Volume 11: Mist and Smoke Lock
Chapter 1: Falling into the Trap
Gently plucking the seven-string harp in his hands, several beautiful notes soared into the air, like wind spirits dancing gracefully through the air, inspiring a desire to soar through the skies. The outer air magic curtain slowly dissipated. Of course, outsiders could not sense this change in spatial magic elements, but Komer knew that his experiment of using notes to control air magic had been a complete success.
This magic curtain was actually a combination of air magic and perception magic, controlled by two factors: touch. As soon as someone entered its range, it would rapidly transform into an established attack magic array. Whether it was a magician or a martial expert, they would have to break this magic array first if they wanted to force their way in.
To protect his most important workshop, Komer deliberately set up a mixed magic array of earth magic and dark erosion magic. Dark erosion magic posed a great challenge to any magician or paladin. To break it, one had to be a dark mage or possess extraordinary magical power. As for earth magic, Komer utilized the hidden chamber beneath the room, which allowed him to launch powerful earth-based attack spells and also enable the equipment inside to retreat into underground passages in the shortest time possible, thus protecting the equipment and items inside.
On the workbench still lay the circular, cylindrical metal tube that had just taken initial shape. Crafting this metal tube had taken Komer a great deal of effort. The black iron tube, made of a magic metal alloy mixed with numerous other magical ore minerals, emitted faint sparks in the darkness. This was achieved by adding Burnstone—a highly unstable fire-type magical ore, considered the finest among fire-type magical ores—to the steel during forging. Although it belonged to the non-metallic ore category, certain special forging methods could impart its magical properties to the metal, playing an immeasurable role in enhancing the metal’s fire-related magical attributes.
However, blending this kind of ore into metal is a difficult task. Whether it’s a blacksmith or a magician, to accomplish this, they not only need to master fire magic but also have a deep understanding of the properties of metals and such fire-based magical ores. Since this natural ore, found almost everywhere, varies in its fire magic content—often possessing mixed magical characteristics—some are more inclined toward the light-based Sunfire, a combination of light and fire elements, while others lean toward the dark-based Netherfire, a fusion of darkness and fire. If care is not taken and the heat control is improper during forging, not only will it be impossible to impart the fire magic of these highly active ores onto the metal, but the magic metal may also be damaged. Even more dangerously, it could trigger an outbreak of Sunfire or Netherfire, which is extremely hazardous for blacksmiths or magicians.
Maxim’s smelting workshop spent five working days barely shaping the dark steel into a cylindrical form, and another week to polish the inner walls smooth. The dwarf craftsmen in the workshop had no idea what purpose this magic metal chimney sent by the lord’s manor was meant for. If it was to be called a chimney, it was made of extremely expensive magic metal—clearly an indication of the lord’s extravagance. If it had some other use, it didn’t resemble any magical equipment or tool. After countless arguments while drunk, the dwarf craftsmen concluded that the lord was probably designing some special magic array that required such an advanced magical device beyond ordinary people’s comprehension.
By grinding the Burning Stone into powder and repeating the processes of heating it with magical flames and soaking it in cathodic water three times, they finally managed to impart the fire magic of the Burning Stone onto the dark steel chimney. This task took Komer five nights to complete, marking the initial completion of the firing tube for the magic cannon. The remaining work would be even more complex and difficult. By now, Komer no longer had much time to focus on developing the firing mechanism and the device for converting and transmitting magical ore. According to Komer’s own calculations, designing and completing these two critical components would take at least half a year, yet the complicated government affairs left him with little time to dedicate to this task.
What was initially thought—that once the process flow was understood in principle, one could easily complete the design and prototype production in a short time—turned out to be nothing but a fantasy. Just designing the components takes a tremendous amount of time, and to manufacture them, even just gathering the necessary magic metal materials requires a considerable wait. Calculating everything, Kommer figured that just the material cost for a single magic-powered cannon prototype would be no less than 150,000 gold shields, not to mention the effort, time, and dedication invested.
