The black sun hangs high

Chapter 31 Under the Mist
"I need your help."

When he heard Weilin's words, Hugh's emotions were somewhat complicated.

"Tell me, how did I, a pathetic guy who was just figuring out how to escape this wretched little town, end up helping a lake-level magic advisor like you? Isn't this a bit... "

Hugh glanced to the side and saw that the patrol team in the distance seemed to be approaching. He quickly led Vera to a spot on the side of the street and mingled with the other pedestrians who were hurrying along with their heads down.

The patrol began to move along the street, and soon, Hugh and his companion could see the entire group.

They were on a completely different level from the previous squads composed of police officers and Tricolor Brotherhood thieves. Hugh was certain that if Mrs. Wendy, who had previously dared to yell at ordinary police officers, saw these guys, she would instantly become the most docile citizen.

Leading the procession was a law enforcement officer dressed in a dark blue cloak, carrying a spellbook and a magic pendulum. He was tall and burly, even stronger than the soldiers in the army, and on his back was a thick steel sword that had clearly been specially treated.

The executor's steps were very heavy, and the pendulum of the magic path in his hand swung back and forth as he moved forward. When he got closer, Hugh noticed that the executor of the Law Committee was wearing a half-metal mask that covered his face from the nose down. When the executor breathed, two magic crystals embedded in the surface of the mask would emit a cold, faint light.

Behind the executor followed about ten "police officers." Although they were all wearing police uniforms from the city of Seren, Hugh recognized them at a glance—a pair of long and short swords treated with stun silver, three daggers hanging at their waists, and each of them carried a crystal gun. These magical firearms were significantly different from the crystal guns that Vaan currently had; Hugh even saw a revolver on them.

"The magic revolver..."

Hugh sighed silently, then withdrew his gaze. He and Verine stood at the edge of the street, quietly waiting for the silent procession to pass by. Verine's magical prowess was once again proven; the mage with the terrifying appearance and aura did not discover the carefully crafted disguise magic on the two, nor did he find any trace of magic on them.

So the group continued forward, slowly walking towards the other end of the street.

“Miss Weilin, it seems your concerns were justified.”

Hugh said to the silent female mage, "If I'm not mistaken, the mage who was walking at the front just now should be the legendary 'Sword-wielding Hermit.' Since even these people have appeared in Seren City, the attitude of the Law Committee should be very clear."

Vera nodded gently.

Sword-wielding hermits, also known as sword-bearers, are a very special group of people among the law enforcement officers of the Legal Committee.

If we compare the deep-sea level mages in the Law Council to the brain of the magic city of Merlinle, then the valley-level and lake-level mages are equivalent to its limbs. And these strange-looking, silent people who carry spellbooks and longswords are a sharp blade that is absolutely loyal to the Law Council and is always ready to expel and cleanse all "ailments".

These special spellcasters, created using large amounts of potions and reagents and various rigorous magical rituals, are practically puppets devoid of personal emotions. Their greatest purpose in the world is to deal with all the thorny targets of the Law Committee.

The sword-wielding hermits employ flexible fighting methods. When facing swordsmen, knights, and veterans with exceptional combat skills, they can use versatile magic to prevail. When their opponents are spellcasters, they can gain the upper hand by relying on their physique, which is resistant to magic, and their precious magic-suppressing silver weapons.

Even the Lake and Valley level mages, who are the backbone of the Legal Committee, could hardly survive their pursuit.

"As long as the swordsman remains loyal, there will never be a traitor under Merlinle."

Hughes silently recited this apt assessment of the sword-wielding hermits in his heart.

He's become somewhat numb now.

The appearance of a sword-wielding hermit in the completely closed city of Seren is tantamount to telling everyone the current attitude and stance of the Legal Committee. In Seren, regarding the series of events related to the ceasefire celebration, the other behemoth that controls the entire magical resources of Vaan has already sided with the Kingdom of Delan.

Thinking of this, the article that Hugh had read in the newspaper immediately came to mind.

"Could it really be like this?"

He felt a chill in his hands and feet, because the historical knowledge and common sense he had accumulated in another world told him that when social productivity begins to change, many relationships in the world will inevitably change as well. This basic logic would not change because of whether or not one possessed magic or other extraordinary powers.

"The appearance of the sword-wielding hermit means my current situation is more dangerous, but it also reveals part of the truth. The truce celebration... it seems something extraordinary is going to happen that day."

As Hughes walked, he pondered for a moment. Then, turning to ask, "Miss Veraine, there's something I'd like to confirm with you."

"explain."

"When we first met, you mentioned that the reason you came to Seren to find me was because you received an order?"

Vera nodded gently: "Yes, is there a problem?"

"That was an order from the Legal Committee's branch in the Kingdom of Walter, wasn't it?"

Upon hearing Hugh's question, Vera paused slightly before raising her head. After being disguised by magic, her appearance had become much more ordinary, but her eyes remained bright.

“You’re right. The order to transport that batch of 'adult shapeshifters' to Seren City came from the Kingdom of Water, and a letter from the Ernst family was also delivered at the same time…”

Veraine's spirits lifted, and she said softly, "Nine days ago, I received that order. The order was not transmitted through the Legal Committee's internal communication magic ritual, but was delivered by a messenger owl that had been phased out by the Legal Committee."

