Black Hearted Mage

Chapter 282 Enemy 5

Kaisas stood in front of the window on the upper floor of the Alchemy Tower, gazing at the outline of the Blackrock Mountains in the distance, and told Kandel the information he had obtained in detail.

"Master Kandel, I've discovered disturbing news in Blackrock City," Kaisas said in a low voice. "Someone is secretly breeding black demon snakes. The number is astonishing—over two hundred!"

Kandel's hand, still mixing the potion, suddenly stopped. The liquid in the alchemical crucible began to foam with a strange purple color due to the temperature change. "What did you say?" He turned around abruptly, his gray eyebrows almost raised. "Feeding black snakes in Blackrock City? That's impossible!"

"Absolutely true!"

Caesars pulled out a scroll of parchment from his chest, densely packed with details of his observations. "And according to my investigation, these people from the Saint Laurent Empire are likely here for the Black Demon Serpent and the rare herbs from the Blackstone Mountains."

Kandel put down his stirring stick and walked over to the bookshelf, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the thick tome. "Kasas, you're overthinking things." He turned, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. "These people are ambitious, and their goal is definitely not just the herbal resources of the Blackrock Mountains."

"You mean..."

Kaisas already understood it in his heart, he just wanted to see Kandel's reaction and wisdom.

"Yes, it's the Endless Forest!"

Kandel slammed the table, causing the test tubes in the rack to clink. "Are these lunatics going to die?" He pointed at the magic map hanging on the wall. "Although there are rare herbs there that even alchemists dream of, it's the territory of the elves!"

Kaisas walked quickly to the workbench and took out a yellowed animal skin map and a sophisticated surveillance array device from the space ring.

"What's even more worrying is that they've already deployed over a dozen such surveillance arrays in the western Blackrock Mountains." He traced his finger over the red dot on the map. "I think they must have other plans. They're not just going there to die."

Kandel took the map and squinted his eyes to examine it carefully. A sneer crossed his lips when he saw the dense markings in the western region. "Huh? A small surveillance array?" He casually picked up the device on the table and weighed it with disdain. "The surveillance range is no more than ten miles, not even reaching the edge of the Endless Forest. I guess they're trying to monitor the movements of the elven rangers."

The old alchemist walked to the wine cabinet and took out a bottle of aged ale and a few pieces of bacon. "But even so, it's a risky move. The surveillance array won't be of much use. Those elves rarely leave the forest borders!"

Just as Kandel was enjoying his meal, he suddenly put down his glass and his eyes became sharp. "Caesars, I have a question for you."

He wiped the wine stains from his beard and said, "Kaesus, I have a question for you too. Black demon snakes are very aggressive, but this is usually the case when they are caught in the wild. Black demon snakes kept in magic steel cages and constantly well-fed are much less aggressive. Most of the apprentices who were killed by black demon snakes in the Alchemy Tower were because they forgot to feed the snakes, leaving them hungry!"

Kaisas frowned in confusion. "Of course I know this. A hungry black snake's aggression will increase significantly. But you suddenly ask this..."

Kandel did not answer directly, but pulled out a tattered notebook from the bookshelf and quickly turned to a certain page.

"In the eastern part of the Saint Laurent Empire, there grows a special herb. It has no alchemical value, so it has never been included in the Magic Plant Atlas." His finger paused on a hand-drawn picture. "But this herb called 'Night Awakening' has a peculiar property—it can keep snakes in a state of hyperactivity, making them extremely aggressive!"

A chill suddenly ran down Kaisas' spine. He recalled his family's misfortunes: his grandfather was attacked while catching snakes in Blackrock Mountain, his parents were attacked while feeding their domesticated black demon snakes... These past events suddenly made sense.

"Master Kandel, are you saying... our black demon snake was drugged? That's why it became so aggressive?"

Kandel nodded heavily. "People from the Saint Laurent Empire came to Black Stone City and happened to feed the black magic snake, otherwise I wouldn't be able to remember those things. Maybe they came from the place where 'Night Awakening' was produced, or it could be a coincidence." He pointed to the illustration in the notebook. It was a kind of ordinary weed, but in the moonlight, the leaves would stretch out and emit a strange fluorescence.

