Chương 557: Chapter 556: Archmage City

"Irington," I said as I looked at the city coming closer. It is one of the unique cities in the continent and even the world, as it is between two kingdoms. Half is in the Kingdom of Rasal, and the other half is in the Kingdom of Ilazad. It is also a city without city walls. We will enter from the Rasal side and exit from Ilazad. On the other side, we will reach Lake Valefrost, a massive lake. Archmage City isn't a city you approach by land. It is on an island in the middle of the lake.

Lake Valefrost is the largest lake on the continent, and its origins are even more remarkable—it didn't form naturally. Instead, it was created during the continent's most catastrophic battle in the last incursion. This violent clash caused the land to shift and the lake to form, and as a result, the water remains perpetually near freezing, no matter the season. Soon, we reached the wallless city, and it was beautiful. It is larger than Inam and more prosperous.

The city does not have walls, but it does have checkpoints—unlike others. They didn't stop us, quickly allowing our carriage to move forward. We move along the main road. If what I read is correct, then we don't need to take any turns to reach our destination. This road will lead us straight toward the lake. The carriage moved fast through the great avenue while I admired the beautiful city, which looked even more captivating on this starry night.

If I hadn't felt the urgency to reach Archmage City, I would have slowed down to enjoy the city more. Soon, we crossed the city's internal dividing boundary. Although clearly marked, there were no checkpoints or restrictions as we entered the Ilazad side. I could now see the lake. It was blurry to me, but I could see it. As my spirit and body heal, my passive skills strengthen with each passing day. Still, I wish the recovery could be faster. That said, I'm fortunate to recover as quickly as I am.

If someone else with my level and classes had been in my position, it would have taken them a month. The legacy is influencing my recovery, and if I had been entirely in its embrace, my healing would have been even faster. Legacies are truly powerful—far beyond what most can comprehend. They don't just absorb the emotions that people radiate; they can shape reality itself, influencing the very fabric of existence. This weakness will make things difficult in Archmage City, but I must endure it.

Soon, our carriage reached the gate of the port, and it was crowded.

"It's crowded, even at this time of night," Eva said, gazing at the bustling port. People are everywhere, and it's nearly midnight. This isn't surprising, given that the continental synod is the biggest gathering on the continent. This is why most people we could see were well-dressed and looked wealthy, with many of them radiating power. It is the same with the ships. Most of them that are anchored are stunningly beautiful as they navigate the crowded port. A new ship docks immediately as one leaves.

Everything unfolds with precise efficiency, with each movement and task flowing seamlessly into the next. Our carriage didn't stop where others were required to. It continued moving, and thousands of eyes turned toward it. This is a privilege most nobles never experience, one I'm granted because of my legacy. After all, this synod is for the legacies. The carriage stopped in front of the most captivating yacht on the pier.

Its sleek, gleaming hull shimmered under the moonlight, reflecting a spectrum of colors as it rocked gently in the water. Elegant, intricate carvings adorned its sides, showcasing master craftsmanship. The flag of the Velvet Garden fluttered proudly, its rich colors standing out against the evening sky." The carriage door opened, and I got out on my own, but I sat down in a wheelchair as there was some distance to the ship, and I would rather not walk.

People's eyes turned toward me, and I met them as Jill pushed me toward the yacht. Soon, we reached the vessel, and Jill pushed me onboard it. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Welcome to the Syrvin, Lord Silver," greeted the middle-aged elf.

"Thank you, Captain," I replied.

"Everything has been prepared for you, my lord. If you wish, you can rest in your suite," he said. There is no need. I want to watch from the deck," I said, looking at the beautiful view of the vast lake.

"As you wish, my lord. The ship will sail after we perform the last checks," he informed.

"Thank you, captain," I said. The man smiled and walked away while I drank in the enchanting view.

"It would have been much easier. If there had been the road," said Eva, and I couldn't help but nod. Sometimes, they craft a magical road stretching across the lake to the city—a breathtaking sight that occurs only a few times each century. Yet, this time, they haven't done it. As Eva had said, the road would have made travel easier. We would have been able to ride to Archmage City directly. A form approached me; as I was talking with Eva, my sister appeared beside me.

Seeing her expression, Eva smiled and walked away.

"A tide is rising, and this one feels immense," she said, her gaze locking with mine.

"Lord Blackwell may have delayed it, but it will come."

"I heard," I had been informed earlier.

