Volume 12: The Clash of Goddesses

Chapter 177: Martin’s Visit

The three silver mages who learned of the black dragon and the golden demon were overjoyed and excited. They discussed the matter nonstop on their way to the abyssal passage.

Whether it was the black dragon or the demon baron, the materials they possessed were rare treasures in the world. Among them, the black dragon’s dragon body was even more valuable.

However, for Hentia, it was the golden demon’s body that held greater value. For a wizard, demon materials skilled in curses and possessing chaotic evil attributes could be used to create extremely precious items. Donald, who was also interested in wizards’ creations, asked questions.

Hentia was clearly the most knowledgeable about demon abilities among the silver mages. She said, “A golden demon’s corpse is a treasure for wizards. A small amount of its blood can be used to create anti-curse amulets that can resist curses of the gold rank. It can also be used to brew demon blessing potions that greatly enhance physical strength. Although divine energy-containing materials are needed to balance their effects, making them inferior to dragon blood potions like Dragon Power, they are still highly valuable advanced alchemical potions!” “Additionally, the eyes of this gold-tier force demon are the most precious materials in its body, second only to its core!”

Donald grew curious upon hearing this.

“How so?”

Hentia explained excitedly, “I never expected this demon to have such great talent. It even mastered Evil Gaze, an ability usually only available to demon lords! Evil Gaze is not only an effective way to weaken opponents but also turns intelligent beings killed by this demon into extremely evil liches after death. These liches are controlled by the demon and forced to serve it forever until their master dies. It’s a truly powerful and evil ability. If not for the fact that only a few powerful demon lords can master it, our world would likely have been conquered by demons long ago and become a vassal of the abyss!”

“That’s why the eyes of this demon baron, which possess the ability of Evil Gaze, are among its most precious materials. They can be used to create gaze amulets that effectively resist all mental attacks below the legendary level. They can also be used to control undead and lower-level demons!”

Donald exclaimed with joy, “What formidable equipment! I’ll leave these Golden Demon Eyes to you. Hentia, you must definitely create this Gazing Amulet!” Hentia’s desire for such top-quality material was even stronger than Donald’s, so she naturally didn’t refuse and agreed confidently.

Soon, the group of five mages arrived at the cave leading to the underground entrance. Guided by Donald, they entered the cavern where the Abyssal Passage lay.

“Is this the Abyssal Passage?” Aside from Messeil, the other three Silver Mages had never seen the true form of a spatial passage. Seeing that black void that resembled a strange pupil, they were all deeply shaken.

“Alright! Let’s set up the sealing spell array first. We’ll have plenty of time to study it in detail later!” As Messeil spoke, Chris and the others calmed down and, together with Messeil and his apprentice, secured the main components of the sealing spell array. Then they each took their positions, and the five of them activated the spell array.

A silver light emanated from the center of the altar-like sealing spell array, locking onto the eerie Abyssal Passage like a hook. The light transformed into a hook that slowly rotated, causing the passage, which was already no larger than a human head, to spin as well. With each rotation, the passage shrank slightly until it was completely sealed, leaving only an imperceptibly tiny black dot in its place.

After sealing the Abyssal Passage, the five mages activated another part of the spell array’s outer layer. Centered on the location of the passage, it covered an area of thirty feet in all directions, creating an invisible shield. Without their permission, even Gold or Legendary-level powerhouses could only break through the shield to approach the passage.

If the shield were forcibly destroyed, the sealing spell array would draw on the power within the dimensional passage and use that power to completely blow it up. The spatial force unleashed when a small dimensional passage was destroyed was enough to kill even powerful beings in the Legendary realm—half-gods would suffer severe damage if they tried to withstand it head-on. Of course, that would only apply if those powerhouses stood still and braved the explosion of spatial force. For them, attempting to attack this Abyssal Passage was undoubtedly a losing proposition.

As for beings below Gold rank, they would die instantly under such destructive power.

