Legacy of the Dark Sage

It is common knowledge to those who know about the existence of the Sovereigns that they are not allowed to meddle in the affairs of their original plane. Once a Sovereign oversteps their authority, the Fates presiding over the path of life would reverse or change the supposed outcome of the Sovereign's meddling— and the outcomes were never good.

Frankly, Aron and Jared guessed why Kyran told them not to expect anything from Mannick. They also knew that the latter was only an essence because although his mage level was low, his Array knowledge was pretty advanced. Jared even felt that Mannick's Array knowledge far exceeds his own, which few people could actually achieve. Cade and Nolan were the only ones who exceeded his Array Knowledge in the whole empire. That was, of course, before he met Mannick.

After hearing Mannick's statement about what would entail once the cradle collapses, Aron and Jared confirmed his identity. But what surprised them was how Mannick inadvertently admitted that he was Azaloth's essence.

Others might not catch the subtle hint, but the two did because they possessed knowledge that others do not.

Aron's expression turned grim after realizing something from Mannick's statement. While it was good news that Cade would enter the last phase of Azaloth's Inheritance once the cradle collapsed, did it mean that the latter would perish?

As far as Aron knew, the Sovereign Cradle would never collapse as long as the plane's Sovereign lived. There were times when the cradle's effect would weaken, but as long as the Sovereign replenished their magic energy, it should be fine again.

Mannick sensed Aron's doubts and smiled at him, "There is no need to think about those things. The truth is even I do not know what will happen once someone succeeds in Azaloth's Inheritance. If what you're thinking does happen, then so be it. He has lived far long enough."

Jared was initially confused about what Mannick was saying. However, the last few of his sentences hit him with realization, and his expression also turned grim.

"Regardless, if that does happen, the Human plane will be vulnerable," Aron replied solemnly.

Mannick heaved a regretful sigh and nodded, "That is true. I can only place my hopes in master."

Then, as if thinking of something, he smiled bitterly and added, "That outcome might very well be the Fates decree after meddling in the plane's internal affairs."

"Do you know how long the last phase of the inheritance will take?" Jared asked.

Mannick shook his head, "It will all depend on Master Cade. I only hope master can hold the forth until then..." He paused after recalling something. "Right. I also hope sir Nolan can survive before then."

Aron and Jared looked at him in surprise.

"Nolan is here?"

"Nolan? Like Rin's brother?"

Aron and Jared asked, respectively.

Mannick nodded his head and looked at the hole in the sky, "Technically, he is out of the Human plane, but he is helping master hold the fort."

The two did not need him to elaborate further. They managed to fill in the gaps that Mannick did not tell them.

Hold on.

Does sharing all this information count as meddling in the Human plane's affairs?

The thought made Aron and Jared's expressions darken.

"We are now down to less than ten minutes," Mannick said, forcing Aron and Jared out of their own thoughts. "I'll help replenish the array's magic energy and let more people enter it."

"Won't you be..." Jared stopped short as he felt somewhat conflicted.

"I honestly don't know. But I think it's too late to be cautious now."

Aron looked at Mannick and said, "In one of the Ancient Records of the Regis Family, it says quite a lot of things about how Fates dislikes disorder. However, without the latter, there will never be balance in the universe. And although my knowledge is limited, I do know one truth about the universe... Nothingness gave birth to all things. But the first that came out of nothingness was Chaos, and Chaos gave birth to Order."

Jared looked at his father in confusion. He felt like he understood what Aron was trying to say. At the same time, it left him confused.

On the other hand, Mannick seemed to understand Aron's words and smiled at him gratefully.

It did not matter what the Fates did. They might like Order, but Chaos was far older than that. What was more was that the latter was the first existence to have appeared from Nothingness.

"Thank you."

Aron shook his head before respectfully lowering his head toward Mannick, "I should be the one thanking you."

Mannick only smiled and decided to direct the topic back on track, "Let's go. We don't have much time."

The two nodded and entered the tent together.

*

At one of the sleeping quarters in the Boyd's Villa, Haylee was lying on the bed, sleeping. Her complexion was pale, and she seemed to have lost weight since leaving the Courtenay Land. There was a certain magic pressure that covered her. The magic pressure was not coming from her. As a matter of fact, it seemed to weigh down on her, wanting to crush her alive— like a powerful curse.

Nevertheless, the magic pressure could only cover her but not touch her. But it was obvious that she was still affected.

The magic pressure actually came from the Macabre Glacier.

One must understand that a powerful magic weapon like the Macabre Glacier was not easy to 'tame.' If it were, Caelan would have done so a long time ago. Ultimately, he could only seal it through layers of protection and hide it from the prying eyes of the noble families.

Alas, after almost a thousand years, Gael found its location, and after years of feeding it with magic stones, it had started to awaken. In the end, he, along with a few noble families who conspired with him, failed, and the Macabre Glacier fell into the worse possible person— Haylee. After all, the Macabre Glacier's abilities and effects were very compatible with Haylee's Soul magic.

If not for the Macabre Glacier already possessing a sentient, who only acknowledged the previous Dark Sage as its master, Haylee would have long been able to control it. She could only use 10% of the Macabre Galcier's power, but it was more than enough. She was only interested in one of its abilities, and as long as she could use that, it did not matter whether its soul acknowledged her.

Haylee's beautiful brows creased slightly as she stirred awake. She slowly opened her eyes and stared at the bed's ceiling for a few seconds.

Sensing the magic pressure around her, she frowned slightly and muttered, "I don't care what you want. You will do as I say when the time comes."

Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind swept inside the room, sending the bed's curtains fluttering.

An almost palpable magic pressure gathered above Haylee. A grayish mist formed, and a human-like figure that seemed to be covered in a cocoon-like silk materialized, hovering over her.

The human-like figure's head was completely covered with cocoon-like silk, but where its mouth should be, there was a huge slit.

RAAAWRGH!

It uttered an unearthly scream while facing Haylee before slamming down at her.

The grayish mist shattered and scattered all around. But it ultimately failed to touch Haylee. It was because a soft golden glow covered her body, protecting her from any harmful elements.

Haylee did not blink when the grayish mist slammed on her. Her sapphire blue eyes even glinted in amusement.

The unearthly scream echoed inside Haylee's quarters, alerting the Boyd members standing guard outside. They immediately called out to her wanting to break into the room.

"Your Highness, pardon us. We will open the doors!"

"It's fine. There is no need," Haylee replied from the other side.

As soon as they heard her, they hesitated. However, one of them still grabbed hold of the door's knob and was instantly thrown back.

Bam!

"Argh!"

The Boyd member slammed on the wall opposite the door to Haylee's quarters, creating web-like cracks.

The others immediately came to assist the mage before he fell and was buried by the debris.

"Y-Your Highness!"

After seeing what happened to the Boyd member, the others were even more afraid of Haylee.

However, before they could attempt to open the door again, Haylee had already stepped out.

They immediately knelt on one knee and lowered their heads in respect.

Haylee scanned her eyes around before looking at the mage who got slammed into the wall.

The mage was not really badly injured, but grayish mist was coming out of his body, and his eyes were out of focus.

Haylee waved her hand without saying anything, and a golden light enveloped the mage. The grayish mist instantly left the latter and dissipated in the air.

"How are the preparations?" She asked as if nothing had happened.

The Boyd member, who appeared to have a higher rank in the family, replied at once.

"We are only waiting for the Ancestor's return, your Highness."