Chapter 647 - 465: Moving into Black Stone City and a Legendary Visit
Chapter 647: Chapter 465: Moving into Black Stone City and a Legendary Visit
They were two old men with white hair and beards.
One of them, dressed in a simple gray Mage Robe, had a gaunt face and eyes as profound as the stars. He was the Legendary Mage, Master "Star" Delin.
The other, clad in a fiery red Magic Robe, had a ruddy complexion and exuded a scorching aura. He was Master "Melting Furnace" Wendel.
Behind them, Avril and Lillian cast a Floating Technique and flew down from the dragon’s back.
Raylo’s gaze met his wife’s in midair.
"Come, let’s go down."
Raylo turned and strode out of the Lord’s Mansion.
Raylo walked straight up to them.
"Master Delin, Master Wendel."
He bowed to the two Legendary Mages.
"Welcome to the Black Stone Territory."
Mage Delin smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over Raylo and the massive castle behind him with approval.
"Not bad, Raylo, my boy. In such a short time, you’ve actually managed to build such a magnificent city in this barren land."
Master Wendel glanced around and snorted.
"The place is big enough, but it’s too noisy. Where’s that big fellow you mentioned? Where is it? Take us to see it, quick!"
"Teacher!"
Lillian tugged on his sleeve and grumbled with displeasure.
Raylo just smiled, not minding at all.
"Master, please don’t be hasty. You must be tired from your long journey. I have already prepared accommodations and a banquet for you all. Please, follow me into the mansion to rest first."
As he spoke, his gaze traveled past the two Legendary Mages and landed on Avril.
Avril was also looking at him, a gentle smile on her face.
Raylo walked over to her, reached out, and gently took her cool fingertips in his hand.
"I’m back."
Avril said softly.
"Welcome home."
Raylo’s reply was just as gentle.
"COUGH! COUGH!"
Lillian deliberately coughed twice from the side, interrupting their tender moment.
"Brother, can’t you even see me?"
She pouted, displeased.
Only then did Raylo let go of Avril’s hand. He turned and ruffled his sister’s hair in annoyance.
"You little rascal, you’ve been causing trouble for your teacher again, haven’t you?"
"Of course not!"
Lillian dodged his hand, straightened her messy hair, then puffed out her small chest and said proudly,
"I’m actually very powerful now!"
Raylo looked at her smug expression and chuckled.
He personally led the group across the huge plaza and into the Lord’s Mansion.
The servants of the mansion were already lined up and waiting at the entrance. Seeing Raylo’s party enter, they all bowed in greeting.
"Ed, take the two masters, Lillian, and Miss Avril to their rooms to rest."
Raylo ordered.
"Yes, My Lord."
Ed bowed in acknowledgment, then walked over to the two Legendary Mages and made a gesture of invitation.
"Masters, ladies, please follow me."
Master Wendel looked like he wanted to say something more, but was stopped by a look from Mage Delin.
He could only follow Ed toward the guest rooms, disgruntled and unwilling.
Lillian and Avril followed behind them. As Avril turned to leave, she glanced back at Raylo, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
Raylo smiled back at her, giving her a reassuring look.
Only after their figures disappeared down the end of the hallway did the smile on Raylo’s face gradually fade.
「Night fell.」
Black Stone City shed its daytime clamor and gradually fell silent.
Only the Lord’s Mansion remained brightly lit.
A small welcome banquet was being held in the mansion’s banquet hall.
Though it was called a banquet, it was more like a private dinner.
The only attendees were Raylo, Avril, Lillian, and the two Legendary Mages.
The long dining table was covered with a white linen tablecloth, and the exquisite silverware reflected the soft glow of the Magic Lamps.
The dishes were not extravagant, but they were prepared with great care.
Tender roasted lamb chops and roasted goose, seasoned with spices native to the Black Stone Mountain Range, gave off an enticing aroma.
Deep-sea lobsters, rushed from Seagull Port, were simply steamed to preserve their original, fresh flavor.
There were also platters of brightly colored local fruits.
Raylo raised his Crystal cup, which was filled with the amber-colored "Giant’s Strong Alcohol."
"Master Delin, Master Wendel."
