Decisions in Hull

The Hull Manor was at the edge of a forest. It was a resort where the Hoffenberg family had their summer hunting. Since it was only the beginning of spring, there were few guests and servants. It was quiet and peaceful.

The study in the manor was the place where King Hoffenberg handled state affairs during his holiday. It was protected by powerful divine power circles. However, it was three sorcerers who were under the protection of the divine power circles now.

Douglas lived in the place secretly as a guest of the royal family. He had to change his magic robe into the most popular high-collared coat nowadays, which made him slightly uncomfortable.

“Did you arrange for Douglas to hide here?” After they entered the study, Fernando asked Hathaway casually, trying to figure out whether it was her intention or the Sword of Truth’s.

He had no time to pay attention to the sky during the battle, but since the Liege of Death and the Witch of Iceland perished while the Sword of Truth and the Heart of Time were as alive as ever, it was not hard for him to infer what happened. The two noble knights must have betrayed them!

The losses were heavier than what Fernando could bear. He found it even less possible to trust the nobles and the knights right now.

Hathaway nodded her head. “Yes.”

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She was a noble, but she had become a sorcerer. Plus their years of friendship, Fernando actually trusted her more.

Sharp chuckled. “Do you think that His Majesty does not know what Hathaway did? He’s only pretending that he doesn’t. We only did what we had to do. There’s not a single noble who wants the Church to completely destroy the sorcerers. It’s like what Douglas said. Our conflicts with the Church will be more and more intense from now on.”

He was uncertain about the future.

Seated on the high chair at ease, Douglas said peacefully, “With the Mother God of the Earth, the heretical churches, Dracula, the Silver Moon, the Dark Mountain Range, and the Boundless Ocean, there’s still a long way to go before the Church abandons the nobles. However, now that the coalition army has been crushed, it’s barely possible for them to stall most forces of the Church. The Church’s control over its territory will reach its peak. You have to be prepared to endure it.”

His speed was neither too fast nor too slow, and his voices carried the unique magnetism of a middle-aged gentleman. Although he was describing an ominous situation, Fernando and Sharp were eased and less panicked.

Is it the vibe of a legend, or has Douglas grown into such a charismatic leader? Such a question suddenly popped up in Fernando’s heart.

“I fear that endurance won’t help.” After calming himself down, he confessed his concerns. They were also the concerns of the Sword of Truth, as well as most nobles, because there was no hope of winning at all.

Douglas drank a mouthful of water before he continued with his soothing tone, “From the previous cases, it is not hard to see that the pope has to recover after every usage of God’s Arrival. In the jargon of the sorcerers, the cooldown of this divine power is very long, and the former pope has shown us the outcome of using it too often. So, we don’t need to be so scared of God’s Arrival.

“‘Silver Moon’ Alterna escaped in heavy wounds after taking a blow of God’s Arrival, which means that it is possible to resist God’s Arrival. After she recovers, we can find a way to summon the Lord of Hell or the Will of Abyss. It is not entirely impossible to surround the pope.”

The analysis was obvious, but it was difficult for anyone to calm down and think when they were in a panic. Clever minds could not see beyond themselves when they were covered in fog.

Hearing Douglas’ analysis, Sharp was calmer and calmer, finding confidence again.

“However, summoning the Lord of Hell or the Will of Abyss requires complicated rituals and enormous prices. It’s likely that the Church will discover and sabotage it in advance. Also, the Will of Abyss is crazy and bloodthirsty. He may turn out to be an enemy after being summoned.”

Sharp expressed his own thoughts.

“Hehe. What a coward.” Fernando looked at Sharp in disdain. “Although the Will of Abyss is crazy, we can make preparations in advance to guide him in the direction we like.”

As a sorcerer born in the Magic Empire, Fernando did not reject summoning demons and devils even though he never liked those stupid evil guys.

Douglas smiled. “Perhaps I need to go to hell and talk to the Lord of Hell. He’s a demigod who is sensible and capable of analysis. Perhaps we can find a way to allow him to arrive more easily. To be honest, I’m never a fan of blood sacrifice.”

After he became a legend, he was capable of traveling in alternate dimensions even without the help of oriented Portals to Alternate Realm.

“You can wait for a moment. Considering the value of ‘Mathematical Principles of Magical Philosophy’, you will probably make another breakthrough soon.” Fernando felt that it would be better if Douglas waited until he was stronger, in case the Lord of Hell despised such a “weak” partner.

“Improving myself is not contradictory to going to hell.” Douglas nodded. “By my estimation, I will probably reach level three in thirty years, with reasonable combat ability.”

He looked at Sharp. “This path is dangerous and difficult, but it will be absolutely hopeless if we don’t do anything. Only if we walk one step at a time can we leave a path of hope in darkness and desperation.”

