blatant mockery in Sandra’s crimson eyes. Even Malik couldn’t help but show his disgust at the supposed leader of the adventurers.

If Aramen was offended, then he did a good job of not showing it at all. His face remained stoic and he replied in a flat voice, ”Yes. It still holds, am I right?”

”Well, of course.” Sandra nodded politely.

”How can something so sacred as a mana oath be broken on a whim? Even someone as strong and wise as our King would not dare commit such sacrilege. He is a Magus, first and foremost. He holds arcana in the highest regard. So rest assured. The agreement holds.”

Malik commented with a sly grin, ”Since you’ve already held your end of the bargain, our King will naturally show you the way out of his kingdom. But of course...”

His crimson eyes turned dark and evil. ”Whether you can leave this place depends entirely on you.”

On cue, Sandra played along with him. ”Ah, yes. That depends on your capabilities, my friends. But I do wonder... since one of you has already killed four of us, how difficult will it be for you to leave this place? Such a travesty.”

A few words instantly created a divide between the absent Adam and the rest of the Councilors.

Luca was secretly flabbergasted. He couldn’t help but think, Whose side are you even on?

The more he listened to Sandra speak, the more he became wary of her. To him, it seemed that she was playing both sides. She had helped him and Adam get their hands on powerful weapons. At the same time, she was also helping the Vampire King deal with the adventurers before the war even began.

”That is why I must insist,” Sandra continued with pity in her red eyes. ”Hand over the killer to us. And I might just be able to convince His Majesty to offer you safe passage through his kingdom.”

Malik chuckled. Then he burst into laughter. He loved the mind games Sandra played with these pathetic humans. He had to admit, her idea was far better than what the other Generals had proposed.

Good, good, good! He thought gleefully.

Let them fight among themselves, while His Majesty gets closer to his goal.

Sandra’s words truly did have an effect on Aramen and Kesha. The former did not show it, but with the latter it was clear that she despised the fact that Adam had made things so difficult for them.

There was utter silence. The two councilors did not reply for a long time.

”Alright then, war it is.” Luca stepped forward and said. ”If that is the case, then let us settle the terms of battle. When and where will it take place?”

Sandra calmly looked at him, a peculiar glint in her eyes.

”The battle will be held on the plains east of Lamiyan,” she said.

Kesha frowned. ”The plains east of Lamiyan? That is too far. Our people would have to cross the mountains to reach it.”

”That is precisely where the battle will take place,” Sandra replied, leaving no room for argument.

However, Luca argued nevertheless. But Sandra remained adamant. The location would not change. Seeing that she would not yield on the matter, Luca changed his approach.

”Then we want safe passage for our adventurers. We need a guarantee that your forces will not ambush us while we are crossing the mountains. If this is to be a proper battle, both sides should be allowed to reach the battlefield. Both sides should fight with honor.”

A sneer appeared on Malik’s face. ”Fool! Why should we promise you such terms?”

His eyes narrowed sharply and he added, ”The battle has already begun.”

Luca’s expression darkened. But before he could even respond, Sandra spoke.

”Fine.”

Malik immediately turned toward her with a frown.

Sandra remained completely calm as she declared, ”On behalf of His Majesty, I grant you and your army safe passage through the mountains. No one will attack you until you reach the battlefield.”

”Wait!” Malik stared at her in disbelief.

He immediately began arguing against the decision, questioning why they should give their enemies such an advantage. In fact, even Aramen and Kesha were taken aback by her words.

Luca struck when the iron was hot. ”Swear a mana oath!”

”No!” Malik roared. ”Watch your mouth, foul hu—”

”I do solemnly swear upon the mana coursing through my veins...”

Under Malik’s stunned gaze, Sandra went ahead and swore the mana oath anyway. Aramen and Kesha were truly surprised. No one was more confused than Luca.

What the hell is her angle? He thought incredulously.

Sandra had already made her decision. She did not change her mind. She smiled at the three councilors and said:

”I do hope you meet our demands in the following weeks. I truly do not wish to see more of you die. Oh, how sad I would be.”

No one really believed her words.

She turned around, leaving behind her parting words. ”Well, then. See you on the battlefield, I suppose.”

With that, she and her entourage disappeared from the building.

Perched on a window high above, a raven observed everything play out. After the vampires left, it flapped its wings and flew away.

***

The vampires’ shadowy silhouettes wove through the urban jungle as they made their way out of the city.

Malik turned to Sandra and hissed. ”What the hell was that? Things were going so well! Why did you have to ruin it?”

”Ruin it?” Sandra chuckled, her voice melodious as ever. ”If anything, I made it all the easier for His Majesty to completely eradicate these curs.”

”...What?” Malik couldn’t help but frown.

”Oh, dear.” Sandra sighed. ”Do you still think His Majesty will play with these pitiful humans when he has finally reunited with Lady Charlotte?”

Malik’s frown deepened. ”What do you mean?”

Sandra sighed again, this time more dramatically.

She was about to respond when suddenly her expression turned sharp. At the same time, Malik also turned solemn.

They abruptly came to a stop a kilometer away from the walls of Adventurers’ City.

Someone stood in their way.

The man was middle-aged, with dark hair, grey eyes, and a thick beard. He wore flowing black and white robes and displayed a lazy smile.

He looked remarkably similar to Luca.

”Oh, who do we have here?”