Free Web NovelChapter 342: Chapter 340: Tier Six Mages Visit, Requesting Hilia’s Assistance
The events at the arena spread like wildfire.
In no time, the entire Kost City knew all about it.
No one felt any sense of crisis from the appearance of the Abyss Gate—because they didn’t recognize what it was. They just assumed it was some trick of the Sect, and as long as High-tier Mages stepped in, it’d be sorted out in no time.
What they really cared about was the large number of unlucky, innocent spectators caught up in it—and, at the scene, the handful of Tier Four referees and five contestants who were the first to get dragged in.
"Heard those idiots were mocking their opponents before the match, calling those girls cowards."
"Weren’t they real heroes then?"
"Oh, absolutely, true heroes—risking their lives for the match."
"I’m just wondering what the Alliance’s security team is even doing. That’s the third incident already, and they’re not the least bit prepared? Just letting heretics stir up trouble like they’re out for a stroll in their own backyard?"
"Who knows, a bunch of freeloaders, the lot of them."
"Heard Mr. Gerald was present... but—"
"Pfft! Hahahaha!"
"Don’t laugh, challenge me if you dare? Alright, I admit defeat."
"Looks like there’s no way this Mage League can continue. It was just a few spectators dead before—but now not only are there a bunch of casualties, even the contestants are gone."
"Thank god I listened to Miss Hilia and didn’t go to the match—otherwise I’d have been one of them, too."
"Praise Miss Hilia, she’s practically an angel!"
"I suspect this disaster started because the League revoked Miss Hilia’s eligibility. They persecuted her and now look what happened."
"Agreed!"
The mercenary tavern was buzzing at dusk. Hilia listened to everyone’s heated discussions around her, a constant smile on her face.
She didn’t drink, didn’t fit in with the rowdy tavern crowd, but she loved hearing everyone brag, gossip about her exploits, maybe toss in a compliment or two.
That alone could save her entire mood for the day.
Rose’s apparition appeared beside her, arms crossed behind his head, leaning back in the chair.
Hilia saw him and muttered quietly, "Lord Rose, mind your image, you’re a god, you know."
"What’s the point of being a god if I still have to mind my image?" Rose propped one foot on the table—just shy of a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
Hilia: "..."
Well, Rose’s imposing presence had long since crumbled, at least in front of Hilia, so she didn’t bother. She said, "I already told Mr. Nikodemos—no idea if he’ll explain the situation to the Northern Alliance folks."
Rose chuckled, "He already has. In fact, Mage envoys from the Northern Alliance are looking for you—oh, they’re here."
Just as he finished speaking, two people entered the mercenary tavern—a man and a woman. They glanced around, then approached Hilia.
Hilia’s disguise was basically transparent to their eyes. The woman politely asked, "Hello, may we sit here?"
Hilia nodded, "Help yourselves."
"Thank you."
They took seats, and after the server arrived, ordered a glass of wine and two drinks. Then the woman introduced herself, "Hello, let me introduce myself. I’m Sathipheni, Monarch Knight of the Northern Alliance for Mr. Ivan Dor—and this is Ashburn, also one of Mr. Ivan’s Monarch Knights."
Northern Alliance Monarch Knights—Hilia remembered these two, the first six-tier Mages to jump into the fight at the start.
Seeing them, Hilia nodded, "Nice to meet you. I’m Hilia, an ordinary student from the Divine Magic Academy of the Ista Empire."
Sathipheni smiled, "Miss Hilia’s reputation precedes you—the array master of Southern Border City, the conqueror of the Lost Lighthouse, future Holy Daughter of the Holy Court—each title earns you our utmost respect."
If a Tier Four Mage said that, Hilia wouldn’t even blink. But from two Tier Six Mages, lavish praise like that felt... weird.
Sort of like being called a financial prodigy by the nation’s richest billionaire for making a thousand gold coins in a day.
Taking the Northern Alliance’s honorific for Tier Six Mages, Hilia said, "You give me too much credit, Your Graces. May I ask what brings you two here? After all, I’m just a plain old Tier Three Mage~"
Ashburn replied, "We are here on behalf of the Northern Alliance and the Mage League organizers to apologize to Miss Hilia. Because of a lapse on our part, you suffered unfair treatment here. We are very sorry."
Sathipheni added, "We’d also like to ask if you could explain in detail about that thing you called the ’Abyss Gate’—its origins, and whether there’s any way to counter it."
Hilia said, "There’s no need to apologize, Your Graces. I really can’t accept apologies from people as esteemed as you. None of this was any fault of yours or the Northern Alliance—just certain individuals trying to play favorites, nothing more. Frankly, I’m not worthy of your concern.
As for the Abyss Gate, I’d love to discuss it with you, but unfortunately, having lost my eligibility to compete, school policy says I must return immediately after the tournament ends. I have no choice but to leave tonight and head back to my studies."
Sathipheni and Ashburn exchanged a glance, understanding Hilia’s meaning.
Sathipheni smiled, "No need to worry, Miss Hilia. Your eligibility has already been reinstated. Once the tournament resumes, you can compete for your academy again."
Hilia blinked, "But I haven’t seen Chairman Adrian of the League Committee make any announcement reinstating me. I’d really like to hear it from him directly... But he must be way too busy to bother with someone as insignificant as me, so never mind~!"
With that, Hilia stood up and left.
"Sorry, Your Graces, I’m a bit tired. Heading back to my inn. If there’s more to discuss, you can find me there—at least, until I leave."
Watching Hilia leave, Sathipheni and Ashburn exchanged another look. Sathipheni laughed, "This kid’s actually kind of adorable."
Ashburn said, "I really don’t know what Adrian was thinking. Such a pretty, clever kid, and he stubbornly canceled her eligibility—after she literally saved the whole tournament."
They’d already pieced together what happened on the way over.
They’d heard that Hilia reported the issue before the first incident, but the League Committee ignored her.
Not sure if she made a report before the second time, but thanks to Nikodemos, they knew that the night before the match, Hilia had risked her life to infiltrate and destroy the long-hidden headquarters of the Polar Blood Alliance in Kost—a base no one else had even noticed until now.
And the third incident—the most well-known—where, to save thousands of spectators, Hilia severely injured a referee, which led Adrian to revoke her competition eligibility.
In all three cases, Hilia played a pivotal role, so the two of them took her very seriously.
This time, thanks to Nikodemos, they found out Hilia actually knew the source of that dual vortex, too. After talks with other Monarch Knights, they’d rushed over, hoping she’d give up a way to counter the Abyss Gate.
Coming here, they already knew getting Hilia’s help wouldn’t be that easy. They’d set aside Tier Six arrogance, and, judging by her attitude, they understood her terms.
Just a mere Tier Five Mage.
A Tier Five Mage who screwed up so badly, she’d even gotten the Northern Alliance caught up in the ridicule.
As Sathipheni and Ashburn exchanged glances, they had already made up their minds.
