“They don’t?” For the first time in the last quarter of an hour, a faint smile touched Paris’ lips. “We know where it is... approximately.”
He picked up his pointer and traced an area on the map that was roughly six times as large as Lidus, with about half of Balium added for good measure.
“Somewhere around here.”
“Somewhere around here,” Glen repeated. “Honorable Researcher, it’ll take ten lifetimes to examine that entire area in search of the entrance.”
“That’s why everyone is waiting for the two red comets to cross the sky,” Paris said, toying with his pointer between his fingers. “At that very moment, the final race for the knowledge of Mage City will begin. But many people already started searching for the entrance a few years ago. For example, Sankesh.”
“That means we don’t need to search in the regions where there are traces of human activity,” Ramukhan nodded. He’d already forgotten about his skepticism and joined the discussion. Greed was a part of everyone, even the most worthy…
Hadjar waved his hands around in frustration. “So, in addition to all the anomalies, traps, and beasts, there will also be an army of other relic hunters waiting for us there?”
“Quite right,” Paris nodded. “Isn’t this an amazing adventure?”
Chapter 352
“I’m not against fighting,” Einen crossed his arms over his chest and frowned slightly, “but only when I know why I’m doing it.”
The situation reminded Hadjar of what had happened in Rahaim’s caravan. During his brief speech, Einen winked at Hadjar. It was time to bargain.
“If you successfully complete your mission, your amulets will be removed,” Paris answered.
“Honorable Researcher,” Hadjar said, “You asked us not to pretend to be fools, so don’t insult us with those kinds of statements. Our amulets will be removed in less than ten months.”
“And during that time, nothing around here will endanger our lives,” Einen nodded. “But out there in the Sea of Sand, there are beasts and unknown practitioners, not to mention true cultivators. You’re asking for far too much.”
Paris made a theatrical pause.
“And that goes for you too,” he said, turning to Salif and the boy, “if you agree, you’ll become full citizens. For you, Salif, that means a calm and peaceful retirement. For you, boy, it’ll be an opportunity to study at the Sage’s School and choose your future path.”
The old man’s eyes didn’t even spark with interest, but the boy almost jumped up. He could hardly remained seated, wishing instead to rush over to the Researcher and shout with joy.
For someone so young, the amulet of a servant meant the loss of their most precious period of life. In fact, Paris had offered him not just a full citizenship, but a whole new future.
“My eyes haven’t seen the sun for a quarter of a century,” the old man sighed. “Your words, honorable Paris, don’t touch my soul. My death is already approaching. I will soon face the forefathers’ court... I’d like to greet it beneath the rays of a scarlet sunset, and not here, shoveling slop... I agree.”
“I agree!” The boy cried out right away.
“That makes two,” a pleased Paris smiled.
Hadjar didn’t understand why Paris needed the servants, but he was sure that the Researcher had his own plan, one which would benefit him.
“I hear your order, honorable Paris,” Karissa bowed, “and my honor dictates that I have to obey it.”
Three people had already fallen into the Researcher’s trap. For some reason, Hadjar realized right then that this man wasn’t a good-natured bookworm, but a dangerous serpent. After opening its mouth, it was calmly waiting for the gullible monkeys to step into it. The worst thing was that everyone was aware of it, but they still obeyed. It was the power of the mind, not a weapon. Hadjar didn’t consider himself an idiot, but he doubted that he’d ever, even with the help of the neuronet, be capable of something like that.
“Go ahead, convince me and Tilis,” Ramukhan’s eyes flashed.
They bargained hotly. Ramukhan insisted that he couldn’t leave his post as Chief of Security. Paris kept mentioning the Sage and the secrets of the library.
According to him, there were no Masters around who were more skillful than the ones that lived in the flying towers of Mage City. While the debate was going on, Hadjar pondered why the gods had struck down the mages who’d challenged their laws, but hadn’t even touched the Immortals? After all, their country also flew... Or maybe it wasn’t a matter of flight at all? It seemed to Hadjar like the truth of the matter would either be inaccessible to his current level of understanding of the world, or too dangerous to even think about.
