“Do you want an honest answer? I’m far more concerned with sending expeditions to the Empire! I don’t understand how you bookworms, for some reason, always think everything old is somehow better than something new.”
“New Techniques,” Paris said. “Maybe there’s something valuable to be found in the Land of the Immortals, but I believe far more in the existence of the library of Mage City than I do in the Immortals.”
Hadjar said nothing. He’d spent a year in the Black Mountains as a disciple of the Shadow of the Immortal. He’d listened to stories about the distant land nestled among white clouds. It was hard to imagine — a whole country floating in the sky. A person that saw such a thing probably wouldn’t be afraid of death any more.
“But we’re not talking about that,” the Researcher continued. “I have orders from the Sage-”
“I don’t know what your orders were,” Ramukhan interrupted him. “The Sage only asked me to come to this meeting. I will decide whether I join this expedition or not.”
“Then I hope you’ll like this.”
Paris placed a small leather bag in the center of the table.
“And… what now?”
“Open it,” the Researcher said, “then we’ll talk more about this.”
Ramukhan fumbled for a moment, then, resting his belly on the edge of the table, leaned over and picked up the bag. He untied its strings and peered inside. He stared at it for a moment, then handed it to Tilis with trembling hands. The witch, after assessing the contents, turned pale and almost fainted. She put the bag back on the table and leaned back in her chair. The expressions on both Defenders’ faces showed how amazed they were.
Hadjar couldn’t resist his natural curiosity and peered inside the bag as well. He’d been prepared for anything: from an Energy Stone, all the way to a bone that was millions of years old. To his disappointment, only a fragment of a jade seal lay inside. It was certainly old, gray with age, but it radiated no energy and caused no disturbance in the currents of the World River.
“How do I know that’s not a fake?” Ramukhan asked.
He took out his handkerchief and wiped his sweaty forehead.
“I think,” Paris chuckled, “the Sage’s word will be enough to convince you.”
This argument appealed to Ramukhan and Tilis as much a bucket of cold water did. Both Defenders shuddered and fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.
“Could anyone explain to us, the stupid barbarians, what’s going on?” Hadjar asked, annoyed at his own ignorance.
“There is an ancient map in the Sage’s chambers,” Karissa said, studying the jade fragment. “It covers such a vast territory that even a Spirit Knight wouldn’t be able to traverse all the lands on it in their allotted ten thousand years of life. This map, according to the legends, is a remnant from Mage City. In its upper right corner is the seal of the city. This shard resembles a part of it.”
“It doesn’t just resemble it. It is a part of it.” Paris shook his head. “The Sage compared the patterns for a month, until he confirmed my assumptions. That jade fragment is really from the city. Just like the map.”
South Wind had told Hadjar about this map. The Scholar had claimed it was no smaller than the one in the Royal Palace of Lidus, but had been made on a scale that was a hundred times larger, covering a lot more territory than the map in Lidus.
He now understood how the Sea of Sand, which wasn’t considered a very enlightened region, had such a treasure. Them having access to relics from Mage City was a logical explanation.
“Is this why the last group of hunters disappeared?” Karissa put the jade aside.
Paris nodded a little stiffly.
“I lost contact with them two months ago,” he said sadly. “I’d hoped it was because of the anomalies of the region they were in, but... I know better now. All of them most likely died by Sankesh’s men’s swords, or fell victim to traps, or the animals that dwell there killed them.”
“Animals?” Tilis asked.
Paris nodded.
“Mage City is an ancient land. It’s older than both Lascan and Darnassus. Mages and practitioners who lived there bent the streams of the World River, gathering and storing up its energy. Over millions of years, these changes must’ve somehow transformed the environment in that area, making it more violent and dangerous. And the animals that lived there most likely transformed along with their surroundings.”
“In other words...” Ramukhan said, his gaze hardening, “You’re saying we might encounter monsters we don’t know about out there.”
“Or ones you’re familiar with, but they’ll be far more powerful than their unchanged counterparts. Or you might come across creatures you’ve never even heard about. Or maybe you won’t find anything. There is not enough information, even in myths and tales, to say anything with certainty…”
Einen suddenly slammed his hand down on the table so hard it cracked.
“What area are you even talking about? Nobody knows where the city is!”
“They don’t?” For the first time in the last quarter of an hour, a faint smile touched Paris’ lips. “We know where it is... approximately.”
He picked up his pointer and traced an area on the map that was roughly six times as large as Lidus, with about half of Balium added for good measure.
“Somewhere around here.”
“Somewhere around here,” Glen repeated. “Honorable Researcher, it’ll take ten lifetimes to examine that entire area in search of the entrance.”
“That’s why everyone is waiting for the two red comets to cross the sky,” Paris said, toying with his pointer between his fingers. “At that very moment, the final race for the knowledge of Mage City will begin. But many people already started searching for the entrance a few years ago. For example, Sankesh.”
“That means we don’t need to search in the regions where there are traces of human activity,” Ramukhan nodded. He’d already forgotten about his skepticism and joined the discussion. Greed was a part of everyone, even the most worthy…
Hadjar waved his hands around in frustration. “So, in addition to all the anomalies, traps, and beasts, there will also be an army of other relic hunters waiting for us there?”
“Quite right,” Paris nodded. “Isn’t this an amazing adventure?”
Chapter 352
“I’m not against fighting,” Einen crossed his arms over his chest and frowned slightly, “but only when I know why I’m doing it.”
The situation reminded Hadjar of what had happened in Rahaim’s caravan. During his brief speech, Einen winked at Hadjar. It was time to bargain.
“If you successfully complete your mission, your amulets will be removed,” Paris answered.
“Honorable Researcher,” Hadjar said, “You asked us not to pretend to be fools, so don’t insult us with those kinds of statements. Our amulets will be removed in less than ten months.”
“And during that time, nothing around here will endanger our lives,” Einen nodded. “But out there in the Sea of Sand, there are beasts and unknown practitioners, not to mention true cultivators. You’re asking for far too much.”