The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Where could she have gone? Had something gone wrong last night, causing her to not make a move with The Shadow? But that was not right; if she wasn't going to take action, she should have been in her room. Where was she?

Lawren returned to the city hall, hoping to hear good news from Dainis, but... was she missing?

Lawren and Felir panicked and grew anxious. Yet, they couldn't make a scene and had to discreetly carry on their search.

Half an hour later, Grima emerged from the room.

"How did it go?" Alavin and Helna stood up, gripping their hands tightly together.

"She's dead. She confessed," Grima said with mixed emotions, fighting back tears.

"Was it them?" Alavin clenched his fists tighter. His fingertips broke the skin, and blood seeped out.

Taking a deep breath to hold back his grief, Grima relayed the news she had pried from Dainis' lips.

That fateful year was the peak of Stormcast's influence, it surpassing Golden Scorch in stature within the five great cities. Stormcast received various favors from Cobalt Strike. Alavin's parents were both named honorary Elders of Cobalt Strike and had close relations with many other Elders. This all spurred the envy of Golden Scorch, who began to plant spies within Stormcast to monitor the Mallister family's every move. The spies bribed the stewards and priests of the Mallister family.

The Rocke family of Golden Scorch sought to unearth secrets to sow discord between the Mallister family and Cobalt Strike. To their surprise, they soon discovered that the Grand Elder of Cobalt Strike had secretly visited the Mallister household. Shortly after, Alavin's parents left in great secrecy and returned with an object, which they covertly sent among tributes to Cobalt Strike.

Such a carefully guarded relic had to be extraordinary! The Rockes, through various inquiries, learned that the treasure was immensely valuable, and thus, their malicious intentions grew.

What truly drove them to resolve was the revelation that the Grand Elder had conspired with the Mallister family instead of seeking out the Rockes, clearly favoring the Mallisters and spurning the Rocke clan.

A mix of reasons culminated in their decision to launch an ambush.

As for Alavin's parents and the escorting party, they had been secretly executed by the Rockes, leaving no trace behind.

"They died without even knowing what it was...?" Alavin's anger surged.

Grima shook her head bitterly. Accepting the death of their Lord was hard enough, but the reason for it was even harder to stomach. They died unfairly, innocently.

"Despicable! Shameless!" Helna trembled with rage, tears streaming down her face. They were really gone.

Alavin embraced Helna as his vision blurred. Helna clung to Alavin's clothes, sobbing. Grima, heartbroken, turned away to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"Where are my parents' remains?" Alavin's voice quivered.

"Cast into the river to feed the Magi-Monsters."

Alavin closed his eyes in anguish, tears finally falling down his cheeks.

Helna, unable to speak through her tears, could barely stand. She might have anticipated this outcome, but at the moment of confirmation, her heart was torn, the pain suffocating.

Alavin supported Helna back to their chamber, calling for Oda to stay with her.

"Lord Alavin! How shall we avenge this?" Grima could no longer contain her anger. She wanted the Rocke family to pay in blood.

Alavin sat in the courtyard, lost in thought for a long time. "What is this magical treasure?"

"A sword," Grima revealed. "Before our lord's death, they learned from him that the sword is key to Cobalt Strike's future prosperity, holding vast fortunes. They've tried for many years to unlock its secrets. Thei recent attentiveness was to win our favor, lower our guard, and learn the sword's secrets from us."

"What kind of sword?"

"A very ancient blade, seen by Dainis only once."

Alavin felt turmoil and pain within, his mind in chaos. He rubbed his forehead forcefully. "What else did she know?"

"That's all we know, Lord Alavin. We should alert Cobalt Strike, have them act, and execute the entire Rocke family!"

"Fetch Godfred! Send him to Cobalt Strike to contact the Commander. I'll keep an eye on Lawren here."

"Wait!" At that moment, the Chained Spirit within Alavin's Energy Realm spoke. "A sword? Key to Cobalt Strike's future prosperity? Could it be...?"

Alavin frowned, attempting to communicate. "What is it?"

The Chained Spirit fell silent for a while before murmuring, "I understand... I understand it all..."