NOVPUB
Chapter 75: 015: Trait Scholar and the Mission Subjugation
After two days of hard riding, Lynch successfully returned to the Count Castle early on the morning of the third day.
At this time, Avery and the others were having breakfast in the dining room. Seeing Lynch rush back with dust all over him, they looked visibly surprised.
Avery exclaimed, "You came back so quickly?"
Lynch asked back with some confusion, "Wasn’t it agreed to return within three days?"
Avery was momentarily stunned.
"Hahaha!" She couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
Unlike other noble ladies who would chuckle discreetly behind hand-covered mouths to maintain elegance, she laughed openly and without restraint.
She said, "You’re way too honest!"
Three days was just a guideline to add a little urgency. In reality, being late by a few days wouldn’t have mattered.
In fact, even if he hadn’t returned at all, it wouldn’t have affected the bigger picture...
After pausing, she continued, "Since you’re already back, stay a few more days. All right, I suppose you haven’t had breakfast this early yet; I’ll have a servant prepare another helping for you."
...
In the following days, Lynch spent his time entirely within the castle, immersed in cultivation with little else to occupy him.
While significant progress within a few days seemed impossible, Lynch managed to read a few books during this time—books he had bought along his recent travels, covering topics like human geography, history, and cultural studies.
Unexpectedly, he also activated a new trait.
Trait: Scholar.
Scholar: You have studied the geography, history, and culture of more than ten countries. Your abundant knowledge has earned you the title of a respected scholar.
Trait Effect: Instantly comprehending books on topics of history and culture.
This trait was incredibly powerful; once activated, Lynch’s skill level increased by over 50 points each time he read history or cultural books. Within mere hours, he could thoroughly understand a 200-page historical record.
Using this trait, Lynch reviewed in detail the local historical and geographical materials about his region.
Currently, their location was in the northwest of the Saladin Kingdom. To the west lay Crescent Bay, to the northwest was the Lamos Duchy, to the north was the Dark Forest, and to the east was the Aquitaine Kingdom.
Their intended destination for this journey was precisely the west—Crescent Bay.
A week passed, and on the seventh day, Count Edmund suddenly announced plans for an upcoming hunting expedition outside the city. Early the next morning, he assembled a lineup of several hundred troops. Lynch and his group were among them, joining the grand procession as they marched out of the city.
Heading west of Wind Extinguishing City, a forested trail unfolded.
A contingent of several hundred people moved through the forest, outfitted in uniform dress, armored with shining gear, and bearing the prominently erected flag of the Wind Emblem, fluttering proudly in the breeze.
Within the convoy, Lynch rode atop a white horse, his curious gaze darting around at the surroundings.
Although they claimed the trip was for hunting, Lynch couldn’t help noticing that everyone in this company was fully armed, carrying heavy shields, crossbows, and other strategic supplies.
Moreover, the composition of the group was particularly noteworthy. Beyond the few transcendent individuals among them, the leader Count Edmund himself held the strength of a Mid-level Knight, while the group also included dozens of knights and apprentice knights. Even the ordinary soldiers were well-equipped and highly trained.
Such a well-organized and outfitted force could undoubtedly conquer cities and seize territory. Yet here they were, claiming to hunt in the forest—who would believe that?
Lynch urged his horse forward to inquire with Avery at the front: "Miss Avery."
Avery turned her head, "What’s the matter?"
Since the previous day, her expression had grown stern, devoid of humor, with furrowed brows suggesting deep contemplation.
Lynch asked, "Can you tell me about the mission now?"
"Oh, that..." Avery paused to think before saying, "Your task is just to help us handle the Elemental Coral. As for anything else... if you really want to know, I’ll tell you once we’re closer to the destination."
After a brief pause, she managed to offer a rare smile and reassured him, "Don’t worry—here, you’re the safest."
Alright then.
The convoy traveled westward for an entire day. By evening, they arrived at a dense forest area near Crescent Bay and set up camp under the pretense of hunting. Later that night, Avery came to Lynch’s tent, where he was cultivating, to wake him.
"We’re setting out now."
Under cover of darkness, the group silently approached the bay area, where a ship awaited them at the shore.
’Are we setting sail?’ Lynch wondered.
Looking at the ship, Lynch noted it wasn’t just an ordinary small vessel but a three-masted sailing ship capable of maritime voyages.
The group boarded the deck, and the helmsman and sailors promptly unfurled the sails and raised the anchor. The ship quickly drifted away from shore, propelled west-northwest by the sea breeze.
’This direction... are we heading to Ghost Island?’ Lynch immediately recognized the ship’s course toward Ghost Island—a small isle about a hundred nautical miles away from Crescent Bay.
