Chapter 85: The Flames of War

At this moment, Sein found himself standing at the center of a weathered magic altar.

It was the very one he had used to enter the Sand World back then.

Fortunately, the altar retained some of its functionality, allowing Sein’s return.

As Sein surveyed his surroundings, he recognized the place as Shadow Valley.

What was once a bright location now matched its name. It was shrouded in darkness.

After prolonged exposure to the harsh and blinding environment of the Sand World, Sein had yet to fully regain his night vision.

The damage of the Pale Mask was undeniably a major loss for him.

Despite the fact that it was only a basic magic item, Sein had grown reliant on it, valuing it as much as an intermediate magic item.

Beyond his endeavor to restore it in the future, Sein also considered enhancing its features through his alchemy skills.

After all, equipment was also an essential aspect of strength.

Had Sein possessed a diverse array of equipment similar to what Zorro and Faye had during his time in the Sand World, he might not have been stranded in that foreign plane for two years.

After gradually adapting to the darkness, Sein assessed his surroundings.

Before him lay ruins and debris.

The catastrophic clashes that had transpired in Shadow Valley had transformed the valley’s terrain into a basin.

The collapsed magic towers and gullies left in the ground were clear indicators of the fierce battles that had unfolded in this location.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Yet, there were no corpses in sight.

Any remains that might have been present had either been collected by the warring parties or absorbed into the underground ecosystem.

In Gloomhaven, scavengers were never in short supply.

The only structure that had remained relatively intact despite the conflict was the magic altar upon which Sein stood.

Despite its considerable damage, it had managed to remain standing.

This was the very reason it could partially function and enable his return.

“What could have happened here? I wonder how Master Morsidor, Leena, and the others are faring.”

Sein was deeply concerned as he took in the state of Shadow Valley.

The initial joy of his return to the Magus World and the elation stemming from his newfound strength quickly gave way to solemn contemplation.

Realizing there was no more information to glean in Shadow Valley, Sein decisively ventured further into the darkness.

***

Shadow Valley was a considerable distance from Mystralora City.

Sein had spent a week traveling there by airship. Now, on foot, the journey back would be significantly longer.

Taking into account the uncertainty of the exact route, Sein knew it would take him much more time to reach Mystralora City.

However, he was not all that concerned.

This was nothing compared to being stranded for over two years in the Sand World.

His mentor, Leena, and others were most likely in Mystralora City.

If the Divine Towers from the surface had captured the city, there would be no safe haven for the black mages in Gloomhaven.

“I hope they are safe!” Sein kept praying in his heart as he hurried toward Mystralora City.

Sein paid little attention to his diet due to his haste.

After surviving on mushroom soup for over two consecutive years, he found himself consuming the same meal upon returning to Gloomhaven.

During his journey, he encountered a low-level magic beast known as a salamander lizard and decided to make a meal out of it, adding some variety to his diet. Additionally, he managed to gather a few edible underground plants to use as seasoning.

Although his meals remained rather monotonous, still consisting mostly of elemental mushrooms, it tasted a lot better now that he was back in his homeplane.

In a month’s time, Sein reached the outskirts of Mystralora City.

While passing through a small demihuman tribe, he learned that four years had passed since he left the city.

Subtracting the two and a half years he spent in the Sand World, the remaining time difference of over a year was likely due to the time lost while traveling through the space-time passage, as mentioned by Zorro.

The return journey had been rough, leaving Sein unconscious. He had no way of knowing precisely how much time had elapsed.

Four years had passed... This meant Sein was now twenty-four.

He had tidied his beard and hair, so he looked less like a savage.

With his deep, serene eyes and blond hair, he exuded the aura of a noble mage despite being dressed in the cheap black moss coat commonly worn in the Underworld.

Sein appeared more mature than before.

BOOM!

Upon reaching the border of Mystralora City, he heard a sudden, violent magic explosion!

The battle was still ongoing within the city!

This was an indication that the stronghold of the black mages had not been lost. This provided hope that his mentor, Leena, and others were still alive and in there!

Upon learning of the situation, Sein rushed towards the heart of Mystralora City.

However, as he neared the city’s imposing walls, he was taken aback.

The once-sturdy city walls had mostly crumbled under the assault of an unknown force!

Rather than saying the black mages were still fighting against the mages from the Divine Towers from the surface world, it appeared that black mages in Mystralora City were struggling against the forces from the Divine Towers and making a final stand.

The recent explosion likely came from the Black Magic Academy in the heart of the city.

The city was filled with thick black smoke, but the residents remained surprisingly calm.

Individuals in armor maintained basic order as the citizens calmly exited the increasingly chaotic city.

These armored humans exhibited no elemental energy fluctuations, but their presence and subtle aura exerted a pressure comparable to full-fledged black mages.

Sein was sure that they were as powerful as full-fledged black mages and suspected they were knights.

The numerous minotaur corpses and severed limbs of dark creatures strewn about suggested that these armored knights were likely the ones who had slain them

Staring at one of the knights for too long caused a sharp pain in Sein’s eyes.

SWOOSH!

Suddenly, a spear flew through the air and stuck into a shadowy corner near Sein’s hiding spot.

“WHO’S THERE?!” A loud voice boomed.