"Night Awakening, this herb looks like dry grass during the day, but its juice... is enough to drive even the most docile snakes crazy. Black demon snakes can not only absorb venom, but if they make good use of Night Awakening's juice, they can also become killers!"

"Master Kandel, as long as we drop the Night Awakening juice on the target, the black magic snake will attack the target frantically?" Kaisas asked seriously.

"The Black Demonic Snake is a magical beast, and the night-awakening juice needs to be purified. This is very simple, even a high-level alchemy apprentice can do it!"

"What does the juice taste like?"

Hearing Caesar's question, Kandel gently shook the crystal wine glass in his hand and said, "There's only a very faint smell, very similar to the smell of alcohol!"

After hearing Kandel's description, Kaisas immediately thought of Tom, who reeked of alcohol all day long. This man appeared to be a low-level warrior, but in fact he was a high-level magic warrior.

"Master Kandel, how should this matter be handled? I'm alone, that's why I came to the Northland Tower for help!"

"Kaisas, don't worry. These people must die. There might really be spies from the Saint Laurent Empire in the tower. This requires a careful plan. Wait here. I'll go to the main tower!"

Kandel stood up and hurried to the door of the alchemy room, leaving the wine bottles and bacon on the table untouched. Caesars sat on the sofa without getting up, quietly thinking about how he should deal with Old John and Tom.

In less than half an hour, Joanna, wearing a red magic robe, followed the old Kandel and arrived at the towering alchemy tower.

This alchemy tower stands like a towering giant in this mysterious and ancient land, exuding an awe-inspiring aura.

When they entered the private alchemy room, Kandel said to Kaisas, "The Tower will not send other magicians to Blackstone City this time. Only the two of us, the great magicians!"

Joanna's eyes fell on Caesar's face. If Kandel hadn't told her in advance, she would never have guessed that the man dressed as a middle-aged mercenary was an old acquaintance. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Caesar, your illusion mask is amazing! It looks exactly like his real face, without any flaws!"

She reached out her hand curiously and gently pinched Caesar's cheek, feeling the touch that was no different from human skin, and secretly admired the exquisite craftsmanship of the mask.

At this moment, Kandel interrupted, "The Northern Guards have begun to assemble, and the ogres are feeding the Iron Bulls. Preparations are almost complete, and we can set off soon!"

Upon hearing this, Caesars turned to look at Kandel and asked, "Is Trum also in the tower?"

Joanna quickly replied, "Yes, not only is there Trum, but also his grandson Locke, three or four shamans, and a dozen or so ogre berserkers. However, Melissa isn't in the tower; she's undergoing the shamanic trials in Icecrown Mountains!"

After hearing this, Caesars nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly remembered something and said to Joanna with a smile, "Ma'am, Locke is not in charge of cooking here, right? After all, he said he was going back to learn some skills, but he disappeared without a trace after that."

"He cooks for the Northern Guards and Ogres. This guy's cooking skills are pretty good, but his actual strength is far inferior to his cooking skills!"

Caesars sighed inwardly, this guy Locke is a hopeless case.

The deep night shrouded the land like a heavy curtain, the towering magical tower casting a long shadow in the moonlight. A vast procession quietly left the tower's shelter, the clatter of hooves and wheels distinct in the stillness. At the forefront were the majestic Northern Guards, their steeds breathing white air, their muscles gleaming with health in the moonlight. These elite guards slung across their backs custom-made magic steel longbows, intricately engraved with magical patterns—special weapons crafted for them by the tower, gleaming with a faint blue light in the moonlight.

At the center of the procession sat a luxurious carriage, a mobile palace. Its cabin was crafted from precious ebony, its windows inlaid with magical crystals, and a bright light shone faintly through the gauzy curtains. Shock-absorbing runes were engraved on the axles, ensuring a smooth ride even on uneven roads. At the rear of the procession were over twenty massive iron-clad bulls, their heavy footfalls like muffled thunder. Each bull was linked by a specially crafted harness and carried a stout Highland Ogre on its back.

