Chapter 619 - 238: Black Fire Mark

Whether it was Deep Sea aberrations, Deep Sea Giant Beasts, or even islands, whatever lay in its path was shrouded by dark clouds and gradually vanished, dissolving into the placid seawater as if it had been erased from existence.

At that moment, on the island, a dilapidated house reminiscent of the rundown buildings in the Laos District stood at its center, shrouded in a dim, swirling mist.

A few tall oak trees flanked the dilapidated house. From time to time, a figure completely shrouded in a black robe would emerge from beneath the oaks, slowly driving a black carriage, as if a hidden door lay beneath the gnarled bark for them to pass through.

Varying numbers of exquisite Pyramids hung from the carriage’s exterior. They swayed and collided, producing a crisp tinkling sound that brought a faint sign of life to the gloomy, desolate atmosphere.

When a carriage stopped in the open space outside the rundown house, two tall, thin figures would emerge. They would kneel respectfully beside the black-robed person in the carriage, holding up trays high so the robed driver could remove the small Pyramids and place them on the trays.

Before long, the trays were piled high with Pyramids.

Then, the tall, thin figures stepped aside, mumbling a few syllables in the Gonzalez tongue. "Forty-three."

"Fifty-two."

"Lord Mesa, ninety-five ’Gamedia’s Dream’ have been brought back."

The black-robed figure tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling upon the tray as if to verify the count. He then took up the reins again, steered the carriage toward the oak trees on the opposite side, and vanished in the blink of an eye.

"...On the southern coast of the Northern Continent, dozens of Great Mages have appeared. Working in groups of three, they’re searching outward from Gleemy Island as the center. They’ve already found and devoured three ’Gamedia’s Dream’."

"It’s the same on the western coast of the Eastern Continent, but this time it’s the Spiritual Mystery School. They’ve also found two. According to our Secret Cultivators there, those two ’Gamedia’s Dream’ appeared on the Northern Continent the very next day."

"So, the ones targeting our Dusk Sect right now... are from the Ghost Soul School?"

"Based on the intel we have, it is indeed that group of shameless lunatics."

Several figures in black robes sat in a meeting room on the second floor of the rundown house. Their bodies were emaciated, and their faces and figures were wrapped in new golden cloth strips, revealing only their cold, emotionless eyes.

"Ghost Soul... Have they discovered something?"

"Probably."

"I want to know who told them. Or what they’re trying to do."

"Engelbert, stop deluding yourself. Our arrangements at sea have likely been exposed. I just never thought the first to make a move wouldn’t be that disgusting scum from the Eternal Life Association, but the Ghost Soul School!"

The leader, who was wrapped in golden cloth strips just like the others and held a Golden Scepter, listened to their conversation in silence before finally speaking. "I understand."

"What should we do now? We’ve only recovered one percent of the ’Gamedia’s Dream’. If the Ghost Soul School and the Spiritual Mystery School continue like this, I’m afraid our plan will be affected."

"Indeed, Engelbert. You were the one chosen to lead by the great Co-Lord of Truth and Slaughter. I trust you understand the consequences of failure in this matter better than any of us."

"I said, I understand." The leader, shrouded in golden strips, looked coldly at each person present. "Or do you have a better idea?"

"First, we need to determine how much those lunatics from the Ghost Soul School know!"

"Is that important?"

"Very important! Engelbert, if they’ve truly decided to destroy our arrangements throughout the entire Cordo Sea Region, then they are our enemy!"

"And enemies of the Great Lord of Truth must be made to feel pain!"

"Since that incident in the middle of the Third Era, we have rarely clashed directly with the other schools. You all should know why, shouldn’t you?" asked Engelbert, the leader.

"So, you intend to let them run wild and destroy everything?"

"Of course not!" Engelbert shook his head slightly. "Just as you said, we must first determine their objective."

"Also, the Eternal Life Association. Their activities have been much quieter recently. I suspect they’ve also caught on to our plan."

"Them? If they know now too, then the situation is even worse."

"Ishudar, you’re in charge of investigating those lunatics from the Ghost Soul School. Agni, you know how to deal with the Eternal Life Association, so you’ll be responsible for them. And Siegal..."