Finally, Paris and Ramukhan reached an agreement with very punishing terms.
“Your Chamber will give my people one fifth of your share of the funds over the course of the next fifteen years,” Ramukhan listed. “In case we find the library, I will be the first in line for the translations you’ll be making. I’ll get full access to all of your studies regarding the true path. In addition, you’ll give me a bottle of the best wine from your collection and ten monster cores at the King Stage.”
Half of Lidus would’ve gone off to search for the lost city in exchange for all of that. Not so long ago, Hadjar himself would have rushed headlong into any adventure for such wealth.
Surprisingly, Tilis had remained silent throughout the bargaining. Apparently, her share of the remuneration depended on Ramukhan’s decision.
“Okay, we’ve dealt with that,” Paris nodded. “Now on to you, Glen.”
Glen turned out to be a fairly modest guy. He asked for ten cores and some special resources that he needed to develop his Techniques. He didn’t even mention removing his amulet — Glen’s term ended the following month.
“And now...” Paris turned to Hadjar and Einen.
The islander spoke first. Following Glen’s example, he asked for cores. Even the weakest core of a monster at the King Stage cost from two to four imperial coins, simply because these beasts didn’t exactly run around in the streets. They had to be tracked among crowds of weaker animals. Not everyone wanted to spend their precious time hunting. Those who did that sort of thing professionally could spend up to one month on one trip, looking for such a monster.
In addition to the cores and his amulet being removed, Einen also asked for access to the Artifact Department of the Research Chamber.
Hadjar and the islander now understood why Paris had mentioned that they had a staff at the Heaven stage last week. The Chief Researcher had skillfully woven his web, and, to be honest, they’d all gotten trapped in it.
“Hadjar,” Paris said, “what about you?”
Hadjar thought about it for a moment. What did he need the most? Obviously, he couldn’t progress any further along the cultivation path without resources, but resources were simply a matter of time. He still had the fairy’s tears and the Energy Stone in his wallet. Even if he never found a use for them, he could always sell them.
He wouldn’t need a lot of money in the future. And as for beast cores… Along the way, they would surely encounter many strong monsters. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a problem to acquire cores. Strangely, the rest hadn’t really thought about that. Perhaps that was why Paris had so easily parted with nearly fifty precious items.
Therefore, resources and money weren’t a pressing issue. Knowledge, on the other hand... According to Rahaim, one of the Techniques of the God of War was stored in the library, but was it useful to a swordsman? On the other hand, South Wind had said that he’d personally seen the Sage teach a swordsman. Moreover, only the Sage could finally tell him about the true path of cultivation.
“I need an audience with the Sage and for my amulet to be removed, of course.”
There was utter silence in the barracks.
“Who do you think you are, stranger-” Salif’s disapproving gaze interrupted the outraged boy’s tirade.
Servants
occupied the lowest social stratum in the city. In fact, since they were slaves in all but name, they couldn’t speak openly with their betters. Especially using that kind of tone. On top of that, some of the most important people in the city were showing respect to this stranger: the Chief Researcher and the Chief of Security.
In addition, the city was gossiping about a Wielder of the Sword being among the strangers, something that was much rarer than Heaven Soldiers.
“It can perhaps be arranged,” Paris answered thoughtfully.
“Perhaps?” Hadjar’s voice was as steely as Ramukhan’s look had been.
For a while, he and Paris stared each other down. That’s when Hadjar clearly saw Paris’ true essence. He wasn’t altruistic, or your ‘buddy’. He was a cold and prudent fanatic of his craft. He considered Hadjar and Einen useful tools to be used, nothing more. It was similar to how a chess grandmaster looked at strong pieces on the board. They appreciated them, but if the need arose, they were always ready to sacrifice them to ensure victory.
“I’ll arrange it,” Paris finally nodded.
Chapter 353
“Well, since we’ve agreed on the price of your participation in this enterprise, which is certainly important to our city, let me tell you more about the plan.”
