Chapter 479: Chapter 405 Siege_2
"What sort of business?"
Black Rope observed Chen Jichuan’s smile and felt a looming sense of foreboding in his heart.
...
The winds of "Valgrion" had grown turbulent recently, and with the unveiling of the Holy Artifact and the emergence of a newly ascended Legendary Mage, the storm had wholly erupted.
"I heard someone’s brought the Holy Artifact to Valgrion."
"What? The Holy Artifact?"
"You’re just finding out? That Holy Artifact has already changed hands."
"Who obtained it?"
"It’s a newly ascended Legendary Mage, heard to be near the borders of the Eastern Helz Duchy."
"Exactly, I’ve heard about this. That Legendary Mage established the ’Summoning Cottage’ and quietly advanced to Legendary status with several Monarchs under his command."
"This Legendary Mage is quite magnanimous. The Great Mage who offered the Holy Artifact left ’Summoning Cottage’ just a few days ago accompanied by a Griffin Monarch."
"A Griffin Monarch?!"
"Good heavens!"
...
The Holy Artifact stirred everyone’s hearts.
The renown of the newly ascended Legendary Mage, "Benage," spread across the continent in a matter of days.
Along with the name, news of Benage’s grand gesture also circulated—
The Griffin Monarch!
This Legendary Mage had deigned to gift the Griffin Monarch beneath his banner to the Great Mage who had offered the Holy Artifact.
While this move left many awestruck and envious, it also earned widespread praise for Dean Benage’s actions.
Material wealth moves minds.
If Chen Jichuan had merely bestowed other treasures or vast fortunes to Black Rope, leaving with such riches would undoubtedly attract jealousy and trouble, possibly turning the gift into a curse.
However, granting a Monarch as a reward was not only bold but also mitigated many risks, demonstrating both generosity and foresight.
For a time—
Chen Jichuan’s actions garnered widespread acclaim.
Some even privately suggested that, should they ever manage to obtain a Holy Artifact and word spread, they’d go straight to the "Summoning Cottage" to exchange it for a Monarch.
For Second-Level and Third-Level Mages, a typical Holy Artifact might not even compare to the worth of a Monarch.
Of course, some mocked Black Rope for not capitalizing on such a rare opportunity, viewing his choice to follow a newly ascended Legendary Mage as a foolish gamble.
The dispute over the Holy Artifact had found resolution.
The chaos drew to a close.
Yet the emergence of a newly ascended Legendary Mage—the fifth Legendary Mage on the continent—was bound to alter Valgrion’s existing balance of power.
Many mages, hearing this, hurried toward the Helz Duchy.
Time pressed forward.
Days passed in a flash.
...
On this morning:
Before sunrise, activity already buzzed around the "Summoning Cottage."
Students and tutors came and went frequently, their faces bright with joy.
Waking to find their own Dean had become a Legendary Mage—
Such great news would surely keep spirits high for years to come.
While the Legendary Mage Dean might still seem distant to many, the recently ascended Great Mages Morris, Grant, and Mina brought more immediate reason for celebration.
The addition of three Great Mages to the Mage Tower represented not only the might of "Summoning Cottage" but also its immense potential and promise.
While becoming a Legendary Mage might be too lofty a dream, advancing to Third-Level Mage felt more attainable.
Thus, these past few days were brimming with energy; men, women, young, and old were all exuberant and full of vitality.
"Yiya menger liya, Ming Yue lights the flower terrace~"
Even the jungle fairies working in the Mage Tower sang and danced all day, carefree as immortals.
That day, as usual, the sun rose.
Yet, not long after sunrise, from the eastern horizon, a magic carpet flew toward them, catching the attention of students and tutors alike at the "Summoning Cottage."
"There’s someone on the magic carpet."
"That person..."
"That person is Black Rope, the Great Mage who recently offered the Holy Artifact and left with a Griffin Monarch."
"Hmm? Strange, why has he returned?"
"He’s not alone. Could it be...."
"Quick, notify the Dean!"
...
Black Rope, who had left seven or eight days earlier, returned accompanied by a group, cultivating a sense of unease among the observers.
Discontent began to rise.
"The Dean treated him generously. If he’s truly come to cause trouble, he’s utterly thankless."
Students stared at the approaching magic carpet as it hovered outside the mountain peak.
Someone had already gone to report to the Mage Tower.
Soon:
"What’s happening?"
Morris, Grant, and Mina—the three newly ascended Great Mages—emerged together.
They fixed their gazes on the magic carpet, examining Black Rope and his seven companions, their brows furrowing. Grant’s expression darkened as he turned to Morris and Mina, speaking gravely: "Among Black Rope’s seven companions are two Great Mages who often operate along the eastern coast, Care and Shawen. Both have some reputation."
