Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe-Chapter 853: Silent Observer (Ko-fi Bonus Chapter)

Adam’s battle with the Mana Vortex Magus, Stratford, had utterly leveled the town that once stood here.

The riches and valuables found in Stratford’s underground lair were later used to rebuild the town that would later come to be known as Constantine.

The Twilight Brotherhood played a crucial role in the rebuilding of the settlement. Of course, the residents knew nothing about their identity. They simply thought of them as helpful and kind Magi.

They also didn’t know that this clandestine organization had created a secret base in the underground lair that previously belonged to Stratford, and now operated out of there.

Currently, there was utter pandemonium in the underground secret base.

"He’s here! He’s here!"

"The Dark King is here!"

"He was spotted entering through the town’s east entrance!"

"I just received report that he has arrived before the tree!"

"Quick, send someone to welcome him!"

The main hall was in chaos. Although they knew that the Dark King would be arriving in Constantine, they were still bewildered when he finally did.

It couldn’t be helped. The name of the Dark King simply held that much weight, after all.

Especially amongst the members of the Twilight Brotherhood who knew everything he had done, from his first mission at Velvet Dreams to the recent Blackshore Incident.

To the young recruits of the organization, Adam was a stellar role model. Even the Mana Vortex Magi deeply admired him.

"Everyone, silence!" A tanned-skinned, middle-aged man suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs.

It was Hudson Carr, the man who briefed Adam on his initiation mission in Acryon.

He, a Mana Liquefaction Magus, was currently the head of this secret base. Considering the astonishing effects the ash tree had brought to the surroundings, it was strange that there weren’t any Mana Vortex Magi stationed in Constantine.

It wouldn’t even be surprising for a Mana Core Magus to be stationed here!

The discovery was simply just that astounding.

If this magical tree was able to increase the mana density—albeit only by a small fraction—in the surroundings within a decade, then what would happen in another ten years?

In another fifty years? Or a hundred years?

At that point, wouldn’t the Constantine become a mana haven for the Magi of Ulier?

Despite that, for there to be only a Mana Liquefaction Magus as the head of this secret base could only mean one thing...

The other higher-ups of the organization hadn’t been notified of this development yet.

After he had gathered everyone’s attention, Hudson calmly stated, "I will go meet the Dark King. The rest of you tend to your duties."

He paused, scanning the crowd until his gaze landed on a young man. "Kenley, you will come with me."

Kenley was an Acolyte of the Brotherhood and also someone who was present during the Stratford Incident.

His wife, Rayna, had been poisoned because she was a descendant of Stratford. Adam knew both of them. In fact, he had even cured Rayna along with the surviving descendants of Stratford.

"Sir, me?" Kenley pointed at himself, clearly nervous.

"Is there another Kenley around?" Hudson snorted. He turned around and walked out of the main hall. "Quickly follow me. You don’t want to keep the Dark King waiting!"

Kenley froze in place. He looked around at his colleagues, all of whom were envious of him.

One of them, a new recruit, stepped forward and spoke in a hushed voice, "Kenley, can you get the Dark King to sign this for me?"

Kenley’s lips twitched when he saw the parchment in the youth’s outstretched hands. "... Sure, I’ll try."

The moment those words left his mouth, dozens of Acolytes had stepped forward with parchment in hand.

***

Adam sat at an outdoor table of a quaint tea stall near the ash tree.

The buildings surrounding the cordoned-off area where the tree stood were primarily commercial. No residential structures could be found nearby.

And since this was the heart of the city, and arguably its most important site, it was heavily guarded.

Of course, most of the people standing guard were ordinary mortals with only a handful of Mana Foundation Magi among them.

After all, this was still just a small town.

The raven-haired youth took a slow sip of the warm tea, his eyes never straying from the towering ash tree before him.

It’s strange, he thought.

I don’t sense any Mana Vortex Magi nearby. Considering how valuable this tree is, there should have been a few of them here. Unless...

His eyes narrowed.

Unless intel about the true potential of the ash tree hasn’t been made known to the higher-ups, he continued his train of thought.

But why would they do that? Who’s stationed here? Is it someone I know?

No, more importantly...

A peculiar light flashed in his dark eyes.

Why did the ash tree turn out to be like this? If the Great Mother truly heard my prayer, why did she respond?

It’s strange...

One of the World Tree’s many titles was The One Who Watches.

On the surface, the title seemed simple. Unassuming, even. But like the vast roots that stretched beneath her, the meaning ran deep.

It was rumored that she was one of the oldest existences in this universe. She had borne witness to the birth and death of stars, to mighty civilizations rising and crumbling like waves on the cosmic shore.

Her gaze missed nothing, yet she remained untouched.

Ever the observer, never the actor.

Legend held that the Great Mother was the most knowledgeable being in the laws of space.

Unlike spells, the laws were eternal. They were fundamental truths that governed reality itself.

And for one said to have reached the pinnacle of space magic, it was a trivial matter for her gaze to span the breadth of all creation.

From the deepest chasm of the void to the farthest star, nothing lay beyond her silent observation.

But then again, such tales were simply more than legends. They were whispers passed through time.

No one truly knew if they held any weight, or if they were simply myths woven to explain the incomprehensible.

Yet, the truth remained that the ash tree before Adam was no ordinary tree. It had been graced by the Great Mother herself!

But why?

Why would a being of such unimaginable stature, the silent observer of stars and planes, bestow her blessing upon this small corner of the universe?

And more importantly... why him?

Realizing that he had somehow attracted the attention of such a powerful and inscrutable entity, a chill crawled down Adam’s spine.

As the wind rustled through the ash tree’s leaves, he suddenly felt his heart skip a beat.

Being the cautious young man that he was, a ridiculous, almost laughable notion took root in his mind.

Has she... been watching me all along?