Which is certainly important to our city… the man had said just a few words, but he’d invested so much meaning into them. Hadjar shook his head. No, verbal manipulation and intrigue had never been his strong suit. A good sword, the wind, and the horizon stretching out before him — that was all he needed. He’d leave plotting to others, since they were good at it anyway.
“As I’ve said before,” Paris continued, “I’ve chosen each of you because of your special skills and talents. Let’s start with Salif.”
Everyone turned to the old servant. After Hadjar had held a stone needle to the old man’s throat, he’d seen him several additional times in various institutions. For example, he’d seen him in the auction house that Hadjar had visited to expand his horizons.
“None of you are aware of this, but Salif has a unique gift.” Paris smiled and nodded toward the old man. “He’s able to remember everything he has ever seen or heard.”
“Is it a gift, though?” Glen shrugged. “Any Spirit Knight is capable of that.”
“Do you see any spare Knights around here?” Karissa arched an eyebrow.
“Thank you, Karissa,” the Chief Researcher nodded. “By the way, speaking of Karissa, her mastery over the element of fire is above my understanding. The spells she uses can contend with a Heaven Soldier’s at the peak stage.”
The peak stage was the fourth stage of the Heaven Soldier level. Hadjar had learned that from Paris. After one became a Heaven Soldier, the steps along the path of cultivation were divided into four stages: the initial, middle, advanced, and peak stage. Paris claimed that a Soldier at the initial stage couldn’t hope for victory against a Soldier at the middle stage, so huge was the gap between these separate stages in what was supposedly just one of many levels of cultivation.
“And the boy?” Glen was the most talkative of them all apparently.
“Him?” Paris asked, looking at the young boy next to Salif. “Oh, I’m already used to seeing them together, so I didn’t hesitate to invite him here, along with Salif. I think he’ll prove himself and help Salif make the upcoming journey, which, of course, will help facilitate your work.”
No one argued with that. Only the boy blushed and looked down — his pride had clearly been wounded. Nevertheless, no one doubted that the old man would need help. He wasn’t strong enough to make such a trip on his own.
“Glen isn’t just very talkative.” The warrior bowed low to each of those present. “In the past, he was one of the best trackers of Balium. For twenty years, he’s traveled with caravans across the Sea of Sand and knows it even better than the Bedouins do. Without him, the enterprise at hand will be much more difficult.”
Wow, who would’ve thought that Glen had been a tracker! It was now clear that he’d been the one to come up with the idea of hanging the slave collar on the tip of an arrow two months ago.
“We also have to talk about Ramukhan and Tilis. Their knowledge of spells and seals is so deep that the Sage himself recognizes them as his best disciples.”
“Some of his best disciples,” Tilis growled, eyeing Hadjar hatefully.
“And as for our sword and spear…” Paris turned to Hadjar and Einen. “Honorable Einen knows the ‘Moonless Shadows’ Technique. It makes him indispensable for traversing even the most inaccessible terrain. His Technique will allow you to avoid many traps, and where it doesn’t help, Hadjar will. The ‘Wielder of the Sword’ will allow you to survive in places where the world energy is inaccessible.”
There was silence in the barracks again.
“Inaccessible?” Glen asked.
“That’s right,” Paris nodded. “According to the reports of the last hunter squad that explored the area and came back, they often came across zones where they couldn’t use their Techniques. The turbulence in the World River was so high that it didn’t allow them to concentrate their energy outside of their bodies. If not for their Techniques for Strengthening the Body, they wouldn’t have survived.”
Everyone, without exception, cursed. Tilis did a better job than anyone else. It wasn’t surprising, Hadjar remembered her elder sister.
After they all learned more about each other, they had a discussion about the plan. They considered the maps, argued about who would do what, and discussed places where they could rest. They decided not to take the maps along for security reasons. Instead, Salif (or rather, the boy who was supposed to carry the old man’s bags) would take a roll of special paper and an inkwell with a stylus. The old man would draw the necessary part of the maps as needed, and Glen would then read them.
