Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1907 Destination

Three weeks later.

After cautiously camping at night and traversing large distances during the day, the party finally arrived at their destination.

The city was quite a distance away from the dirt road that wound through the secret plane. It was deeper into the woods.

They had initially thought that it would only take them about a week or so to reach the city. But the closer they got to their destination, the more the land had become infested with all kinds of monsters.

It was as though all the monsters were somehow drawn to the city.

And with that realization came another.

One far more discouraging.

As rain fell from the skies, Adam and the rest found shelter in one of the topmost branches of a towering tree. The rain helped conceal their scent, and they were grateful for it. Traveling during the daytime while hiding from monsters had gotten increasingly difficult as the days passed.

"I don't understand," Michael murmured with a frown. "Why are all these monsters even here?"

The trio glanced at the giant, dilapidated city walls in the distance. The distance was about a hundred meters, but the terrain was perilous. Wolves of all kinds, the occasional ogres, and other kinds of grotesque monsters that could not be identified moved in and out of the city gate.

If it were any other part of the land, these monsters would have fought each other on sight. They were territorial, after all. But here they ignored all animosity and seemed to work together.

No, to be more precise, there were still some brutal fights taking place between monsters. But that only happened if they got too close to one another. As long as different types of monsters kept enough space from each other, it seemed they wouldn't go into attack.

"What if the city is completely overrun by these monsters?" Michael couldn't help but frown.

It had been a month since they'd entered the secret plane. Every day was a trial, and every night was a living nightmare. They thought they would find a modicum of safety when they arrived at the city. But even that ray of hope seemed to flicker out of existence as time passed.

"No, they seem to be drawn by something here," Genevieve said. "Maybe there are others like us inside the city?"

"I think so too." Adam nodded. "Perhaps these creatures are attracted to them. Or else I don't see why they would loosely cooperate with one another and enter the city. Unless someone is controlling them."

His last sentence caused Genevieve and Michael to feel a sudden chill.

There were thousands of monsters in front of them. If they were all controlled by someone…

"No!" Michael quickly refused. "Don't say such negative things, man. Come on!"

Adam wanted to laugh. If he didn't fear drawing the monsters' attention, he seriously would have.

Rain continued to fall from the skies. The occasional lightning streaking across the sky illuminated the lands. Due to the gloomy and terrible weather, the daytime presently wasn't that much different from nighttime.

If it weren't for the heavy rain, the party wouldn't have chosen to travel. The rain helped conceal their presence to a great degree.

They had already arrived at their destination. Now all they needed was a way over the wall. Going through the city gates with that many monsters around was suicide.

Adam's eyes narrowed as he scanned the treetops. Even the tallest tree near the base of the wall wasn't high enough to climb over it. Approaching by land was simply not an option.

How do we enter? He thought grimly.

Assuming there are people inside, they must have a way to travel in and out of the city.

Unless they've somehow managed to become self-sufficient with their food and water supply.

There has got to be a way…

"I think we should return to our hideout," Genevieve suggested. "We'll come look for a way in once the weather clears. Maybe there are hidden entrances elsewhere along the wall?"

"I agree." Michael nodded. "It is impossible to survey properly in this damned rain. If we turn back now, we'll make it back to the cave in time."

Adam was silent for a few moments, his eyes still scanning for a way over the wall. Thunder rumbled, pulling him out of his deep focus.

He then let out a sigh.

"Alright," he said. "Let's head back."

Genevieve and Michael were visibly relieved. They turned and, under Adam's lead, made their way back to the hideout. They silently vaulted from branch to branch, leaving the city behind.

Rain continued to pour from the heavens, drumming against the forest canopy before cascading onto the ground below. The air was suffused with the scent of wet earth and fresh rain.

As they moved further away from the city walls, the monsters gradually grew fewer in number. The oppressive feeling that had lingered near the wall slowly faded, leaving behind only the steady sound of rainfall and distant thunder.

Adam had his Sphere of Resonance working at maximum capacity. As the scout, it was his responsibility to survey the area ahead and ensure there were no dangers.

When they were over a kilometer away from the city walls, he quickly raised his hand, signalling the two behind him to stop. He sensed several presences approaching from the front.

In such scenarios, they would normally avoid the threat and hide rather than engage. It was what they had done countless times in the past weeks.

However, Adam did not give them a signal to hide or change course.

He simply stood there on the thick branch, a slight frown on his face.

"What is it?" Michael asked grimly, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword.

Meanwhile, Genevieve had begun circulating her mana, her artifacts ready to be used at a moment's notice.

"Enemies?" she pressed.

Adam slowly shook his head. "I don't think so."

Before either of them had a chance to reply, they sensed it.

Four figures in hooded cloaks emerged from the hazy rain and landed on a thick branch roughly twenty meters away. Two carried bows, one bore a sword and shield, while the last one was empty-handed.

Michael and Genevieve grew tense. And Adam could tell that the other party was also surprised to see them.

So he slowly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. His voice carried through the pounding rain.

"We mean you no harm!"

Taking his cue, Michael and Genevieve slowly raised their hands as well.

Adam sensed that the opposing party relaxed ever so slightly. The tense atmosphere had also defused.

Then, the leader of the party, a petite woman, lowered her cowl. She was a blonde elf of short height. Though she looked small, her presence was anything but.

"Where are you from?" She asked, her green eyes locked onto Adam's every move as she instantly realized him to be the biggest threat.

"Davos," Adam replied.

The elf had a reminiscent smile on her face.

"The Free City of Davos, eh? That takes me back."

She paused for a moment, then asked, "How did you arrive here?"

"We were on our way to Winterdale," Adam lied. "And then one night, we… we were surrounded by grey mist."

He found the elf nodding in understanding when he mentioned the mist.

"Found yourselves in the battlefield outside the wall then?" the elf asked matter-of-factly.

Adam feigned a frown. "That's right."

He saw the others behind the short elf nodding. Some even chuckled dryly.

"You all have made the correct decision traveling this way," said the elf. "Now I can only assume you were traveling to the city, but couldn't find a way in. Correct?"

Adam and the rest nodded.

However, Michael and Genevieve didn't talk. They thought it'd be better for Adam to do the talking.

"Very well." The blonde elf nodded. "We were heading into the city. We can take you with us."

The next moment, the elf's expression turned solemn.

"However, if you want safe passage inside, we must first ensure that you don't pose a threat to the people within."

Adam's frowned. This time, it was genuine.

"What do you want from us then?"

"It's simple," said the elf. "Hand over your artifacts, your material components, and any other lethal items."

She crossed her arms, her expression firm.

"Only then will we take you with us... to Adventurers City."