He stood up and said with sincerity,
"Welcome again to the Black Stone Territory, Seniors. I, your junior, offer you this toast."
Mage Delin smiled, raised his cup, and clinked it with Raylo’s from across the table.
"Lord Raylo, you’re too kind."
Master Wendel, on the other hand, seemed somewhat absent-minded. He picked up a lobster, swiftly cracked open its hard shell, stuffed the plump meat into his mouth, and mumbled indistinctly,
"Alright, alright, enough with the pleasantries. I’ll drink the wine, but let’s get down to business right after."
As he spoke, he picked up his cup again, drained the strong alcohol in one gulp, and then smacked his lips, seemingly quite satisfied with the taste.
Lillian, sitting beside him, sighed helplessly and whispered a complaint to Avril.
"My teacher is just impatient, that’s how he is. Please don’t mind him."
Avril smiled and shook her head, her gaze remaining gently fixed on Raylo.
Raylo sat back down, not the least bit awkward despite Master Wendel’s directness.
He knew that for a top scholar like him, who was immersed in his own world, excessive formalities were far less practical than an interesting Alchemy problem.
"It’s just unfortunate timing."
Raylo sighed and spread his hands.
"The Cloud Sea Giant Whale... isn’t in the Black Stone Territory right now."
"It isn’t?"
Master Wendel’s voice suddenly shot up, and the chair beneath him let out a strained "CREAK."
Mage Delin’s brow also furrowed slightly.
"Brother, where did that whale go?"
Lillian asked curiously.
"Masters, you may not be aware,"
Raylo explained.
"That Cloud Sea Giant Whale is simply enormous, and its appetite is astonishing. My Black Stone Territory is landlocked, so it’s truly difficult to satisfy its hunger."
"Just two days ago, my subordinate, the Hill Giant Kado, took it to Seagull Port to the east."
Raylo’s voice paused for a moment, as if he were organizing his thoughts.
"Kado said that rather than wait for the fleets from Seagull Port to laboriously ship over seafood that would barely be a snack for it, it would be better for him to take the Cloud Sea Giant Whale directly to the ocean and let it find its own food."
"After just one full meal, it can go for about a month without eating again."
A brief silence fell over the banquet hall.
The two Legendary Mages had rushed over in high spirits.
And the result? Their research subject had been taken by a Giant to the sea... for a buffet?
Looking at the expressions on the two Legendary Mages’ faces, Raylo cursed inwardly but maintained a sincere and innocent look on the surface.
"Masters... this was indeed my oversight."
Mage Delin waved his hand. He took a deep breath, seemingly trying to calm himself.
"It’s not your fault."
His voice sounded a little strained.
"We... just came at an inconvenient time."
Master Wendel wasn’t nearly as good-tempered.
He slammed his hand on the table, making the silverware on it jump.
"Nonsense! This is absolute nonsense!"
He glared at Raylo, his beard bristling with anger.
"How could you let a stupid Giant just take away such a precious research specimen? What if it runs into danger in the sea? What if it eats its fill and decides not to come back?"
"Teacher..."
Lillian tugged on his sleeve from the side, whispering softly.
Raylo knew that at a time like this, any explanation would be pointless.
He had to take real action to make up for this "mistake."
He stood up and spoke solemnly to the two Legendary Mages.
"Masters, please calm your anger."
"I had absolutely no intention of spoiling the mood for two Legends."
"I have already dispatched a Griffin Knight to fly through the night to Seagull Port and have Kado bring the Cloud Sea Giant Whale back at top speed!"
Raylo’s words temporarily placated the two Legendary Mages.
Master Wendel snorted heavily, sat back down, and, picking up his cup, drained the wine in one go, as if trying to douse his frustration with alcohol.
Mage Delin, however, just nodded, his expression softening slightly.
"That would be best."
The rest of the banquet proceeded in this subtly awkward atmosphere.
Raylo frequently raised his cup, and Avril and Lillian tried their best to find topics of conversation, attempting to liven up the atmosphere again.
But the two Legendary Mages were clearly no longer in the mood, only offering half-hearted replies.
The night deepened.
Moonlight poured down like mercury, plating the black city with a cold, silver edge.