Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 120

Even the sky seemed to mirror our troubled hearts.

‘The weather is quite gloomy.’

Suddenly, a swarm of dark clouds gathered, filling the night sky and obscuring even the moonlight.

We relied on small light spells as we hurried along, heading to the place of the final battle with our companions.

We had no choice but to travel on foot, as using a carriage or a portal could leave traces that could be tracked later.

‘We should be arriving soon.’

Had we been moving along the barren dirt road for about five hours?

‘We’re almost at the Schwanihell Canyon,’ Angel announced, gesturing towards a steep cliff that awaited us at the end of the dirt road.

It resembled the rugged wasteland of the Zairo Mountains’ first section. However, this time, we were looking down from the canyon’s edge.

‘There’s no better place for an ambush.’

The scene directly below confirmed my thoughts.

[The road is narrow and blocked on both sides. Perfect. You’ve picked the perfect spot.]

‘Thanks to Horizo.’

Thanks to the information Horizo had risked his life to provide—the intelligence that they would be moving through the Guide’s Road to the underground prison.

The Guide’s Road stretched from the Magic Tower to the Imperial Palace. Among its stretches, the Schwanihell Canyon offered the most suitable terrain for a surprise attack.

[But why don’t they transport the criminals by portal?]

‘Portals can only move one person at a time, so there’s a risk of escape.’

[Hmm.]

‘Besides, there are no portals in the Imperial underground prison anyway.’

A prison facility designed to be inescapable wouldn’t have a portal installed.

[I guess transporting them armed is the best option.]

After scanning the Schwanihell Canyon, I turned to my companions.

‘I’m truly blessed.’

Why did the people around me seem so extraordinary at this moment? These people, whose mere presence filled me with warmth and resolve.

‘Thank you all for helping me.’

Carles, nearly a 9-star knight, Angel, an 8-star mage, and Aries, skilled in black magic.

Even facing the daunting task of confronting the mages of the Magic Tower, these individuals made me feel secure.

‘Ah, I don’t want to get involved!’ Aries grumbled, seemingly without cause.

‘Please, Aries,’ Admun pleaded, bowing politely.

‘I, if you say so! Trust your big sister!’

However, one being was displeased by this display.

[Big sister, my ass. You old hag.] Oberon clicked his tongue.

‘Leave her be. She’s just trying to get attention.’

I was slowly beginning to understand Aries’ personality.

‘Prophet, you’ve arrived. We’ve finished our preparations as well,’ a voice announced as a group of about thirty people approached. Executives from the Circle of Reason and some members had joined the operation.

[They’ve got the same clothes as you guys.]

These people wore black robes and silver masks, all dressed alike.

‘That’s right. That’s the key to this operation.’

We were also wearing the same attire. As a student of the Magic Tower, and with the Circle of Reason involved, we couldn’t risk our identities being exposed.

‘Thank you. Thank you all for gathering here.’

‘No, it’s nothing…!’ The man at the forefront bowed his head. I patted his shoulder.

‘Is your injury fully healed?’

A voice leaked out through the gap in the mask.

‘D, do you recognize me?’ His voice trembled slightly.

‘Of course. Aren’t you Jurant?’

‘Hup! How did you recognize me even with my face covered! T, thank you! I’m fine thanks to your concern!’ Jurant lifted his mask, revealing his face, his eyes filled with emotion. It was a familiar expression now.

[The Circle of Reason guys are so happy to get your attention.]

They looked moved just by having a conversation with me.

‘That means they follow me well.’

There was nothing bad about that.

[Seriously. Even so, is it such a big deal to be happy just because someone recognized you? What’s the big deal?]

Oberon dismissed it, but skilled knights like him and I could identify someone by their gait.

It wasn’t difficult for us, who had focused on body movements our entire lives. Even with a mask, we could easily recognize them.

‘Yes. Thanks to you, we were able to avoid a crisis last time. Thank you. May the grace of Angelos [a deity or divine figure] be with you.’

‘I, I will serve you for life. Loyalty!’ Jurant stuttered, overcome with emotion. Envious gazes seemed to emanate from behind the masks of those lined up behind him.

‘Is everyone ready?’ A resounding voice echoed over the desolate canyon before dawn.

‘Yes!’ The members of the Circle of Reason shouted, as if wanting to make eye contact with me.

‘The Magic Tower is not to be taken lightly. You all know that, right?’

‘Yes!’

My voice continued to carry on the canyon wind.

‘But don’t worry too much! There is no one who can stop you, who are fully prepared. Even if the target is the Magic Tower!’

These people each carried their own burdens. None had lived easy lives. They had joined the Circle of Reason because of the discrimination they faced in the world.

The message I was delivering would resonate with them even more.

‘Trust yourselves. You are better than anyone else.’

‘Yes!’

Soon, the forces of the Magic Tower and Ailen would pass by. We solidified our resolve above the desolate canyon.

* * *

Doo-doo-doo-doo!

The sound echoed through the quiet canyon. The powerful hooves of horses thundered, shaking the ground.