The ogre shamans and berserkers were now dressed in simple animal hide robes embroidered with their tribe's distinctive totemic patterns. Their proudly heavy plate armor was carefully stored in their storage rings—it was too heavy, and donning it now would likely slow the entire group's progress. According to the plan, they would fully arm themselves upon reaching Blackrock City.

Inside the carriage, warm magical lights illuminated the exquisite oak wine table. Kandel pulled a crystal bottle from his bosom. The liquid within glowed red and bright like a burning flame. "Kaisas, would you like a drink?" He shook the bottle, and the amber liquid left an alluring mark on the bottle wall.

"It's Fire Maple Wine, so have a glass!"

Kaisas's eyes lit up. He pulled a foot-long, golden cheese from his storage bag, its surface emitting a unique aroma. He drew the magic blade from his waist—a short blade pulsing with pale blue magical energy—and neatly cut the cheese in two. He placed one half gracefully on the carved wooden table and tossed the other half into the corner of the carriage.

Just as the two great magicians looked at each other, not understanding the purpose of this action, Caesars pulled out a furry puppy from his backpack. The little guy was blinking his innocent big eyes, staring at the half piece of cheese.

"Dead dog, eat it!"

"Kaisas, it-how did it get smaller?"

The crystal wine glass in Joanna's hand dropped onto the table with a clang. Her amber eyes, which always sparkled with wisdom, now widened. She bent down and stared in disbelief at the puppy nibbling on cheese. When she saw it in Fire Maple City a year ago, it was clearly the size of a full-grown hound.

"Madam, it can transform. I made it smaller in order not to reveal my identity!" Caesars replied.

"Only legendary monsters can freely change their size!"

Kandel's voice suddenly rose, and the priceless bottle of Fire Maple Wine in his hand shook violently, a few drops of amber liquid splashing onto his snow-white beard. The renowned alchemist, known for his calm demeanor, now blushed. "There are no more than five legendary beasts left in the entire Roland Continent!"

"Legendary Warcraft? You're praising it too much." Kaisas laughed exaggeratedly and rubbed the puppy's furry head. "When I was exploring the southern continent, I found a strange egg near a lava lake. I thought it was a ground dragon's egg, but who knew it would hatch into a fat dog!"

Kaisas gritted his teeth secretly. He hadn't thought that bringing the puppy to the Northland Tower was a mistake. Kaisas deliberately made up an excuse, otherwise he would have no way to explain it to the two great magicians.

"It eats up magic!"

Kandel excitedly waved his glass, the ice clinking inside. The news of the puppy eating magic had spread from Fire Maple City to the Northland Tower long ago.

"Master Kandel, it eats everything. As long as its teeth can bite it, it can eat it!"

The puppy was busy eating cheese. When it heard Caesars talking about it, it hummed in cooperation.

"Picked it up in the southern continent?" Kandel continued to ask.

"There's an enormous lava lake in the southern continent, and that's where I found it!"

"Which area of ​​the lava lake is it?"

Kaisas was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected the Great Alchemist to be so curious. He stroked his chin, pretending to recall something. "It was on the sulfur plains on the south shore of Lava Lake, near the Dragon's Tooth Rift. The egg got stuck in a crack in the basalt formed by solidified magma, and I was almost discovered by a full-grown Earth Dragon!"

"Gods above!"

Joanna slammed the table and stood up, the crystal wine glass jumping in her hand. "You broke into the breeding area of ​​​​the ground dragon? Those monsters are completely immune to fire magic!"

Kandel's expression became extremely serious. "Boy, you're either a lunatic who doesn't care about your life, or you're just rushing around without a clue. I went to the Sulfur Plains once and was chased by a ground dragon for a long time. I almost died in the Southern Continent. The Southern Continent is like heaven for fire mages, but it's hell for fire beasts. Hunting a high-level monster in other places only requires three or four spells. But to hunt a fire lizard in the Southern Continent, I need to use thirty high-level spells. Their fire resistance is too high!"