This was the self-destruction plan proposed by Donald after completing the design of the main sealing spell array, aimed at resisting those overwhelming and powerful opponents who might try to use this abyssal passage to cause harm to Dalaran’s territory, such as that demi-god abyssal lord who knew its coordinates. The sealing spell array, developed together by four silver mages and Donald, could not only open and close the passage at will but also adjust its size to allow abyssal creatures of different levels to enter and exit. It also contained a barrier effect similar to a miniature maze, capable of preventing powerful demons from breaking through through sheer force. Additionally, it had the effect of further suppressing the strength of demons based on the rules of the main world. Of course, given the power of this spell array, it could only restrict demons at the gold level; for those above this tier, unless the passage was completely destroyed, they still had a chance to force their way in. The design and creation of this sealing spell array for the interdimensional passage was an extremely valuable learning experience for the five mages. Especially for Donald, after gaining divine knowledge previously, he now had another opportunity to improve and solidify his skills. With what he had accumulated, breaking through to the silver level was just around the corner. Upon returning to his territory, Donald originally planned to spend some time with Catherine, who had been neglected due to the series of events, before using another drop of divine power to enter the House of Time to advance to the silver level. However, a servant from the lord’s manor soon reported that Martin, a priest from the Agricultural Temple of Stonehold, had arrived, and the law enforcement officer was receiving him in the front hall. Thus, Donald had to temporarily interrupt his training plans and go to the front hall to meet the visitor. “Lord Baron!” The visitor was a handsome young priest—Martin, the friend from the capital who had previously met Jesse and was the assistant deacon of the Agricultural Temple of Stonehold. “Welcome, Martin! It is a great honor for my Merlinna family that you have come to Dalaran!” “Please, Lord Baron, don’t be polite. I am here on behalf of Bishop Bantrey to convey greetings from our Agricultural Temple, and there are also a few matters I would like to discuss with you.”

Compared to their last meeting, Pastor Martin was much more polite, which was understandable. Originally, Martin had been a favorite of Archbishop Bantrey and came from a noble family in the capital, so he naturally held a slight disdain for someone like Donald, who came from a minor rural noble family. The last time they got along well was because Martin saw that Donald had obtained his mage status at such a young age and wanted to befriend him, not wanting to lose such a promising person.

However, he never expected Donald to rise so quickly. Now, with his status, he could be considered the foremost noble in the North County. Even if Macbeth were still alive, he would be slightly inferior in terms of rank but otherwise comparable. Not to mention Donald’s own talent and strength, just the four powerful Silver Mages backing him were enough to overwhelm most forces in the North County.

Martin’s direct superior, the regional archbishop, also attached great importance to this greatest genius mage of the North County and specifically instructed him to be extremely courteous before leaving.

So Martin had no choice but to lower his stance and speak to Donald as if he were in a lower position.

“Oh? Archbishop Bantrey is very kind. I have always held great respect for the archbishop. I wonder what in Dalaran could possibly warrant his attention?”

Seeing Donald ask directly, Martin didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point: “I heard that a passage leading to the underground world was discovered near the baron’s territory?”

Donald’s heart stirred, but his smile remained unchanged as he said, “Your church is really well-informed! I haven’t revealed the details yet, yet Archbishop Bantrey already knows!”

Fearing Donald might misunderstand, Martin quickly explained, “The archbishop also deduced this from the sudden appearance of evil creatures near Dalaran. He doesn’t know the full details!”

“There are many evil creatures living in the underground world. If they make their way to the surface, it will pose a great threat to our North County. That’s why the archbishop is so concerned about this situation. It’s for the safety of the many common people in the North County that he sent me to ask the baron whether this passage in Dalaran could pose a threat to us.”

Upon hearing this, Donald became serious and said, “So Archbishop Bantrey is so compassionate. Truly worthy of being the head of a diocese. Donald admires him greatly!”

He then added, “As for the issue of the underground world passages, I explored them with the teachers last time. Although we didn’t go very deep, we can at least confirm that aside from those few Black-Scaled Lizardmen who made their way to the surface, there are no signs of other intelligent beings in the depths, so for now, they shouldn’t pose a threat!”
“Of course, as a noble of the kingdom, a member of the North County, and the lord of Dalaran, I will certainly keep a close watch on that place. Should any changes occur in the underground world, I will immediately inform the temple and Bishop Banteray!”
“Lord Baron, you truly deserve to be the foremost noble of the North County. Please rest assured, I will report these matters to the bishop, who will surely agree with your approach!”
After hearing Donald’s words, Martin also praised him repeatedly.
With this task half-completed, Martin exchanged a few more words before bringing up his second purpose for coming here.
It turned out that the Church of the Goddess of Agriculture wanted to build an altar in Dalaran and send a priest there.