The black sun hangs high

Chapter 61 Necrotic Left Leg

Upon hearing Duden's words, Hughes couldn't help but frown slightly.

Clearly, the man who was still recovering from his serious injuries was old Schubert. In the sewers, he had been pierced in the calf by the sharp limbs that had transformed from the black, viscous monster. Judging from the monster's behavior in the sewers and his own feelings after being ambushed, the damage caused by the monster was certainly not limited to the physical level. It was highly likely that the monster had also injected some kind of strange toxin or power into old Schubert's body.

“Take me to see them.”

Hughes said so.

The young soldier nodded and led Hugh to a designated area. Immediately, an alchemist came forward and waved his incense burner, which was inlaid with magical crystals, over the two of them. After the scent of the incense enveloped their bodies, the alchemist took two standard metal masks from the side and gestured for Hugh and Duden to put them on.

The metal mask was rather cold, but it didn't affect breathing when worn. The discovery of the magic crystals made a huge contribution to Vaan's technology. By utilizing the magic power within the crystals and combining it with specific magical rituals, many amazing ideas and functions could be easily realized.

“Mr. Hugh, this way.”

Once everything was ready, Duden led Hugh into the makeshift hospital, which was constructed using transport vehicles, tents, and mobile magical artifacts.

The scene here is quite similar to the temporary field hospital that Hugh knows. The difference is that the magical rituals in operation and various alchemical drugs make it less tragic. Most of the wounded soldiers are in very good condition. They are either resting wrapped in blankets, or just spacing out, chatting, or reading. Obviously, the magical rituals and drugs set up here can effectively alleviate their pain and maintain their mental state.

"We encountered some obstacles when leaving the border of Transylvania."

Duden explained simply, "The Hunter Corps caused quite a stir in Lone Wolf Ridge, so they were ambushed several times, but the force was not great and there were no serious casualties. The unluckiest ones were those two guys."

Duden pointed to two soldiers playing Dragon Tooth cards on a hospital bed in the corner. They both only had one hand left, but they were still playing cards with great energy: "The crystal cannon controlled by the mage Delan fired a shell between the two of them, resulting in one losing his left hand and the other losing his right hand... Now they have no choice but to retire."

Hughes nodded.

He kept observing the surrounding facilities and the condition of the wounded soldiers. He was surprised to find that many products combining magic and new steam technology had appeared in the Voltel army, such as incense burners that could continuously produce alchemical incense smoke and devices that could stir and mix potions on their own...

Of course, Hugh also noticed the weapons used by the Jaeger soldiers.

The firearms they were equipped with had clearly taken a completely different path from the Crystal Gun, but Hugh couldn't study them in more detail for the time being, so he could only continue forward with Duden.

Soon, the two arrived at a separate wounded transport vehicle. This vehicle was slightly smaller than the one Hugh had been in before, but it was just as fully equipped. However, the people guarding the vehicle were not soldiers or doctors.

Instead, he is a Stream-level Water Mage.

"It seems Schubert's condition isn't good..."

Hugh's gaze swept quickly over the Stream-level mage. These accompanying mages had clearly undergone training different from that of ordinary law enforcement officers. He blended in with the atmosphere of the entire Hunter Corps, appearing silent and solemn. As a spellcaster, he not only carried items such as spellbooks and magic pendulums, but also had a standard revolving crystal gun tucked into his waistband. Coupled with the half-mask covering his face, he gave the impression of being armed to the teeth.

The spellcaster's gaze skipped over Duden and landed directly on Hugh's face. He nodded: "You're that wild mage, aren't you? Mr. Klaus mentioned you."

"You've worked hard. I'd like to visit my friend."

Hughes nodded politely: "May I go in now?"

"Yes, but only for you... Remember not to touch anything inside the car, especially during the ceremony, or you will be responsible for the consequences."

The monk nodded stiffly, then opened the car door and led Hugh inside.

Before even stepping into the carriage, Hughes could smell a terrible odor, very similar to that of the shapeshifters, only much stronger and even pungent. Even with his magic mask on, Hughes couldn't help but frown.

The carriage was so brightly lit it was almost blinding. Hugh looked around and found that all the magical lights in the carriage were on. In the light, old Schubert's frail body was lying on the hospital bed. His body was firmly fixed in place. Not only that, but his waist, legs, arms, and neck were all shackled with magic silver to restrict the flow of magic.

Old Schubert was fast asleep, his face devoid of color, appearing even paler than the robes of alchemists. Several different magical rituals were being performed on him, and it seemed that his slumber was caused by these rituals.

A mage's hand appeared beside old Schubert, slowly floating to the side of the blanket. Then, Hugh heard the mage's warning: "Be prepared, and don't panic at what you see."

After receiving a response from Hugh, the mage's hand slowly lifted the blanket.

Thus, old Schubert's left leg was exposed to Hughes.

Hugh's eyes widened.

The left leg, which had been pierced by that viscous black monster in the sewer, has now taken on a completely different form. Although it still retains the shape of a leg, its color and texture are now indistinguishable from that strange black gel.

Perhaps sensing the light, the black, viscous substance that had completely replaced Schubert's left leg immediately began to tremble violently. Then, the scene that had left such a deep impression on Hugh reappeared—numerous green eyes emerged from the black pus. They formed rapidly and then quickly burst under the light. After a while, they finally calmed down, but then a human mouth emerged from the black gel. The mouth slowly opened and then emitted a weak, aged voice.

