A streak of flowing light passed through mid-air and descended in front of a figure seated on the ground—Ivan was being observed attentively by Jenny.
“I’m alright,” he assured. “I just drained my energy in one go.”
Ivan opened his eyes, meeting Jenny’s worried gaze.
The enemy had been ferociously relentless earlier, and any slight carelessness could have resulted in his demise under the Black Beard Chapter, hence he had no choice but to exert all his effort, especially when the Mystical Black Long-handled Scythe was not easy to wield.
As for the aftermath of the battle, his body, being at the pinnacle among the Flying Knights, was strong and possessed extraordinary healing abilities, allowing him to withstand the residual impacts without serious issues.
“How is Randall doing?” he asked, rising to his feet and looking at Randall wrapped by the Pan Iron Root.
“Not very optimistic; he was somewhat delirious, so I knocked him out,” Jenny then placed him on the ground.
Seeing Randall so severely insectified and hardly resembling a human, Ivan frowned. This was akin to a deep Bloodline Alteration, not without significant drawbacks.
Randall had other issues that required more thorough inspection.
In reality, Jenny had not only knocked Randall unconscious but also sealed his powers.
“What about the members of the Black God Society?”
“They’re severely damaged. Had I not been worried about drawing the attention of that earlier force, I would have dealt with them on the spot. Don’t worry now; they’re too frightened to make any moves.”
Hearing this, Ivan nodded slightly. The earlier fierce clash indeed had a deterring effect on many.
Now was not the time for further discussion. Before long, Ivan, along with the swamp ants, Locke, and two outsiders, Thomas and Lilith, regrouped and headed toward the southwestern fortress—Enkate City.
On the Chanay Continent, apart from the capitals of the four major regions, the southwestern and northwestern fortresses were of utmost importance, reportedly garrisoned by Level 4 Sorcerers to guard against powers from alien races.
Such a pivotal location was surely not to be trifled with by formidable entities from alien worlds.
Having offended the Black God Society—which possessed strength beyond Level 4—Ivan could not afford to linger outside without precautions.
In just over four days, they arrived at Enkate City.
The city, nestled between towering mountain ridges, boasted magnificent and formidable walls. Distanced towers along the walls, all sorcerer towers connected by the energies they harbored, intertwined the power of wind and thunder above the city, presenting an especially spectacular scene.
Compared to East Capital, Enkate City was more majestic and robust, albeit much smaller in size.
Upon entering the city, Ivan presented his credentials as an elder of the East Capital Enchantment Guild to gain entry with the unconscious Randall.
“Boss, should we go make the report?”
“Of course, why else would I have Scented Butterfly record those scenes? Let’s go now.”
Colluding with alien powers and offering human bodies to insects, the Black God Society was obviously not operating in daylight. Ivan was happy to add some troubles to their plate, ensuring they had no time to trouble him.
As a direct branch of the Chanay Tower United Council, the Abnormal Creature Monitoring Investigation Institute held substantial authority and status. The Enkate City branch was erected around a seven-tiered black sorcerer tower, its solemn aura palpable from a distance, demanding a respectful demeanor from those who approached.
There weren’t many people around the front of the investigation institute. Ivan asked his companions to wait outside for a moment while he stepped into the grand hall before him.
“I need to report a collusion with an alien force,” he announced to a duty Level 1 Sorcerer who seemed newly appointed, given his somewhat unstable aura.
“Are you sure?” Brown said with a hint of surprise.
Although the institute accepted reports from other sorcerers, actual reporters were few and far between, as such matters could ruin reputations and invite retaliation.
“I am Ivan Marichardon, an elder of the East Capital Enchantment Guild, and I am quite sure of what I am speaking about, and this matter involves an alien overlord,” Ivan asserted with certainty.
“Are you the Lord Marichardon who created the Black Magic Wind Fire Array?” Brown’s eyes brightened, shedding his earlier casualness.
“That’s correct. I am here to report a power; do you see any issue with that?”
“Of course not, right this way. However, the matter is too significant for me to handle alone; we’ll need an elder, so please wait a moment.”
Hearing his positive response, Brown’s attitude immediately warmed, ushering him into a nearby small hall and serving various snacks and refreshments, completely changing his demeanor.
This overzealous attitude, however, made Ivan somewhat uncomfortable.
“Sir, you are my benefactor. Had it not been for your Black Magic Wind Fire Array, I, Brown Bellizi, would not have become an official sorcerer, let alone hospitably receive you here,” Brown expressed his gratitude.
“That was your own fortune,” Ivan realized.
The emergence of the Black Magic Wind Fire Array indeed benefited many apprentices in dire straits.
Two people were talking when someone walked in through the door.
“Ivan, you’ve arrived; I recognized your voice immediately,” Solomon greeted him with a smile.
