Rebirth of Abium

Meanwhile, Abium returned to the 32B old house at the end of Elm Street and quickly summoned everyone, including Roysia, to the main hall. He stood with a grave look on his face and saw everyone began gathering one by one.

The first ones to enter the main hall were the four adventurers, and following them were Roysia and another black-haired male adventurer. After that, Nicolaus, Fennelis, and Umi arrived with a serious look on their faces. Including Abium, there were a total of 10 people stood inside the hall in silence and seemed to be waiting for Abium's reply.

Abium turned his head towards the wavy pink-haired lady who was around 40 years old and smiled as he spoke.

''It's nice to see you again, my lady.''

Hearing his words, Roysia became puzzled and soon frowned as she saw this black-haired kid looked a little bit familiar. Soon, an elf's image along with a fairy appeared in her mind, and soon her hooded amber eyes widened in shock.

'L-Lord Baron?'' She stuttered with a confused face.

''Yes, my lady. I used a mask to disguise my appearance.'' Abium cleared her puzzlement and soon continued with a serious face.

''Lady, are you after Red python organization?''

''Yes, my lord.'' She nodded and shifted her attention towards Hooper and added, ''This adventurer Hooper also has some link with that demon organization.''

Abium frowned, and soon Roysia started to explain in a detailed manner about their journey.

After hearing her full story, Abium became completely shocked.

'Hmm, Guard Captain Piers? Isn't he Light Bishop?' Abium quickly made a guess. 'So, that's the reason he is watching outside like a dog. It not that he is after this scroll, but he is after Fennelis and Umi. Moreover, a shapeshifter, huh.

It must be their pets. Although I never heard of any shapeshifters in the past, I knew Light church is hiding many secrets, so it's not a surprising thing. Tsk, this is going to be a problem tomorrow. If Fennelis and Umi came along with me to that dungeon, then those Light Church and that Bishop will definitely attack them when we walk out of this city.' Abium rubbed his forehead in frustration and suddenly froze.

'Haa! I almost forgot that I'm also a rune mage.' Abium let out a sigh and quickly picked up two silver rings from his spatial ring, then started to inscribe a disguise spell on those two rings. At the same time, he embedded two black colored elemental stones into it and tossed it to both Fennelis and Umi.

''My lady, please use this ring to disguise yourself and also teach Umi to how to use this ring.'' Abium said solemnly and continued, ''We must protect her if there is any danger during this expedition.''

''I can protect myself.'' Umi stuck her tongue out and protested, which stunned Abium.

''I can see you already have the strength to battle against wyverns, Umi. But only having strength won't make you invincible in battle. There are many artifacts and spells out there which had abilities that could even kill anyone unprepared in a blink. Moreover, you lack real battle experience and knowledge. Well, we will teach you everything from now on.'' Hearing Abium's words, Umi's eyes became sparking and nodded her head repeatedly like she was listening to a lecture.

After that, Abium discussed for a few minutes and started to ponder who would participate in this expedition.

After a few debates, Abium asked Nicolaus and Roysia to return to the Peral kingdom. He knew Red Python and Light church were searching for her and thought that would be the better option.

''Lady Roysia, where did you get that scroll? Is it from a vampire?'' Abium suddenly thought of the magic scroll and asked.

Hearing his words, Roysia pondered for a while and replied,

''I think so. I think he is the one who ordered the Holy Knights to attack us when we are searching for clues in the woods. When they were about to attack us, I knew we are in deep trouble. That guy wore some blue robe, and from his tone, I know he must have a high position in the church.

Moreover, he doesn't have any fighting skills and appeared like some mastermind behind the scenes. It's not hard to figure out he was some big shot and seems to be on some mission. So, I have no choice but to launch a brutal attack even before they could. My action startled everyone, including that blue-robed guy. Well, that gave me a big opportunity to get near to him to use him as a hostage, and I succeeded.'' Roysia said with a proud tone and added casually,

''During that time, I stealthily stole that scroll from his waist when he was distracted. Then I tried to threaten him, but I didn't think he would use some strange spell to attack my mind, and I have no choice but to escape along with others.''

''But how the other adventurers died?'' Abium interjected.

