Golden Mage Chapter 82

Volume 3, Chapter 22

Debel slowly began to narrate the story. He started by explaining the source of troll’s blood.

“First of all, I’ll tell you where the troll’s blood is coming from. There’s a place called Monster Land in the western part of the continent. And there’s a place adjacent to the Tolian Kingdom called Orc Fortress and Troll Valley. The troll’s blood that I supply to the temple comes from none other than Troll Valley.”

“Troll Valley?”

El heard a name he had heard before, but he couldn’t recall exactly where. Perplexed, he looked to Vice-Prefect Byurak for an explanation, and Debel continued his narration.

“Yes, there’s a 7th class magician who has established a mausoleum there, capturing trolls in Troll Valley and collecting blood through their unique methods. Then, he makes a contract with me to supply troll’s blood to various temples across the continent. However, these days, he’s encountered a very difficult situation.”

“A difficult situation?”

El asked, and Debel whispered, lowering his voice.

“Because he’s taking the saint with him. That’s why he’s currently in a standoff with the Holy Kingdom.”

Finally, it dawned on El. Troll Valley! Wasn’t that the place where the arrogant mausoleum lord, Daired, who was one of the top ten Grandmasters on the continent, was dispatched by Vice-Prefect Byurak? Vice-Prefect Byurak exclaimed:

“Hm! The saint and the Holy Kingdom!”

There wasn’t a single easy word here. Saint! Come to think of it, the holy order had recently announced that they received a revelation about the appearance of a saint for the first time in centuries. Among the numerous sects on the continent, the most powerful was none other than the Holy Order of Gaia. Not only did they have many believers, but they also controlled an entire country. Even though the Raynald Order boasted significant power, they couldn’t compare to the impenetrable wall that was the Gaia Order. Witnessing Vice-Prefect Byurak causing a ruckus, Debel continued:

“It’s only natural to be surprised. I was shocked too.”

“If that’s the case, does it mean that the troll’s blood supply is disrupted?”

The will of the Holy Kingdom was equivalent to the will of the goddess. If the Holy Kingdom took action, numerous countries that believed in Gaia would follow suit, and their combined power would surpass the Empire.

However, turning away from the Holy Kingdom? That meant ruin, so Vice-Prefect Byurak asked this question.

In response to Vice-Prefect Byurak’s question, Debel smiled cunningly. He knew that to put the other at ease, he had to act as though he wasn’t shaken.

Debel spoke confidently.

“You don’t need to think too pessimistically. Mausoleum Lord has surprisingly formidable power.”

Then, he delivered the prepared line.

“Honestly, I don’t understand why Vice-Prefect Byurak is so afraid of the Gaia Holy Kingdom. Just look at the Raynald Order. How powerful is their strength?”

However, Vice-Prefect Byurak expressed pessimism.

“That’s because you don’t know what you’re talking about, Debel. The Holy Kingdom is a mighty nation, even though it’s called a kingdom. Despite their might, the scale of their power is beyond the Raynald Order.”

Then, he seemed to be disheartened, and Vice-Prefect Byurak lowered his head. He was a devoted believer, even if he was ambitious. Seeing Vice-Prefect Byurak like this, Debel gave him encouraging words.

“Don’t be too pessimistic. His Excellency, the Mausoleum Lord, possesses unexpectedly powerful strength.”

While saying that, Debel revealed his hidden trump card.

“Do you remember when I only asked the Raynald Order for help? I will request help from the other sects as well. Not just the Raynald Order! All five sects, including the Imperial Empire! His Excellency, the Mausoleum Lord, has agreed to supply 150,000 vials of troll’s blood to them for three months.”

Vice-Prefect Byurak rose from his seat in shock.

“150,000 vials!”

The profit for the sects for 100,000 vials was 400,000 gold. Adding 50,000 more vials would bring in an additional 200,000 gold. Moreover, supplying that quantity for three months meant an additional profit of 600,000 gold. This was beyond anything they could imagine.