“Sorcerer Solomon, are you on duty here?” Ivan looked at him, puzzled.
“Weren’t you looking for me?” Solomon realized then.
“No, I came to denounce the Black God Society. The force behind the Black God Society is not trivial, I barely made it here,” Ivan explained, waving his hand. He genuinely hadn’t known that the other party was from the investigation institute.
“Oh? Do tell.”
Hearing this, Solomon grew interested.
Ivan glanced at Brown next to him, his look clearly asking a question—he couldn’t just ignore the person who had been there when a familiar face arrived.
“Sorcerer Solomon is an elder of the institute, it’s the same as talking to him. I’ll go and inform Elder Henry that he doesn’t need to come,” Brown said, his gaze flickering fearfully. Carefully explaining, he dashed off after finishing his sentence.
He looked as if he’d been frightened.
“He’s a rather disappointing descendant from our clan, and if it weren’t for your Black Magic Wind Fire Array helping him out, he’d probably still be out there drinking and reveling,” Solomon explained irritably, noticing Ivan’s confusion.
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It turned out they were related; indeed, the Bellizi family was a significant clan in Enkate City.
Ivan naturally inquired about this place before coming to the southwest fortress, including the general distribution of power. He knew that the Bellizi family had once had a Level 4 Sorcerer who had presided over Enkate City for hundreds of years.
Undoubtedly, the Bellizis were the local powerbrokers.
Ivan then explained the situation with the Black God Society selectively and produced a Crystal Ball that recorded parts of the scene.
“Wow, it seems I was right to come to you,” Solomon whistled in amazement at the power Ivan displayed and then assured him solemnly,
“These vermin have been getting more and more audacious, don’t worry, I will urge my people to head there soon to address this; our investigation team is quite proficient in such matters.”
“Good, I have other matters to attend to. We can talk more about it when I set off for the high-energy battlefield,” Ivan said, merely wanting to cause some trouble for the Black God Society. Now that his objective was achieved, he prepared to leave; he hadn’t yet found a place to stay in Enkate City.
“I’m too busy to entertain you at the moment, but since you’ve come to my territory, I can’t have you stay in a hotel,” Solomon nodded, giving him a Token.
Ivan didn’t hesitate to accept.
Leaving the Abnormal Creature Monitoring Investigation Institute, Ivan headed straight for the residence Solomon provided, a three-story tower not far from the city center, equipped with an elements pool, displaying Solomon’s wealth and resources.
After settling in, Ivan temporarily took control of the tower.
He carefully checked on Randall immediately and gathered the tower’s defensive forces around the room, sealing it tightly, before employing methods to awaken Randall.
“Ivan, why are you here?” Randall, as if awakening from a deep dream, looked around in surprise, staring at his apprentice.
“Master, this is Enkate City, hundreds of miles away from the Black God Abyss,” Ivan briefly explained the situation.
If it hadn’t been for leaving the Black God Abyss and escaping its unique atmosphere, Randall wouldn’t have so easily awakened.
“This—thank you for your troubles. I was too trusting of Fanta this time; if I meet him again, I must twist his head off,” Randall said with an expression of shame and, remembering something, his mood turned somber and indignant.
The influence of the Black God Abyss wasn’t just on him; his Nine-Colored Bugs suffered as well.
Before becoming an intermediate insect master, the power and lifeforce stripped from him weren’t much, but the Nine-Colored Bugs suffered terribly. With each reduction in power, the population declined drastically; the losses were significant.
Even the Golden Beetle General had fallen in power level and was forced into an insect sleep.
For Randall, who cherished insects as his own life, this was the most grievous outcome.
“You won’t get the chance, Master. Fanta has been executed, killed by Locke,” Ivan informed.
“Good,” Randall blinked, cursing immediately, then said apologetically, “I’m sorry, I never knew the Black Beard Chapter had such drawbacks, causing you—”
“Master, don’t say such things. The Black Beard Chapter’s issues aren’t your concern; leave them to me,” Ivan interrupted him, making a promise.
In fact, whether it was Randall, the Nine-Colored Bugs, Locke, the Silkworm Queen, or even Ivan himself, they all had to face the hidden problems of the Black Beard Chapter.
Recalling the incident in the Black Mist Rift Valley, when the black beard appeared, and he was targeted without any chance to resist, he felt insecure.
If such a situation occurred again, he wasn’t sure he could use the Mystical Black Long-handled Scythe to suppress the enemy completely.
For many reasons, investigating the problems with the Black Beard Chapter was urgent.
“Alright,” Randall acknowledged, knowing his own limitations; he could only hope for his apprentice to handle it.
“Master, just rest well here; I will have someone bring other necessary items shortly,” Ivan reassured him a bit before leaving the room.
Given Randall’s current condition, it was best for him to stay in the room to avoid any further complications.
Randall understood this well and had no objections to his arrangements.