Chapter 5: Rebirth
In comparison, the weapons and armor in the hands of the two Dark Knights were far inferior. The dull, colorless long sword in Vladkov’s hands was clearly an ancient artifact, though Komer clearly lacked knowledge in this area. The Dark Knight generously told Komer that it was one of the works created hundreds of years ago by the famous dwarf blacksmith Ouyezhi. Just by looking at the materials used to forge this sword, one could tell of its preciousness.
The blade of this seemingly plain-looking sword was entirely forged from Dark Magic Metal—Misty Sand. Although Misty Sand wasn’t originally considered a magic metal, it possessed certain properties of such metals, making it extremely tough. However, refining the fine particles of Misty Sand into a usable form and then forging it into a superior sword required not only considerable time and effort but also precise control over the forging process. If the refining was insufficient, the resulting product would be brittle and useless; if over-refined, though it would have sufficient flexibility, it would lack rigidity, affecting the sword’s sharpness. Thus, for centuries, on the Land of Azure, only dwarf blacksmith masters had been capable of crafting such items. Even Vladkov didn’t know the name of this sword, as Ouyezhi had created many masterpieces throughout his life. Most of the legendary works have been passed down, but many yet undiscovered ones remain unnamed.
The soft armor carefully polished by Sorenberg was also a masterpiece of dwarf craftsmen. In this regard, Komer could discern some clues—it was a genuine magic-resistant armor, highly favored by knights to defend against magical attacks. For a long time, knights who pursued martial arts and magicians who explored magical principles should not have had conflicts, as their goals differed. Yet, living on the continent, no one could truly escape worldly interests. Often, for their own sake, knights and magicians could either stand together or on opposing sides. The confrontations between knights and magicians had always been a focal point of attention. The question of who the true ruler of the continent was had plagued all races since the continent’s existence, yet no clear answer had yet been found.
It’s quite simple: when a knight’s skill surpasses that of the magician he faces, the knight can use his powerful fighting spirit to resist the magician’s magical attacks and then defeat them with his own martial arts. Similarly, if a magician is stronger than the knight, they can use powerful magic to kill the knight on the spot. This is inherently a contradictory combination—no one strong enough can claim victory until they’ve seen the other’s strength. Countless remarkable battles have taken place on the continent, many of which were clashes between knights and magicians, with the balance of victory and defeat seemingly around 50-50. This debate seems endless.
Since magicians often have the advantage of striking first, blacksmiths devised anti-magic armor. Of course, such armor couldn’t withstand all kinds of magical attacks, but while retaining the ability of ordinary armor to resist physical attacks, blacksmiths also experimented by mixing in magical metallic and non-metallic minerals into the materials used to make the armor, endowing it with the unique counteracting properties of those metals or minerals. Some magicians later joined the field of metalworking, applying magical blessings and condensation techniques to the manufacturing process, which greatly improved the quality of anti-magic armor. The production of anti-magic armor requires precise craftsmanship, is highly difficult, has a high failure rate, and the expensive materials make it naturally costly, even becoming a luxury item popular among the upper classes. Apart from a few wealthy elite knights, ordinary knights certainly couldn’t afford it.
The soft armor in Sorenberg’s hands was clearly a very precious anti-magic piece. Its rounded helmet seemed more suitable for warriors or soldiers, somewhat unnecessary for knights who valued appearance and style. Yet this splendid silver armor felt quite soft to the touch, with a delicate and thin texture. Even when covered with a knight’s coat, nothing unusual could be detected. Komer could sense the restrained flow of water-based magic—clearly, this was anti-magic armor designed to counter fire and lightning magic, with considerable protection against earth magic as well. There was also a distinct magical rune mark on the right shoulder of the armor, a mark left by a magician who had cast additional spells on it. To determine what spells the magician had used, however, one would need someone who specialized in deciphering such peculiar magical runes.
