Chapter 834: Independent World
Leon glanced around, referencing the layouts of the Black Tower and Cloudspire Fortress. He quickly spotted several flaws in Inferno Fortress. In comparison, quite a few of these weaknesses could be exploited—if attacked again, they might prove fatal.
Leon was absorbed in his observations when a raspy, unpleasant voice suddenly rang out beside him.
"Well, if it isn't Archmage Leon of the Merlin Family? What brings you to Stormhold Fortress? Has the Merlin Family run out of people?"
Leon frowned slightly and glanced back, spotting a pale-skinned man in his thirties, wearing a cold sneer.
Ignoring the man in luxurious mage robes, Leon turned back to continue surveying Stormhold Fortress.
Leon’s indifference instantly infuriated Cassius Charlotte.
Damn it, I actually ran into Archmage Leon here. He’s quick, I’ll give him that—already made it to the Blazeforge Realm. A discarded Merlin Family outcast dares provoke the Charlotte Family, and when I speak to him, he doesn’t even bother to respond.
Cassius Charlotte’s expression turned cold. He’d spent years traveling, and when he finally returned to the Charlotte Family, he’d heard vague rumors: apparently, some guy named Archmage Leon from the Merlin Family dared to oppose them—and even killed a few of their people.
But Cassius didn’t know the details. He only remembered the name, even checked the portrait once, but didn’t care much at the time. Just an Archmage—if he ever ran into him, he’d kill him without a second thought.
Besides, without any proof, could the Merlin Family really go to war with the Charlotte Family? The Merlin Family may be showing signs of resurgence, but the Charlotte Family isn’t just anyone’s punching bag.
As one of the family’s key protégés, Cassius Charlotte looked down on the Merlin Family—especially on a mage who, as rumor had it, only returned because the Merlin Family coveted his wealth.
Now, this damn guy actually dared to ignore him. Unacceptable. Cassius had just been pondering how Archmage Leon had somehow broken through to Title Archmage. Did he really think advancing to Title Archmage meant he could disregard Cassius Charlotte?
"Archmage Leon, do you really think you can be arrogant just because you got lucky and advanced to Title Archmage? I’m talking to you! Hmph, I was willing to let you apologize to the Charlotte Family in front of everyone here at Stormhold Fortress. But now, it looks like you need to be taught a lesson."
Cassius Charlotte lifted his chin, his pale face full of pride—like a magnanimous adult forgiving a misbehaving child.
Not far away, Councilor Weiss and Seth had already noticed what was happening, watching Cassius Charlotte with schadenfreude.
"That kid seems to be from the Charlotte Family…"
"Yeah, the Charlotte Family really has fallen. Can’t even tell who’s safe to provoke and who isn’t?"
"He’s got talent, I’ll give him that—barely in his thirties and already a Fifth-Rank Title Archmage. One of the best in the Charlotte Family, but his brains seem a bit lacking."
"Apparently Archmage Leon had some conflict with the Charlotte Family before, but I don’t know the details. Judging by Cassius Charlotte’s attitude, it can’t have been anything major. Is he trying to escalate things now?"
Councilor Weiss and Seth watched from a distance, grinning as they waited for the drama to unfold. The Charlotte Family wasn’t close to them, and it wasn’t worth upsetting Archmage Leon over this guy.
Cassius Charlotte stood nearby with a few followers, wearing a smirk that was neither friendly nor mocking as he stared at Leon.
He was just a dispensable outsider in the Merlin Family—how dare he offend the Charlotte Family? With so many people here today, if he talks back, I’ll have an excuse. The Merlin Family won’t risk offending us for his sake; they’ll end up making him apologize to the Charlotte Family.
Best if things get out of hand—that’ll give us a reason to go after the Merlin Family. I heard they’ve done well lately, not only controlling several fortresses but even getting a share of the Bountiful Horn’s resources. Damn it, their power in the Blazeforge Realm is so weak, yet they get a cut of the most resource-rich area?
Cassius Charlotte held his head high, waiting for Leon to turn pale and apologize. That way, he could make outrageous demands and claim a huge slice of the pie.
But Leon didn’t spare him another glance, continuing to survey Stormhold Fortress. None of Leon’s companions paid Cassius Charlotte any mind, either.
