The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Chapter 222

"My lord, what is your plan?"

"First, I wish to parley with Golden Scorch. I'm curious to see what they're after."

At noon the next day, Alavin, accompanied by Lucan and over four hundred guards, approached the gates of Stormcast.

The once-majestic gates were now battered and scarred. The thick stone walls were etched with cracks. The protective moat outside had dried to a vast pit, desolately surrounding the ancient, crumbling city.

"Who goes there?" came a shout from atop the wall.

"Lord of Stormcast, Alavin!" he called to the high ramparts.

The wall bristled with the Golden Scorch's armored troops. Their golden armor gleamed in the sunlight, imposing and grand. They held bows and arrows, peering down at the gates.

A golden-armored general shouted, "Lord Alavin, please wait. The Lord of Golden Scorch has been expecting you."

"Be wary," Lucan murmured to the guard, and the four hundred men braced themselves, ready for what might come.

Soon, the dilapidated gates creaked open, and a heavy drawbridge fell with a thud, kicking up thick dust.

A procession rode forth on steeds, with a middle-aged man at the forefront. His skin was as pale as the moon, and his demeanor was extraordinary. He had a commanding presence. He was the first to spur his horse forward, laughing heartily. "Alavin, I have been waiting for you for a day. All the

riffraff of Stormcast have been expelled, the streets are swept clean, and the Lord's manor has been prepared for you, just awaiting your return." All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.

This sudden, enthusiastic welcome left Alavin and his companions somewhat bewildered.

"He is the Lord of Golden Scorch, Lawren!" Lucan whispered to Alavin.

Alavin gestured for his guard to relax a bit, and he approached with a smile. "Lord Lawren, you are too kind."

Lawren dismounted gracefully, and looked Alavin up and down, nodding with a smile. "In the blink of an eye, years have passed, and I hardly dare recognize you."

"Indeed, I've been away for far too long." Alavin observed the dismounting entourage behind Lawren, and with a smile, he said nostalgically, "I didn't expect you to clear out the ancient city for me and be here to welcome me home. On behalf of the Mallister family and Stormcast, I thank you."

"Think nothing of it. I was a good friend of your father back in the day, it's just... alas... don't hold it against me for not being able to help then."

Alavin nodded in understanding. "No one can control the decisions of Cobalt Strike."

Lawren sighed, clapping Alavin's sturdy shoulder with force. "You've been wronged. After that incident, we, the lords of the four great cities, met in secret and were all baffled. Punishing the whole city just because a tribute was intercepted was a disheartening move from Cobalt Strike. The great ancient cities have served Cobalt Strike faithfully for years without complaint, and this is what they get in return. Yet, what can we do? Cobalt Strike was resolute, and despite our willingness, we were powerless."

"That's all in the past now."

"Right, what's done is done, and after hardship comes joy. Everything will get better."

Such heartfelt words were truly moving. Alavin was touched but couldn't help feeling a stir of doubt. Was Golden Scorch being too enthusiastic? Were they really here to help, or was he just being overly sensitive?

"Lucan? And Godfred, it's been many years." Lawren greeted them.

"Lord Lawren, we thank you for everything you've done for Stormcast. Just last night, we feared..." Lucan and the others bowed respectfully.

"That I would usurp Stormcast? Ha, I would not take advantage of the vulnerable."

Lucan's laughter was tinged with embarrassment. "Forgive us, we've grown used to hardships in Azure Mountain, and suddenly this..."

"No more of that, I understand. Consider this a small recompense. From now on, Golden Scorch will fully support Stormcast, striving to restore its former glory."

Alavin smiled. "I don't know how I could ever repay you."

"Let's not talk of repayment. If I wanted that, I wouldn't have prepared everything in advance for your homecoming. You were young back then, unaware of the friendship between your father and me; we were nearly sworn brothers," Lawren said, deeply moved.

"My father often mentioned you," Alavin said, surprised by this revelation.

"I've always regretted not being able to help you through the years. Thank the heavens, you've returned." Lawren patted Alavin's shoulder again and, wrapping an arm around him, introduced, "Come, let me introduce you, this is Felir, and this is Dainis."