What gave Komer the greatest sense of satisfaction was holding this Light Mage in his hands. Ever since this woman arrived, the sense of unease and oppression in his heart vanished the moment she was bound. Even the Aladdin’s Token that Lebri voluntarily gave up, along with the precious magic books and ancient continent history books on the shelves, could not bring Komer such a sense of relief and comfort.
Given the complex geographical environment in the dungeons of Damansky Fortress and the many unknown dangers that might still lurk, the exploration team unanimously agreed it was best to postpone further exploration plans. The appearance of numerous exotic magical monsters and abominations served as a stark warning to everyone. If it weren’t for the outstanding performance of this now-bound Light Mage against the Spine-Clawed Dragon, it was uncertain whether the team’s current strength would be enough to overcome that challenge without any losses. Fortunately, the gains so far were substantial, especially the large number of books obtained from the two bookshelves, most of which were related to magic. Both Komer and the other mages urgently needed to return to the surface to carefully process what they had gained from this expedition.
Komer ultimately took control of what to do with the Light Mage, as he was the true master of this land. His promise to the mages to erase all of her memories and train her to become a true believer of the God of the Underworld, Hades, also filled the mages with anticipation. It sounded like an extremely challenging task—even Lebri and Mihajic lacked the confidence to undertake it—but this young lord seemed full of confidence.
The team’s successful return with such rich rewards surprised everyone, especially Puber and Ilot. Neither of them had expected such substantial gains from this expedition. Although the treasures borrowed by the mages and dark knights caused Puber considerable pain, considering that these mages would stay in the Caucasus for a long time and might even bring more companions to settle there, this deal seemed like a fair exchange.
To Ilot’s envy, the two Dark Knights had acquired remarkable equipment. Fortunately, the treasures in this hoard didn’t consist only of the dark sword forged from shadow sand and the anti-demonic armor. A secret magic spear, crafted by dwarves from the southern Sayan Ridge region and possessing a long history, caught Ilot of Garon Province’s attention immensely. This secret magic spear was made from wrought iron forged using a unique magical iron ore from the Sayan Ridge region. Although not a magic metal, this ore had properties similar to certain magic metals. Weapons forged from it could effectively combine with the user’s own combat energy, maximizing their combat abilities. Though it couldn’t enhance combat energy to the extent many imagined, even a slight improvement in battle could sometimes be a decisive factor in determining the outcome. Thus, weapons made from this region’s iron ore had always been favored by many knights and warriors.
Unfortunately, the Sayan Ridge region was mountainous and treacherous, with poor roads. The mines producing this magical iron ore had low yields, mostly consisting of low-quality iron ore with many impurities, making smelting and refining difficult. Moreover, the easily accessible mines had been exhausted a hundred years ago. Although many prospectors still searched in the Sayan Ridge region, little progress had been made. In fact, production of this iron ore had ceased, causing the price of weapons forged from it to soar in high-end weapon markets across the land, with persistent shortages despite high prices.
The secret magic spear was an excellent weapon crafted by dwarves using this magical iron ore. Though not as precious as the dark sword forged from shadow sand, this large, sturdy weapon seemed more suitable for Ilot, who had already made great progress in martial arts. Especially in battlefield charges, it was far more useful than smaller weapons used in personal duels. Having obtained such a fine weapon, Ilot was already extremely satisfied. In his eyes, it was as if it had been crafted specifically for him.
A faint glow slowly emerged in the dim training room. Komer watched with interest the light mage before him, still firmly trapped under triple darkness. The look of defiance and anger on her face had gradually faded, but the determination in her eyes told Komer that this woman wasn’t as easy to deal with as he had thought.
She moved her somewhat stiff body slightly, but the girl didn’t do anything else. She knew that as long as the other party hadn’t undone the dark bonds that had penetrated deep into her body, she was no different from any ordinary girl. Resisting in such a place was undoubtedly futile and unwise; it was better to stay calm and see if there was still a way to turn things around.
Seeing the girl calmly tidy up her clothes without paying any attention to him, Komer found it increasingly interesting. The more challenging a task, the more interested he became. The woman before him was undoubtedly a master trained by the Light Church, and her composure in such a situation was enough to prove it—this only heightened Komer’s interest even more.
