Chapter 85
vin continued his journey at dawn, steering clear of any Magi-Monsters and hunting parties he
could avoid, as well as the asional bands of mercenaries he spotted. He pressed on through the
forest, adjusting to its wild environment with every step.
Two dayster, he crossed the region known as Griffin''s Roost, plunging into the denser and more
perilous depths of the woods, and making his way toward the Azure Mountain.
The further he traveled, the greater the dangers became, including encounters with bizarre Magi-
Monsters.
He stumbled upon a mystical white stag, which vanished into the thickets with a fleeting grace; he
ran from a towering giant, rampaging through the ancient mountains; at night, he witnessed a group
of ck apes worshiping the moon and practicing their mystical arts. He even saw wondrous beasts
conjuring storms over rivers.
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Amidst these perils, vin persevered, adapting to the forest''s harsh way of life.
On the eighth day of the grand hunting festival, he finally arrived at Azure Mountain!
This was a range of hills in the northeastern part of the Cloudveil Woods, and also a sprawling
mining district stretching over miles.
There were five major mines, that annually supplied the Cobalt Strike with an astonishing amount of
magical ore. Some were used for the training of Cobalt Strike Protégés, while others were traded for
precious Elixir Herbs or potions with the outside world.
Before vin even approached Azure Mountain, he could feel the bustling atmosphere from the
mines. Over two hundred thousandborers worked day and night, providing Cobalt Strike with
abundant resources. They were all people of Stormcast, who once lived in bliss andfort, and
were now reduced to mine vesboring in this secluded mining district due to an ident years
ago.
Eight years! It had been eight years!
vin stood atop a hill, gazing silently, suddenly fearful of approaching, unwilling and afraid to
witness the tragic scene.
What exactly had happened eight years ago? vin himself was still unclear.
"Because the tribute Stormcast sent to Cobalt Strike was stolen, it brought about the Grand Elder''s
wrathful punishment," was Lucan''s initial exnation to him, yet now it seemed far too simple.
Climbing to a nearby peak, vin hid amongst the treetops, waiting for nightfall, ever-vignt for the
dangers that could emerge at any moment. The forests around the mine swarmed with Magi-
Monsters and were roamed by mercenary bands eager for precious magical ore. asionally, they
would brazenly assault the mines or ambush the caravans transporting the ore.
Thus, Azure Mountain had its own guard, part of which consisted of Cobalt Strike Protégés, and the
other part was a private guard assembled by Lucan himself, chosen from the town''s Mages.
Lucan''s guard had low status and a burdensome duty: to protect the suffering people while
patrolling the outskirts and facing threats from Magi-Monsters and bandits alike.
At the dead of the night, timing his move, vin left the mountaintop and cautiously approached the
mining district. He had never been here, but the map Carlys provided detailed theyout of the
mines.
To the east of the district stood avish manor, the residence of the presiding Elder and the main
storehouse for the ore mine, heavily guarded by at least a hundred Cobalt Strike Protégés and
ferocious Magi-Monsters transferred from Cobalt Strike.
vin''s destination was a small courtyard beside the manor, marked on the map as the dwelling of
the Mallister family.
Carlys'' map was both detailed and meticulous, listing the guard patrols and their schedules.
vin stealthily infiltrated the mining district, avoiding all contact and drawing near to the courtyard
by the manor.
The ce was more rudimentary than he imagined, with homes made of stone and wood, tightly
packed and eerily quiet, with no lights visible. Perhaps everyone was asleep, or maybe there was
no one at all.
Scaling the wall, vin stood in the shadows, looking at the dark courtyard, uncertain of what to do.
He thought of the grandeur of the lord''s manor from years past, and now, this dpidated courtyard
filled him with destion. He knew his family had suffered these years, but standing here made it all
the more painful.
Where was his uncle? His aunt? Was his sister there? And the other cousins, his kin...
Should he wake them up? vin''s hands tightened and loosened in his angst.
Suddenly, urgent footsteps approached from outside. "Have they returned?" vin quickly
straightened his clothes, calmed his emotions, and tried to muster a smile.
Bang! The courtyard gate was rudely thrust open, and a group of people carrying torches entered.
"Oda! Oda! Get up!"
"Lazy as fuck. You sleep before midnight?"
"The young lord wants you to join him for a drink. Make it quick."
A man shouted loudly while those following him pounded on the walls and nked their weapons.
They wore finely embroidered robes and bore the insignia of Cobalt Strike. Their demeanor was
aggressive and arrogant.
Candles were lit inside the stone houses as people groggily opened their doors. Each dwelling was
small, yet housed over a dozen people. They were all women, from children to the elderly, staring at
the Cobalt Strike Protégés with both fear and anger.