Chapter 121: Donald’s Invitation

After leaving Shining Gold Town, Donald and his two companions headed northwest at a steady pace. Whenever they encountered a larger town along the way, they would stay there for at least one night. Over several days, this kept the silver assassin following them utterly frustrated.

Yet Poison Sting wasn’t the kind to give up easily. He clenched his teeth and persevered through all the hardships. Fortunately, as the capital of the Northwest Province and the stronghold of Marquis Ansel, City of Purple Blossom was in sight, Donald and his companions hurried there without delay.

Just by looking at the marquis’s residence, it was clear that the Ansel family was indeed an ancient lineage with a thousand-year history. The mansion was grand yet unostentatious. Passersby would instinctively show respect toward it, with no one making loud noises or mocking expressions nearby.

Seeing guards stationed in front of the mansion, Donald ordered Kelsas to go forward and deliver their invitation. There were no humiliating scenes like those seen in novels—even the servants and guards of the Ansel family appeared dignified and imposing. After receiving the invitation, one of them promptly went inside to deliver it.

Soon, Ferdinand, dressed in simple swordsman attire, came out accompanied by a butler. “Donald, you’ve arrived! Welcome to City of Purple Blossom. This time, you should stay for a longer period. I’ll show you around the city!”

Donald smiled and hugged Ferdinand, then introduced his teacher and Kelsas to him. “Master Mesel, welcome to the Ansel family. If Mother knew you were here, she would be overjoyed!”

Mesel replied with a smile as well. He had some acquaintance with the marquess’s wife. Though they lived in different regions of the kingdom and had met only a few times, both were true mages. Unlike some corrupt mages in the Mage Association who were driven by power, they understood each other well.

“It’s been a month—your skills have improved!” Donald said after taking a look at him.

Ferdinand smiled bitterly. Walking alongside Donald, he said, “You don’t know. After Father learned about your plans, he started supervising my training strictly. He said I wasn’t allowed to join any missions until I reached an advanced bronze level.”

“How could I miss such an interesting opportunity? So I persevered despite the fatigue. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even be luckier than you all and make some great discoveries there!”

“The Marquis is also thinking of you. Entering such dangerous places when one is below the Silver rank is truly risky. Time waits for no one. If I weren’t an advanced Bronze Mage, I wouldn’t have planned to take action so quickly!”
Ferdinand said, feigning jealousy, “I really don’t know what you’ve eaten to grow up like this—becoming a Bronze Mage so quietly. If it weren’t for the progress I’ve made through training this month, I guess in a few more months you’d have completely surpassed me!”
“Mage training is different from that of a swordsman. You have family heritage and the direct guidance of the Golden Sword Saint. If you still complain, then don’t those swordsmen out there who struggle their whole lives without reaching Bronze just want to kill themselves?”
As soon as Donald finished speaking, a deep voice with a hint of authority came from inside, saying, “Baron Melina is right. You were born in the Marquis’s household and don’t understand the hardships of the common people. It seems you still need more training! Look at Baron Melina—without relying on anyone, he still grew to where he is now, and can be considered one of the most outstanding nobles of the kingdom’s younger generation!”
With that, Marquis Ansel, who looked like a middle-aged swordsman, stepped out of the hall.
Upon hearing this, Ferdinand’s face twisted in pain. His father had always loved to teach others and train talented young people. Many officers in the Holy Sword Legion had received guidance from this Sword Saint. Although Marquis Ansel never showed mercy in training and would make them suffer greatly, those swordsmen flocked to him like masochists.
Especially with Ferdinand, his son, he claimed it was to lay a solid foundation for the future heir of the family, but in reality, he often enjoyed teasing him, seemingly finding joy in seeing his son frustrated or embarrassed.
Though it never caused serious harm—just trivial hardships—it was precisely this that made Ferdinand unbearable it.
However, regardless of the process, Marquis Ansel’s training was indeed effective. To date, even the weakest among those trained by Vincent had risen to the Bronze rank, and most of the veteran Silver-level strongmen in the Holy Sword Legion were his students.
As soon as Marquis Ansel Vincent appeared, he first exchanged greetings with Messel. After all, given Messel’s status as a master alchemist and the top mage in the North County, even Gold-level strongmen wouldn’t neglect him.
Only then was it Donald’s turn to bow and greet him.
“Greetings, My Lord Marquis!”