Engelbert gently stroked his Golden Scepter. "The Alanjia is moving too slowly. Is Suyade still hesitant?"

"Yes!" The man named Siegal turned his head stiffly to look at him. "That forbidden item could lose control at any moment. He’s showing signs of fear..."

"Then detonate it!"

"And then..."

Engelbert looked back at him. "And then there’s the ’Sea Emperor,’ Isabella Christers."

"There’s still some time before that place opens."

"Let’s secure the Cordo Sea Region first. Without the ’Homeward’ around, even if we lose a few ’Gamedia’s Dream’... no one can interfere with the plan."

"After all, not just anyone can enter that place!"

"So, is that the arrangement? Should I go have a chat with those old geezers from the Ghost Soul School?"

"Go. Be discreet." Engelbert nodded slightly. "This concerns the plans of the Great Lord of Truth. I hope they know to back down. Otherwise..."

"The first Demigod to fall in the Divine Prohibition Era will be the Chief Dean of the Ghost Soul School, Vaklaf Samuel Kapo!"

"KYEHEHEHE..."

...

...

Within the high walls of the Aleksey City State on Aleksey Island lay a chaotic yet vibrant place. Much like the pirates and noble-born Extraordinaries who came and went, it was filled with an air of freedom.

Every stone slab was scarred with ruin, the naked aftermath of countless wars laid bare for all to see.

As Wei’en, Ronan, and their group passed through the high walls of the city state, the first thing that greeted them was a bustling street.

The street was lined with stalls of every kind, where pirates loudly hawked goods plundered from the various Cordo Sea Regions. From sparkling Gemstones and precious spices to bizarre weapons and armor, they had it all.

Most passersby wore long robes, or had half-hoods thrown over otherwise neat, exquisite formalwear, creating a transparently futile attempt at anonymity.

"This is the largest black market within a radius of several thousand kilometers of sea."

Ronan stayed close to Wei’en’s side, looking around nostalgically as he explained, "Don’t let the small stalls fool you. The goods they display are rarely fakes."

Wei’en understood what he meant. For pirates, it was less effort to just plunder another merchant ship than to go to the trouble of making fakes.

The vicious threats and taunts drifting from the haggling nearby made it clear that there were no real rules to trade here. All that mattered was strength, guts, and money.

"Damn it! I risked my life to snatch this prize from the jaws of a Deep Sea monster! It’s worth one thousand gold pounds, and you have the gall to say it’s worth only one penny?"

"Selling or not? Not? I’m outta here."

"I’ll sell!"

Of course, while there were no fakes, there was certainly some junk that looked like it had been dug up from who-knows-where...

Relatively speaking, the layout of the Aleksey City State was surprisingly methodical. Moving from the perimeter inward, there was the trading district, the shop district, the garrison districts for the various Pirate Gangs, and, at the very center, the garrison belonging exclusively to the Black Pearl—a plaza district as vast as Krimms Cathedral itself!

After passing through the trading district, they reached the so-called shop district.

The frown on Wei’en’s face finally relaxed. His ears had been aching from the cacophony of noise that flooded the trading district.

Compared to the trading district they had left behind, the blocks that made up the shop district seemed much quieter.

Although they were still in a city state controlled by pirates, the flagstones here were cleaner, and the people on the street were not as guarded as those in the trading district.

Judging by the expressions on their faces, one could assume this area offered a certain degree of safety.

"Captain, the shipyard is at the end of this street. It’s a property of the Himenez Clan and has many experienced old shipwrights."

"Mm."

Wei’en sized up the surrounding shops, finding the scene novel.

While it lacked the complex regulations of the Caster City State, the variety of goods for sale was far greater than in that hidden alley of the Basil District.

There were not only clanging blacksmith forges and apothecary workshops selling Magic Potions, but also shops with the emblems of various Wizard Schools displayed by their entrances.

Hm?

Wei’en stopped outside one workshop, his eyes fixed on the symbol hanging on its door—a black flame.

"There’s even a shop here belonging to the Ghost Soul School..."

P.S. It’s the weekend, so there will be more updates tomorrow and the day after.