Mage Legend

"That's exactly what I'm worried about." Knight Macken sighed, "When the beastmen and giants attack, the warriors of Holy Pate are bleeding, yet Yim is busy profiteering from the war. Although he has transported quite a bit of supplies and weapons to the north, he has unnecessarily increased their prices. Before I left Holy Pate, many in the temple expressed dissatisfaction with this phenomenon, saying that their actions are not much different from the evil beastmen of the north. I'm just worried that once such sentiments are inflamed..."

"It won't happen." Lynch pointed to his own head, "Knight, you've forgotten an important force, the Mage Association. In Yim, we mages live undisturbed, able to conduct research in peace. Moreover, at Yim's grand meetings, mages also hold considerable power. If the paladins who worship the gods want to attack this country, the Mage Association, which has a history of slaying gods, will also stand on Yim's side for self-preservation. I think Holy Pate won't be foolish enough to wage war against 'unbelievers who wield spell power'."

"Perhaps you're right, the Mage Association is indeed an important balancing factor." Knight Macken nodded, "But I still have a foreboding feeling."

"The Five Realms Mountain Range cuts off the route to the south, and there's no way Holy Pate's strongest cavalry units could overcome this barrier. And to the south, there's another outlet, which is the dwarven country, Gunn's Hammer." Lynch smiled, dispelling Macken's last shred of doubt, "You've never received training in burrowing through mountains, have you? Would you attack the dwarves? To me, this change in doctrine seems worrisome, but it's just a means to boost morale."

"Maybe you're right, perhaps I've been overthinking." Knight Macken nodded, "I've spent most of my life in the temple, and now away from it, I'm overly sensitive to some changes. I think I need some fresh air. Since it's not dark yet, I'll take another walk to the dock, you all rest here."

With that, he stood up and slowly walked out of the tavern. It seemed that even after the mage's explanation, he still had many doubts lingering in his mind.

"Is it really as simple as you say?" Zilvra moved her chair closer to the mage, "Is changing the doctrine just to boost morale? I don't see it that way."

Lynch put away his previous lighthearted demeanor and became very serious. He sighed softly and said, "I just wanted to lighten Knight Macken's mental burden; he's getting on in years, and it's not good for him to be constantly frowning." He looked into Zilvra's purple eyes, blinked twice, and said, "There's only one possibility for changing the doctrine, and that's that the priests have been instructed by Light God Pate. For those lofty wielders of divine power, it's hard to guess what they are planning in their heads."

"It seems there's not much difference between this so-called Light God and the Spider Goddess," Zilvra smiled, "Especially in the eyes of you mages, all gods are the same, just beings with power and not of real significance."

"I hope it's just a joke of those gods," Lynch said of impossible things as he gazed toward the sky, "The Anriel Continent is becoming more and more bizarre, especially in the north. Where have those peaceful days gone? Since a year ago, how many battles have I been through? When will it all settle down?"

In the tavern, there were many guests discussing their plans to make money. As the cold winter was about to arrive, it was the bustling season for those speculative traders preparing to earn money. The besieged Holy Pate City, especially those coastal areas, were hot topics on the tongues of Yim people. As prices were discussed for food, wine, clothing, and other supplies, ready to turn into shiny metallic coins, one table remained unusually calm. Lynch was contemplating the future peace of the Anriel Continent, but this business deal seemed destined to fail.

Yet, life must go on, no matter how much Lynch pondered, he was powerless to change the course of the future. The moon slowly climbed into the sky, and at least for this night, the stars still shone bright. After sending Zilvra and Soka off to rest, the mage returned alone to the tavern's main hall, where he sat in the corner, trying to sort through the events he had recently experienced.