Legacy of the Dark Sage

The results of the new protocol implemented in some selected cities near Meliora had finally yielded some results. They had not captured the primary reason the new protocol had been implemented. But some of the missing or wanted mages in the empire had been apprehended.

Because of the good results, the Royal Family had decreed that all locations with magic detectors would implement the new protocols. Their target was to have every magic detector be modified with the new calculation in a week.

For this reason, the Royal Family had dispatched their Elite Forces and utilized all active transportation arrays to expedite the modification of all magic detectors.

The whole empire was thrown into a voiceless complaint. With the new modifications, most mages and combat mages felt they had no privacy. It was unfortunate that they could only grit their teeth and endure everything because of the fear they had of the Royal Family's retaliation.

Of course, some organizations secretly began to create potions, pills, or even array formation in order to counter the modified magic detectors. However, at the moment, these organizations had yet to complete each prototype because there were too few magic detectors currently modified. Therefore, they had no way of accessing the detectors to inspect its new calculation.

Except for the Conclave.

Right now, Noir, Malia, and the rest of their respective organizations were busy creating their own counters for the magic detectors. Noir also planned to modify the array formation he set up around Starhorn. He did not intend to do it now. Besides, he had not tested his calculation yet. There were also the materials he would need.

Stella was supportive of their endeavor and told them not to worry about the cost. If the Conclave's funds were insufficient, she would have the Tower Clan shoulder the rest. In return, they had to make one available for Kyran.

When Malek found about it, his expression turned sour. It was unknown whether it was because of the fact that Stella was once again spending a fortune or because she was doing it again for Kyran's sake. Or maybe it was both.

Apart from the Conclave, there was also one other organization that had begun working in the dark.

The Blue Lotus.

The leader was still in Meliora but had already given a directive to Byron to secure the magic detector's new calculation.

As for their other operation at the Valley of Morte, their acquisition of the spirit stones had been consistent. They had not transported the stones to the headquarters yet, but Byron suggested to the leader to store the stones first near Leycombe. Once his master returned, he would ask his help transporting them safely.

Of course, Byron did not tell the leader he would ask his 'master's' help but his long-lost brother. Either way, the Blue Lotus's leader did not see anything wrong with Byron's suggestion and agreed without further questions.

While all of this was happening within the east part of the empire, the Templar Code had also mobilized in the west region.

After the Royal Family had established the Elite Forces, which consisted of the four major factions in the empire, including the Three Noble Families and excluding the Conclave of the East, the Templar Code took the initiative to lead.

Surprisingly, the representatives from the Three Noble Families had agreed without saying anything. Even the Royal Army had not voiced any objections. For this reason, the Aureole could only agree. As long as it was not the Royal Army leading them, all representatives of the Aureole did not mind.

As of this moment, the Templar Code had dispatched almost 80% of their forces to every location within the empire with magic detectors. The other forces also sent out some of their members; however, unlike the Templar Code, they mostly dispatched members to selected locations. The Three Noble Families and the Royal Army divided the locations east and south, while the Aureole only focused on the north.

The Templar Code did not argue. To them, whether the three other factions helped or not did not matter.

Apart from this, rumor had it that even with the Templar Code dispatching so many of their members to accomplish the Royal Family's goal in modifying all the empire's magic detectors, they still had a few members stay guard around the Shaiha Ruins, and others were even looking for the intruders who entered it.

It was Anette who heard of the rumor after she went to the city with Cyneah to buy new supplies.

For the Royal Family, they had not dispatched any of their forces because they were still under strict orders to protect the Royal Palace. All leaders and vice leaders of every faction, big or small, were still there, after all.

Apart from this, a group of Royal Guards and three Royal Knights had left a few days ago to escort the Crown Princess. As to where they went, it was classified. Only the emperor knew where she went. Not even the empress was told. It was clear that the location the Crown Princess went to was special.

Several royal guards in a horse lined up in front of a red and gold carriage with the symbol of the Crown Princess, a golden profile of a woman with a crown, printed on the doors and roof. For the past two days, they had been traveling deep into the forest going north of the empire.

All of a sudden, a rush of thick cold wind swept through them from up ahead.

One of the leading Royal Knight halted as he raised his hand. The rest of the entourage stopped in their tracks, and they all looked up.

Up ahead, they could barely make out a valley. The valley itself did not appear to be anything special. However, what was remarkable about the valley was how one could see a snow-filled land beyond its entrance.

It should be noted that snow did not appear in this part of the empire.

While snow fell further north of the empire, their current location was too close to the center; thus, the weather was still somewhat warm. Still, it was for a fact that inside the valley was a snow-filled land.

"We have arrived," the leading Royal Knight announced.

Immediately, the Royal Squire that followed the carriage by the side nodded. It was noticeable from the squire's uniform that the person behind the headgear was a woman. She pulled her horse toward the carriage's door before saying in a barely audible voice, "Your highness, we are here."

From inside the carriage, Haylee, who had her eyes closed the entire time, finally opened them. If anyone were inside, they would have seen how her sapphire blue eyes had glowed coldly. In addition to her dark blue clothes, it was a stark contrast to the amiable and lively image she always projected.

"Thank you, Lira," Haylee replied, her eyes returning to normal. Even the coldness it had shown earlier was gone. "I will proceed by myself."

Lira, the squire, appeared to hesitate for a moment. In the end, she could only nod in acknowledgment. They came here because of that valley, and Lira knew the crown princess must go there by herself. Not because it was a trial for her, but that she was the only one allowed to enter.

After all, the land beyond the valley was the Winfrey Family's Ancestral Land.

"Yes, your highness." Lira responded and dismounted her horse. Then she opened the carriage's door.

The rest of the royal guards dismounted their horses. One royal guard close to the carriage had walked over, waiting for Haylee to alight. When she finally appeared, the royal guard helped her down.

All at once, the royal guards stood ready with their swords at their sides.

The three Royal Knights also approached.

"Your highness," the three lowered their heads in respect.

Haylee looked at them and said, "Set up camp here. Make sure to keep the surroundings clean."

Hearing Haylee's command, the three Royal Knights could not help but feel a cold shiver run up their spine. The way she had said the word 'clean,' a different meaning came to their minds.

"Yes, your highness."

The three Royal Knights replied in unison.

Haylee nodded, and without saying anything further, she turned toward the direction of the valley and left.

As the Royal Knights, Lira, and the Royal Guards watched the Crown Princess retreating back; they felt something cold slip through their hearts.

The leading Royal Knight sighed in his heart as he recalled the previous Captain of the Royal Knight's words:

"It has been a long time that the Royal Family had a girl as the firstborn. Whenever it happened, she had to enter the Winfrey's Ancestral Land. In three days, if the princess returns, you have to make sure to act more with respect, and never question her decisions. But, if she doesn't return, then you must go back to the emperor, and tell him that the princess has failed."

When the leading Royal Knight asked what he meant, the captain only smiled bitterly.

If the rest of the entourage had not been distracted with their own thoughts, they would have noticed one of the royal guards holding a white orb that was emitting a faint glow.

In a distant, at least five thousand kilometers from them, a man seemed to have appeared out of thin air. He was dressed in all-black clothes, and his face was covered with a black mask. He was holding a similar white orb that glowed faintly in his hand.

Without making any movements, the man turned and vanished in the air.