Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe-Chapter 1630: Awkward Silence

Inside a quiet chamber of the royal palace, three figures sat around a stone table.

Tall arched windows opened to the outside, revealing the breathtaking vista of the Hanging Gardens of Acryon. Terraces of greenery cascaded down the palace walls like verdant waterfalls.

Under the night sky, the ghostly light of the twin moons bathed the Inner City in a pale silver glow. The night was calm. The distant sounds of the city drifted faintly through the open windows.

Adam sat on one side of the table, leaning back as he poured himself a cup of wine. Across from him sat Lucian, appearing relaxed yet attentive, while Old Ani occupied the seat beside the Emperor, her aged eyes observing the raven-haired youth.

"...What?" The side of Adam’s lips twitched. He couldn’t help but think that the elderly woman was judging him for whatever reason.

Old Ani shook her head. "How is it that you remain clear-headed despite drinking all the time?"

Adam laughed. "You can’t get a hangover if you don’t stop drinking."

Receiving no reactions from the two, he awkwardly cleared his throat. "Just kidding..."

Suddenly, the beauty of the night outside contrasted with the serious discussion about to unfold within the chamber.

"When do you leave?" Lucian asked in a solemn voice.

"Sunrise," said the Dark King. "We’ve already wasted too much time."

He downed the cup of wine, exhaling in satisfaction. "It has been more than half a year since I left Ravenfell. The bastards at the Cult should have already realized what I’m planning."

Adam paused for a moment as he poured himself another cup. "Well, not that it matters, anyway. Even if they see me coming, they won’t do anything about it."

Old Ani said in a grim voice. "Aren’t you worried about the Cult Leader himself?"

Adam waved his hand nonchalantly. "He won’t step onto the battlefield until the very end. He knows that, sooner or later, I’ll be coming to him."

He leaned back slightly, swirling the wine in his cup.

"Besides, sacrificing this world to the devils isn’t the only goal. He wants me as well."

Old Ani couldn’t help but frown. "This is something that’s been bothering me for the longest time."

She paused, her eyes flashing with a solemn light. "Why go so far to abduct you? If one of the two primary reasons to attack Ravenfell was capturing you... I truly cannot comprehend the logic behind it."

Lucian silently nodded, acknowledging her sentiment. From the public hearing, it was clear from Uther Bowman’s testimony that the Cult Leader gathered talented children from all across the world. As for the reason... that still remained unknown.

Adam’s eyes narrowed, his dark pupils gleaming with light.

"Ever wondered why the Cult Leader has been able to live for so long?" he asked, his tone cryptic.

"Keep in mind, he established the cult long before the Acadian Empire had been founded."

Old Ani and the Emperor remained silent for a long time, their expressions gradually darkening.

"You’ve heard of the rumors, haven’t you?" Adam added, his voice low.

"Don’t tell me..." Old Ani had a look of mild disbelief in her aged eyes, for she had already guessed as such.

"A lich," Lucian muttered in a low voice.

"As per my understanding," Adam began. "Lichs need vessels. I can only guess that the Cult Leader has deemed me a worthy vessel. Perhaps... the best vessel he can get his hands on. Heh, considered me flattered."

Of course, Adam didn’t disclose his true knowledge about lichdom, and the fact that he had already found Wagner’s phylactery, as well as the vessel — Bartholomew — that concealed it.

"Anyway," he changed the subject. "The Cult Leader won’t make an appearance until much later. He’ll let his minions do this bidding. You have to understand... it is for this very reason he has fostered so many Mana Core Magi under him—"

Suddenly, he paused. His eyes narrowed as he turned toward the door.

"Were you expecting someone?" He asked in a low voice.

Lucian and Old Ani exchanged slightly uneasy glances.

"Ah." Adam’s eyes narrowed further. "It’s him."

A few moments later, there was a knock on the door.

Lucian deeply looked at Adam’s expression. His gaze still glued on the youth, he muttered, "Enter."

The door to the chamber creaked open and...

Blackfire Balthazar entered.

He first glanced at Lucian and Old Ani. At last, he shifted his gaze to Adam, who was casually sipping on the wine and admiring the scenery outside.

Balthazar inhaled deeply and stepped forward. He was about to speak what he’d rehearsed so many times already, but suddenly...

"It’s fine."

Adam’s voice echoed in the chamber, catching all three by slight surprise.

The raven-haired youth finally turned to the man, who had been a constant source of his nightmares in his initial days of madness.

Adam’s dark eyes flickered with several emotions — hate, anger, confusion... understanding.

In the end, he sighed heavily.

"I understand why you did what you did," he said with a wry smile. "So it’s fine."

While Lucian and Old Ani were taken aback by Adam’s response, Balthazar couldn’t help but frown.

"What?" He murmured, perplexed.

Adam gestured to the chair beside him. "Take a seat."

He retrieved another cup from his storage artifact and poured the dazed Balthazar some wine.

"If I were in your shoes," Adam began. "I would have probably done the same. Perhaps, even worse. And more cruel. So I have no right to be mad at you, or even hate you, for that matter."

He extended his hand for a toast. As he looked into Blackfire’s stunned eyes, he said in a solemn voice:

"Although it’s going to take some time to truly forgive you, I won’t hold any resentment against you in my heart," he said.

"I know you were only doing what you thought was right. So, cheers, eh?"

"...Yes." Balthazar awkwardly raised the cup and clinked it with Adam’s.

The raven-haired youth laughed and downed the cup in one go. Meanwhile, Balthazar was still in a daze, perplexed by how differently things had unfolded from his expectations.

"Drink! Drink!" Adam urged the man as he poured himself another cup.

Suddenly, he thought of something and added, "Oh, by the way, it’s probably for the best if you don’t confront Valerian. He’s still a little child, and he’s more than a little upset about what you did. So if I were you, I’d steer clear from him."

There was a sudden awkward silence in the room.

Adam arched a brow as he scanned everyone’s face. Soon, he couldn’t help but frown a little.

"What... what’s the matter?"