“Stop now…”

"help me……"

That was the voice of old Schubert.

Even though he had mentally prepared himself, seeing such a change in someone he knew still made Hugh's face darken. "Could you tell me in detail about the changes in him?"

The mage was quite surprised by Hugh's calmness. He nodded and then said, "We found you near the waterway exit north of Seren City. At that time, his condition wasn't so bad. At least according to our military doctor's examination, he only suffered superficial wounds. He could recover with some healing magic and some medicine. However, on the second night, he suddenly began to struggle violently and made some sounds that people couldn't understand."

"After that, we discovered that there was a clear magical fluctuation in his body, and the source was his left leg, which showed no signs of healing."

As the mage recalled, he recounted, "Mr. Klaus and Ms. Verin came to see him. They judged that it was very likely caused by some kind of power similar to a magical curse. Therefore, in order to prevent the spread of the curse's power, we put the Demon-Suppressing Silver Shackles on him."

"But after that, the situation began to deteriorate... No matter what kind of healing magic or magical ritual we used, we could not stop the changes in his left leg. What was most terrifying was that the healing magic that was supposed to be effective against the curse could not stop its spread at all, but instead accelerated its changes."

"Fortunately, we discovered that although this thing is strange, it cannot break through the set magic ritual, and as long as it is exposed to light, its activity can be weakened to a certain extent... so this old man has become what he is now."

The mage raised his head, stared at Hugh, and said, "Furthermore, Ms. Verin believes that if you can regain your senses, you might be able to handle this situation..."

"You actually trust me that much?"

The mage immediately shook his head: "I would never trust a quack mage, but I trust the judgment of Ms. Verin and Mr. Klaus."

A perfectly reasonable explanation.

Even though the Legal Council's influence has been greatly challenged, the rating system, which symbolizes the level of magical knowledge, continues to play a role for spellcasters. Perhaps it is because of this that Virin still enjoys a fairly good reputation among the mercenaries.

"Okay, if I really intend to deal with and study this thing..."

Hughes pointed to old Schubert's left leg: "Do you need to be here?"

“I have signed a mind cleansing agreement. Upon returning to Borden, I will immediately receive a memory-erasing spell from a Valley or Lake-level mage, which will allow me to completely forget everything I have seen here… Remembering this stuff might affect my future magical career.”

The Stream-level mage said in an extremely calm tone, "Mr. Klaus has already given instructions that if you are confident in handling these matters, then we will directly seal the vehicle, and everyone inside will be responsible for their own life and death."

But then he added, "However, Ms. Veraine said that if you really intend to do so, then she will be there."

Hearing this, Hugh nodded.

He asked, "Have you estimated how long Schubert could hold on in this condition?"

The mage gave a number: "At most, we can hold on for five more days. Although the stun silver and magical rituals can stop that black thing from spreading, its existence is like a constantly bleeding wound, which will eventually completely exhaust a person's life force."

"What arrangements will you make if I don't intend to help him?"

"I don't know, but those lunatics at the magic academy would definitely love this kind of special case..."

The mage shrugged and spoke in a slightly mocking tone, his words chillingly cold: "They've always been eagerly anticipating some unusual experimental subjects and specimens. Anyway, Merlinler and the others can't control them anymore; they can do whatever they want."

At this moment, he finally showed the contempt that spellcasters have for ordinary people: "In the end, you're just an old man with a commoner's identity. If you ask me, you should just do whatever you want."

Hugh glanced at the other person, then lowered his head. As he channeled his magic, the metal disc began to rotate slowly, and magic flowed throughout his body, causing the fluctuations in the air to become more pronounced.

"what?"

The moment the magic began to work, a very strange feeling immediately welled up from the bottom of Hugh's heart.

The memories that had previously prevented him from waking up from his coma resurfaced, and sounds hidden within these jumbled memories kept coming. He immediately adjusted his state and forcibly suppressed those restless thoughts.

Within the grooves of the metal disc, the Mirror Messenger, the Running Rat, and the Touch of Calron began to react. These magical creations and symbols of power, acquired from the Dream Sanctuary, all revealed a strong sense of "hunger." As Hughes shifted his gaze to Old Schubert's left leg, which had completely turned into a black, viscous gel, this thirst became even more pronounced. The Mirror Messenger, which Theseus had previously used as a vessel for his power, even opened its mouth in a "greedy" manner. It stood there, pointing incessantly at its mouth, directly adopting a posture of "I'm very hungry, give me something to eat."

"You...you actually want to eat this?"

Hugh looked at the green eyeballs that kept emerging from the black, viscous substance and felt nauseous: "You guys actually have an appetite for this stuff that's rolled around in the sewers twice?"

His thoughts were precisely transmitted to the guests inside the metal disc, and soon, a series of unfamiliar but clearly intentional responses flooded into Hugh's mind.

That was the collective will of the magical creations in the spiritual world.

Hugh's expression turned strange, for he understood the obscure message emanating from the mirror, which conveyed only one meaning: "You've already enjoyed it yourself, how can you forget us?"

This statement left Hugh speechless.

He couldn't help but ask himself in his mind: "You people call that kind of experience... enjoyment?"

(End of this chapter)