Mage Legend
Chapter 98: Episode 29: Bandit_2

Chapter 98: Episode 29: Bandit_2

Riel walked up to Lynch’s mount, his diminutive figure completely overshadowed by the massive cargo lizard, only his voice came up.

"Sir, are you planning to enter Ratris City or just passing by?"

Lynch frowned, not understanding what this halfling’s purpose was in asking this: "Does it matter?"

"Oh, it’s like this, if you’re just passing through, then there’s nothing to worry about. But if you intend to enter the city, without identification you’ll be sold as a slave or killed as a spy."

"Riel, do you have any good advice?" Lynch had indeed heard such rumors and it seems that the Dark Elf City ahead had much stricter checks than other places.

"It so happens that I have three identification cards here, coincidentally for two humans and a dwarf. They unfortunately met their demise on the previous cargo journey. It’s really quite sad." Lynch used his X-ray vision on the halfling pretending to wipe tears and sob without any indication.

"Oh, by the way." The Underworld Halfling saw his "client" say nothing, so quickly returned to the topic, "These three identifications I can give to you, but it took quite an effort to obtain them, so..." Riel paused, seemingly considering what price would be appropriate.

"How about the cargo of three lizards? Without identification, you won’t be able to keep any of your goods. I’m saying this for your own good." The halfling waited for Lynch’s reply, noticing a long pause, "Sir, most of your cargo is just supplies, only those three lizards are worth a bit..."

Lynch thought for a moment and waved his right hand, and Riel was lifted by a Floating Disc magically created by the Mage. The Underworld Halfling hurriedly grabbed the straps on the cargo lizard’s back, laying obediently next to Lynch. He had not anticipated that this silent person was actually a Mage.

"You can take those three lizards, but I want you to answer a few questions." Lynch took out several diamonds from his bag, spreading them in his palm, right beneath Riel’s eyes: "For every two questions you answer, I’ll give you a stone."

The halfling’s eyes, glued to the brightly shining diamonds, nodded eagerly at top speed.

"What’s interesting about Ratris City?"

"That city has one of the best marketplaces in the Underdark, where you can basically buy anything you want..." Seeing the Mage in front of him seemed disinterested in commodity transactions, Riel quickly changed the topic, "It also has a Magic Academy, yes, the most famous Magic Academy in the Underworld, they are rumored to have even clashed with the surface Mage Guild, ending in a draw. In the Academy, their most notable feature is the Black Crystal Tower, which is also the heart of Ratris City."

Lynch placed a small diamond into Riel’s hand. The Underworld Halfling asked puzzledly, "I’ve only answered one question?"

"Because you answered well." Lynch picked up another diamond, letting it jump back and forth between his fingers, "Tell me in detail about the Black Crystal Tower." Anyway, they found enough jewels in the Ice Tower, learning of potential opponents and preparing accordingly is worth much more than those few diamonds.

"Yes, yes, generous sir. About that Black Crystal Tower, indeed there is a story..."

The Black Crystal Tower was built when this Dark Elf city was established. When the entire land was engulfed in war, they migrated here, constructing this high tower full of magical power. Legend has it that it was originally built to resist the invasion of Hell Demons, and in the tower, all kinds of spells—whether Divine or Arcane—become more powerful than before. The Dark Elves, relying on this tower, successfully repelled countless enemies, becoming rulers of the area.

But the Black Crystal Tower’s story is far from simple—it is a Mage Tower, which in itself is enough reason for families to fight over it, prompting numerous internal wars.

There was once a powerful Dark Elf Mage—his name wasn’t recorded in any Drow annals—he was the last master of the tower. Initially, he was just a Drow commoner, meaning he lived better than slaves but was nothing in front of nobles, he had no status.

But his understanding of Magic was extraordinary. It’s said he created many Magic Items and powerful war puppets himself (Lynch frowned, recalling the third Ancient Magic Scroll documenting the making of Demon Statues). For a long time, the family nobles always treated him with disdain and neglect, and female Dark Elves always had a higher status than males—even if those females were far less skilled than some males.

Finally, something unknown provoked this Drow Mage, he began to challenge the matriarchal power of the Dark Elves. The entire Ratris City fell into war. However, he naively believed those male Drows would join his side against the so-called "tyranny". So when the city’s Dark Elves launched an attack on him, he was utterly disappointed and went mad.

Using powerful magic, the old aristocratic system of Ratris City was virtually swept away. About a hundred Drow priests were killed, several families were uprooted, and the number of killed slaves and ordinary warriors was countless. He stood atop the Black Crystal Tower, laughing wildly as he looked down on the city, those Drows below the tower seemed like ants to him.

However, he still died in the Black Crystal Tower in the end. No one knows exactly how he was killed, but most Drows believe it was their Spider God Queen who personally eliminated this heretic.

However, after this event, Drow families became more cautious in training Mages, and the status of male Mages was no longer as low as their fellow counterparts. This piece of history, or rather this legend, was not recorded and slowly obliterated in the course of history.

Regarding the Black Crystal Tower, it still operates, continually providing magical power to the entire city. But anyone claiming to be the master of that Mage Tower, without exception, vanished...

Lynch placed a diamond in Riel’s palm, "Those three lizards are yours, wait until I call you, then come to get the remaining gemstones."

"The story was well told, but perhaps giving me the gemstones might be better..."

A very familiar voice to Lynch came from the front of the team. On the pathway ahead, lay close to ten petrified lizards, all invariably beheaded. A young woman with silver hair and white skin stood on a lizard’s corpse, holding a red longsword, smiling cheerfully at the approaching caravan.

"Zilvra, so it’s you..."