As she heard Abium's question, her casual tone turned into solemn, and spoke gravely,

''It was due to that guy's strange spell. I think he used some tracking spell and energy-draining spell on us. Except for two of us, all of them died by the Holy Knights before reaching the city. They died at the entrance of this city.''

'As expected of the Former Knight Captain, she survived the chase from holy knights.' Abium was deeply impressed by her quick judgment skill and spoke,

''Lady Roysia, I think the information hidden in that magic scroll must be important to the Light Church. Although they still didn't know what was in that scroll, they knew it must be important news. That's the reason they put arrest warrant on both of your heads. That's the reason I'm urging you to leave this kingdom sooner.'' Abium ended his speech and shifted his attention to Nicolaus.

Although both didn't have a good relationship like before, they had a good understanding. Abium thought for a while and took out a silver ring from his spatial ring. This ring was one of the five rings he took from the mysterious throne hall and thought of giving it to Nicolaus. He already gave that 'Green' ring to Helena because he knew that color would be suitable for the druid.

'He is the future Silver Angel, huh.' Abium nodded his head with a smile and gave it to Nicolaus while speaking telepathically,

''Imprint this ring with your spiritual mark, brother. With this ring, I may have a chance to communicate with you when we are away. Don't let others know about this ring and wear it all the time.''

Nicolaus got startled a bit and soon nodded his head outside. Although Nicolaus didn't trust completely initially, he knew this elf was not a bad guy. He felt this elf acting more like a friend than an enemy, which made him confused.

Meanwhile, Abium also dismissed that male adventurer who went along with Lady Roysia before and shifted his attention to those four adventurers.

'Hmm, Hooper is already corrupted by some demon. But he is resisting the Demon's temptation. It seems he has a strong heart. Well, it's just a matter of time.' Abium really did pity that wavy-haired adventurer and spoke.

''Hooper, I need your help on something. If you and your team complete my job, I may find a way to eliminate that demon mark in your heart.'' Abium spoke while giving him a piece of paper and made a request. ''I want you and your team to find out where I can get mermaid's blood and moon sugar. I need at least 50 ml of an Elite Mermaid's blood and 50 grams of Moon sugar.'' Hearing Abium's words, Nadine, who always keeps her mouth silent, suddenly spoke.

''My lord, I know a place where we could get that 'Moon Sugar.' A few months ago, I heard the news that the royal family of Keris Kingdom is using Moon sugar to make tea on special occasions. If you really need it, I can ask the Royal chef to give us a hundred grams.'' Abium raised his eyebrows a little when hearing her words and quickly smiled,

''That will be helpful.''

After that, he thought about the blood of Elite Mermaid and began to ask,

''What about Mermaids? Do you have any clue?'' But Nadine shook her head, causing Abium sigh in disappointment.

'Where can I find those mermaids? I heard mermaids appear very rarely to the shores, and even if they did, humans would be captured and sold to slave traders.' Abium stopped for a moment and quickly said.

''Hooper, I think you should ask slave traders about those mermaids. Ask any underground organizations about the mermaids and try to gather all the information.'' Hearing his words, Hooper thought for a bit and quickly nodded.

After discussing for a bit, Nicolaus and Roysia bid their farewell to everyone and left the Silverland city before dawn.

...

8th June, in a large tent outside the Silverland City,

It was around 8 p.m. A 30-year-old lean man sat on a luxurious chair and looked above the sky through a small transparent hole at the center of that tent. He was holding an opened book, and his mouth was muttering a strange incarnation.

There were two blue magic lamps placed above on both sides of the table in front of him and gave a bright glow to the surroundings, making his face look paler. He had hooded jade eyes, ordinary eyebrows, and frizzy chestnut-colored hair. He also wore a white-colored rochet, covering it was red-colored cassock and black tippet. On his right hand, he was holding a golden brass crozier, making him more mysterious.

While the lean man was looking at the sky in deep thoughts, a white-robed man around the same age suddenly opened the tent and walked in with a solemn look on his face. He had a round face, fair skin, elongated eyebrows, and short blonde hair. He also had a unique, beautiful long sword on his waist.

''What happened, Arkos?'' Piers kept his eyes locked on the sky and asked casually.

