Leveling up the World

Chapter 852: Magic Infiltration

Diroh reacted rather well at the sight of her own inn. Dallion could see bittersweet emotions emanating from her, along with a touch of eagerness. She wanted to see it on the inside, but at the same time didnt want to show it.

Gleam, on the other hand, was as merciless as always.

Is that it? she almost scuffed as she fluttered above the settlement in her fully sized majestic form. Not absolutely terrible. Its missing more bits than its got.

I know. Dallion took a bite of the branchhare meat. It was slightly bitter, as that type of meat usually was. Ill add houses when people settle in.

Right. The shardfly flew down, changing into her chosen humanoid form. Wholl you get?

I have a few ideas.

While the emperor had granted Dallion the right to get people from the entire empire, it wasnt as simple. Most Archdukes would refuse to follow the order, citing the war, or rather cripple the people requested just out of principle. That left one option: to find such people whose departure would cost less than the trouble of having them stay.

Anything interesting in the mountain? Dallion asked.

Not much. Diroh kept looking at the fire. Doesnt look like anything special. I cast a few spells to find rare ores, but didnt sense a thing. There might be gems if youre into that thing.

Theres lots of playful creatures, Gleam added. Theyre not afraid to attack.

Anything Ive seen?

Dont think so.

That was an interesting opportunity for Dallion to boost his zoology and herbalism skills at some point. For the moment, he needed to do two things: get people and return to the capital to reclaim Adzorg. After that, hed try to make the place into a town.

You can always move your home village here, Di suggested. Youve told me you freed them from

No, Dallion interrupted. Theyre better where they are.

Are you worried youd endanger them?

There was a part of Dallions mind that was worried about certain people, mostly those of his family, but that wasnt the main reason. He wanted to do as little as possible with them, especially his grandfather. There was a time when hed trusted the old man beyond anything else, seeing in him the only person that could understand and help him. With each new piece of information he learned, the image was tarnished more and more.

I already know who Ill invite. He stood up. Will you be able to handle this place while Im gone?

Youre leaving again. The ice fury didnt even bother to frown. What a surprise.

Only because I have faith in you.

Dallion summoned his aura sword and waved it several times through the air. Multiple spell circles formed, combining with each other until one massive sphere spell was complete. The ball of purple light fell to the ground. Upon contact, the massive clay head of a golem emerged. Magic threads surrounded it, pulling the creature out as if it were an overgrown turning. It wasnt exactly an imperial golem, but adequate enough to deal with lesser threats.

Ive also linked myself to the realm, so if you think therell be trouble, just let me know. Dallion turned to the shardflies. Okay?

Ruby flicked his wings, while Gleam just stared back.

Di. He paused for a moment. Im giving you the settlement.

Really? The word was drenched in sarcasm. Thanks. It feels just like home.

Thats not what I mean. Im giving you the settlement. Ill still take care of growth and other things, but there are other things I must focus on, at least for the moment.

I know what you meant and Im done being other peoples replacement. First my mentor, then Ji, then March.

The aether echo burst in a flash of purple light, though not before drawing in part of the golems internal threads. More water poured down onto the forest as the entity shed another layer of itself.

No shortcuts, Dallion threw his aura sword right at the golems head. A split second later, he had summoned his harpsisword and played several chords, infusing them with spark.

The sword was avoided, but the sound threads easily burned through the mesh within the water, attaching themselves to the magic thread clusters.

Got you, Dallion said, playing another chord.

Magic ran along them, overwhelming the golem with an internal attack. Threads tore and snapped, their magic discharging with purple sparks.

The creature shrieked as patches of water detached from it like chunks of jelly. Its struggle only expedited the process.

Barely a tenth of its initial size, the golem attempted to charge at Dallion in one final attack. Whatever water drops it still had control of darted onward, aiming to deal at least some damage. Significantly weaker than before, they splattered over Dallions aether armor without result. The mass of the body quickly followed. For a moment it seemed that it might reach its target, but just as it was about to, Dallion performed a multi slash attack, causing it to freeze in midair. The aether mesh that maintained its stability hardened, then shattered. Incapable of remaining in the air, the water poured straight down.

Not bad, dear boy, Adzorg said.

Dallion didnt accept the praise. Although he had stopped the golem, he had done so after it had destroyed his aether echo. That wasnt supposed to happen. The situation should never have needed him to use an echo, let alone lose it.

Water can hide anywhere, Harp said from his domain. Dont get caught by surprise again.

Do you think it was hunting me? Dallion asked. Or did it just happen to be here?

Theres no point in a sentinel to be sent this far east. It was hunting someone, but I cant be sure if that someone was you.

Dallion felt lumps of ice in his stomach. This felt like something Grym would do. If true, it meant the noble was alive and in good standing, and still set on killing Dallion.

I didnt think hed be so obsessed. Harp, can you teach me how to cast golems?

No, the nymph replied

You dont want to or you cant?

I cant. Thats mage territory.

It was obvious that she wasnt telling him everything. Dallion could feel the same fear she had emanated when her race had returned from its banishment. It was less intense this time, pushed deep down in her attempt to keep it hidden, but still there.

I didnt show anything new, Dallion said. Theyve seen me use the skills and the backups.

They havent seen you in action. Now they have.

There was no denying that. Enemy nobles were like guardiansthey never forgot and adapted their approach to improve their performance next time.

Tell me how to remain hidden from them.

The nymph didnt respond.

Harp.

Cast an illusion of yourself to turn into something without water, she said at last. If youre good enough, theres a chance they wont notice the magic. Golems focus on water.

Water, but not magic?

Everyone made the same mistake. They cast an illusion to make themselves into something else, but it was always something with water. When they get a scent of the water, they look closer to see if theres anything odd about it.

It attacked me because I was a mage, Dallion said. That worked a bit in his favor, although he had to be quick about it. There was every chance that the place he wanted to go to had already been marked as a threat and destroyed.