Grant, as Secretary-General of the Summoning Cottage Liaison Office, oversaw intelligence work and had collected data on notable figures across the continent.
Grant recognized two of the newcomers as independent mages with questionable reputations.
"What are they planning?"
Morris also grew stern upon hearing this.
Nearby, Mina—hot-tempered as ever—stepped forward and bellowed at Black Rope: "Black Rope, what is the meaning of this?"
A Holy Artifact that couldn’t possibly be kept was traded for the loyalty of a Monarch’s combat prowess—Mina viewed this as an act of generosity from the Dean, earning admiration and envy across the continent.
Yet, Black Rope now appeared ungrateful, gathering forces to launch a counterstrike. Mina thought it audacious and ungrateful beyond belief.
From a distance:
On the magic carpet:
Black Rope called out boldly: "Dean Benage forcibly took my Holy Artifact. Before, I merely feigned compliance. This time, I’ve brought Lord Monardo and a few others with me to demand justice. I ask Dean Benage to return the Holy Artifact."
"Outrageous!"
"Shameless lies!"
"He was clearly surrounded and unable to protect the Holy Artifact, barely escaping with his life thanks to the Dean. Now he dares to twist the truth!"
"Utterly detestable."
...
Black Rope’s words left the students fuming.
Unfazed, Black Rope waited with confidence for a reply.
"Absurd!"
Mina and the others, equally infuriated, were about to retort when the Mage Tower doors opened, revealing Chen Jichuan, who emerged step by step as if ascending lotus blossoms.
"Dean."
"Dean."
With Morris and the others taking the lead, the gathered students and tutors viewed Chen Jichuan as their pillar of strength, stoking their righteous indignation.
"Do not act rashly."
Chen Jichuan stood atop the mountain peak, gesturing to calm the crowd. He turned his gaze to Black Rope and spoke: "Black Rope, I act with a clear conscience, but I will not tolerate provocation. Are you prepared for the consequences of today’s actions?"
"Dean Benage."
"I respect you as a Legendary Mage. If you return my Holy Artifact, we will leave immediately."
Unconcerned, Black Rope exuded confidence tonight.
"If that’s the case, then none of you shall leave."
Chen Jichuan, clearly angered, cut his response short.
Black Rope, well prepared for resistance, nodded to the middle-aged mage beside him on the magic carpet and respectfully requested: "Lord Monardo, please ensure justice for me."
The mage known as "Monardo" had remained silent thus far but now nodded and stepped forward. He addressed Chen Jichuan: "Dean Benage, I am Monardo from the East Continent. Since this Holy Artifact originally belongs to this young fellow, perhaps you can spare me some face and return it. That way, we Legendary Mages need not lose our dignity."
Monardo.
The East Continent.
This was a Legendary Mage from the East Continent!
Shock spread throughout the crowd.
Though their Dean had just ascended to Legendary Mage status, they wondered whether he could handle this powerhouse from afar.
"Dean."
Morris’s eyes revealed his concerns.
"Monardo."
"Unable to thrive in the East Continent, now you flaunt your might in ’Valgrion’?"
Chen Jichuan faced Monardo without fear or courtesy, declaring: "Black Rope has insulted a Legendary Mage, and I intend to teach him a lesson to uphold our dignity. If you know better, stand aside, and hospitality will follow. But if you insist on opposing me, let us settle this with strength today."
Chen Jichuan stood with unmatched spirit.
"Hah!"
"A mere newcomer to Legendary Mage status and already delusions of invincibility!"
Monardo smirked inwardly but maintained a lofty tone: "Very well, I would like to see the capabilities of this new Legendary Mage."
Monardo stepped forward, his magic robe billowing in the wind, magic wand in hand, exuding the grace and presence befitting a Legendary Mage.
"Perfect timing."
Chen Jichuan sneered, as though he had been waiting for Monardo’s challenge.
He retrieved "Yisusi’s Staff," gripping it firmly, and pointed it toward Monardo in the distance, roaring—
"Demon Monarch, arise!"
Boom!
A thunderous sound echoed as the Demon Monarch descended, landing in the north.
Chen Jichuan roared again—
"Bone Dragon Monarch, arise!"
Boom!
Another blast as the Bone Dragon Monarch descended, taking position to the south.
Chen Jichuan pressed on, his voice shaking the heavens—
"Bat Monarch, arise!"
"Elemental Monarch, arise!"
"Hellhound, arise!"
"Fairy Dragon, arise!"
With each deafening roar, a Monarch appeared.
In mere moments, twelve Monarchs darkened the skies, encircling Monardo, Black Rope, and their cohort of eight.
...