Vincent? Ansel stepped forward with a smile, saying affectionately, “There’s no need to be so formal. Just call me uncle. I’ll call you Donald, just like Ferdinand does!”
As the marquis loved his son dearly for having such a close friend, and also admired Donald’s strength and character, he found him increasingly likable.
“I’m sorry, Edwina is preparing some equipment back there and can’t come out to greet you all. Please go inside and rest. Treat it as your own home—feel free!”
With that, the marquis personally led Donald and the others into the hall, then ordered the butler to prepare three guest rooms and arrange a lunch.
None of those present were hasty or reckless, so they didn’t rush to discuss business. After some conversation, everyone gained a better understanding and appreciation of one another. Such friendships often develop between people with similar temperaments.
Especially since Marquis Ansel, despite being a Golden Sword Saint, had no airs at all, acting more like a friendly uncle. Every word he spoke was comforting.
Only a true powerhouse could suppress their aura so completely. This Storm Sword Saint had been a Golden rank for over a decade, so he naturally didn’t handle it as clumsily as those who had just reached that rank. Suppressing his aura had become as natural to him as eating or drinking.
After a warm and enjoyable small lunch, Marquise Ansel, the princess of the kingdom and Ferdinand’s mother, finally appeared.
Upon seeing Messel, this Silver Mage was immediately stunned by his strength. Although she had heard that four Silver Mages had emerged in the North County at once, Messel’s direct advancement to a high level of Silver, skipping two ranks, truly amazed her.
Once everyone was gathered, they began discussing business.
Donald also showed the marquis family the evidence related to the ruins of the Archmage Lord.
After agreeing on a joint action and profit division, the Ansel family still needed to make some preparations. But since they were already in Plum City, a day or two wouldn’t matter. Donald then discussed their deal with Ferdinand.
“Do you want some magic metal this time?”
Hearing that Donald had changed the terms of the deal, Ferdinand, unable to decide on his own, went to find his mother.
When Edwina arrived, she said bluntly, “Most magic metal is one of the rarest magical materials. Whatever you want, you must exchange it for something of equal value!”
“Madam, rest assured—my offering will surely satisfy you!”

Edwina nodded. The Ansel family’s treasure trove had always been in Edwina’s care, and she had her own extensive personal collection as well, so she simply took Donald to the courtyard behind the manor, where she usually practiced and experimented. After removing several defensive spells from the door, she invited Donald into her secret collection room. At first glance, Donald saw the small pile of metal on the central shelf and his face lit up with joy. “You’re interested in this fine gold? It’s one of my most valuable collections. I wonder what you’ll offer in exchange?” Donald didn’t answer right away; instead, he took in the treasures in the room before carefully selecting two items. As soon as Edwina saw what Donald had brought, she exclaimed in delight, “You little rascal, you’ve got some really good stuff here! Let’s exchange!” Holding the two types of magic metal in her hands, Edwina sighed, “If it weren’t for the family owning a small fine gold mine, I wouldn’t have so much of it. I really don’t know how you managed to get this argentum and blue-veined gold—now I have all three major magic metals!” The only other magic metals in the main material world that could compare to fine gold were argentum and blue-veined magic metal, commonly referred to by later mages as the three major magic metals. Blue-veined gold was one of the best materials for storing magic power, argentum had the best conductivity for magic, while fine gold served as a medium to maximize the power of spells. It was also used to craft top-tier weapons. It wasn’t that there weren’t better materials—those rarer ones mostly appeared in other dimensions and outer realms. After exchanging two pieces of argentum and two pieces of blue-veined magic metal for an equal volume of fine gold, Edwina checked the rest of the treasures in the room, finding none that were urgently needed. So Donald brought out more potions and two pieces of equipment, earning him an additional small piece of fine gold. By this point, both parties were very satisfied with the deal, as it fulfilled their respective needs. Donald hadn’t expected such a fruitful outcome from his visit to the Ansel family. With this fine gold, he could advance his plan to create magic coins. During this meeting with the Ansel family to discuss cooperation, aside from worrying about his own insufficient strength, he was also afraid that if things were exposed, his side would become the target of criticism.

The ruins of an ancient archmage lord—how valuable they are—should be best known to the mages of the Kingdom Mage Association. If such a powerful entity set its sights on them, not to mention that their teacher is only at the silver rank, even if the teacher reached gold rank, they would still face at least five gold-rank strongmen, who likely wouldn’t be able to stop those greedy mages.

But involving the Ansel family is different. When it comes to dividing the profits, it’s best to keep the secret. If leaks are inevitable, then the Ansel family can take the lead. Even a powerful organization like the Mage Association wouldn’t dare harbor any ill intentions toward this ancient family.

Donald aims to use the Ansel family as a shield to withstand potential future storms.

Otherwise, no matter how much treasure lies in those ruins, with the Book of Truth at his side, he can surely take it all. Why bother forming an alliance with the Ansel family?

This is also why Donald hasn’t let greed cloud his judgment.

No matter how great the archmage’s legacy may be, it’s not as important as his own foundation. With the Book of Truth in hand, that’s what truly secures his position in this world; everything else is merely embellishment.