The Different and the Same
This could also indirectly prove that the World of Knowledge was real, that the guess linking this city to the World of Knowledge was correct, and that his seven magic stones had not been spent for nothing.
For now, that was all Luge could tell himself. Perhaps the World of Knowledge was even more terrifying than described, so terrifying that the wizard lords did not dare enter that city or even appear near here. Or perhaps the things inside the city had become outdated; the wizards had more discoveries and achievements now, and it was not worth risking anything for what was there.
But if it really was because of the World of Knowledge, then among these apprentice wizards, he should count as the most ignorant, shouldn't he? Wouldn't that make him the safest? Perhaps only those few young wild wizards could barely rival him in ignorance.
Luge was full of confidence in his own ignorance. His rank as an apprentice wizard was low, and he had long been cooped up in this kobold den; his experience was pitifully small—so pitiful that it made him confident all over again.
Everyone was watching the illusory city in the distance.
A thought stirred in him. He turned and scanned the area, looking for any trace of Half-Man.
Suddenly the crowd let out a cry of surprise. When he turned back, he could clearly see that the nameless strange city had grown a size larger.
Luge watched the city with everyone else, several guesses about it echoing in his mind. Based on what she knew from their earlier conversation, the elf leaned toward the idea that it was an alchemical device made by a wizard—or even a combination of the last two hypotheses in that exposé booklet: that it was also a special form of a city of deathlessness, and that all these arrangements were meant to draw in that answer.
He did not know whether the powerful wizard had succeeded. If he had, he must now be an immensely formidable figure. If he had not, he might long ago have vanished into the river of history.
He blinked. If Half-Man did not appear, then he was really no different from those wild wizards—just here to join the excitement. As for that so-called task of Wizard Niteli, he had no idea what it actually was. He only knew that the first step was to capture the little chrysalis worm-person and bring it back; if capturing it failed, they would move to the second step. Now it seemed the second step might be to enter the city.
His agreement with Half-Man was pure dragon blood. So he understood that Half-Man had brought him here; after entering the city, Half-Man would probably help him obtain something similar.
He looked at the people around him and decided that if they really could enter the city soon, he would follow those apprentice wizards who had accepted Wizard Niteli's commission. First he would watch how they acted and whether there was anything to watch out for; those wild wizards surely knew very little.
Suddenly, a fire bolt streaked through the darkness.
He could not tell who had made the move.
It was a speed Luge had never seen before—several times faster than the fire bolts unleashed by his Fire Bolt spell.
The fire bolt shot straight into the air, not at the illusory city, and a small figure was forced into the open.
The little crybaby worm-person?
Luge felt a gust of wind rise beside him. Baonte had already launched himself from the ground and shot out onto the open ground before the lizardfolk camp.
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, Baonte, in front of everyone, smashed his fist into the middle of the open ground, leaving a huge crater.
The scene, which had just begun to grow noisy, fell silent for a moment.
Seizing the chance, the little chrysalis worm-person had once again slipped into the darkness.
Space rippled, and Mystery City grew larger once more.
"Baonte, we are completing Wizard Niteli's task."
Someone stepped forward and said so. No sooner had the words left his mouth than several others stepped forward as well.
At the same time, some apprentice wizards Luge had never seen before took Baonte's side.
"Do you really think the illusory city is so easy to enter? Look around here—not a single formal wizard has appeared."
"Completing Wizard Niteli's commission and exchanging it for the reward is the wise choice."
From time to time someone echoed agreement. People spoke one after another, but more were simply watching the commotion—each had their own stance, yet no one was eager to step forward and declare it.
As for Baonte, he seemed not to care in the least about being seen as the one sticking his neck out. After blocking the way before the crowd and smashing out that crater, he simply stood there in silence.
As for Luge, he wanted to go into the illusory city for a look. A stroll around to broaden his horizons would be delightful.
"The most valuable reward can be claimed by three people. We can give you one share. As for the remaining two spots, we can wait until we catch the little chrysalis worm-person together, then decide which two of us are strongest to complete Wizard Niteli's task."
Even as he spoke, the illusory city grew larger again, and the scene inside could already be faintly seen.
Luge turned his head. He could not see through the little crybaby worm-person's hiding ability; the creature showed no wings, yet it could fly through the darkness. If this group kept tangling with it a while longer, the stew would probably get cold.
Interestingly, the fire man really was still simmering his stew, and he showed no intention whatsoever of interfering with Baonte.
"Trouble."
Baonte suddenly spoke.
"A ruin full of treasure is right before us, and by luck no formal wizard is present, yet you want to give it up," Baonte said in a deep voice. "Since Wizard Niteli has offered an option for what to do after failing to capture the worm-person, that proves apprentice wizards can survive inside the city. I believe you are unworthy to walk the path of transcendence."
Luge wanted to nod vigorously from the side. Those wild wizards probably were glad to see this scene too; they could not complete any task anyway. After hearing the news and coming here, they all wanted to enter Mystery City, and any wild wizard apprentice who could come here must be a person of great courage.
As for this so-called great courage, in Luge's view, there were two kinds, and one of them was having no other choice. That was exactly the true portrayal of many wild wizard apprentices.
Apprentice wizards with good lineages and access to more resources, by contrast, lacked this kind of great courage, because they had more choices. The road ahead might still be hard, but it could not be compared with the plight of wild wizards.
"Has Kaliu been using spells to toy with you again? Do you want us to help him kick your butt?"
A teasing voice came from within the crowd.
It was that mocking apprentice Luge had seen before, the one followed by heavy-armored guards. The apprentice's robe seemed understated at first glance, but was in fact extremely ornate. When Luge saw him this time, he was also holding a gnarled wooden staff. Its top was inlaid with a large black crystal—obviously a valuable item.
Luge's small head turned back and forth as he watched the two men's expressions change.
The fact that he could say the name Kaliu showed that he was an old acquaintance of Baonte. And the moment he appeared, the surrounding apprentice wizards quieted down.
Whoosh! Another Fire Bolt!
This time the fire bolt was faster, with two spiraling threads of fire running along either side, like a pair of tails.
Crack! The little chrysalis worm-person was once again precisely forced out of hiding. It really had still been sneaking toward the illusory city. Immediately afterward, a black claw materialized out of thin air, seized the revealed little crybaby worm-person in one grasp, and trapped it in place.
Chapter 70