Published at 13th of January 2026 7:35 am

Chapter 1409: Wandering Magus

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A month passed at sea.

The merchant vessel gradually slowed as land came into view. The coastline stretched ahead, and in the near distance, the outline of Amberfall emerged through the haze.

Tall walls rose along the shore, pale stone catching the sunlight. Beyond them, countless buildings crowded together, layered and dense, their flat roofs and domes forming an uneven skyline.

Minarets and towers reached the skies above the city, some capped with gold and copper that glinted faintly from afar.

When the sun shone on the domes of these buildings, it seemed as if they were gloriously lit ablaze. That was how this great mercantile city came to be known as Amberfall.

The harbor was vast and busy. Ships of every size moved in steady lines, sails furled or half-raised as they waited to dock.

Smoke drifted upward from within the city, mingling with the salty air blowing from the sea. Even from a distance, the ship’s crew could hear the distant bells and the clamor of people.

Amberfall looked old, wealthy, and oppressive all at once. This was a metropolis built for trade, power, and endurance. It dominated the southeast coast of Europa and was an important location for the Sovereign Union.

"We’re finally home!" The captain of the ship spoke with tearful eyes.

The Magi standing beside him patted his shoulders.

"You did well, Kyle. Without your maritime skills, we wouldn’t have reached Amberfall so quickly!"

"Yes, indeed. I will be sure to tell the elders of the family about your hard work."

Kyle, the captain of the vessel, didn’t care about these Magi’s praises. In fact, he didn’t even take them seriously despite being a mortal. Clearly, either he was too brave or too stupid.

He waved his hand and said, "I care not for such trivialities, my lords. Please hire my crew and me in the future for all transactions with Yen-Lu. I know the trade routes to the East better than anyone! Oh, and be sure to tell the Viscount to send more powerful Magi next time."

The two Magi found their lips twitching incessantly. They excused themselves, then headed for Adam’s private quarters to notify him that they were about to dock soon.

Knowing how powerful Adam was, they planned to introduce him to the head of their family. In doing so, they hoped to receive more arcane resources from the family.

"We’d better convince him to visit our family estate," said one of them.

"Indeed. He’s a powerful Mana Vortex Magus," the other replied. "If we can get him acquainted with our family, our standing may rise in the capital."

"That’s true." The first one nodded. "Let’s hope everything goes as planned."

They arrived at the door and gently knocked. "My Lord, we will reach land in another twenty minutes."

However, there was no response.

The Magi exchanged puzzled glances. Then the other one called out after a few moments had passed.

Knock! Knock!

"My Lord? Is everything alright?"

Still, no response.

They waited for a few minutes and called out again. But the response was the same. Silence.

"You don’t think he..." One of them began, gulping nervously.

"No way..." The other one unceremoniously opened the door and stepped inside.

And then, their eyes widened.

***

In the harbor of Amberfall, an elderly Magus suddenly teleported in the midst of an unsuspecting crowd. He radiated the aura of a Mana Vortex Magus, though it was subtle, visible to only those of similar strength.

He had long, wavy hair that reached the base of his neck. His white beard was long and neatly trimmed, and his mustache was curled upward at the ends. He wore flamboyant attire: deep blue robes paired with a vivid red cloak.

Holding a wooden pipe in one hand, he inhaled a puff of smoke in evident delight. His pale blue eyes swept across the bustling harbor with open curiosity before he let out a hearty laugh.

"Hohoho, the mercantile city of Amberfall sure is lively!"

Wearing a new face and speaking with a new voice, Adam walked deeper towards the heart of the city.

As he took in his surroundings, he couldn’t help but marvel at the wealth he saw just from the mere trading goods brought in and out of the harbor.

The port of Amberfall was immense and relentlessly active.

Stone piers stretched far into the waters, layered in tiers to accommodate ships from small coastal traders to massive merchant galleons heavy with cargo.

Just from a casual glance, Adam could tell that the port could contain hundreds of vessels!

The harbor was crowded at all hours, sails rising and falling as ships docked, departed, or waited for clearance. Wooden cranes lined in quays, hauling crates of spices, milk, metals, and exotic goods from distant lands.

Adam could smell the scent of saltwater mixed with incense, oil, sweat, and foreign perfumes drifting from the city beyond. Guards patrolled the docks in disciplined formations, keeping order and watching closely for smugglers or unrest.

Most of them cast curious but wary gazes towards Adam. After all, he was dressed so colorfully that he might as well have cosplayed as a peacock. However, these men could tell that Adam was strong, so they did not approach them recklessly.

As he walked further away from the towering harbor walls, he witnessed the city rising densely and apologetically in the distance. The vast majority of the city had domed roofs, pressed together in layers, their pale stones reflecting the sun.

This seems to be the distinctive characteristic of the city, Adam thought to himself as he took another drag from the pipe.

Watchtowers overlooked the port, and the security was very tight. Banners and merchant sigils marked warehouses and trade houses competing for dominance.

The port was not welcoming, but it was efficient. Everything here moved for profit, power, and control.

As Adam moved across the port and was about to set foot into the neighboring ward, he was finally stopped by a group of a dozen Magi. These men consisted of four Mana Liquefaction Magi and eight Mana Foundation Magi.

All of them regarded Adam warily. After all, he clearly appeared to be a powerhouse, and a flashy one at that. In a city ruled by a Mana Vortex Magus, the sudden appearance of possibly another was more than enough to put the guards on edge.

One of these men stepped forward and respectfully said, "My Lord, could you please state your identity and the purpose of your visit to Amberfall?"

Adam scanned the guards’ appearances. When his gaze landed on the insignia of House Fireborne amblazoned on their breastplates, his lips curled into a warm and gentle smile.

He exhaled a cloud of smoke into the air that transformed into a soaring phoenix. He stroked his beard and raised his chin as he introduced himself:

"I am Nilrem, wandering Magus, chronicler of wonders, and survivor of far more danger than is strictly reasonable. As for the purpose of my visit..."

He paused briefly, and then... he laughed.

"Why, of course, it is adventure!"

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