Mulberry Valley.
After more than a year of hard work by the local people, the two mountain ridges had been fully planted with mulberry trees. The newly planted mulberry trees were mostly over two meters tall, with some even exceeding three meters.
Now was the time when the branches and leaves were lush and verdant, blending seamlessly with the adjacent Black Fog Forest on the left.
The territory’s merchant caravans had also developed, bringing a continuous stream of goods to the land.
Many people knew that this was mainly thanks to the Lady of the Lord—Madam Justine. It was her potions that were key to the development of the caravans, and for this reason, the local people held the Lady who preferred not to show her face in high respect.
In the apothecary lab on the fourth floor of the Lord’s Hall, as the well-loved Lady of the Lord, Madam Justine had recently run into trouble due to her father, Baron Glatton.
“How could Dad be like this, actually asking me to go back and help the Glatton family make potions? I’ve already said I promised Ivan. I would stay in Mulberry Valley and wait for his return,” she complained.
“He even wants Mom to return. When Mom’s beauty was ruined, who was it that first locked her away in the small building, propped up that evil woman, and then married another woman immediately after her death?
Now that he sees Mom’s beauty restored, he keeps pressuring her to return time and again. His skin is really thick.”
Thinking of her father’s actions, Justine felt indignant. Had she not known some spells, she might have been forcibly detained at Glatton Manor last time.
It was also out of fear of her identity, and the inexplicable death of that evil woman, that her father had not taken forceful measures to bring her mother back.
She then sighed, after all, it was her father, who had never skimped on anything for her, even providing more than many other daughters of nobility could expect.
“Ah! Mom has been a bit odd lately, always out of sight. I wonder what she’s busy with,” Justine mused with a hint of complaint, but a smile spread across her face as she thought of her mother, Madam Selina.
Seeing her mother happy and beautiful every day was more than enough to make her happy; how could she hold any grudges in her heart?
She was clear about who had brought this peaceful life. It was just that she didn’t know how the person she thought of was doing and whether he would ever come back to have a look.
“He will come back, Justine, oh Justine, you have to have a little faith in yourself. He can’t bear to leave someone as beautiful as you,” she reassured herself.
Memories flooded Justine’s mind, from the initial displeasure when they first met to the desperation of being trapped and hearing his voice through the Secret Method Seal, and then—lost in thought, her eyes grew distant and dreamy.
…
Above the sea.
The Alate sailed between the ocean and the sky, approaching the waters near Tidal Island.
“It’s no wonder no sorcerer is willing to come here. The concentration of energy particles here is only one-fifth of that within the academy,” someone said.
“Having one-fifth isn’t too bad, the particle concentration on land is likely to be even more sparse.”
“Just enjoy it, if it weren’t for Sorcerer Ivan, we might never have the chance to return before we die. And you’re still complaining?” another retorted.
When they left Tidal Island, they were naive youths who had not yet embarked on the path of sorcery. Now willing to return for a look, they had all become 3rd Class apprentices. Looking at the ever-closer homeland, their minds were somewhat uneasy for a moment.
An offhand, discouraging remark brought silence to all.
Indeed, without becoming an official sorcerer, even a single return trip was extremely difficult; one might die on a task any day.
“Ah, damn my big mouth. I apologize. In the future, we’ll surely become official sorcerers just like Sorcerer Ivan,” the speaker quickly tried to amend.
“That’s easier said than done. Do you think everyone can be like Sorcerer Ivan?” was the retort.
Everyone present was aware that not every 3rd Class talent could achieve what Sorcerer Ivan did. A careful look around at their surroundings made the hardships more apparent than imagined.
At that moment, faint footsteps echoed from the second floor. As people turned and realized it was Ivan, they hastily saluted and greeted him.
“We’re almost there. I need to tell you something important. Assuming there are no accidents, I am giving you five months. I expect to see you on this ship in five months. Do not make me come to fetch you personally,” he instructed.
“We will heed your command.”
Hearing this, they all tensed up, understanding it as a warning. If anyone dared not show up, the consequences would undoubtedly be severe.
The Alate continued sailing towards the destination and finally arrived at the docks of Flying Fish Port.
Seeing the sorcerer’s ship approach, the dock’s guard captain had someone notify Earl Hobson, the City Lord, while he ordered his men to clear the eastern dock to make room for the sorcerer’s ship to berth.
Earl Hobson arrived quickly, accompanied by numerous nobility and officials, including his trusted Baron Karl.
“I wonder which distinguished sorcerer has graced Flying Fish Port with their presence? I am Colin Hobson, the City Lord of this small city, and together with my subordinates, I welcome your arrival,” he offered warmly.
“Earl Hobson, it is us. Sorcerer Ivan has already left ahead of us,” they replied.