"Judging from the owl's flight speed... from the capital of Wotel, Borden, to my hands, the order must have been issued at least three days earlier." Hugh silently calculated in his mind what Verine had said, and then he said, "Therefore, the order issued by the Wotel Kingdom's Legal Committee branch beat Merlinle and the Kingdom of Delan to it, and was delivered to you, Miss Verine, at just the right time... They knew your location at that time, knew that you were not far from Seren City, and also knew that you would accept those two seemingly simple tasks due to your relationship with the Ernst family."

The fog that had been hanging over the event was thinning.

"In the original history of Vaan, Hugh Ernst was obviously able to survive the disaster in Seren City, but I know nothing about the process... Judging from the current situation, my cheap family or cheap father probably urgently needs me, the illegitimate son, to do something, otherwise there would be no need to go to great lengths to find a lake-level mage to save my life."

“Now this is interesting. I previously thought that the shapeshifters sent to the city were part of the Kingdom of Delan’s plan, but now it seems that they are completely different things… This explains why that batch of shapeshifters needed to be urgently moved out of the Law Committee’s headquarters at night. After all, their existence was not known to the higher-ups of the Law Committee.”

Thinking of this, Hugh couldn't help but turn his head to look northwest, towards the direction of the Lovi Plateau.

In the past, he was an ordinary office worker, working hard every day in a stable environment to make a living. He never thought that one day he would be swept up in a great wave of the times.

However, standing in front of this wave, Hugh felt no excitement or thrill whatsoever. If he could, he really wanted to find a quiet place to hide and wait until everything settled down before peeking out.

While Hughes was seriously considering the changing situation, Vera remained silent. This intelligent young magic advisor had also realized her current predicament.

She knew that, under the influence of those letters and missions, she had probably been completely branded as a traitor by Merlinler, which also meant that the various kingdoms on the Lovi Plateau, centered on the Kingdom of Walter, and their respective legal committees were also included in the list of traitors.

They either become even more miserable refugees than the wild mage, or they run wildly down this road to the very end, trying to complete the mission and completely surrender themselves to the embrace of the highland kingdoms.

"It seems I have no choice."

This idea appeared in both Hugh's and his companion's minds at that moment.

……

The Legal Committee's headquarters were located near the clock tower in the center of Seren. In order to get there safely, the two had to use disguise magic to change their appearance several times. When Hugh arrived at the familiar street where Schubert's Beer Hall was located, he couldn't help but stop.

Perhaps due to the decrease in customers, the beer hall was preparing to close early for the day.

He saw a girl appear at the entrance of the beer hall. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her body was trembling uncontrollably from the intense emotional turmoil. By the light of the streetlights, she turned her head toward the direction of Ernst's old house, but the wisps of smoke in the air caused her to break down once again.

And so, the girl who was about to come out and put away her business sign sat down on the steps at the entrance of the tavern. She looked around at the streets and the scattered pedestrians in a daze, and then she could no longer suppress her emotions and burst into tears.

Old Schubert's flustered figure appeared at the tavern entrance. Perhaps thinking his niece had been mistreated, the old man pulled out a wooden stick from somewhere. When he found that Sally was all alone, sitting on the steps and wailing, the usually stingy tavern owner put down the stick. He also turned to look at the smoke in the distance, then sighed and sat down beside Sally, gently patting her back a few times.

Hugh's gaze caught old Schubert's attention. He turned around and saw a young couple he didn't know standing across the street looking at the tavern. He touched his thinning hair and then smiled apologetically at Hugh.

Hugh instinctively nodded to old Schubert, but then he realized that the other man didn't recognize him at all. So he could only forcibly look away and move his somewhat heavy legs toward his destination in the night.

"Your friend, right?"

"Hmm...she probably thinks I'm already dead."

Amid Sally's undisguised sobs, Hugh quickened his pace. He dared not linger, fearing he might be tempted to go and remind the poor girl that she had not been burned to death in Ernst's old house.

But this is something that is destined to be impossible to do.

The investigators in Seren may soon find out about his relationship with Sally. Although Hugh believes that Putrin, who is in the Brotherhood of Three Colors, will find a way to take care of their mutual friend, his appearance might cause them more trouble.

Under such emotional conditions, even the night breeze seemed incredibly oppressive.

Vera raised her hand, feeling the moisture in the wind, and broke the silence between them: "It's going to rain, we need to hurry... Mr. Hugh, how is your magic recovering?"

Upon hearing this, Hugh immediately adjusted his emotions and state of mind, and then quickly examined his mental state.

After a short rest, his previously depleted magic power had recovered to some extent. The dark green magic crystal embedded in the center of the disc was constantly radiating its magical light. The mad rat that had been lying limp in the groove seemed to have regained its spirit. There was no trace of injury on its body. It was now leaning against the edge of the groove, lazily playing with its tail.

"That's about right. As long as the situation doesn't happen again like it does during the day, there shouldn't be any problems."

Vera nodded, then reached into her pocket, took out a pre-prepared page engraved with magical symbols, and handed it to Hugh.

"Hold onto it and don't lose it no matter what."

Vilin solemnly stated, "A massive ritual field has been set up around the Legal Committee's headquarters. Although it is not lethal, it can 'capture' all spellcasters who step into this area. Once an unregistered wild mage is discovered... you know what that means."

(End of this chapter)