The Dark Mage Of The Magus World-Chapter 55: The Riverside Town

As the Hellsteed reached the outpost, Hutson and his companions boarded one by one. Their journey would take them first to the Crimson Mountains, the easternmost border of Moonlight Woodland. Beyond that, the land was no longer under their dominion.

Stepping down from the carriage, Hutson gazed at the vast, unbroken stretch of crimson peaks ahead. The terrain was rugged, the rocks soft and dyed a deep red. Among the cliffs and ridges, fiery maple trees flourished, painting the landscape in a sea of scarlet every autumn.

The Hellsteed, having finished its journey, trotted over to a nearby trough, greedily pulling at the fresh grass before gulping down mouthfuls of water. Satiated, it stood in place, its hooves shifting restlessly as its dark eyes fixed upon the group.

Bessie stroked the creature’s head. "Go on, little one. We won’t need you for the next stretch."

As though understanding, the Hellsteed let out a low, rumbling whinny before turning away, its powerful frame pulling the empty carriage back the way it had come.

At the outpost, another carriage stood waiting—a simpler, sturdier wooden transport. The driver, a broad-shouldered young man, had been stationed there per Bessie’s prior arrangement.

"Let’s move quickly. If we keep a good pace, we’ll reach Riverside Town by nightfall and avoid sleeping under the open sky," Bessie said, flipping open the carriage curtain and stepping inside.

Hutson followed. The interior was spacious, its seats lined with plush cushions that made the journey bearable. Bessie, her long legs cramped against the limited space, shifted often, searching for a comfortable position.

Emma, seated beside her, spoke in hushed tones, sharing idle gossip—who among the third-tier wizard apprentices had traded their dignity for advancement, and which sordid affairs had unraveled in the shadows of the arcane halls.

Hutson and Locke, however, remained silent. The moment Locke entered, he closed his eyes, sinking into a quiet meditation. Hutson, on the other hand, pulled back the curtain and secured it, his gaze locked onto the ever-changing landscape.

This was his first time beyond Moonlight Woodland.

Outside, the forest stretched endlessly. At first, there were no signs of life, only the wind rustling through the towering maples. But after two hours of travel, silhouettes began to emerge—woodcutters swinging their axes, crude wooden cabins scattered between the trees, likely serving as rest stops for hunters and loggers.

As another half-hour passed, the maple groves receded behind them, giving way to a new landscape. Their destination was Thousand-Needle Stone Forest, where the elusive Stone Giants dwelled. The journey would take three days, with their first stop at Riverside Town.

Hutson let the curtain fall and, like Locke, closed his eyes in meditation.

After five long hours, the carriage slowed.

"We’ve arrived." The driver pulled back the curtain, his tone respectful.

Stepping out, Hutson found himself in a tranquil town. The sky had dimmed to twilight, and only a handful of figures moved through the streets, lending the settlement an air of hushed solitude. A broad river sliced through the town, its waters murmuring softly against the stone embankments.

"The Riverside Inn."

Following Bessie’s lead, they approached an inn with two lanterns swaying at its entrance, their warm yellow glow flickering against the wooden beams.

"I’ve arranged your rooms upstairs," the driver—who was also the innkeeper—announced. "Tonight, the upper floor is reserved just for you."

The ground floor housed a spacious tavern, its tables scattered with weary travelers. Some were locals, while others—swords at their sides—were adventurers stopping for rest and ale.

The moment Hutson and his companions stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. Every gaze snapped toward them, and a hush fell over the room. Fear flickered across the faces of the townsfolk. The moment they noticed the long robes draped over the newcomers, their expressions twisted into something closer to terror.

Heads bowed. Conversations ceased. Even the air felt heavier.

By the fireplace, a burly, bearded man struggled to steady his breath, his chest rising and falling in shallow gasps, as though even breathing too loudly might invite catastrophe.

"They seem afraid of us," Hutson murmured as they ascended the stairs.

Bessie glanced back, a wry smile on her lips. "That’s to be expected. This town is close to a wizarding stronghold. They’ve heard the stories. The farther we travel, the fewer people will even know wizards exist."

Later that evening, when they returned downstairs for supper, the tavern was empty.

"Where is everyone?" Hutson asked.

The innkeeper bowed deeply, his face plastered with an obsequious grin. "They’ve all left, my lords. Even those with rooms checked out. They feared disturbing your rest."

Two days later, Hutson and his companions reached Thousand-Needle Stone Forest on horseback.

The landscape was unlike anything Hutson had seen before—a vast sunken valley, its depths filled with towering stone spires. Each pillar of rock rose hundreds of meters into the sky, their jagged silhouettes casting eerie shadows across the barren earth.

Vegetation was scarce; only dry, cracked soil and skeletal shrubs clung to the land. When the wind picked up, it carried with it swirls of dust, veiling the forest in a golden haze.

Locke, leading the group, spoke without turning. "Stay alert. This is neutral ground—unclaimed territory. We could encounter wizards from any faction. If we run into Green Lodge operatives, we must exercise extreme caution."

Hutson kept his senses sharp, monitoring the environment with his Ai chip arcane sight. So far, there was nothing unusual.

Locke held an enchanted hourglass in his palm. Every time they advanced a certain distance, the sand within would shift on its own, prompting him to adjust their direction.

The Thousand-Needle Stone Forest was vast and deceptively uniform, making it dangerously easy to lose one’s way. Stone Giants, their prey, usually lurked in the deepest parts of the forest. Some buried themselves beneath the earth, waiting motionless for days.

Locke’s hourglass, however, seemed attuned to the creatures’ presence, guiding them through the labyrinth of stone.

Hutson could have easily used his arcane vision to pinpoint the Stone Giants’ locations. But that was a secret he intended to keep.

Their hunt had only just begun.

In Hutson’s mind, the map of the Thousand-Needle Stone Forest was gradually forming, like ink spreading over parchment. A single red line traced their path, marking every turn and step taken since they had entered this labyrinth of towering rock.

One Hour Later...

Locke abruptly halted. His grip on the enchanted hourglass tightened as the sand inside suddenly spun into a frenzy, flipping over at unnatural speed.

"We’ve found it. It’s close. Stay sharp." His voice was low, controlled.

With a swift motion, he tucked the hourglass away and closed his eyes. A pulse of arcane energy emanated from his body, spreading like ripples in still water, scanning the terrain with an invisible force.

Hutson could feel it—a powerful, sweeping magic detection spell fanning out in all directions.

"Magic perception... and on this scale?" Hutson estimated its range. Seventy meters. No—eighty. Impressive.

As Locke expanded his reach, the group instinctively slowed their pace, moving with caution, like hunters circling unseen prey.

And then Hutson sensed it.

Two hundred meters ahead. Behind a massive stone pillar. Something vast lay beneath the earth. Motionless. Dormant. A slumbering giant fused with the stone itself.

A Stone Giant.

Hutson did not speak, nor did he break his steady advance. But he was ready to withdraw at a moment’s notice.

Locke’s magic perception had almost reached its limit—but not quite. He was still a step away from detecting the hidden behemoth lurking beneath the surface.

A few heartbeats later, Locke’s expression darkened. He stopped, his hand rising to point forward.

"There." His voice was firm, unwavering. "Behind that stone pillar. Buried underground."

Bessie turned to Hutson, her gaze sharp.

"Find a place to stay hidden. Once we’re done here, regroup with us. Keep yourself safe."

Hutson nodded. "Got it. Go."

As the others moved forward, Hutson slipped into the shadows, his presence swallowed by the ancient maze of towering stone.

The hunt had begun.