''We found something odd on today's reports, teacher,'' Arkos said solemnly while looking deep into his teacher's jade eyes.

''Arkos, do you know why I always look at the sky and watching those countless stars?'' Suddenly, Piers retracted his eyes from the sky and looked back into Arkos's wooden-colored eyes and asked.

Arkos was startled a bit and replied after a short deliberation,

''To learn more about the astrology and the trajectory of fate, teacher. You always watch the sky whenever you feel trouble about the future and could able to tell about accurate future events using divination.''

''Yes. These mysterious stars hold so many secrets. By understanding those stars, those astrologers find some suitable formulas to predict future events. Before the destruction of Itera, it was very easy for anyone in our world to understand 'Time' law. But now, only seers and diviners have the ability to see some future events.'' Piers said with a mysterious smile and gave that black covered book to Arkos as he continued, ''Take this book, Arkos. I got this book when I killed a Seer from Arcane Empire and found more about those stars' secrets. Although we are forbidden to use magic, that doesn't mean we can't research those magic. This book will help you learn some truths about those stars.''

Hearing his teacher's words, Arkos stunned for a while and soon asked with a confused expression.

''Why are you giving me this book now, teacher?''

''My time has come, Arkos. It's been almost 250 years since I became a servant of our Lord, and now I think it's time for me to rest. Haa! Just now, I also watched my own future and was deeply saddened by that.'' Piers said with a bitter smile on his face and continued without minding his disciple's shocked face.

''Don't worry. I already made the plan perfectly, and all you guys had to do is follow the steps and complete our mission even if it cost your life. Don't lose your heart when I die in a few days. Continue with the plan and purify this land from those sinners. We must kill all those filthy royalties and nobles and let these poor citizens break away from these evil sinners' claws.'' As his words ended, his eyes were filled with full determination.

''We will achieve that in two years with our lord's guidance, teacher.'' Arkos' face became determined and replied, full of devotion.

Piers was pleased by his response and slowly shifted his gaze towards the documents on Arkos's hand and asked with a frown,

''What did you found odd?''

''It's about that necromancer. In the past few days, he has been acting strangely and meeting with a commoner boy. It seems he is plotting something.'' Arkos said with puzzlement.

''Leave him alone. He is definitely after the 'Death Cane' like those filthy beasts. Our Holiness ordered us to get that artifact at all cost, so we don't need to think about any mercy when we enter that dark dungeon.'' Piers waved his hand and asked solemnly as he thought of something,

''What about those two fox beasts?''

''Teacher, that child, and her mother seem to have got some help from a mysterious spatial mage. As for that assassin squad, I don't think they are still alive.'' Arkos said while shaking his head. Seeing this, Piers got disappointed and spoke.

''Don't underestimate those filthy beasts. If not for the Moon's Crown in our Holiness's hand, they would have already ruled half of this plane. Our sixth Holiness stole that crown from the Moon Goddess's fallen divine kingdom during the ancient war and kept it hidden till those ancient mages left this plane. Because he knew those guys would definitely storm into the Holy See to get that Moon's crown if they found out he had that artifact.

Those beasts must be kept under control or must be eliminated. Even a single beast roaming freely in this land is a threat to our lord. That's the reason I put those beasts on my first killing list. They must be eliminated from this world at all costs.'' Piers's words shocked Arkos, and soon he nodded with a serious face. After thinking for a bit, Arkos began to speak once again.

''Teacher, I also got strange news from the Thieves guild members. They are talking about some demon going to participate in tomorrow's mission, and its target is you.'' As he spoke, he placed a slip on the table, which contains all the news about the rumors.

At first, Piers didn't put his words into his ears but soon turned serious as he read that document.

After a few moments, his complexion turned gloomy, and quickly spoke,

''Contact Archbishop Rafe and inform this news to him. We might need his assistance if this news was real.''

Arkos became stunned and quickly ran out of the tent with an anxious face while leaving Piers alone once again.

''At first, it was Necromancers, then these Filthy beasts, and now demons. Haa! Chaos era really did start like the oracle.'' He muttered with a solemn tone and soon turned his gaze towards the dark endless sky.

...