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墨書 Inktalez
Looking across the entire Yinclan Barony, Blackstone Town appeared utterly ordinary. In terms of wealth, it lagged far behind other small towns due to the impassable roads of the Aguillon Mountains, which hindered the effective transportation of various resources. When it came to military strength, its remote location meant that wandering warriors and mages seldom chose to settle here. Without external forces, Blackstone Town could only rely on its local strength for slow development.
Fortunately, this small town was remarkably united. The residents and guards had always coexisted harmoniously, and more importantly, the people here were kind-hearted. They welcomed any stranger who found themselves homeless and exposed to the elements. It was reminiscent of the young Mayor Tutulu, who had taken in Baisaro and Strick, despite both eventually betraying him. These events left a stain on his reputation, often becoming fodder for light-hearted banter among the townsfolk, who would jokingly remark, "Tutulu really is getting old!"
Yet despite such remarks, everyone genuinely trusted Tutulu. The reason was simple: he possessed exceptional insight and wisdom. In his youth, he had been offered opportunities to work in the Baron’s capital on no fewer than three occasions, which hinted at a bright future ahead. Surprisingly, however, he had turned down all those invitations.
At that time, speculation ran rampant in the town. Some suggested that Tutulu harbored deep-seated issues stemming from when Strick had kidnapped his son and daughter-in-law, ultimately leading to their tragic demise. This incident had dealt him a severe blow. Others defended Tutulu's reputation, claiming that he simply could not abandon Blackstone Town.
Regardless of how rumors evolved, Tutulu continued to earn the trust and admiration of the residents.
The reason was straightforward.
He had a thousand reasons to abandon this declining town but always found one reason to stay.
That old man had never forsaken a single person in the town.
…
…
A heart-wrenching cry pierced through the crowd, more accurately just before Sundgoth's arrival.
From the first burst of flames to the descent of the black dragon, only a few minutes had passed.
Yet within those few minutes, far too much could happen.
Among the crowd stood a young girl in tears; her mouth opened wide but she could not muster a sound. Beside her were others who bore similar expressions, heads raised as they gazed into the distance at the flames.
To the north lay Rona Street, with Roland Street not far behind… and of course Rolling Street among other wider avenues in town. At that moment, all streets were engulfed in flames; houses on either side burned fiercely, with flaming figures occasionally bursting forth only to be consumed by the searing heat…
Thick smoke billowed upward, gathering into dark clouds overhead as it brewed an impending storm.
Blackstone Town was being destroyed; it was being ravaged by this sudden inferno. The tall buildings painstakingly constructed by everyone had collapsed into ruins, reduced to charred remains.
The dead turned to ashes, while the living were destined to bear the heavy pain.
In the crowd of the Southern Suburbs, people swayed unsteadily. Women cried out in anguish, their voices piercing the air, while men knelt on the ground, desperately covering their faces with their hands to stifle their sobs. Even the guards, who had long been accustomed to blades and swords, fell silent. Their tightly fitted helmets concealed their faces, but hot tears continued to stream down from beneath their chins.
"My child!" A sharp scream pierced through the chaos as a woman with disheveled hair suddenly dashed forward.
The surrounding guards were caught off guard, helplessly watching her run into the distance. However, that blaze was no ordinary flame; it was the magical fire from the Fallen Flame Dragon Sandgufan, spreading with astonishing speed and had unknowingly reached the Southern Suburbs.
With a thunderous roar, the crimson flames opened like a giant maw and instantly engulfed the woman. She trembled violently as her hair crackled in the heat; it was as if the fire erupted from her very features and insides, turning her into ashes in an instant.
Before anyone could regain their senses, two more figures rushed forward, as if the flames were merely a familiar path back to town, only to be consumed by the inferno one after another.
"Retreat! Immediate retreat!" One guard snapped back to reality and grabbed a desperate man who was trying to rush into the flames.
"Kugabat! Take the women and children first! Sosir! You are responsible for leading them toward the capital; make sure everyone gets there safely!" At that moment, Tutulu's voice rang out as he held onto Dostodoro's hand from behind the crowd.
This inferno had already become a large-scale disaster; the capital had an obligation to shelter these homeless refugees. There, they could find new places to live, food, and water.
"Take Dostodoro with you."
"My lord, what about you?" Kugabat stepped forward to ask.
"Don't worry about me; act immediately!" Tutulu waved his hand sharply.
"Yes!" Kugabat hesitated for a moment but then sprang into action without delay.
As the crowd began to evacuate, Tutulu gazed at the flames. Strangely enough, what he saw through the firelight was not a raging serpent of flames but familiar scenes from his past.
Many years ago at the academy, he had pounded his chest and told his companions that he would change his hometown's decline and share its fate with Blackstone.
Later, in the mayor's office, he admired the "documents" left by his predecessor and burned them all without regard for others' objections, determined to start anew. The young guard who supported him was promoted to captain; that fellow was named Black Duncan.
Afterward, regarding the road issues of Aguillon Mountains, he approached Baron multiple times. However, due to excessive costs, there had been no results...
Looking back, the things he had done over the years seemed hardly significant.
As he journeyed on, he gradually forgot the purpose that had driven him to set out in the first place...
But it didn't matter now.
He remembered.
"Grandpa, aren't you leaving yet?" Dostodoro wiped his tears and looked at Tutulu.
"I still have some things to take care of..." Tutulu suddenly pointed into the distance. "What do you see over there?"
Dostodoro instinctively turned to look, but all he saw were stars in the night sky, obscured by clouds, making them appear hazy and unclear.
"There's nothing there..." Dostodoro turned back, his voice trailing off.
The old man had vanished from his side.
Ahead...
The aged figure plunged into the flames.
...
The fire quickly spread, engulfing the entire Southern Suburbs in an instant.
At this moment, the team had safely retreated and reached the mid-point of the Aguillon Mountains. On the edge of the group, Dostodoro's tears flowed endlessly, his cries heart-wrenching enough to soften anyone's heart. Many guards came to comfort him, but upon hearing the reason from Kugabat, they fell silent.
Kugabat looked at the bewildered crowd and felt a pang of sorrow. The mayor had rushed into the inferno to seek out lost beauty, while those left behind had lost their way. Even though Tutulu had told them to head for the capital of Baron’s territory, what would happen once they arrived there...
Kugabat knew nothing about what lay ahead.
He unconsciously recalled the moment at Aguolon Plain when he had collapsed in fear. At that time, Sir Garen and Black Duncan had never given up. Yes, if it were them, they would surely lead everyone toward the light!
Just then, Kugabat suddenly thought of something.
"Where is Lord Garen?! Where is Lord Garen?!"
During the onslaught of flames, Kugabat had seen that knight take Yasthia away, while the remaining three mages stayed in the Southern Suburbs. As for Sharg, he had been sent far away for treatment much earlier.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Garen was nowhere to be seen!
A trembling knight raised his hand and pointed in a direction...
When everyone saw that scene, they were all stunned.
Black Dragon Sendgufan loomed in the sky, its massive jaws spewing forth raging flames, incinerating the entire Southern Suburbs!
The ground cracked open with a loud rumble, spreading like a spiderweb in all directions, yet the towering lighthouse at the center remained untouched!
There, right in front of the Watchtower, stood Garen, leaning on his sword!
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