Seeing Vice-Prefect Byurak’s shocked expression, Debel smiled slyly.

“That’s the way! If we can’t handle it alone, we can join forces. Each sect is somewhat connected, but they are in competition with each other and cannot unite easily. But when it comes to troll’s blood, it is an indispensable resource for each sect, which has solidified their position.”

Debel gave Vice-Prefect Byurak a glimmer of hope and delivered the final blow.

“And the Mausoleum Lord has agreed to supply that much troll’s blood as long as they cooperate.”

Vice-Prefect Byurak, taken aback, immediately responded.

“I understand. I will report this to His Excellency, the Prefect, and try to get a positive response.”

“I only trust His Excellency, the Prefect.”

Debel smiled mischievously.

Afterward, Debel met with exactly five Vice-Prefects from five different sects. They all reached a unanimous decision after he played his hand.

As a result, for the first time since the arrival of the Demon King, the five sects united their power.

Behind this union stood Debel’s superiors, and it was all because of the matter concerning troll’s blood. Although they united through their ties to the sects, the five sects were in a position where they could never fully come together due to their competitive nature.

However, with the matter of troll’s blood at stake, the situation was different. Troll’s blood had become an essential resource for each sect and had solidified their positions.

Debel, who had instilled a glimmer of hope in Vice-Prefect Byurak, delivered the decisive blow.

“Furthermore, His Excellency, the Mausoleum Lord, has agreed to supply 150,000 vials of troll’s blood to each sect for three months.”

The shocked Vice-Prefect Byurak rose from his seat.

“150,000 vials!”

The additional profit for the sects for 100,000 vials was 400,000 gold. Adding 50,000 more vials would bring in an additional 200,000 gold. Moreover, supplying that quantity for three months meant an additional profit of 600,000 gold. This was beyond anything they could imagine.

The expression on Vice-Prefect Byurak’s face brightened at Debel’s words.

That’s it! If they delayed long enough, Duke Daired would finish everything and bring the saint back.

With that, the united five sects, the five most formidable sects in the Imperial Empire, began to exert immense pressure on the Holy Kingdom.

Bang!

“What in the world is going on!”

The Pope of the Holy Kingdom gathered all eight Vice-Prefects and raised his voice. The reason the Pope called for this meeting was because they had suddenly received a letter from the Fifth Imperial Empire.

A letter bearing the seal of the Emperor of the Fifth Imperial Empire had arrived unexpectedly. Although the Holy Kingdom was believed to be influential, it wasn’t to the extent that they could ignore the Empire.

Curiosity got the better of the Pope, and he decided to read the letter. The contents of the letter were what made the Pope furious.

“Do not make a fuss over whether she is a saint or not.” That’s what it said. Hm! When did the Empire become so arrogant?

The Pope found the letter hard to ignore and decided to investigate why the Empire had sent such a response.

The Vice-Prefect addressed by the Pope, Ardimos, was cautious as he asked the Pope, “Your Eminence, may I ask how you plan to handle this?”

The Pope considered it for a moment before answering.

“I guess this is not something that can be handled alone. If we act carelessly, the Holy Kingdom might find itself at odds with the Fifth Imperial Empire… From today, let’s hold daily meetings to discuss this matter. Each Vice-Prefect must express their thoughts without fail, and we’ll hold meetings for ten days to exchange opinions. This way, we can come up with the most reasonable decision. Do you all understand?”

In response to the Pope’s words, the Vice-Prefects all nodded their heads.

“We understand, Your Eminence.”

Seeing the Vice-Prefects’ responses, the Pope frowned and fell into deep thought.

“To think that the Fifth Imperial Empire would be at odds with us after we’ve found all the saints… It’s really troublesome.”

However, the Pope believed that Duke Daired, dispatched to Troll Valley, would handle things well. If they bought enough time, Duke Daired would finish everything and bring back the saint.