Hubert wore a look of disdain. He glanced at Cassius Charlotte’s frail body and pale face, then at the warhammer Slaughter in his hand. If he really swung it, this weakling would be dead before he even got started. Boring…
Cassius Charlotte’s face grew increasingly dark as he glared at Leon, his expression twisting with rage until his eyes practically blazed.
How dare this guy treat me like this? He’s actually ignoring me—ignoring the Charlotte Family!
For a long moment, no one paid Cassius Charlotte any attention. Leon had just about finished surveying the layout of Stormhold Fortress.
Just as Cassius Charlotte was about to say something else, Leon finally seemed to remember there was someone beside him.
"Oh? Who are you? Do you need something?"
A flash of triumph appeared in Cassius Charlotte’s eyes. Damn you, you finally cracked, huh? Keep pretending, go on—now that you see I’m angry, you change your tune.
"I am Cassius Charlotte, of the Charlotte Family..."
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Cassius Charlotte had just started his introduction when Leon suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Ah, sorry, uh... whoever you are, I’ve got something to do..."
With that, Leon left Cassius Charlotte behind and walked over to Councilor Weiss.
"Councilor Weiss, I have a question for you—if you don’t mind sharing."
Councilor Weiss greeted him with a warm smile.
"Archmage, you’re too polite. Ask anything you want—as long as it’s not a Black Tower secret, I’m happy to help."
Leon smiled and pointed outside Stormhold Fortress.
"When I came in earlier, I noticed a strange valley not far from Stormhold Fortress, shrouded in black mist..."
Councilor Weiss’s expression brightened in understanding and he chuckled.
"Haha, I knew you’d ask about that, Archmage. Someone as curious and powerful as you would want to figure it out. No secrets here—that valley is called Viperfog Valley. No one knows how long it’s been there. When we first arrived in the Blazeforge Realm, it was already here.
At first, we investigated Viperfog Valley and found that the black mist is pure poison—deadly and highly corrosive. Ordinary people can’t enter; if you do, you die.
We lost quite a few people in the beginning, but Stormhold Fortress’s location is too important to abandon. So Cloudspire Tower and the Black Tower joined forces and sent in two Eighth-Rank Title Archmages.
Even those two battle-hardened Eighth-Rank Title Archmages couldn’t make any headway. They found nothing, got poisoned, and barely escaped with their lives. After that, no one bothered with Viperfog Valley again.
And over the years, Viperfog Valley hasn’t changed at all. It doesn’t affect anything, so everyone just ignores it now.
Archmage, are you planning to investigate Viperfog Valley? I’d advise against it—we’ve already checked, there’s nothing of value and it’s extremely dangerous. The poison is highly corrosive. As long as you stay out, you’ll be fine."
Leon nodded, but didn’t say whether he’d go or not.
"Alright, thank you for telling me all this, Councilor Weiss."
Councilor Weiss had said the black mist was pure poison, and suddenly Leon felt a flash of realization—now he understood why it had seemed so familiar before.
It wasn’t just that there was such a strange valley beside Stormhold Fortress—Leon also felt a sense of déjà vu about the black poison mist.
After a brief chat with Councilor Weiss, Leon led his group to their quarters.
In the distance, Cassius Charlotte glared at Leon’s retreating back, grinding his teeth. He wanted to say something, but couldn’t.
While Leon was talking to Councilor Weiss, Cassius hadn’t dared to interrupt. Now that Leon had left, he couldn’t start trouble with Archmage Leon under Weiss’s watchful eye—he couldn’t disrespect Councilor Weiss like that.
Damn bastard, don’t think I didn’t see your little trick—using Councilor Weiss to get away. Don’t think you’ll escape so easily.
Fuming, Cassius Charlotte stalked off...
That night, Leon quietly left Stormhold Fortress with Hubert, Reina, and Anderson, heading for the entrance to Viperfog Valley.
Watching the mist drift quietly, Leon saw it held back by an invisible barrier within Viperfog Valley—just one step, and the environment changed completely.
Leon raised a shield and stepped into Viperfog Valley first, with Hubert and Reina following close behind.
Crossing into Viperfog Valley, Leon felt no resistance at all. He frowned—this was clearly abnormal. Even if the poison mist didn’t drift out, it shouldn’t be so sharply contained at the boundary.
Obviously, something—or some special environment—had turned Viperfog Valley into an independent little world. All around was black mist, but it looked completely different from outside.