Leveling up the World

Chapter 754: Deals and Curses

Nerosal had always been the center of attention. Relatively close to the fallen south, it had also been the copyette capital of ages past, not to mention one of the two major sources of ancient artifacts in current times. Its distance from the Imperial capital had delegated it to a backwater city to banish nobles to, but that apparently hadnt affected things beneath the surface. The level-three vortex was just another example, posing the question of how many more had there been back before Dallion had obtained his magic trait.

Know anything on the matter, shield? Dallion asked as he put away his aetherizer.

Wouldnt surprise me. The dryad mentally shrugged. Mages barely visit this dump. I doubt any detector has been a thousand miles from here.

As a mage, Dallion knew that the opportunity was too good to mix. As a hunter, this was the worst time and place to get involved. With the power vacuum, the more he got involved, the more complicated it would become for him elsewhere. Some might even think he was making a play for control of the city, which could be interpreted in all sorts of ways, and as Dallion had seen firsthand, mages had been banished for less.

The faint sound of steps quickly brought Dallion back to the here and now, reminding him he still had an annoying bishop to deal with. At least the vortex wasnt located beneath the temple. Thank the Moons for small blessings.

A massive wooden door opened on the far side of the antechamber.

The bishop will see you now, Initiate, a large cleric announced. Judging by his size, he could probably smash through the stone walls with his bare fists. Looking at his battle scars and high level, he probably had.

In a casual stroll, Dallion walked past into the bishops quarters. The room was twice as large and even more lavishly decorated, combining Moon motifs with fanciful gifts from the local nobles. All of them were impractical and useless, but expensive enough to ensure that they wouldnt be kept on display. In some ways it was like entering the generals office, all that was missing were the cages of exotic creatures.

Lord bishop, Dallion said, doing his best not to grumble as he entered.

Barely had he done so then the door closed behind him. It was at that point that he got a glimpse of the man behind the desk. Dressed in the richly embroidered clothes that depicted his station, the mans skin was as white as the garments themselves.

Cleric? Dallion blinked. This was definitely a day for surprises.

Nice to see you again, Dal, the albino responded with a reserved smile. Still magic, a mess of things.

The man was the first member of the Order that Dallion had seen upon awakening. Back then, he had been assisting in a regional chainling hunt. Within the years, they had become acquaintances, to the point that Cleric had offered Dallion protection back when he was chased by Countess Priscord.

Youre the bishop?

It was difficult to believe that someone banished for not obtaining a spellcasting skill would make it so far. A disgrace both to the noble of his domain and the Academy, Cleric had been forced to enter the Order to survive. The Moons had undoubtedly treated him well.

No one in their right mind wanted to be in charge of this powder keg, the bishop replied. Especially knowing that its your backyard.

It never was my backyard. Dallion shook his head. And even if it were, that was a long time ago.

So you deciding to drop by so soon after the archduke left is purely a coincidence?

I had a few things to take care in the province. Dallion continued towards the massive desk. As he did, he looked around in search of a seat. Same as in the antechamber there was none. Nerosal just happened to be my first stop. sure it is. Cleric leaned back. You can cast spells, by the way. It wont affect my sensitivity.

Thanks to his vision, Dallion was able to see that the albino had a magic trait, even if it was at zero. That suggested that hed been to the Academy, and also that he had given away his magic to someone else; rather, that he had been forced to do so. Taking the magic from someone who couldnt use it sounded exactly like a decision an Academy snob would decide on.

Im fine. Dallion stopped a few feet from the desk. So, why am I here? I take it you didnt want to talk about old times. Am I in trouble again?

You know the answer to that, the bishops tone hardened. But no, I didnt call you to discuss your issues. Not when there are bigger things at stake.

Im already taking part in the war, so if thats what

A new Star is on the rise, the bishop interrupted. Normally, Dallion would respond with a comeback, but this news was enough to send shivers down his spine.

He had always known that sooner or later a new Star would emerge. That was how this world went. Not a small number had escaped the downfall of the previous Star, going into hiding. And even if one was to assume that the Order had managed to sniff all of them out, there were just as many outside the Tamin Empire.

Who?

The Order knew about this, Dallion subtly added, a note of sadness in his voice. And still you didnt do anything about it?

It was estimated that his punishment would hold.

Dallion wanted to roll his eyes.

There were bigger problems back then. The Star was making appearances left and right. The Order was attacked left and right, cultists managed even to infiltrate our ranks. No one imagined that thing would go so far with his curse in place.

His curse? Dallion wasnt going to let that slip. What did you have to do with that?

Me personally, nothing. The Order in generaleverything. Who do you think erases names and delevels awakened? Not the Academy, Ill tell you that.

And yet, you come to me for help?

Not everything in the world revolves around you! Cleric stood up. It was my decision to loop you in! The power players were already involved. I just happen to think that you stand a greater chance of finding him before its too late!

Silence filled the room. Based on the layers of anger emanating from the bishop, Dallion wasnt the only one having a bad few months. A major war was the worst of times for a new Star to appear. If Agzorg was such a focal point, dealing with him as quickly as possible would prevent a whole lot of devastation. Of course, it would come at a cost.

How? Dallion asked. Hows Adzorg nudging things?

The contraption he thinks hes creating. It wont work. After the limitations placed on him, hes a tenth the mage he was. He doesnt have the magic or the mind to activate it, but he keeps trying. That was part of the punishment.

To always try, even if hes never able to achieve it, Dallion said. It had enough of Sisyphean logic to make it believable.

Somehow he still managed to make something that works.

Probably all the artifacts hes been freely storing up for years, Dallion grumbled.

What hes building will never take him to another world, but is bunching holes elsewhere. The bishop opened a drawer of his desk, then took a rolled parchment and tossed it to Dallion.

The piece of paper represented a map of the known world. No borders or countries were marked on it, just the general landmass of the world. Scattered throughout it were a vast amount of dots, some larger than others.

Vortex activity in the last decade, courtesy of the Academy, the albino said.

Vortex locations? They seem a bit out of date. There was an unusually high number in the vicinity of Nerosal.

When he started, Adzorg was only able to trigger a minor one every few years. Hes gotten a lot better, especially after getting some of the devices from the Academy. The Archbishop fears that if he continues, he might create an opening to the void. It will be short-lived, but enough to elevate a cult candidate to the position of Star.

Thats a bit of a stretch.

The prophecy is certain about one thingif Adzorg isnt captured, a new Star will rise and the human race will be banished.

Oh, just that? The armadil shield asked. And I thought it would be something serious.

Were not just asking you for help, Dal. The bishop looked him in the eye. Were asking everyone for help. Youve had his echo in your realm for years, millennia if you could, true time. Help us stop this.

Quietly, Dallion rolled up the map. If it wasnt for the Moon vow, hed have a hard time believing all this to be true. Unfortunately, there was every indication it was.

What will you do to him? he asked. If you catch him before, its too late. What will you do?

Thats for the Archbishop to decide. The most important thing is that he doesnt complete the device. Nothing else matters, not even the war.

The answer left no room for interpretation. Still, despite everything, Dallion couldnt believe Adzorg to be so stupid. If his device was creating vortexes, surely, hed notice.

Alright, Ill help you. But I have a few conditions.