“Please sit, if you wish, Miss Lomei,” he said, raising his hand. Even toward those stronger than himself, Komer showed gentlemanly courtesy. He wanted to understand this woman’s true background and purpose for coming here. Of course, he also hoped to learn about the power structure and operations within the vast Light Church through her, though it would be difficult.
Glancing at Komer briefly, the girl seemed unaware of his ill intentions and gladly sat down. “My lord baron, please avoid asking questions that are pointless. I won’t give you any answers, so there’s no need for further words. If you’re willing to discuss your beliefs with me, I’d be happy to engage in that conversation.”
Before Komer could speak, the girl preempted his thoughts. However, his last remark intrigued him greatly. Nodding, Komer said with a smile, “Very good. Since Miss Lomei is willing to give me a chance to learn about her beliefs or even teach me, I’m also eager to discuss this with her. Miss Lomei, please don’t hesitate. If you’re willing to speak, you may do so. I’ll listen attentively. If you think I need to explain or answer anything, please feel free to instruct me.”
Komer’s pretended respect didn’t cause any reaction in the girl. She seemed to have anticipated the difficulties posed by this young lord sitting before her. She never thought she could change his beliefs just through conversation—it was unrealistic.
“Lord Baron, you come from a noble family in the Kingdom of Nicosia, and your father was also a highly respected treasurer of Cyprus. Although freedom of faith is practiced in both the Kingdom of Nicosia and the Homer region, there are more than a dozen different sects there. Why have you chosen the God of Darkness as your primary deity? I really want to know the true answer to this question. I hope you can satisfy my little curiosity.” Without the mask covering her face, the girl’s proud and noble demeanor became even more apparent. The darkness surrounding her failed to suppress her composure and elegance; it gave the impression that Komer was the prisoner and she was the judge.
“Hehe, Mage Lomei, I think you’ve misunderstood. I don’t deny that I know dark magic or that I can be considered a dark mage, but the God of the Underworld, Hades, is not my primary deity. You may have some misconceptions on this point. As for my fellow mages, they came at my invitation to participate in the exploration of Damorlesk Fortress. I have no right to interfere in their beliefs, as long as their actions do not violate the laws of the Caucasus. I never interfere.” Komer wasn’t bothered by the aggressive tone in her words and explained with a smile, “You might not believe it, but that’s indeed the truth. Under these circumstances, there’s no need for me to deceive you, right?”
“Then does that mean Lord Baron still believes in our God of Light?” Her tone was slightly sarcastic and not very friendly, but her clear, oriole-like voice masked her hostility, giving it a unique flavor in Komer’s ears.
“Mage Lomei, I don’t really believe in that God of Light either. If I really had to choose a deity to believe in, I’d rather choose the God of War, Mars.” Shrugging, Komer preferred this kind of conversational exchange. If it could solve problems in this way, he was more than happy to do it.
“Lord Baron, does that mean belief can also be chosen or changed at will? Your words are truly hard to understand!” The beautiful girl’s gaze grew even colder. “As a noble lord of the Kingdom of Nicosia, such thoughts of yours are truly frightening.”
“Afraid? Is there anything the Church of Light is afraid of? Hahahaha!” Komer’s attitude grew increasingly arrogant. “Miss Lomei, could you tell me the purpose of your visit to the Caucasus? I’m also very curious about your role in the Church of Light. What exactly is there in the Caucasus that deserves such attention from the Church of Light? First, there were the Knights of Rema, then priests and clerics, and now you, this mysterious archmage. Hehe, has my little corner of the Caucasus really caught the fancy of your Church of Light?”
She stared at Komer’s face for a long time, her delicate features showing a hint of disdain mixed with pity. Only after he finished speaking did she calmly reply, “Lord Baron, with such a noble background and opportunities, why do you seek your own destruction? Is hatred and killing really that appealing to you? Why must you take this path? If you’re willing to turn from evil, our Church of Light is more than willing to accept those who have strayed back.”