Earl Hobson certainly saw Conley and the others, and he noticed the apprentice robes they were wearing, assuming there had to be another sorcerer aboard, which forced him to make a full courtesy.
Upon hearing this, he asked in astonishment, “Prince Conley, long time no see, what do you mean by saying that sorcerer has left?”
Conley explained, “It’s quite literal, some distance away from Flying Fish Port, Sorcerer Ivan took off on a summoned bird, likely because it was closer to his original territory, so he did not come to Flying Fish Port.”
During the conversation, they jumped off the Alate and onto the dock.
“Sorcerer Ivan is Sorcerer Ivan Marichardon, someone you folks at Flying Fish Port should be quite familiar with,” Conley added before the Earl could inquire.
As he mentioned this familiar name, many widened their eyes, especially Baron Karl, who almost bit his own tongue.
Baron Karl pulled out a handkerchief and unconsciously wiped the sweat from his forehead, thinking himself lucky that he had made amends in the past and hadn’t fatally offended the young man, no, the esteemed sorcerer, otherwise the Karl family might have now been reduced to historical dust.
The Earl truly is a wise man!
A look of joy appeared on Hobson’s face; his family had befriended another official sorcerer.
It had all been worth it, having first given the territory, then maintaining friendly trade with Mulberry Valley.
“My Lord Earl, I am the captain of the Alate’s guard, Caludor. Sorcerer Ivan asked me to deliver a letter to you, and instructed that it must be personally handed over to you,” Caludor approached, handing over a thick envelope.
“Captain Caludor, thank you.” Earl Hobson took the letter, glanced at it, and realized it was from his niece Pearney. He immediately understood that the two must have a significant connection, considering they were not from the same college, which made the letter quite curious.
“Before Sorcerer Ivan asked to set sail back, the Alate will dock here for a while. We hope the Earl won’t be inconvenienced during these months.”
“Not at all, not at all. Feel free to stay as long as you’d like, and I’ll make arrangements so that no one disturbs you,” said Hobson graciously.
Hobson had no objections to Caludor’s request; he would be only too happy if the sorcerer’s ship stayed for a couple of years, as the rewards might end up being far more significant than Gold Coins.
Hobson invited all the apprentices to visit the manor, then made arrangements for those who wanted to leave.
Once in the carriage, he couldn’t wait to open his niece’s letter, reading it line by line.
“Sorcerer Ivan actually requires a Legendary Knight’s Breathing Method, that will be a bit difficult to manage. My Hobson family doesn’t have it. I wonder if Great Knight Class would suffice?” Hobson murmured to himself.
Ivan probably hadn’t expected that merely mentioning his main reason for returning would lead Pearney to inform Earl Hobson earnestly, urging him to think of a way to help.
Meanwhile, in Mulberry Valley.
A watchtower had been built atop the ridge to observe enemies, and the guard on watch spotted something approaching rapidly. Taking a closer look, he realized it was a large bird of prey.
“Look sharp, a fierce bird is approaching our territory,” he called out.
“This is bad, ring the alarm bell—wait, there’s someone on the bird—it’s the Lord! It’s the Lord returning,” another declared.
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The two valley guards watched as the azure pigeon sped by.
If Ivan hadn’t intentionally slowed down to make himself visible and avoid causing any disturbance, they might not have even noticed something flying past.
Under Ivan’s guidance, the pigeon headed straight for the castle, stopping only above it.
As he was preparing to have the pigeon land gently, he saw a delightful figure appear at a fourth-floor window, waving eagerly at him.
“Ivan, my Lord, here, I’m here, I’m right here,” she called out.
Justine had imagined their reunion many times, envisioned various ways of meeting. When she finally saw him, all thoughts scattered; she only wanted to show him where she was, to make sure he saw her first.
“Justine, I’m home,” Ivan declared.
The pigeon immediately understood and brought Ivan to the window. As he landed in the room, a soft body forcefully rushed into his arms.
While the two were engaged in a tender embrace, some spotted Baron Glatton’s figure and others heard the Lady’s voice. It was clear to all that the Lord of Mulberry Valley, who went afar for studies, had returned.
The news also reached Leider and Paul in the village within the valley.
“Paul, let’s go, we should meet our Lord,” urged Leider.
“Alright,” Paul replied, with a hint of unease on his face, yet he assented.
Before long, Ivan in the Lord’s Hall greeted many, including his father Leider, his brother Paul, his sister Peggy, his brother Sean, and several key officials of the territory.
Everyone noticed the Lord’s aura had grown more formidable, creating a sensation of being almost unable to look straight at him.
What they didn’t realize was that it wasn’t mere authority, but rather a fundamental form of reverence emanating from living beings on a lower life plane in response to those on a higher plane—an instinctual warning and awe.