Gently stroking the dark metal chimney as if caressing his beloved woman, Kommer shook his head. The Gray Skulls sent people to check on progress almost every one or two weeks. But given their behavior in the Nether Sea, Kommer felt it necessary to test their patience. With Mattdan’s status as an open port under such pressure from Homer’s navy, right under their noses, these guys remained indifferent. Although the agreement didn’t impose such an obligation, their deliberate inaction still filled Kommer with dissatisfaction. Support was always mutual. He had already delivered several Magic Mirrors as agreed, but now the Gray Skulls were focused solely on competing with Katrina for dominance over the Northern Seas. With so little time available for him now, the magic-powered cannon project had to be put on hold for the time being. After all, the Gray Skulls hadn’t fully fulfilled the funding promised for its development, which could serve as a good excuse.
The wooden door was gently pushed open. His golden cheeks and slightly dull eyes gave the impression of someone still half-asleep, but his agile steps and open eyes showed that his condition had improved significantly compared to previous times. As soon as he entered the workshop, Komer sent a mental signal to the zombie far away, awakening it from its slumber. After handling daily tasks, this place had become Komer’s most relaxing retreat. For him, working here was also a way to adjust and rest mentally. Intrigues were exhausting, and trivial government affairs were a deadly strain on one’s health. Komer increasingly preferred to immerse himself in the world of magic—designing and crafting magical devices, preparing potions, training zombies’ reactions, and enhancing their mental control. Thinking about Lomei, the necromancer whose original memories he had gradually erased, brought him joy. Sometimes, Komer even wished he could stay in the workshop forever, working quietly according to his own wishes and ideas, unimpeded by external factors, though he knew it was just a dream.
It was a spacious training room, equipped with wooden pillars, ropes, iron balls, sliding chains, and even hidden weapon boxes—all used to train reaction skills. The young female mage stood beside Komer, observing quietly with curiosity as his figure moved around the room. Her thrusting sword glided lightly through the air, surrounded by a grayish mist that indicated the corpse had reached the level of magical combat energy. The faint dark glow at the tip of the sword added to its mysterious aura. His ghostly figure darted and jumped among the numerous wooden pillars, ropes, and swinging iron balls, even flying. Occasionally, it would touch the magical weapon devices, firing one or two projectiles. Dodging, countering, and attacking, his agile body resembled that of an assassin rather than a zombie.
“Great Sage, your Silver Corpse has reached the highest stage of this level. Lomei believes you can take it to the next training phase.” The young woman’s charming voice had fully returned to its normal tone, free from the coldness and menace of before, making it very pleasant for Komer to hear.
Komer went to great lengths to completely erase the past memories of this charming girl, restoring her youthful vitality. The mask and makeup had long been removed, and her beautifully delicate features exuded a grace that could delight any man. Her hair was styled in a playful updo, adding a touch of elegance and maturity to her youthful appearance. Even though Komer saw her almost every day, he still felt an urge to protect and cherish her. What a naturally beautiful woman—yet she had been indoctrinated by those soul-destroying members of the Light Church with countless doctrines that suppressed human nature. If not for him saving her from that lifeless spiritual wasteland, such a girl would have withered away slowly in the suffocating environment of the Light Church, eventually becoming one of those rigid, conservative nuns.
Yet Komer had to admit that the Light Church was indeed unmatched in selecting talent. Although this girl required countless efforts from Komer to achieve this, her abilities were truly extraordinary—her excellent memory, sharp intuition, and innate magical talent were nothing short of a gift from the god of darkness, Hades. After undergoing the rituals of spiritual cleansing and reinforcement, it took only a month for her to be able to discuss and exchange ideas with him on dark magic. Of course, during that month, Komer used his formidable mental strength and profound spiritual magic to help her systematically absorb the knowledge of dark magic he possessed. Even so, it was astonishing—transforming her from a pure Light Mage and a sacred guardian of the Light Church into a Dark Mage was nothing short of a miracle. Even Komer was immensely proud of his achievements.