Hadjar had presumed it would take him a lot of time, but the old man surprised him: he could draw with both hands at once and at such a high speed that any musician would’ve envied the dexterity of his fingers. Apparently, Paris hadn’t picked him without a great deal of forethought.
A few hours, and two jugs of brew, later, they managed to iron out all the details of the plan. They agreed to leave at dawn the next day.
That way, everyone would have time to prepare, and Paris would be able to collect all the equipment, amulets, and artifacts they’d need. They decided to give them to Ramukhan for safekeeping.
After everyone left, only Einen, Hadjar, and Glen remained in the barracks.
“Well, I never expected for things to pan out like this,” the Baliumian shook his head, drinking some more brew from a jug. “Not so long ago, you and I were trying to cut each other’s throats.”
“If you make one wrong move, we’ll finish what we started.”
The islander’s tone was very casual, but his gaze was sharper than any dagger.
“Calm down,” Glen grinned, “Only an idiot would harm a companion in the Sea of Sand. You served as guards for a caravan, so you must understand that, in the desert, a person’s survival depends on mutual assistance.”
“And yet,” Hadjar rested his hand on the hilt of Mountain Wind, “We aren’t stupid enough to blindly trust you.”
Glen put the jug down on the table, got up, and adjusted the saber and dagger on his belt. As he walked away, he muttered over his shoulder: “You’re not wrong.”
For a moment, tension thickened the air between them, which usually occurred when two opponents had decided to duel. It didn’t last long, and everyone soon went to bed.
Einen immediately plunged into deep meditation. Hadjar, certain that no one would attempt to endanger their lives (Paris and Karissa had probably made sure that nothing would threaten their ‘sword and spear’ in the near future), left the barracks.
After running across the roofs of the nearest buildings, he wound up on his favorite ledge. From atop it, he saw a stunning view of Underworld City, flooded with colorful lights. He’d wanted to
come here for so long. And yet, now he was looking forward to the day when he left the walls of the majestic city that wasn’t very welcoming to strangers.
Another fairy tale had turned out to just be the forgotten past.
“Meow,” came suddenly from around his feet.
Hadjar looked down and saw the little tigress peacefully licking her paw.
“Just in time,” he smiled.
Azrea rubbed against his knees, climbed up onto his shoulders, and then settled down inside his turban.
“Will you at least tell me where you were?” Hadjar asked.
He heard only a sleepy ‘Purr-purr’ in reply.
Hadjar spent all the time he had before they began their expedition meditating on the ledge.
He couldn’t possibly know that, as they were standing in the elevator leading to the surface, hundreds of people were already scouring the desert. Among them was Sankesh, leading a girl in a tattered robe on a leash. By the Evening Stars, the entrance to Mage City would exact a great toll in blood before it was found.
Chapter 354
On the morning of their departure, all the members of the small squad gathered near the elevator leading to the surface. Hadjar looked at the bustling Underworld City spread out beneath him. Serra’s stories had been greatly sugarcoated. He didn’t think there was anything special about it, except for its location beneath the ground.
“Take these,” Paris handed everyone something resembling black, convex glasses that had ‘lenses’ made from two stone plates with a thin slot across the middle. “Don’t take them off during your first week outside, or your eyes will get damaged by the sunlight.”
They all carried bags stuffed full of various dried food. Only Ramukhan carried two bags — one was full of food, while the other was overflowing with different amulets and talismans.
“May the Evening Stars illuminate your path.”
With these parting words, Paris once more lowered the bars that covered the entrance to the wide platform. Huge runes and hieroglyphs flashed along the edges of the iron disk that the squad of hunters was standing on. An invisible force pulled the platform up, leaving Underworld City behind. Hadjar put his palm on the hilt of his blade and looked at the distant white dot at the top of the black well. They rode the elevator up in absolute silence. Only the nervous sniffling of Salif’s boy could be heard. Hadjar hadn’t bothered to learn his name.
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