Leveling up the World

Chapter 734: The Archmage's Complex

Typical of Valerian to do something like this, Nil said, words dripping with disapproval. He always was easily impressed and with a terrible sense of aesthetic.

Looking at the cluster of buildings below, Dallion couldnt argue. What had seemed like square structures turned out to be a recreation of a modern twenty-century building complex. The architects had started with the basic idea, but added a few local features to make the whole thing more palatable. Ultimately, they had failed, creating a monstrosity that combined the worst elements of both.

Blocks of flats between from two to five stories high were glued together, creating a monolithic whole. Here and there bridges linked the more distant ones, looking like external appendixes, and just as useless. It took talent to come up with something simultaneously so grotesque and dysfunctional.

Howd he come up with that? Dallion asked.

Probably Aliens doing. Despite his many flaws, Valerian had a thing for otherworlders. Thats why I took him under my wing.

Well, that cost you a lot.

His father was an otherworlder, and a very good friend of mine. Nil paused. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

That changed things a lot. Putting friends and family in positions of power wasnt exclusive to this world, though apparently things ended up just as catastrophically here as well.

What happened to him?

Im not sure. One day, he vanished. It hit a few people quite hard, though ten times as many were pleased to see him go. You see, he was a noble.

Right. Just the usual, then.

Actually, it was anything but usual. Disposing of a rival is rather normal in noble circles. Not hearing about the hows and whys thats a different matter.

A circle of aether golems surrounded the building. There were no less than twenty of them, although far less powerful than the imperial ones Dallion had recently faced. The archmage likely was paranoid enough to have his own ones made, even if they could be destroyed with a tenth of the effort.

Still under the effects of the Moonstone, Dallion could see the spells and symbols on them clearly. They were obviously made for intimidation rather than anything else. Even now, they remained perfectly motionless while Dallion was hovering fifty feet above.

Dallion concentrated on the buildings using his magic vision. There were four layers of protective spells, their magic symbols glowing bright purple on walls and rooftops. Initially, the builders had started out diligently, ensuring that nothing harmful could enter undetected. As more buildings had been added to the complex, they had slacked off, though, putting in less and less effort to the point that multiple weak spots had emerged. By the looks of it, the archmage relied on his authority and the massive illusion spell to keep enemies away.

Back in my day, Id never have resorted to all this. Nil continued his grumbling. So much wasted time, and it isnt even good.

There were barely two magic stick-figures in the entire complex, located in a small building just off the center. The layers of symbols prevented Dallion from making out specifics, but he could tell that one was rather powerful, while the other was at novice-level at most.

Nil, how many people would there be in a place like this? he asked.

Depends on the person. Some archmages have armies of apprentices and novices serving them as if they were royalty. Others preferred a dozen close assistants.

At least a dozen that didnt bode well. Quickly, Dallion directed the swarm of shardflies enveloping him in the direction of the building. There were three layers of spells preventing anyone from entering, but those werent of any consequence. Dallion could easily see how to untangle and disrupt them, even without relying on brute force. Not that the shardflies wouldnt have enjoyed slicing through everything in sight.

What should I be worried about? Dallion asked, while splitting through the air.

There was no trace of the calm and collected noble Dallion had gone to magic lessons with. Before him was a scared boy who had seen his entire world shatter. Even so, he remained his enemy. The moment Dallion took a step forward, Raven combat split, jumping to his feet in a variety of fashions. In a few instances, he even attacked, only to be countered by Dallions own combat splitting.

You werent able to use that before, Dallion said, cautiously moving about the room with his instances. The Moonstone helps, doesnt it? All that power, no more limits Im surprised that Argus let you use it.

It happened by accident! Raven snapped. He was supposed to be here. All of them were! Its their fault that they deserted me.

Dallion considered using his empathy trait to see Ravens memory. So far, hed only seen fragments of someones distant past. Being able to see events that had passed moments ago would be difficult, if not impossible.

Any theories about this, Nil? He asked.

Plenty of theories, the echo replied. Im sure you have a few of your own.

Looks like they left you once you did your job, Dallion ventured a guess. More importantly, he took advantage of the situation to use his music skills. A battle-hardened mage would be on guard against such an attack; a boy in a confused state was more likely to ignore such interference, especially if subtly done. They cut the strings, leaving all their puppets to suffer the consequences.

Youve no idea what youre talking about. Raven gritted his teeth.

Let me guess. Dallion pushed on, putting dear, anger, and sadness into his words. The mage said that youre special. He gave you a task that only you as a child of a prosperous noble could achieve. Everyone was going to be in your debt, right? Theyd honor you as a hero once it was over and youd be remembered for generations.

I will be remembered!

Well, in that case, where is he? Dallion mockingly looked about with several of his instances. Ill tell you. Hidden safely away, leaving his minions to take the fall for

Argus works for me! Raven shouted, all of his instances vanishing. You think Im some pawn? He is the pawn! He begged my parents to become part of this, just like all the rest!

This was new. Dallion paused, but maintained his own instances active.

You think my father went through all that trouble to get rid of the Academy? The Academy has been done for ages ago! The archmage is a joke that considers bribes a hobby and hasnt cast an adequate spell in years. This place is just a hindrance on the way to victory!

Someone must have taught him those phrases, Dallion thought.

And you think a single archduke can take down the emperor? Dallion used his music skills to push Raven just a bit more.

You think my fathers just another archduke? Arrogance mixed with rage within the boy. One of the old emperors gave us this piece of land as a token, to ensure that we dont attack them. The empire has never been as strong as it pretended. Now they are outright weak, and its time for us to take what is rightfully ours!

Crap! Youre part of the alliance against the empire, arent you? Dallion drew his harpsisword. Meanwhile, more of the shardflies flying in the area flocked onto him, reinforcing his living armor.

Im not part of it. Im one of those that lead it. Now that Ive shown everyone that I can kill the Academys archmage, theyll have no choice but to give me the crown! The empire fell today! You just havent figured it out yet!

The boy dashed forward, the magic draining dagger at the ready.

Immediately, Dallion used his shardflies to cast dozens of magic barriers. He had vastly miscalculated the situation.