Fire Mage



Chapter 595: Sacred Empire

Sacred Wings Airport, West Borough, Holy Land, Sacred Empire.

15th May, Year 6418, Second Arcane Era.

The Holy City, the jewel of the Sacred Empire, stood tall and radiant, bathed in the divine light that permeated its streets and buildings. Nestled amidst rolling hills and lush valleys, the city was a testament to the power of the Gods of Order and Truth, whose blessings radiated throughout the whole domain.

Massive stone walls adorned with intricate carvings depicting tales of righteousness and celestial triumph appeared around this large city. These fortifications, guarded by the holy knights, served as a symbolic barrier against chaos and darkness, reinforcing the city's devotion to the principles of law and virtue.

The city streets bustled with activity as the population of 25 million went about their daily lives under the watchful gaze of the divine. The people, predominantly devout and pious, adorned themselves in simple yet elegant garments, reflecting their dedication to modesty and faith. Holy knights clad in gleaming armor patrolled the thoroughfares, their presence a reminder of the city's commitment to protecting the sanctity of its inhabitants.

The heart of the Holy City lay within the precincts of the grand cathedral, a towering structure that reached towards the heavens. Its majestic spires pierced the sky, serving as a beacon of hope and reverence for the faithful. The cathedral housed a hierarchy of religious figures, from priests and bishops to the revered archbishops and the supreme spiritual leader of the Sacred Empire, the Pope. These holy figures held immense sway over the populace, guiding their spiritual endeavors and upholding the teachings of the Gods of Order and Truth.

Within the sacred walls, intricate mosaics and stained glass windows bathed the interiors in a kaleidoscope of ethereal colors, depicting scenes of divine intervention and triumph over darkness. The air inside the cathedral was thick with the fragrance of incense, and the echoing chants of prayers filled the space, creating an atmosphere of profound piety and devotion.

However, amidst the devout reverence and the divine fervor, a shadow of disdain cast its pall over the Holy City. The people harbored deep skepticism and even a hint of animosity towards the magic arts and those who wielded them. The tales of Arcane Era mages dabbling in forbidden magic and the perceived threat to the order and stability of society fueled this animosity. While not openly hostile, the people's mistrust of mages created an undercurrent of tension within the city, causing occasional conflicts and friction between the magical and religious communities.

At that moment, a 70-year-old man in his golden robe stood at the Sanctuary of the Radiant Order and looked at the two majestic statues vacantly. As seconds passed, the wooden staff, embedded with a divine stone, suddenly released a dazzling light and completely enveloped the whole Sanctuary.

At the same time, two different voices echoed in both ears.

"Disaster is coming..... Far dangerous than you think... Beware... Nightmare will descend...."

"It's a mortal... Black-hair... Wizard... Kill him... No, capture him..."

Pope opened his eyes wide and hurriedly shouted as the dazzling light dimmed.

"Radiant Knights!!!!! Call all Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops immediately. Something terrible is going to happen in this city!"

...

It was early morning, around 6 A.M.

At that moment, a young man in his twenties walked out of the airport and looked around the surroundings with a hint of curiosity.

He saw a grand structure adorned with intricate magical symbols and archaic designs. The sprawling airport in the heart of West Borough, Holy Land, was a hub for travelers from far and wide, including renowned mystics and diplomats from various kingdoms.

As the early morning sun cast its golden rays across the lands, Professor took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of mystic energies that permeated the air. His eyes, filled with anticipation and a touch of awe, scanned the surroundings.

Just as he was about to ask for a way toward the Order Church, his surroundings started to blur.

A moment later, Professor stood before a crimson palace and was stunned.

The Crimson Palace stood as a majestic testament to opulence and grandeur, a sight that would leave visitors amazed by its sheer beauty. Situated atop a small hill, the palace exuded an aura of mystique, its crimson-colored walls radiating an otherworldly charm. It was constructed with intricate architectural details, showcasing a seamless blend of artistic mastery and magical enchantment.