‘…They’re coming.’

Not only Angel, but everyone’s eyes were fixed on the approaching figures, raising clouds of sand.

‘Get ready.’

It was the mages of the Magic Tower transporting the powerful criminals.

‘There are more of them than I thought.’

About fifty mages rode horses, surrounding a large iron cage.

I hadn’t received any information about the number of people being transported from Horizo. More people had been mobilized than expected.

[Good thing we listened to Angel.]

‘You’re telling me.’

Originally, I was only going to bring Carles, Angel, and Aries. But Angel had gathered the members of the Circle of Reason, saying we might need them.

‘They’re escorting them more carefully than I thought.’

[At least they’ll be able to subdue them even if the prisoners break free.]

They were powerful criminals, so the Magic Tower had taken considerable care.

‘It was good to call the kids.’

‘It’s nothing. I just called them in case. Actually, even without the Circle of Reason kids, Carles would be able to wipe them all out.’

That was true. Unless the Magic Tower Lord was among the transport personnel, no one would be able to stop Carles.

‘Ahem! Of course!’

If he was determined and unleashed the Trident [likely a powerful weapon], he would be unstoppable even against a hundred opponents.

‘But that would leave too many traces. Our operation is to handle it as quietly as possible.’

It had been a thousand years since the beastmen had shut themselves in their territories. The world couldn’t gauge the extent of their power. They were merely seen as goods to be traded as slaves.

It was too early to reveal Carles’ power to the world.

‘You’re right. Even if we annihilate them, this incident will definitely leak to the Magic Tower.’

‘Yeah. They’ll activate the emergency contact system as soon as we attack.’

They were first-class mages belonging to the Magic Tower, using real-time communication magic with the Magic Tower for the escort.

[If we touch them, the Magic Tower will notice immediately.]

Like the Magic Tower siren from before, it would be immediately transmitted to the Magic Tower.

‘That’s why it’s even more important to hide our identities.’

That was the reason for wearing black clothes and silver masks. It wasn’t about winning the fight, but about avoiding the eyes of the Magic Tower, who would be tracking this incident. We must never leave any traces.

We waited silently for them to approach. As they reached the canyon, the mages gradually began to slow down.

‘Admun, how is it? Can you see her?’

Their faces were finally becoming visible. However, my gaze was drawn to the inside of the iron cage.

Inside the cage, about 10 meters wide and long, were ten criminals, all with their hands and feet bound to the iron bars.

‘Hmm…’

Admun couldn’t take his eyes off the cage. Soon after, he nodded.

‘…I think so. No, I’m sure.’

Even though they were still quite far away.

‘The girl on the right is my sister.’

Admun was convinced it was Ailen just by looking at her silhouette. Because she was his beloved family, he could never forget her, no matter how many years had passed.

‘…Okay. Let’s make sure we get her back.’

Admun clenched his fists.

‘Yes. I understand.’

He no longer showed a weak side, just glared at the mages of the Magic Tower.

‘Uh…?’

My brow furrowed as I examined the other criminals.

[They’re there too.]

Horizo and Liu. They had also been branded as heinous criminals and were in the same situation as Ailen.

‘They’re my children.’

Angel had also found the two people tied up in the iron cage.

‘It’s even better. We’ll rescue them all this time.’

‘I understand.’

Angel narrowed his eyes as he examined the faces of the mages. His brow furrowed slightly.

‘However, it seems they’ve formed a stronger escort than I thought.’

‘Why?’

‘Do you see the man sitting in front of the iron cage?’

Where his fingertip pointed, a man was sitting on a chair in front of the iron cage where the prisoners were being held.

‘That guy is…’

Only then did that figure draw my attention.

[Hmm. I guess they were a little worried about the powerful criminals.]

Oberon and I were familiar with his appearance. His bright red hair clearly revealed his presence.

‘The Blood Lord.’

He was a figure in the photos I had seen countless times in the Magic Tower. The Magic Tower had photos of mages of 8 stars or higher posted here and there, calling it the Hall of Fame or something.

‘Yes. I think so.’

Angel nodded. There was a reason why his brow was furrowed.

‘Of all people, that guy is in charge.’

He was said to be the right-hand man of the current Magic Tower Lord. Although he had not yet reached the rank of 9 stars, he was expected to reach the realm of Archmage soon.

‘This is going to be troublesome.’

He was said to be second to none, even among 9-star mages, when it came to fire-attribute attack magic.

‘…What should we do?’

‘Does the Blood Lord seem burdensome to the Prophet as well? What will you do? Will you wait for the next opportunity?’

Along with Angel’s question, dozens of eyes were fixed on me. I twitched my eyebrows as I scanned the people waiting for my answer.

‘What are you talking about, next time?’

‘I was worried about what to do because you were worried…’

‘Ah, that was about the Magic Tower Lord. Because his right-hand man is going to be blown away today.’

‘Yes?’

I smiled and gestured to my companions.

‘Let’s go. Let’s go get our new family members.’