The Black Bishop brought a dozen cult devotees and stomped their way across the Frozen Wing, only to return empty-handed. They never thought Sennefer was here. And with her, they could not take their time and search the vehicle thoroughly.
They might both be truth-finders, but Sennefer was already one of the strongest wizards in the southern region these days, while the Black Bishop couldn’t go up against her yet.
“Sennefer won the round for now, but the Supreme Cult will have their dominance in the long run.” Madelyne sighed. “Today’s incident will only cause the cult to pay more attention to the Moonfrost Union from now on. Something like keeping every nook and cranny monitored in the name of the world’s consciousness... Pah!
“Let’s head to the market. Stock up whatever you need when you still have the chance because you’ll not find supplies so easily once you’re in the Abyss.”
While moving toward the center area of the island with Madelyne, Angor glanced back at the giant “ice block” quietly resting in the sunlight.
He wondered, Did they find something in Brofen’s workshop?
He hoped he could reach the same level as Sennefer soon, because when that happened, he would be free from whatever unwanted treatment that was thrown his way.
...
The wizard fair located at the Frontier Island was named the “Gape of the Abyss”. Despite being called a “wizard fair”, it looked rather abandoned. There were only a few temporary buildings made out of spells, which were ready to be torn down at any moment.
Madelyne explained as they were on their way, “This place used to be way better than this. Better than most wizard fairs you know about. Because lots of wizards used to go through here and enter the Abyss Plane in search of treasures and fortune, or creatures to be used as slaves.”
She showed a yearning look as she remembered her old days at her clan, when she also went to the Abyss to look for a good bloodline.
“With such a... peculiar situation going on, there aren’t too many people brave enough to set foot in the Abyss. When there are not enough people, these markets won’t do very well either.”
Madelyne took Angor to walk around the marketplace, without actually buying many things. They were already done with shopping in Brute Cavern prior to departure. Besides, the prices of the goods here were far from reasonable.
In an item shop, Madelyne procured a black hooded overall dress with luminous green marks sewn on it. In Angor’s view, it would look better when used on the flagpole of a tribe than being worn on someone’s body.
“The green stuff is made of the blood of a certain demon,” Madelyne explained. “It works similarly to the perfume you got from Leona—to keep demons away.”
She put on her new dress without much of a thought.
Angor looked at her again and found the new getup to be viciously charming. She now looked almost like a demon lady straight out of the Abyss herself.
They heard someone’s emotionless voice echoing across the sky.
“The inter-plane tunnel is about to open. Those planning to head to the Abyss shall go to the Hollow immediately.”
In the next second, almost everyone in their view, including several shopkeepers, shot up into the sky and flew toward a high cliff at the other side of the island.
“They’re all going to travel to the Abyss?” Angor frowned when he saw the witch who sold Madelyne’s new dress also joining the others.
“No.” Madelyne shook her head and lowered her voice. “They’re going to send people off.”
Without explaining her words, Madelyne took Angor and went after the trails of the precedents, until they came to an artificial platform built on top of the cliff.
Angor looked around and saw all the passengers of the Frozen Wing already here, except for the cheap workers occupying the bottom level of the vehicle.
There were also groups of people floating above the platform. According to Madelyne, these people were here to “see their friends off”. Although the grim silence and occasional sobs made the scene appear more like a funeral rather than a farewell meeting.
A large, round-shaped figure suddenly slid into Angor’s view. It was Brofen.
Before the fat alchemist could speak, Madelyne stepped in front of Angor and blocked him. “What do you want?”
Brofen gave Madelyne an innocuous smile. “Just a few words with dear Angor. I failed to give him a good time because of... something.”
Then he moved aside and looked at Angor. “You shouldn’t have left so fast back there. I didn’t get a chance to explain!”
“I apologize, Mister Brofen. But I didn’t want to be put to sleep again so someone can take advantage and ‘heat me up’.”
“You took me wrong!” Brofen kept faking his honest look. “I know better than to hurt you of all people on the Frozen Wing. Not to mention you are a big hero to us!”
Madelyne lost patience. “Get to the point. Are you here to say sorry or to pay Angor what’s due? Do it or leave.”
Madelyne was confident that her Bloodline Art could keep Brofen at bay if there was a need for violence. However, she would respect the professional alchemist of the union, as long as he didn’t step over the line first.
“Pay for what?” Brofen shrugged. “I didn’t actually do anything wrong, you know?”
Madelyne scoffed. “Do note that you’re not the only one with dirty tricks. So, you’re not sorry. Then why are you here?”
“I-I have this, experiment, ongoing. I want Angor to help me a little bit.”
Madelyne looked at Angor.
Angor shook his head. “Sorry, sir. Proceeding to my next level is more crucial than anything right now. I can’t get distracted.”
It was an excuse. Angor wouldn’t get anywhere near Brofen’s workshop again even if he had time.
With nothing else to say, Brofen stepped away in disappointment.
A moment later, they saw Sennefer coming to them. She landed on the edge of the platform, looked at everyone, and fixed her gaze upon a group of apprentices at the outermost of the crowd.
“The Abyss Plane is not a place for childish ambitions and dreams, that I can tell you. This is the last chance. If anyone wants to quit, do it now.”
The apprentices looked at each other warily, but no one moved. They came here because they willingly accepted tasks that sent them here. And it might be the biggest chance in their lives to earn a bright future.
“If so, we’ll proceed.”
Sennefer turned around and tapped the air in front of her with a slim finger, creating a faint image in everyone’s view.
At first, the image looked like a simple illusion weaved by an amateur Illusionist that kept flickering. But slowly, it grew clearer and clearer, until it became the figure of a graceful woman with long, straight hair.
She was dressed in what seemed to be a nun’s habit from medieval times. Her face was, however, all blurry.
“Good afternoon, Fortuna,” Sennefer greeted her.
The woman’s shadow slightly bowed. “Welcome, Miss Sennefer.”
Even her tone and manners resembled that of an educated lady from old times.
“Fortuna, what’s the situation at Cinder Rock?”
“Not looking good, I’m afraid. The Scythe Wielder, together with three troops, combining the Butchers, the Venom Stabbers, and the Flame Bearers, have launched three separate attacks.”
“How did the Scythe Wielder discover Cinder Rock?”
“They captured an apprentice of Gravity Forest. We did not hear any clues from the apprentice ever since, though it’s safe to assume that this apprentice gave out the location to the demons.”
Sennefer frowned as she glanced at a group of people wearing dark green robes.
A wizard from Gravity Forest, who just heard Fortuna’s words, looked away.
“We should have never brought these troublemakers with us...” Sennefer turned back to speak to Fortuna again. “How long can we hold the enemies off from Cinder Rock?”
Fortune told a worrying answer with a calm expression. “Half a day, at best.”
“I see... Light up the coordinates, I’ll open the inter-plane tunnel.”
“As you wish.” Fortuna vanished from everyone’s view.
Sennefer turned around to speak to everyone waiting. “You heard her. A battle awaits at Cinder Rock. Try to stay alive.”
Some of the apprentices flinched. They now had second opinions about their plans.