"I am hoping you might spare a few battalions," she said, her tone steady while her eyes shifted—not pleading, but betraying a flicker of urgency, perhaps even something deeper. They had been asking for support for quite a while, and I always resisted, but now I felt my resistance weaken. She had fought for me. Her men died protecting me. If she hadn't been with me, the result of the ambush would have been entirely different. Finally, I stated, "One battalion and a few mercenaries."

I thought she would push for more since she asked for a few while I provided only one. She didn't. Instead, she smiled.

"Thank you," she replied and walked away toward Baron Husk. Hun! I turned back to the beautiful pier when suddenly, I noticed someone sitting in a glass waiting room, and he seemed to be looking at me.

"Is that Ethan?" I asked Zela. Immediately, her staff lit up.

"Yes," she affirmed.

"Ask him to come," I said. Lola had told me he was coming to Archmage City, which isn't surprising, given their type of business. Soon, I saw him getting up and coming out of the waiting room. He wasn't alone; there were three more people beside him: a woman and two men. Soon, they appeared near the yacht ramp before entering. When Ethan saw me, a surprise appeared in his eyes.

"Lord Silver," he greeted with three people beside him.

'The man on the left is Cannis Ashav, and the woman in the middle is Erna Ashav; they are Mr. Ethan's parents. The man on the right is Julius Ashav, Mr. Ethan's uncle,' informed Jill telepathically.

"Ethan, I thought. You would have already been in the city," I said. A merchant, him, should have already been there. They like to prepare, and I am sure they had their every hour booked.

"We would have, but something came up," He replied. I nodded and turned to the people beside him. He introduced me to them as they were the ones Jill had said.

"If you don't mind me asking, my lord. What happened to you?" asked Ethan, scrutinizing the wheelchair and my appearance.

"A small hiccup during the journey," I replied with a relaxed smile. It's clear that he wants to ask more, but he understands when to press and when not to.

"If there is some time before your yacht arrives, you can travel with us to Archmage City," I offered. The yacht is big enough, and the journey is short.

"Thank you, Lord Silver. We appreciate it," replied the senior Ashav. A minute later, the yacht began to move. We will take less than two hours to reach the Archmage City. I am excited. It is why, despite feeling sleepy, I am not resting. I want to see the most fantastic city on the continent with my own eyes. I felt the cold across my body. Thanks to the water, it was shivering cold, but it felt good. Jill would bring me a blanket if needed.

A faint mist rose, making the yachts sailing on it look even more beautiful as they drifted through it under the stars. There are a lot of yachts around us—hundreds of them, maybe even thousands. Many are massive. The superyachts. Archmage City is a playground of the rich. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, ranking in the top three. Its heart is the most potent legacy behind the Titans. Some even say it has the power of a titan. Considering it is a magic tower.

The more I think about it, the more my excitement builds. It bubbles up inside me and ignites a restless energy, making me eager not to miss a single moment. An hour passed, and I began to see a cluster of lights. Every minute, they got brighter and wider until the buildings started to take shape and soon, the whole city came into view.

"Beneath the stars where magic swells, A city thrives on whispered spells. Its towers gleam with arcane light, A haven born of mistful might." The words hung in the air like an enchantment, resonating with a power that drew every ear. It was none other than the old man, Ravill, his voice commanding attention as he recited the famous poem of the Archmage City—a timeless tribute to its mystical grandeur. It is an apt poem to describe the marvel revealing itself in front of me.

The Archmage City sprawls across the island. A breathtaking metropolis where magic fuels life itself. Its skyline is dominated by colossal towers that pierce the heavens, their heights vanishing into ethereal clouds. These skyscraping edifices are more than mere magic towers. They are the last walls of the continents' defense and stand against the incursion armies. There are over a hundred magic towers, but one is acknowledged as the greatest of them. It is not the most enormous magic tower in the city.

It is slightly over a hundred stories tall. There are magic towers that are more than twice its height. It was not the most beautiful tower; most towers looked more beautiful than it, but it was magnificent. When one looks at it, everything feels pale. The magic tower is simple and made of reddish stones but covered in a swirling mist. Even from a distance, the mist of my legacy seems pale in front of it. There is a feeling coming from it, which feels like a warm blanket on a cold night.

One looked at it and would feel everything would be all right. That tower stands as the greatest defense of the continent. It has withstood countless incursions, remaining steadfast and unyielding while everything around it was reduced to dust.