Previously, the isle was just a nameless near-shore location, occasionally serving as a stopover point for fishermen. Back then, its names did not hint at anything peculiar—commonly called the Uninhabited Island, Nameless Isle, or simply the Island.
The term "Ghost Island" emerged only in the past year or two.
During the last couple of years, something inexplicable began to happen. Ships passing by suddenly observed an eerie and sinister atmosphere around the island. Sometimes, the wind carried faint cries or wails. Rumors even claimed sightings of ghostly fires and phantoms.
Some brave fishermen ventured ashore to investigate but never returned, leading the tales to spread. People began saying some ghostly entities now inhabited the island, and thus it became known as Ghost Island.
"Lynch."
As Lynch was lost in thought, Avery approached him, accompanied by Adam.
Looking out at the dark and boundless sea, she turned back and said, "It’s time you learned about our mission. Adam will explain it to you."
Lynch nodded, "Alright."
Since resolving their past misunderstandings, Lynch and Adam had grown much closer. Previously, Lynch had tried to gather information about their mission from him, but Adam kept his lips sealed, giving nothing away.
Now, with Avery’s permission, Adam was ready to recount everything.
Pointing toward the pitch-black sea ahead, he said, "Beyond what you cannot see right now lies an island—that’s where we’re heading tonight. Do you know about it?"
So it really is...
Lynch nodded, "I’ve heard people discussing it at the market; isn’t it called Ghost Island?"
Adam shook his head, "There’s nothing ghostly about that place. Those rumors and missing fishermen—it’s the work of Black Wizards."
Lynch exclaimed in surprise, "Black Wizards?" 𝒏𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
Without Lynch noticing, Lucas had approached. Overhearing their conversation, he interjected, "Don’t be so startled. Black Wizards aren’t some nightmarish monsters—just two eyes and one mouth, same as us."
Evidently, Lucas mistook Lynch’s reaction as one of fear. It wasn’t unreasonable; ordinary citizens in a society governed by order naturally dreaded the menace of cruel and bloodthirsty Black Wizards.
Adam nodded, "Yes, Black Wizards."
He paused briefly, patted Lynch’s shoulder, and smiled gently to reassure him, "Don’t worry—taking them down is our job, not yours. Even if something unexpected happens, I’ll absolutely ensure your safety."
Saying this, he emphasized his point by gripping his Cross Sword tightly.
Lynch obediently nodded, "Alright."
After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, "Can I ask how many of them there are?"
Lucas furrowed his brows with faint irritation. Question after question—so annoying. Was he just this scared? And this was supposed to be the recipient of the Warrior Feather?
The seven Judges must have been blind!
Despite it not being Lynch’s fault, Avery stepped in to answer, "Five or six in total, but only one of them holds the strength of a Mid-level Apprentice. Their cultivation focus is on Necromancy."
Lynch froze: Necromancy? Given this location, could it mean...
Indeed.
Adam tightly grasped the Cross Sword, his eyes flashing with hatred. "They’re the ones who killed Yuri—the apprentices from Shadow Swamp!"
So it really is them...
Regarding the massacre a few years ago, the Tower had later provided a clearer picture. The culprits were members of a Black Wizard organization named Shadow Swamp, operating north of the Lamos Duchy. The Tower had since wiped out this organization.
However, Shadow Swamp had longstanding influence in the Lamos Duchy, with intricate networks of power. Considering this area fell outside the Tower’s jurisdiction, large-scale manhunts were inconvenient. Inevitably, some members escaped—they must be among the ones here.
Gripping the railing, Lynch recalled the contents of Richard’s diary. Compared to the others, Lynch had a deeper understanding of Shadow Swamp.
The organization’s overall strength wasn’t particularly vast. Outside of their Witch Master Morris possessing Official-level Wizard abilities, the remaining living apprentices only included three High-level Apprentices. Barton, whom Lynch had previously encountered at the market, was one of them.
Based on Barton’s comments then, it seemed he had already returned to the Lamos Duchy. The remaining two—considering their recorded spell focuses—were unlikely trapped on this island.
Thus, the intelligence Avery’s team had gathered beforehand should be accurate.
Two Mid-level Apprentices, one Low-level Apprentice, along with dozens of knights and apprentice knights, and hundreds of well-equipped elite soldiers—laying siege to four or five Low-level Apprentices and one Mid-level Apprentice... This was akin to lions preying on rabbits.
’There shouldn’t be any surprises, should there? If something unexpected does arise, then it would defy all logic, wouldn’t it?’
’...Shouldn’t it?’
Staring into the dark sea ahead, where success seemed guaranteed, Lynch still couldn’t rid himself of unease...
He just couldn’t shake the feeling of instability...