As he approached the entrance, he was greeted by a captivating sight—a magical garden teeming with vibrant life. This enchanted garden was an exquisite fusion of natural splendor and mystical energy. Bathed in a warm, golden glow, it was an oasis of fiery hues, emanating an inviting and exhilarating atmosphere.

The fire elemental herbs and plants that flourished within this magical garden were a sight to behold. Lush crimson roses, their petals seemingly ablaze with vibrant red hues, released a delicate aroma that mingled with the air, captivating the senses. Towering Flaretrees, tall grass-like plants adorned with flickering flames, danced and swayed to an ethereal rhythm, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

In the garden's center, a majestic fountain of liquid fire took the form of a graceful phoenix, its fiery plumage cascading down in a mesmerizing display. The sound of crackling flames accompanied the gentle flow of the liquid fire, infusing the surroundings with a melodic harmony.

The pathways winding through the garden were lined with molten lava stones, their soft glow illuminating the way. Wisps of ethereal smoke weave through the air, forming intricate patterns as they gracefully float around the garden.

Although he realized that he was in someone's Inner World, he didn't get panic and quietly observed the surroundings.

'This Inner World looks more like a Fire Elemental Plane. But how did the enemy easily pull my consciousness into his Inner World?' He couldn't help but get nervous a little.

"I thought you would find something wrong with your memory and screw up my plan. But you did a wonderful job." A familiar voice came from the castle entrance, causing him to turn around in surprise.

"Charles? How are you still alive?" He couldn't help but take a step back.

At that moment, two more figures appeared behind him. One was a blonde-haired young man, while the other was a black-haired woman.

They were Charles's other two consciousnesses.

At that moment, Professor felt a strange familiarity from them and soon squinted his eyes.

"You used Professor's memories to create me?" He instantly understood the reason for all those missed memories and got angry.

"Don't get angry. Although you have Professor's memories, you are still a part of me." Saying so, Charles conjured a ball of fire and sent it towards him.

"This is a copy of my memories. Fuse them with you and wait here." Saying so, Charles took control of his body and opened his eyes.

"Now, where should I go next?" He was well aware of the upcoming disaster and thought of the next action.

'First, I should discard this identity and act stealthily.'

Muttering, he turned his gaze towards the left side road and walked towards the four-wheeled black coach.

Noticing his approach, the brown-haired coachman took off his straw hat, bowed his head while cupping his hand together, and greeted him.

"Hello! Welcome to our Holy City, Mr. Traveler. Are you looking for a ride or need any assistance?" Thankfully, he spoke in Runal Tongue, which made Charles let out a sigh of relief.

"If there is a good hotel nearby, take me there, mister. It would be great if you tell me more about this city while driving." Charles responded to him in Runal Language.

"Oh! Then, if you are planning to stay here for a long time, I advise you to learn the local language. It's called 'Naan'. There is also an academy called 'Radiant School', which allow tourists to attend classes for just 2 Sacred Gold coins per month. If you pick up a three months course, you'll become fluent in no time. I heard that they also provide free meals and housing."

"Are you also doing promotion job?" Charles couldn't help but ask with a chuckle.

"Not gonna lie, young man. If I help a tourist enrol into the academy, I'll actually get a commission of 20 Silvers. Although it won't look much to you, it's actually a large sum for a driver like me."

As he heard the coachman's words, he nodded in understanding and opened the coach door before getting in.

At the same time, he released his 'wisdom power' towards the surroundings and started listening to everyone's conversation.

'Oh? Only two people are conversing in the Runal language while others are speaking in a completely new one. A new local language? I can learn it as long as I listen to everyone's conversation for a period of time.'

While muttering, he had already listened to more than thousands of people's conversations through his wisdom power and grasped some common words in seconds.

On the other hand, the coachman hopped on the driver's seat and started driving the coach while telling more information about the Holy City of Sacred Empire.