Chapter 85 Trail
The night proceeded as usual, with the vampire spawns continuing to abduct the citizens of Hannes City. The only difference was that the people from Count Hannes' side didn't try as hard as they did before to fight them back.
Because they needed most of the vampire spawns, or at least the one abducting Adam, to make it back to their hideout.
However, only the upper echelons of the city were aware of this plan. And that is why, there were still many city guards who died while fighting the undead that night.
If the Count wanted, he could have told everyone about the plan and drastically reduced the casualties. However, this could alert the Vampire Magus, and the Count couldn't risk it. He had to look at the greater picture.
That is why even though it hurt the Count to see his men die, he had to go through with it!
The sun had only just risen and the Magi and the Count's most trusted subordinates had made their way to the administrative building. Count Hannes looked at everyone present and solemnly spoke, "Phase 1 was a success!"
At once, the people showed looks of exhilaration. After all, it had been more than a month since the abductions had begun and this was the closest they had gotten to finding the location of the Vampire Magus.
The Count continued, "We must follow the trail left behind by Magus Adam and attack the vampire's base as soon as we can. I know that all of you are exhausted from fighting all night, so I'll give you six hours to recuperate. At noon, we attack!"
"OOHHH!!" The high-level city guards present in the room raised their fists and screamed in acknowledgment.
Finally, they would be able to fight the main culprit responsible for all the tragedies that took place in their city. Finally, they would be able to avenge their families and friends!
Suddenly, Magus Emory asked out of concern, "But… will Magus Adam be alright? I feel that we keep overlooking the fact that he's just a boy."
At once, the room turned silent.
It was true what the Magus had just said. Due to all of Adam's achievements, he had become a reliable figure to the people present here. But his battle prowess made one overlook that he was but a boy of sixteen years of age.
When everyone was quiet, it was Edward who spoke up with the utmost confidence, "Don't underestimate Adam. He's strong, very strong!"
Lisa also chimed in, "You don't have to worry about him. We just need to make sure that everything is fine on our end. If we fail, then Adam will be stranded on the other side forever."
Hearing this, everyone simultaneously looked at Magus Karl who had been silent the entire time.
Sensing everyone's gaze on him, the old man clenched his fists. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt such pressure. Phase 2 of their plan entirely depended on him, and he couldn't afford to fail.
Thinking back to the time when Adam had come over to the shipyard and treated him back to full health, Magus Karl lowered his head and his fist clenched even tighter. I can't let him down!
He then raised his head and looked at everyone present. All the guards and the Magi who made eye contact with the old man could feel the fiery resolve in his eyes.
Finally, he looked at Lisa and Edward and solemnly said, "You can leave it to me. I will not fail."
Lisa faintly smiled and nodded. Edward too gave the old man a thumbs up.
"Now then." Count Hannes got up from his seat and gave the order, "Everyone, prepare yourselves for the final battle. We will assemble in the city square at noon!"
…
At noon, the city was shocked by the sudden appearance of a large number of city guards that had assembled at the city square. The residents looked at this spectacle from afar and couldn't help but wonder what was going on.
A child who was standing with his grandmother and curiously looking at all the city guards, suddenly thought of something and asked the nearest guard, "Uncle, are you going to rescue my parents?"
Hearing the little boy speak, everyone around him was stunned. They couldn't help but wonder, Could it be…
When the guard gazed at the little boy looking at him with innocent and tearful eyes, he couldn't help but be moved. He put his fist against his chest armor and vowed, "I will try my best to find them!"
Tears streamed down the boy's face as he sniffled. "P-Promise me! You must find my mother and father!"
The city guard bit his lower lip under his helmet. How could he possibly promise something like that to the kid? He didn't even know if the boy's parents were alive. He didn't want to give the boy false hope.
As he was struggling to reply, the boy's grandmother suddenly hugged the boy from behind and wiped his tears. Then she looked at the city guard and gently smiled as tears threatened to stream down her face.
"Thank you."
The city guard simply nodded. Actually, he couldn't reply even if he wanted to because he was overcome by so many emotions.
Scenes like this were playing around the large square as people gradually got to know why all the Magi and the guards had gathered there. After weeks of torment, the residents of Hannes City had finally begun to hope.
At the dead center of the square, surrounded by guards on all sides, stood the four Magi. Everyone had solemn expressions on their faces as the time to fight back had finally arrived.
Count Hannes, who was armed to the teeth, looked at Magus Karl and nodded. "I'll leave it to you."
Magus Karl nodded and slowly raised his feeble hands. Then, he began weaving hand signs. He was preparing the physical component of his spell!
Sweat began to roll down his forehead as he continued to expend his mana. Following that, a bright magic circle appeared in front of him, and from it, an ethereal hand appeared.
Rank 1 Spell: Guiding Mark!
The ethereal hand rotated in the air above Magus Karl for a few moments, and then suddenly, it pointed its index finger toward the southeast direction!
"There!" Magus Karl began walking in the direction the hand was pointing to. As he walked, the ethereal hand also moved along with him, guiding him all the way.
All the Magi and the city guards silently followed him, while the people of the city parted and made way.
After taking a few turns, the ethereal hand finally stopped and pointed toward the ground. Magus Karl's face turned solemn as he gathered mana in his hand. Then, he slammed his palm on the ground right where the spell was pointing toward.
Upon coming in contact with mana, the ground underneath Magus Karl's palm resonated. Following that, a circular pattern appeared on the ground. This was the same pattern that appeared when Adam had thrown the small rock on the ground.
Seeing this, Magus Karl was ecstatic.
"Found the trail!"
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