“Turn from evil? Return to righteousness? Well said, Miss Lomei. I don’t know what standards you use to distinguish between evil and good. Darkness has always existed in contrast to light. As for hatred and killing, they are also inherent aspects of life that cannot be avoided. I don’t understand why you despise them so much. Does practicing dark magic mean one is inherently evil and will surely commit terrible crimes, while those who believe in the Church of Light can wash away any sins and become saints? Absurd! Ridiculous!” It was the second time he heard such words, and Komer felt even more annoyed. These self-righteous folks, claiming to represent the gods, acted arrogantly thanks to the power of the Church of Light, treating everything as insignificant. No wonder there was no peace anywhere with them in control.
“What do you think you are? Gods or laws? Who do you decide is evil or an outlier? If I say that Church of Light members are heretical and evil, can you then burn them at the stake or hang them? You certainly won’t agree. Then why should others accept your views?”
This time, Komer remained unusually calm, even appearing polite. He didn’t intend to use such tactics to persuade her—the chances of success were near zero, and he had never thought of it that way. But his inner anger made him want to vent. Knowing it wouldn’t work, he still wanted to say these words to feel relieved.
Seeing the pitying look in the other person’s eyes, Komer knew his words were like speaking to a deaf man; of course, he had never expected them to agree with him.
“Enough, Miss Lomei. I think there’s no need to keep arguing on this topic. You can’t persuade me, just as I can’t persuade you. Let’s leave this discussion for when we have more time. Now, you need to answer the three questions I asked earlier. Have you thought it over?”
Perhaps realizing there could be no common ground with Komer, the mysterious girl turned her face away, her indifferent expression showing she no longer wanted to engage in verbal sparring.
“Well, it seems Miss Lomei isn’t willing to cooperate. Since you call us evil, haven’t you considered that evil people have their own methods? For problems that can’t be solved through the path of light, we use evil methods to resolve them. There are many methods you can’t even imagine that will force you to reveal everything you have—though those methods are a bit despicable. I personally wouldn’t use them, if only you were willing to cooperate.” Komer spread his hands, not giving up, and continued to persuade her tirelessly. He enjoyed this cat-and-mouse game, especially when the opponent was a powerful and proud light mage—it gave him an indescribable sense of pleasure.
“Baron, no need to say more. You must be well aware of the principles of our Light Church. Having devoted ourselves to the God of Light, we’ve long since let go of material things. Show me what you’ve got. You’ll see if the actions of us Light believers disappoint you.” She turned her head indifferently, her calm expression as if unaware of what was about to happen.
“Good. You have spirit. I also don’t want to see a Light believer kneeling before me and begging for mercy—that would greatly diminish my admiration for the Light Church. If Miss Lomei performs exceptionally well, who knows? I might even change my mind and embrace the God of Light.” His tone was full of mockery, and Komer clapped his hands in approval.
“Baron, just use whatever methods you have. Stop wasting words.” With a disdainful glance, the beautiful girl took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
“Miss Lomei, don’t rush. We have all the time in the world. I know you’ve already made all the preparations in your mind. Perhaps your Light Church does indeed have ways to make people sacrifice themselves. But let me tell you how it will feel one day when you realize that everything you’ve done is a betrayal of the Light Church. Hahahahaha!” Standing up and laughing wildly, Komer’s triumphant gaze made the quiet girl shiver. She didn’t know what tactics he would use against her. Although she was already determined to die for her beliefs, if what he said was true, she would truly fall into an unforgivable abyss of darkness, never to be rescued.
“Alright, Miss Lomei, let’s begin. Everything will start over. You’ll be lucky to have a brand new life.” Licking his lips excitedly, Komer felt an indescribable joy deep within. Completing such a feat would undoubtedly be a tremendous challenge for him. Though he had no certainty now, even failure would cause him no loss—just another idiot in the world. But if he succeeded, his spiritual magic would surely reach a whole new level.