Fire Mage

The rest of the journey passed in silence, except for the occasional horseshoes striking the pavement.

When they arrived at the Mermaid's Inn, the sun had begun to dip toward the horizon, painting the city walls with a ruddy hue. The guards at the entrance bowed as they entered, and the trio quietly headed to their respective rooms to rest.

But peace didn't last long.

Half an hour later, a knock echoed across the quiet corridor.

"Lady Rhea," a maid called softly, "a guest from the Moon Kingdom has arrived. She requests an audience."

Still in her formal attire, Rhea stepped out and found a tall woman cloaked in indigo silk waiting in the lounge — Harley, the Moon Kingdom's representative. Her face was weary, and her brows furrowed in restrained frustration.

They exchanged greetings and moved into a private chamber, with Runeth and Edith remaining nearby as silent witnesses.

The first thing Edith did once Harley entered the chamber was to cast the [Curse of the Overlord] spell on her.

Meanwhile, Harley said on the sofa and started to speak, her words came sharp and swift.

"I'll be honest, Your Majesty. I was deeply disappointed by today's Council. Their response to the Moon Kingdom's situation was… nothing short of abandonment."

She paused, clenching her fists.

"We've lost nearly half our towns in the northern province to magical beasts emerging from the dungeons. Our Mystics and Mages are struggling to protect our people. And yet, the Council only offered discussions and delays."

Rhea nodded. "They are waiting to see which kingdom falls first. So they know where not to waste their resources. If I'm not wrong, they must have long planned on abandoning the small kingdoms like us."

Harley's lips tightened. "That's why I came. We need help — real help. Soldiers, mages, healers. In return, the Moon Kingdom will back your leadership. All Moon Kingdom's council members will vote for you as the next United Council Leader."

The room grew quiet.

'I didn't expect her to switch sides instantly.'

It wasn't because of Rhea's speech but because of Runeth's action at the council.

His presence in the Rebirth Tower raised the Iron Kingdom's status to that of a power of one of the Empires.

'I lack in many things.'

Rhea extended her hand.

"Done. I'll inform Rebirth Tower to dispatch a support force by tomorrow morning. You'll have ten battle-ready knight squads and two reinforcement teams led by one of our Royal Mages. Though they might not be enough to hunt down a Legend rank magical beast, they are enough to kill Pseudo-Legendary ones easily."

Harley stared for a moment, then took Rhea's hand and gripped it tightly.

"Thank you."

Rhea smiled lightly and then added.

"I know the Moon kingdom has been facing crises because the Amber Church's treasury was stolen at the magic tower. From what I've investigated, the problem lies entirely with the Amber Church. I also heard that the disappearance of a large amount of gold was due to a person with the Amber Curse. This looks more like someone's personal revenge. How can the Moon Kingdom be responsible for that? That's why I have a request." She paused for a moment and then added.

"I want the Moon Kingdom to stop supporting the Amber Church and focus on nurturing talented kids using the Ancient method. If possible, please slowly replace the amber currency with the 'Rebirth Coin.'"

"I'll notify the Tower Masters about your request, Your Majesty," Harley said.

They shared a silent nod, and Harley departed soon after.

Rhea exhaled slowly and looked toward Runeth. "Please send the message tonight. I don't want the Moon kingdom to disappear."

"You don't have good memories in Moon Kingdom, though," Runeth muttered.

"No. My good memories started from there. That was the place I first met my master after all."

'Ha, I don't know how to tell her the truth.' Runeth shook his head and went to his room to send a message to the Rebirth Tower.

"I'll be going out for a while. Stay in your room." Edith also told Rhea not to wander around and quietly left the Mermaid's Inn.

Then, she moved to the slum Borough and met with Targa and his men.

As soon as she walked into the half-burned chapel, she was greeted by the gang members at the entrance.

"Welcome back, Ma'am," Targa said as he bowed.

"Did you finish the task?"

Edith asked as she noticed many kids, ages 8 to 15, lined up in a queue. At the elevated platform, a few men were serving food to the kids and were ordering them around.

Noticing her gaze at the kids, Targa showed his flashy teeth and spoke broadly.

"These kids are our eyes and ears, Ma'am. They have been trained to gather information from a young age."

As the kids got their food on their plates, they moved to the rows of pews and sat down before eating.

Edith moved to the front row and sat on the pew.

"Bring me all the information they gathered." She ordered.

Taiga hurriedly moved to the left side of the room and returned with hundreds of papers.

Edith picked up the first paper and started reading it out.

Though the handwriting was clumsy and disorganized, she could understand what was written on the paper.

"Name: Waylon Smith… Ember Kingdom… United Council member… On the 11th morning, he went to attend Baron Isaiah… He then returned to the house in Nobles' Street around 1 P.M. A black carriage with number SC2930L came to his house around 3 P.M. Some old man with gray hair and a long beard came to meet him with a lady in a red dress… I overheard the gatekeepers' talk and learned they are from the Blood Empire. The only man left the house while the lady stayed behind… Waylon left the house with the strange woman around 6 P.M. I tried to follow them but lost track due to traffic… 12th Morning, He left the mansion around 7 A.M. and went to the Council Meeting… Christoper's report."

