Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe C.380 Secret Society

Ambermind Manor, Uptown Quarter.

The rich aroma of aged paper and polished wood assaulted Adam's nostrils as he glanced at the personal library he stood before.

It was vast, its tall ceilings crafted with wooden beams and adorned with a large crystal chandelier, casting a warm golden glow throughout the room.

The walls of the library were lined with tall mahogany bookshelves, reaching all the way to the ceiling. Each shelf was meticulously organized with books of literature, philosophy, geography, and even arcane.

In the center of the library, beneath the large crystal chandelier, lay a luxurious velvet rug. On the rug, rested two leather arms chairs with high backrests.

Right between the chairs was a polished wooden table.

Behind this seating area was a grand fireplace. The comforting scent of burning wood wafting from it caused Adam to instinctively relax.

As he sat down on one of the leather armchairs, he glanced at Daneli and praised, "I must say, this library is simply marvelous."

Hearing Adam's praise, Daneli couldn't help but smile, "I put a lot of effort into building this library. Cost me quite a fortune too."

"Speaking of fortune," Adam spoke with a slight trace of envy. "You're quite rich, huh?"

"Technically, it is my parents who are rich," Daneli chuckled as he took a seat beside Adam. "I'm just using their money."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." Adam rolled his eyes.

They spent the entire day at The Sleepy Hobbit, catching up with each other.

Adam was supposed to go to Saratoga Castle today, however, Daneli suggested leaving tomorrow since it was already so late.

The elf then brought the raven-haired youth to his manor. Adam would stay the night here, then leave for the Castle the following day.

"You met my teacher recently, yes?" Daneli's eyes shone with warmth as he spoke about Elrod. "How is he doing?"

"He's doing fine," Adam smiled. "Lord Elrod helped me quite a bit during my initiation ceremony. If it weren't for him, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to join the Brotherhood."

"How so?" Daneli asked curiously.

Adam then began telling him about the test he had received from the Brotherhood. He went on to explain everything, from meeting the owners of the Velvet Dreams to subsequently hanging them in front of the public.

Daneli was a fellow Agent of the Twilight Brotherhood. Moreover, he was also an old friend, someone who Adam had fought alongside through life and death inside the Soaring River Secret Plane back in the Federation. Suffice it to say that Adam trusted the elf.

When Daneli heard of Adam's exploits in Acryon, his eyes widened in disbelief and he shot to his feet. "You're the Black Vengeance?!"

Not knowing why the elf would suddenly act this way, Adam found it very strange. "Uh, yeah?"

It had been more than three months since the vigilante named Black Vengeance had made his appearance. His actions had shaken the Empire to its core, to say the least.

Even in Ravenfell, people knew the name of Black Vengeance. Many admired this great Magus who had taken it upon himself to deliver punishment to the couple who had enslaved innocent women.

Daneli stood rooted on the spot for a very long time, his lower jaw nearly touching the ground. Finally, he muttered with great incredulity, "You absolute madman!"

As an elf, Daneli deeply resonated with the concept of freedom. It was, after all, the greatest virtue in their culture.

As such, he despised people who would try to enslave others for their own benefit.

When he heard about the deeds of the Black Vengeance, he was greatly surprised in his heart. Like most people in the empire, he had come to deeply admire this vigilante Magus.

So he was quite shocked to learn that this person was none other than his old friend.

A few moments later, the elf calmed his emotions and sat back down. He glanced at Adam and spoke with approval, "Your actions in Acryon have caused great ripples in the Ravenfall underworld as well."

Adam's eyes narrowed and he spoke in a solemn tone, "Are you saying people are engaging in the slave trade here as well?"

"You're too naive, Adam," Daneli scoffed with a shake of his head.

"Slave Trade is prevalent everywhere. Here, unscrupulous merchants and pirates have found ways to circumvent the laws and deal in such illegal activities." 𝔣𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔴𝔢𝖇𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔢𝔩.𝖈𝔬𝖒

He paused for a moment before continuing, "But ever since the appearance of the Black Vengeance, these scums have decided to lay low."

"Temporarily," said Adam.

"Indeed," Daneli nodded.

A few moments of silence ensued in the opulent library, only the sound of the crackling firewood permeating the place.

Adam glanced at Daneli and solemnly asked, "Lord Elrod said that you would be briefing me about my mission in Ravenfell. I'm guessing you're working on the same mission as well?"

Daneli nodded, his expression turning serious. "Adam, our Brotherhood isn't the only organization that is working from the shadows.

"There are many secret societies and evil cults hidden throughout this world. Their influence stretches far beyond what we can comprehend."

Adam nodded, gesturing for the elf to continue.

"Our mission is to monitor the actions of an evil organization known as The Cult of Bones," said the elf with a grim expression.

"Bones?" Adam muttered with a raised eyebrow. "Sounds… unsettling."

"Indeed." Daneli nodded. "This secret society operates in the shadows of Ravenfell, having a strong presence in its underworld. The vast majority of its members are necromancers and practitioners of dark magic."

"Necromancers!" Adam's pupils constricted.

Although he hadn't come across one, in the memories of the experts he had seen just how formidable these Magi could truly be.

They were a one-man army!

"What is their motive?" he asked.

"It is unknown." Daneli shook his head. "For the past year, I haven't gotten any leads on them."

Adam chuckled, "Well, they are a secret organization. It would be strange if its members were so easily discovered." He paused for a moment before asking, "Are there other Agents of the Brotherhood in this city? Or is it just us two?"

Daneli smiled wryly, "I'm sure there are, but I don't know who they are. As far as I'm concerned, it's just you and me for now."

"Hmm." Adam nodded, stroking his chin. "So it is a shadow war against The Cult of Bones, eh?"

Slowly, his lips curled up into a smirk.

"How interesting!"