Legacy of the Dark Sage

"You have been briefed about the situation in Noser. But let me ask you, how many of you understand the severity of it?" Gael started the moment he stood in front of the soldiers. "In our long history— or let's be more specific— in your career as a soldier of the Royal Army, how many of you have experienced life-or-death situations?"

Imman, who had been ordered to contact Ingrid and Mannick and was on his way to his tent, stopped in his tracks and went to hear Gael talk to the soldiers. He hid in a nearby tent that overlooked the podium and he looked at Gael's profile in silence.

The only sound that could be heard in the open field where the soldiers stood, was the chirping of the birds announcing the start of a new day. The blowing wind carried a mixture of warmness and coolness reminiscent of the sun's warmth spreading over a town that had just been enshrouded by the coldness of the night. Nevertheless, none of the soldiers standing outside the plaza noticed it. Not because their uniform's magic enhancements prevented them from feeling the cold or the warm but because their attention was focused on Gael.

"Only those who had gone to the western and the southern battlefronts had such experience. Not even those who have been assigned to the Forbidden Magic Control Squad..." Gael paused and gave the soldiers a meaningful look before adding, "...until a few months ago."

Imman furrowed his brows. Only a few high-ranking officers of the Royal Army along with the Royal Family knew about the appearance of the new Dark Sage. Obviously, Imman knew about the incident in the Courtney Land where a piece of land carrying several Noser city guards was related to that person, but as far as the emperor was concerned, he did not want to cause panic thus he refrain from telling everyone the truth.

They did not have any problem covering this fact because few saw what happened in the Courtenay Land and apparently the army only encountered legendary beasts in Noser. Well, that was until they suffered sneak attacks from the Spirits.

Imman admitted that he found the Spirits' actions suspicious. Then again, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Spirits and their Summoners were using the commotion in Noser to also deal a blow in the army after they executed the Svell Family. But the reason this was only a passing thought was the fact that the Spirits that had attacked them specializes in Fire magic, not Ice which was the Svell Summoners were known for.

"We have been trying to keep this information under wraps to avoid a world-spread panic," Gael continued. "For a few months now, some of your brethren had already fallen victim and more will fall."

As soon as he said this, some of the soldiers glanced furtively at each other. Most took note of Gael's use of 'world-spread' and not 'empire.' It appeared that the perpetrator of the Noser attack could very well affect not only the Ylfaen Empire but the other nations.

In an instant, a few came up with their thoughts about the matter.

Gael obviously noticed how some of the soldiers' expressions turned grim. But he did not take his time to observe them as he went on, "I can see that most of you have come up with your own assumptions, but there is no need to ponder further because I will tell you now what the real reason is.

"A new Dark Sage has appeared."

Boom!

As soon as Gael said this, the silent field erupted in agitated murmurs. Those few who had come up with their own guesses paled because the appearance of the Dark Sage never crossed their mind. At worse, they thought a fugitive from a nation in the north managed to infiltrate deep into the empire. The perpetrator might even be from the west since there was an ongoing civil and colonization war among them. The perpetrator might have wanted to drag the empire into the ongoing war.

But to think that the attack in Noser was done by the Dark Sage... it was beyond their expectations.

"Although we have the advantage in number, we lack the intelligence, and he is using that against us. He has thrown our army into disarray by using powerful legendary beasts while also attracting the ire of the Spirits to deal a blow to our army.

"If we don't stop his momentum, it will only be a matter of time before the rebels got wind of this and will also make a move. When that happens, then the empire will fall into chaos.

"Which is why, three hours from now, once the rest of the soldiers in Mourchton arrives, we will march back to Noser and eradicate the beasts he seemed to have control over. After which, we will also take care of the Spirits.

"At the same time, we will mobilize the army and raid the Montgomeray and the Mavin Families who have ties with the Spirits.

"But most important of all, after this, we will prepare for a large-scale war."

Gael took a deep breath as he turned his head slightly to look over at Imman.

Imman was surprised that Gael had noticed him. However, he steeled his heart and did not look away.

Gael turned his attention back to the soldiers.

"As for the target of our war... we will eradicate the Dark Sage's family..." he paused and narrowed his eyes, "The Regis Clan."

Gasps of disbelief escaped from the soldiers.

Imman also looked at Gael in shock. When they were told to keep an eye on the Regis Estate, they were made to believe that it was to ensure they would be prepared when if in case the 'Dark Sage' who had abducted the Regis young master returned. And the reason behind the Regis's activation of their defensive array was because of the Royal Army's mistake when they attacked them without knowing the whole story about the 'Dark Sage.'

But based on Gael's words, the Dark Sage was really part of the Regis Clan.

Wait.

Being part of the Regis Clan did not mean one was born as a Regis. However, Gael said that they would eradicate the Dark Sage's 'family.' Did he say that because the Dark Sage's whole family had become part of the Regis Clan or because he was part of the Regis Family?

"Make sure you drill that information into your heads," Gael said as he glared at the soldiers. "I don't want any half-assed soldiers on my battlefield."

With that, he turned around and left.

Imman, too, left and went to his tent. He wanted to talk to Ingrid and Mannick and asked whether they were aware of the real relationship of the Dark Sage with the Regis Clan.

The seven grand masters took over and gave out squad assignments. Since they lost most of their supplies, some of the squads had to go to nearby towns and gather supplies. For the supplies that could easily find in the forest, the other squads left to hunt.

As all soldiers moved about, one lone soldier, who appeared to be petrified in his spot, caught the attention of two grand masters.

"What are you still standing here? Report to your squad and prepare to move out," one of the grand masters berated.

The lone soldier did not respond. He remained rooted to his spot, with his head lowered.

One of the grand masters sneered as he thought the soldier got scared by what the Grand Marshal had said. He could not blame him because most were shocked to learn about the Dark Sage's appearance. However, as a soldier, one should be able to adjust their mindset at a drop of a hat. Because if they were unable to cope with unexpected news or even order, they would only end up a burden on the battlefield.

"What's your name? Who is your squad leader?" The grand master who sneered walked over to the soldier and asked a series of questions. "If you can't even handle the pressure, leave. We don't need a soldier who has weak resolve."

The soldier finally moved and raised his head.

Before the grand master could say more, he suddenly felt something was a miss. His voice failed to come out when he wanted to speak and his view tilt slightly.

"ENEMY ATTACK!"

The grand master behind him suddenly shouted. But somehow the latter's voice was distant as his view continued to tilt and his vision blurred. He did not even realize that his head had been sl

Thud.

Kyran coldly look at the mage's head as it fell to the ground. No blood gushed out of the mage's body as it, too, fell to the ground.

A red magic array appeared on his feet and a whirlpool of fire erupted at the center, engulfing him in an instant. However, the flames disappeared with a simple wave of the soldier's hand.

The nearby soldiers who witnessed the whole thing did not stay idle and also made their move.