“Actually, the situation today is not too bad, that is, for the sorcerers. Ever since the fall of Aalto and the demise of the Liege of Death, the leaders of the Church have paid less attention to sorcerers but focused on the heretical churches and the dark creatures. It means that you will suffer less hunting in the future.” Sharp told them the important changes he sensed recently.

Douglas smiled in self-mockery. “There are merits to being weak.”

Fernando interjected in despise, “I thought that Ivan would burst into conflicts with Gregory after failing to become the pope, but he turns out to be as docile as a sheep.”

“The power of the clerics is from the God of Truth. Revolting against the pope chosen by the God of Truth equals to revolting against their god. No cleric has the courage to do that, which means that they will have no partners or supporters. Also, it’s said that the pope has a method known as ‘Excommunication’. It can block the connection between the clerics and the God of Truth so that their hearts of faith cannot be refilled. So, how can Ivan dare to challenge Gregory?” Douglas shook his head.

Hathaway suddenly said coldly, “There is Excommunication.”

“There really is…” Douglas nodded solemnly. “However, we need not be disappointed. Ivan probably won’t challenge Gregory directly, but it doesn’t mean that he’s unwilling to cause trouble or create enemies for Gregory. Perhaps his attitude toward sorcerers has changed. We can try to get in touch with him.”

The four of them discussed for a long time and settled many plans. Fernando felt the passion he had when he just joined the Union of Sorcerers again.

Douglas patted his clothes and stood up. “Fernando, your wounds are still not recovered. Take a rest now. We can talk about magic sometime later.”

“Alright. I’ll discuss ‘Mathematical Principles of Magical Philosophy’ with you later. It’s definitely the most brilliant masterpiece in the history of magic.” Fernando did not hold back his compliment.

Douglas smiled. “I’m glad that you think so highly of it, and I’m proud of my work too. However, the more I study, the more confused I am. Hehe. The unknowns are always so fascinating. What is gravity? What is the nature of gravity?”

Well… The depths of his questions stunned both Fernando and Hathaway, who did not know how to respond at all. Sharp, not knowing any arcana, shrugged and walked to the window, pulling the drapes.

The pure and warm sunlight sprayed in from outside the room, covering everything in gold. Before anyone knew it, it was already dawn!

“Fernando, I need your help to contact the other sorcerers. Let’s try to establish another union.”

“Don’t call it a union. It reminds me of the old fox. Let’s call it the Congress of Sorcerers.”

“Fine by me.”

“It does not sound good…” Hathaway remarked in a low voice.

…

Erica’s heart was particularly heavy when she looked at the sorcerers around her who were desperate and helpless. The little organization she was in could barely deal with such a great tsunami.

She moved back to her room and sat on her bed while holding her knees. Thinking for a moment, she took out a black-covered book from the magic pouch. It was from Mr. Douglas from their last correspondence. Because of the escalation of the situation, she never had the time to read it.

Opening the book, Erica read it carefully, with subconscious admiration.

As she read on, her hands trembled so violently that she could barely hold the book steadily. Although she hadn’t picked up calculus that Douglas mentioned in his letters, it did not stop her from getting a rough idea of what the third article said.

“Gravity…

“Is it the string on the piano of the Goddess of Magic?

“Is this the reality of this world?

“Magic is so much more marvelous than I thought!”

So astounded, she didn’t even know that Atlant, the Eye of Curse, had come to reorganize her group.

…

After a squeak, a girl in a court dress opened the door of the room. The candle in her hand illuminated the dark room.

Where the light was gathered, a tall and slim young man looked back at her in fear, with a heart in his hands and a broken body in front of him.

Crack.

The candle fell onto the ground, and the beautiful girl covered her mouth, asking in disbelief, “You… are a sorcerer?”

“No, no…” His face livid, the young man shook his head in a panic, but he was unable to answer the question.

…

Blowing a melodic whistle, a black-haired and black-eyed young man trotted joyfully on the street. His handsome face and his unique scholarly vibe were particularly attractive for ladies.

“This play stinks. It’s not even as good as the one in my head!” He clicked his tongue and criticized it. In the meantime, he couldn’t help but remark, “Mrs. Audrey was too hot and passionate…”

Suddenly, a man, probably in his thirties, ran close from a corner and shouted in a panic, “Run! Run out of the city! The viscount knows that you slept with Mrs. Audrey!”

“What?” The young man’s face immediately turned pale. His easiness was gone. He took his luggage and ran off immediately.

By the time he got out of the city, it was already sunset.

“How beautiful!” He gradually recovered his calmness and chuckled. “This is a good opportunity for me to go to Rentato. I’ve always wanted to visit it anyway. I’m the man who is destined to become the greatest playwright!”

Against the sunset, the black-haired young man blew a cheerful whistle again.