The Crimson Magister Chapter 10: V1-C10: Soul and Aether

Read chapter 10 of The Crimson Magister by Okram on NovelPedia.

Three wagons carried the surviving Golden Rose troops from the Ebon Forest encampment toward the borders of Red Dawn. The front and rear wagons held the fighters, while the middle wagon carried Laura, Azure, and Aqua. As the Golden Rose neared the border, the old forest road changed beneath them. Rough stone gave way to masterfully crafted pavement, so smooth that one could almost fall asleep in the carriage. "Such craftsmanship. I haven't seen such attention to stone cutting outside holy temples," Azure said as she looked at the road ahead. The road leading out of the Ebon Forest was wide enough for two large carriages to pass side by side, with Mystic Lamps illuminating each side through the entire day and night without rest. "Red Dawn is the only kingdom on the continent with the money and means to build roads like this," Laura said. Azure took a while to gather her thoughts before answering, a small hint of sadness showing on her face. "Not even the elven capital would be able to afford so many magical lights and wards." The thick ebon woods and foliage grew sparser as the scenery was taken over by more and more artificial constructs. Where trees thinned, wards rose in their place, preventing any monster from wandering onto the road. While the depths of the Ebon Forest held no dangerous monsters, the outskirts were different. Screamers, fearsome Bauks, and even lesser dragons could be found throughout the outskirts, but never near the borders of Red Dawn. Laura shook her head. "Red Dawn is an anomaly; you shouldn't have your pride be hurt that humanity was able to build it." As Laura explained to both Aqua and Azure, Legions of Red Dawn would regularly sweep both the borders and the kingdom clean of any wandering monsters and non-humans. "Their military is equipped with the best enchanted equipment money can buy," Laura said with a hint of pride in her voice. "But that is not the only thing that secured them their supremacy over their neighbors. The thirteen inquisitors and their king allowed them to even resist the wrath of the divine in the past." Laura gave both elves a warm smile, hoping to at least rile them up. While Azure showed a hint of panic, Aqua just looked with curiosity in her eyes. That is quite interesting, so they can isolate themselves from divine will. Aqua thought that perhaps she could learn something from the monstrous Red Dawn. In her past, no kingdom was able to isolate itself from the divine; any that tried were smitten and their history erased by followers of the divine tyrant. Such was the cruelty of gods, the most despicable of creatures, and yet always existing, no matter which world. And yet the stark difference is the sheer amount of divine entities I feel, Aqua thought to herself as she let Azure and Laura talk. The gods of this world were not nearly as powerful or influential as the parasite that had ruled her old one, yet their presence carried the same stench. She could sense their gazes disappearing from her one by one, all but two of them. The same goddess who had her filthy influence over Azure was now watching Aqua, too. Watching but not trying to establish control. The second gaze was more subtle, barely noticeable, like a professional thief hiding in the dead of night. And yet even that presence was only watching. It was impossible. No divine merely watched. She is up to something; perhaps I can glean something from her, she thought as her mind entered a state of trance. It was a technique she had used once before to find where the divine chain of the Supreme Deity led. While current deities did not have any control or influence, it was possible to find where their domains were from their presence alone. The meditation freed her soul and expanded her senses, even toward the hidden realms of the divine. You won't hide for long, parasite. Aqua concentrated on a more visible connection as she followed it. But before Aqua could locate the divine parasite, the connection was cu