The Legendary Mage (Alavin)
Chapter 78

"Prepare a map for me, one from Griffin's Roost to Azure Mountain, and another of the Azure Mountain mining district."

Carlys' face changed slightly. "You're going back to the mining district?"

"Yes! I have to go back!" Alavin was very excited.

"Eight years, a full eight years, and I finally have a chance to go home. My kin, my aunt, uncles, sister, grandfather, I've returned, I'm coming home. Have you missed me?"

"Hold on! Wait!" Carly stood before Alavin, her eyes wide with urgency. "You're going home?"

"I miss home," Alavin said with a grin, though his eyes brimmed with hot tears.

For eight years, it had been only his sister and the guard, Lucan, who came to visit him annually. The others had no chance to come, and Alavin had no opportunity to see them. Eight years had passed, and Alavin had almost forgotten their faces.

"No! You can't go back!"

"I must return," Alavin said firmly. Previously, he lacked the strength and the right to leave Cobalt Strike. Now, he had finally seized the opportunity, and nobody would stop him from going home.

Carly was adamant. "You can't go back! If you're discovered, if you're caught, the Grand Elder won't be lenient with you, and your family will suffer too."

"I'll just take a look from afar, don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

"No! I won't allow you to go back!" Carly bit her lip stubbornly, blocking Alavin. The thought of him wanting to visit home during the already dangerous Great Hunt was intolerable! Alavin gazed into Carly's eyes and suddenly asked, "Are you worried about me, or is there something else?"

"Of course, I'm worried about you," Carly said, her gaze shifting before meeting his once more.

"Has something happened at Azure Mountain?" Alavin noticed something amiss in Carly's eyes.

"Nothing has happened. The Great Hunt is dangerous enough, and the Grand Elder's Protégés will never forgive you. In fact, you're practically throwing yourself onto their blades."

"Answer me first, why didn't my sister come to see me this year?" Alavin felt a sudden unease. In previous years, his sister would visit him twice, a 'privilege' granted by Cobalt Strike. But this year was well advanced, and she was nowhere to be seen.

"There have been delays before; don't worry about them..."

Alavin suddenly grasped Carly's arm. "Tell me! What happened?"

"You're hurting me," Carly said, struggling.

"What happened? Tell me," Alavin persisted, staring straight into Carly's eyes.

"Nothing, you always overthink."

Silence fell as Alavin continued to gaze at Carly. Feeling uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny, Carly stuttered and finally said, "Really, there's no big trouble, just a minor accident." "Speak!"

Carly opened her mouth but said nothing.

"Just tell me."

With no other choice, Carly confessed, "Three months ago, Lucan was in seclusion, attempting to break through to Stage VIII of Master Mage. It was meant to be a secret, but somehow, the overseer of the Cobalt Strike mines learned of it, sent men to interfere and caused chaos. Lucan nearly lost his life, sparking a large-scale conflict. The mines even ceased operation."

"And after that?" Alavin's tension rose. Had Lucan nearly died?

Eight years ago, during the 'Night of Catastrophes,' people protecting and serving the Lord of the Stormcast were either killed or fled, leaving few behind. Among those who swore never to forsake their duty amidst blood and fire was Lucan. Over the years, he and the remaining loyalists had stood with the Mallister family through thick and thin.

For eight years, more than two hundred thousand citizens and the Mallister family had been detained in the depths of Azure Mountain's Ore Mines, toiling away under the strict supervision of Cobalt Strike's forces. Lucan had formed a guard to protect the Mallister kids and defend the rights of all Stormcast 'workers.'

In essence, Lucan was the Mallister family's sole protective force.

"Lucan persevered to the end, preserved his life, and successfully advanced to the Stage VIII of the Master Mage. Don't worry about him. But the first thing he did after emerging was to confront the overseer, which led to more conflict, and Lucan inadvertently crippled the man."

"And then?"

"Cobalt Strike sent investigators and deemed the overseer at fault. They didn't punish Lucan but took the overseer back to Cobalt Strike. But later, Cobalt Strike sent an Elder to oversee the mines. You might know him, Vandill, a very sinister guy. The rest... you can imagine."

Carly was helpless; to the Protégés secluded within Cobalt Strike, the mines were another world entirely. Recognized as a sacred martial site, Cobalt Strike hosted over eight thousand Protégés who focused solely on training and were detached from world affairs. Yet, the organization's daily expenses and training materials were astronomical, necessitating a vast supply of magical ore mines and regular assignments of Protégés for missions.

Cobalt Strike and every organization had a vast subsidiary industry to maintain. These mines and industries were essential for their existence.

"Vandill, the Grand Elder's confidant," Alavin clenched his fists. Was a mere magical ore mine worth the supervision of an Elder? Vandill's presence was clearly aimed at suppressing Lucan's rising power.