"Name: Enzo Ritter… From Arc Kingdom… United Council member… 11th morning, I stood outside the mansion house where he was staying all day, but didn't meet him even once. Two people came to meet him in the evening in a carriage. I tried to note the carriage number, but the fruit shop owner interrupted me. One was a Holy Knight with blonde hair, the other was a young man in a black dress… Ava's report."

"Name: Silas Kent… Viscount of Noble of Azure Federation… United Council member…"

"Name: Jamie Vincent… Count of Moon Kingdom…"

Edith looked at the information one by one and furrowed.

'Ember kingdom is already leaning towards the Blood Empire… Arc Kingdom seems to have formed some agreement with Rogue Thorne… But Hearth Kingdom, Moon Kingdom, and other small kingdoms seem to be staying neutral. Although representatives from Blood Empire, Rogue Throne, and Azure Federation are visiting them, they seem hesitant about choosing a side. After Rhea's speech at the council, the chance of the neutral forces supporting Rhea's side will be high.' However, to become the next Union Council Leader, one must have the support of 250 council members.

'Even if we get the support of small kingdoms and organizations, the number won't surpass 100. That leaves one choice… We need to assassinate one of the three candidates.' But it was easier said than done.

Even with the help of Runeth, assassinating an avatar of a God wasn't an easier matter.

'It seems I need to rely on the [Curse of the Overlord] spell.' Edith nodded inwardly and started picking the easier target.

'Mostly, church members are an easier target as they are in a weaker state. So, I should start from the neutral churches.'

"Continue the work. I'll come here every night and check the report." Saying so, Edith stored the papers and left the chapel.

After that, she left the Slum Borough and moved towards the Merchant's Borough.

Edith soon entered the shop called Myriad Smith.

A dense wave of heat and the pungent smell of molten metal greeted her. The walls were lined with weapons racks—glinting blades, sturdy spears, curved daggers, and axes that radiated faint elemental auras.

A brawny man with soot-covered arms and thick gloves looked up from behind the anvil. His face was lined with battle scars, and his brown eyes held the sharpness of a veteran warrior.

"What're you buyin', lady?" he asked, his voice rough as gravel. "We've weapons ranging from Uncommon to Pseudo Legendary. Uncommon ones go for 50 silvers. If you're aiming for something Rare, prepare at least 500 to 1000 silvers—that's one sacred gold coin. An extraordinary item will cost you around 10 to 20 sacred gold coins. As for Pseudo-Legendary gear…"

He glanced at her sideways before lowering his voice, "Few left—each worth a hundred sacred gold or more. Legendary ones? Forget it. You'll only see them at the high table auctions."

Edith said nothing. She reached into her spatial ring and pulled out twelve Rank-4 elemental crystals, followed by four Rank-5 crystals, their glow pulsing with restrained power.

The shopkeeper's brows shot up.

"Rank-5, huh…" he muttered, leaning in with a practiced eye. He picked up one of the Rank-5 crystals, turned it under the lantern light, then whistled low. "Fine quality. Good purity too. Depending on the element, you'll get 15 to 20 sacred gold coins for each. These Rank-4s… around 1 to 2 sacred gold coins apiece."

Edith gave a slight nod.

"I want a Pseudo-Legendary dagger. Something light. One that doesn't make noise when drawn, and something… with spells engraved, if possible."

The man scratched his chin.

"You're lookin' for a Darksteel-forged weapon, maybe with a binding rune or spell engraved into it. Follow me."

He led her into a side chamber. Unlike the front, this area was cold, protected by layers of enchanted stone and runes drawn in red ink. Weapons here were placed on velvet cushions and sealed under rune-engraved glass.

The man gestured to a black dagger enclosed in a hexagonal case. The blade was thin, with a smoky hue. It looked almost ethereal. Runes glimmered faintly along its edges, shifting slightly as if resisting light.

"Silent Mournblade, forged with darksteel and dipped in a basilisk's blood for months. This one has a passive ability called [Shadow Veil]—conceals the user's killing intent and footsteps within a 5-meter radius. Also enchanted with a Curse of Agony spell. Once you stab someone with it, they'll feel like they're being eaten alive… slowly."

He tapped the case. "This one's 120 sacred gold coins. Take it or leave it."

Edith silently placed three Rank-5 crystals and ten Rank-4s on the nearby desk.

The man blinked in surprise. "…That'll do." He quickly pocketed the crystals and carefully opened the seal, handing her the dagger.

The moment she gripped the hilt, the blade trembled slightly.

"Fine blade for me."

"Do you need anything else, lady?"

Edith wanted to buy armor, a ring, or an amulet, but she soon shook her head.

"Another time."

Saying so, she stored the dagger and left the shop. After that, she didn't wander anywhere and returned to the Mermaid's Inn.

…