City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Chapter 561: Meeting Archmage

Step!

I stepped out of the teleportation formation, and what I saw made my eyes wide.

A massive library is in front of me, lined with tall, ancient carved shelves. It is filled with books and ancient tomes, their weathered covers and fragile pages hinting that their age predates the very walls of the tower itself. 

It encompasses shelves and shelves filled with thousands of books. With hundreds of people sitting there reading silently.

Lost in the panorama, I kept looking before finally stepping into it.

The library covers the whole tower floor; given how massive each floor of the Archmage Tower is, it is a substantial place.

Although it may not be as large as some other libraries in the city, it boasts the most unique collection of books, and I have exclusive access to its rare titles.

The masters only get access for ten days.

I walked inside and immediately spotted Orion. He sat at the table with a pile of books beside him.

He is one of the few people who left right after the archmage.

He was so absorbed that he didn't notice my gaze. I didn't watch him for long; I shifted my attention to the shelves instead.

I have come here to investigate specific things.

Soon, I reached the shelves of books that contained the information I needed and began examining the titles. Quickly, I found a book I was looking for.

I didn't leave right away. Instead, I grabbed two more books before settling at a table in the corner.

I sat down before opening a book.

As I did, I once more nearly activated my skills before stopping myself.

The legacy skill has filled my body with vitality, but it's magical and temporary. My spirit is still healing, and I wouldn't be able to use my skills.

I sighed and began reading. In just a few seconds, my eyes widened.

'A spirit legacy is something else,' I thought.

I am reading quickly—much faster than with my Insightful Reading. I am achieving reading speeds at least five times greater, all without feeling any strain at all.

If I could fully harness my skills, I would have transformed my pace, devouring the pages with an almost supernatural speed.

I pushed these frivolous thoughts and focused on reading, and soon, I found some information I was looking for.

I set the bookmark down and opened the second book. After flipping through it, I realized it didn't contain what I was looking for. Therefore, I moved on to the third book, finally finding what I needed.

With those discoveries, I explored the shelves to add more.

I obtained some of the needed information, but I sought more detailed insights. After searching for a few minutes, I found the other books containing what I was looking for.

As I sat down, I could barely contain my excitement—though I'm pretty sure the chair creaked in protest, sensing the sheer force of my enthusiasm.

I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves, and turned to the section that promised answers to my search. Two words stood out like a beacon: Valrose Halberd.

It is the actual name of Stone's artifact.

Named after its first wielder, Vassilis Valrose, a duke of the long-forgotten kingdom that once thrived where the bustling merchant state of Nereim now stands.

It has a long history, around four thousand years old.

It had changed quite a lot of hands. Disappearing for centuries, now and then, before appearing again.

The last time it appeared was nine hundred years ago, in the Renwell region. That is when it disappeared along with its host.

The book stated that I was its current owner, with Thaddeus Stone as its user.

The more I read about the halberd, my excitement surged with each revelation. This weapon was no ordinary relic—it brimmed with extraordinary abilities, each more astonishing than the last. The shield dome, impressive as it was, seemed almost mundane compared to its other legendary powers whispered about in the annals.

The book also has a picture of it, and it looks beautiful and quite different from its looks right now.

As long as it recovers. It will regain its original grandeur as well as abilities.

Once that happens, Stone will rise to unparalleled power.

I devoured every word, drinking in the knowledge with an insatiable thirst, before closing the book and eagerly reaching for the next.

It's about the saber—Zmeycleave Saber, a legendary weapon of the famed Zmeycleave Set. The set comprises three awe-inspiring artifacts: a lance, a hammer, and the saber itself, each forged from the body of a Zmey, a type of fearsome dragon, and the rare, unbreakable Orocos diamond. These weapons are more than mere tools of war; they are artifacts of unmatched power, surpassing even the Stone's halberd. But then, how could they not be born from the essence of a dragon?

Anything forged from dragons is powerful.

As I read about its abilities, a sense of wonder washed over me. The sheer power it commanded was staggering, and with every revelation, I realized just how incredibly lucky I had been to survive that battle.

That mercenary wasn't capable of unlocking its true power. If he had even harnessed a fraction of it, I'd be a dead man. The artifact isn't something easily wielded; the emotions of the dragon that forged it seep into the user, shaping their every action, their every thought.

Its history has shown it had killed a lot of its hosts, burning them as it had burned the mercenary leader. One needs a powerful will to not be affected by it.

They also need to be powerful. Having an aura helps tremendously in controlling its side effects and bringing out its true power.

The set had existed for over five thousand years.

The last known user of the Zmeycleave Saber was Matys Kadysor, a notorious bandit leader from Baxzar. According to the book, he was burned by the weapon—its fury unleashed—when he stole it nearly two decades ago.

I read every word before finishing the book.

I mainly looked at the current owner's name. It didn't mention my name.

Which relieved me. I need them to delay registration for a few weeks until I reach my territory.

Though, I do not need to be worried. From what I heard, they could take months, even a year. Additionally, if it is related to the master of legacy, they inform us before making the change.

I pushed the worry away and closed the book before moving to the other books.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Time passed, and I got lost in reading. I read about many things, Artifacts, legacies, skills, history, and many other subjects.

If my days hadn't been so consumed with tasks, I would have spent every waking moment in this library. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. Still, I'll seize every fragment of free time I have, immersing myself in its knowledge.

Cough!

I kept reading. I didn't even notice the passing of time when I heard a gentle cough.

I stopped and turned. When I saw who it was, it filled my heart with shock.

It's not a person. It may look like one, but it's not.

In front of me is a young man who looks to be about my age. His skin is dark as the night and unnaturally perfect. So perfect that even elves would be jealous.

He is pleasant to look at with shining grey eyes. Wearing a white robe with more similarities to modern robes of earth than the mage robes of this world.

Though I barely glanced at it for a moment.

I am focused on the runes running all over his skin.

He is the reason why the Archmage Tower and the legacies of its level are called spirits.

He is a spirit.

All legacies desire them, but only the Spirits and Titans have them.

"Lord Silver, it's time for your appointment with Archmage," he informed. I looked at the clock and noticed barely a minute remaind until the appointment.

I got so engrossed in reading that I lost track of time.

"Thank you, your eminence," I replied before getting up and taking his hand, which he was extending.

The hand felt soft. Slightly warm.

A moment later, everything faded black. When it had cleared, I found myself in a large hall.

It is empty, aside from the two chairs. One is occupied by the Archmage.

The man is wearing a simple shirt and pants.

There is no relic or even a single ring. He looked like an ordinary man one would pass on the street rather than one of the most powerful in the world.

I sneaked a glance around me and saw the view of the vast sky. I am on the top floor of the Archmage Tower.

"Your excellency," I greeted with a bow. "Take a seat, Lord Silver," said the Archmage.

"Thank you, Your Supremacy," I replied as I sat down.

The man looked at me while I looked at him.

I know I should speak—it's a great honor and every second counts. There's so much I want to ask, so much I want to say. But no words seem to escape, caught somewhere between my thoughts and my lips.

"I am glad you are fine, young man. Not many would survive that battle you had," he replied.

Looking at his expressions. I know, without a doubt, that he knows.

About the battle details and the artifact.

"It wouldn't have been possible without the help from the people of the archmage tower, Your Supremacy," I replied politely.

"Still, some of the blame lies on us. We were not able to protect you," he said, and I must say, I was surprised.

I didn't expect him to any accept blame. Even a little as he did. They rarely do that.

I was about to reply to that when he opened his mouth.

"For that indiscretion, they have paid the price an hour ago. They will also not attack you for six months," he added. Shocking me.

I shouldn't be shocked. After all, this is an archmage city—there's little they can't accomplish. But even so, the sheer scale of what he just said was beyond anything I could have imagined.

"Thank you, archmage," I replied.

I was 90% sure about who attacked me, but hearing his words, I am now 100% certain. It's as if his revelation has unlocked a new strength within me, giving me the courage to ask the questions I never intended to ask.

It is daring, stupid even. There will be consequences if he gets angry.

"Your Supremacy, please forgive me for asking. Why have you let the undead attack the mainland?" I asked.

"They have an entire island to do what they want. They shouldn't spread to the continent. Especially when we already have one undead kingdom."

I waited for the anger or even irritation. Instead, there was a sigh.

"I don't like it any more than you do, but there's a reason for it—a very important reason," replied the Archmage, his voice heavy with a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of unspoken truths.

It irritated me. It made me angry.

"So, we just let them conquer us. Turn our people into undead?" I asked.

Letting out what I am feeling.

I shouldn't be doing this but as the guardian of the continent. He needs to answer for it.

"Of course not. I truly hope you will become strong and expel them from the continent," he replied, shaking his head.

"Since we both want the same thing, why are you not expelling them?" I asked.

"I told you, young man. There is a reason for it," he replied.

"What is the reason?" I asked. To which he smiled.

I have already guessed there must be some reason for them to stretch out of their island, and the Archmage had just confirmed it, but he isn't willing to answer.

"It must be tremendous for you to let them attack the mainland?" I asked.

Wanting to get as much data about it as possible, but like before, the old man smiled.

Which itself is an answer.

"Enough of these questions. Let's talk about your legacy. It is quite interesting," he said, changing the question.

In the next few minutes, we talked about my legacy. He didn't ask any invasive questions, but each one of his questions was deep and made me think before answering.

Before I know it, half an hour is over.

"It was nice chatting to you, young man," he said. "It's kind of you to say that Archmage," I replied.

"As you might be aware, I give a gift to every new legacy master, but before I give you your gift, will you answer a query from this old man?" he asked.

"Anything, archmage," I replied, not promising.

"Will you be using that saber?" he asked, and again I was surprised by his insight.

"No," I replied after a moment of silence.

I had considered it, but I didn't think I'd make a suitable master. However, there is one person I have in mind who would be perfect for it—someone whose strength and resolve would truly honor the role.

The old man smiled and next moment. A rapier appeared in front of me.

It's beautiful.

It had a green blade that looked almost carved out of jade, with a beautiful illustration of flowers on it.

It had a black leather grip and a delicate brown loop guard.

All in all, it is a beautiful weapon and a very expensive one.

This rapier isn't just an enchanted weapon. It is above that. It's what we call a half-artifact. Though these weapons barely possess a fraction of the formers' power.

My sister has one. The family had paid a high price to get it.

"Thank you, Archmage," I thanked, taking the shiny new rapier into my hands.

It felt good.

He gives gifts to every new legacy master, but he rarely gives over such expensive gifts.

It might not be because of the attack. He had already seemed to pay them back for it and provided me with six months of breathing room. That is more than enough.

So, there must be another reason, but I didn't think about it too much instead, I focused on the shiny new thing in my hand.

...….

Top Floor, Archamage Tower.

"He does have potential," said the old man.

"There have been many with potential far greater than him across the ages, but they all ended buried in the earth," replied the younger-looking man dryly.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean we can't hope. That is what made us survive across the ages," said the man.

The younger-looking man didn't say anything to that other than smile.

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