Chapter 338: The Legion of Death!
As soon as Garon saw Karsus appear before him, he had a premonition.
However, when he heard Karsus himself say that he had successfully created the Deification Technique, Garon couldn't help but feel a stir of emotion, his eyes shining with a glint of brilliance.
He had been waiting for Karsus for nearly thirty years.
All the guidance and corrections to his magical path—wasn't this moment what it was all for?
Garon let out a breath and said softly to Karsus, "It sounds like a very powerful spell."
Karsus nodded and said with a calm and confident tone, "Teacher, I will use this spell to end the war between Netheril and the Felin mages."
In the main timeline of history, he indeed did.
But it ended with mutual destruction.
The Felin mages are pure magical creatures and depend heavily on the presence of the magic network. If the Deification Technique were successfully used on the goddess of magic, as the magic network collapsed and the floating cities fell, the Felin mages would also die in droves.
These creatures cannot live without magic.
"What is its effect?" Garon asked.
Karsus slowly said, "It targets a deity, seizing all of a god's might."
"Their knowledge, their divine nature, their extraordinary divine power."
"If the Deification Technique is successfully cast, I will replace the deity."
After hearing the answer he wanted, Garon smiled and said, "Karsus, I remember you had this idea when you were young, but now you've actually made it happen."
Pausing for a moment, Garon asked Karsus, "So, is your target still the same as before, aiming to replace the goddess of magic?"
Facing Garon's inquiry, Karsus nodded as if it were only natural, saying, "That's right."
"To replace the goddess of magic, I will become the first person in history to become a deity, and also a great archmage with powerful divine force."
"My name will be remembered by history, and all the archmages of Netheril will regard it as their glory and pride."
Garon shook his head imperceptibly and said seriously, "Karsus, you seem to think seizing the powers of a deity is too simple. If your target were a demi-god, I might think it possible."
"But a goddess of magic with mighty divine power?"
"Do you really think it's feasible?"
Karsus looked up at the silver dragon and said solemnly, "Teacher, you have always taught me to believe in my own will, to trust in my own power."
"This time, please also believe in me."
I really can't believe you, Garon thought to himself.
After all, his student was a confident and proud archmage, no wonder he dared to use a twelfth-ring spell on a deity.
Garon nodded and said, "Well, you can try."
Speaking of which, the silver dragon casually said, "But your Miss Sister is the goddess of magic, she might be very sad about this."
As a young man, Karsus was captivated by the goddess of magic turned considerate big sister.
This guy is now in his thirties, but has always been single.
Obviously, he was still infatuated with the goddess of magic.
Just as he had no idea about the goddess of magic's incarnation.
Suddenly hearing about the goddess of magic, Karsus was slightly startled, and before he could finish his sentence, he caught himself, realizing the incredible thing his teacher had casually said.
Karsus's eyes slowly widened, showing a shocked expression.
"Tea—teacher, what did you say?"
"Miss Sister is the goddess of magic?"
"How is that possible?"
"Teacher, you're joking, right?"
Karsus's voice stuttered, firing off a rapid series of questions.
Garon blinked and looked down at his disciple, saying, "Yeah, where else do you think your nearly limitless magic comes from?"
"That's the protection and blessing of the goddess of magic, a gift from your Miss Sister."
"As the most talented caster in the history of Netheril, and even among all mankind, you, my boy, have successfully won the favor of the goddess of magic."
After hearing this news, Karsus's brain seemed to freeze, his expression blank.
After a while, his gaze gradually regained its vitality, filled with the wisdom of an archmage.
The first-generation goddess of magic's true name was Missyrel.
Missyrel, Miss. Karsus murmured softly.
It's normal for someone in the situation to not realize that the knowledgeable and caring 'Miss Sister' was the goddess of magic, even if their names were very similar.
Karsus looked at the silver dragon staring at him and chuckled bitterly, "Teacher, have you been hiding this from me just to enjoy my
reaction at this moment?"
Garon stroked his nonexistent dragon whiskers and chuckled, "You guessed it, worthy of being my disciple."
Karsus sighed helplessly, "Then are you satisfied now?"
Garon answered with action.
He flipped his dragon claw and pulled out a quintessence crystal.
Magic poured into it, and instantly, elemental energies converged into images and sounds, playing back Karsus's bizarre reaction upon learning the truth right in front of him.
"You don't look like a calm and wise great archmage."
The silver dragon grinned.
The great archmage blushed and said, "Teacher, how could you?"
As he went to grab the crystal from Garon's hand, he was swiftly pressed down by a dragon claw.
Garon tossed the crystal into a pocket dimension and said to Karsus, "This is my collection, don't even think about taking it."
Karsus cast a spell of iron will on himself to calm down quickly, then said somewhat helplessly, "Fine, keep it if you like, just don't show it off to other archmages."
Garon did not agree but changed the subject, "So, do you still want to target the goddess of magic with the Deification Technique?"
Karsus was silent for a moment, then shook his head lightly.
"There are many divine powers that could turn the situation in Netheril."
"I can change my target as well."
Garon nodded, "Give me a copy of the spell's data, let me take a look."
Karsus did not hesitate, handing over a knowledge crystal to Garon.
The cold white light-emitting diamond-shaped crystal contained the forbidden spell of the Deification Technique, feared by the gods in the main timeline.
Garon took the knowledge crystal, closed his eyes slightly.
His spirit immersed in it, he began to observe the information on the Deification Technique.
The exquisitely complex magic design, layer upon layer of accumulated, interlocking endless runes and magic circuits, was like a vast expanse of stars, slowly rotating and constantly changing.
Even for someone of Garon's magical prowess, it seemed obscure at first glance.
However, from the first moment he saw it, Garon had a clear feeling.
This spell had a terrifying effect of seizing divine power.
Minutes later.
The silver dragon opened his eyes, the platinum dragon pupils reflecting the mature yet slightly worn face of the great archmage.
"Unknowingly, your magical prowess has surpassed mine."
Garon said.
Being surpassed by Karsus in the field of magic did not make Garon feel depressed; on the contrary, he felt relieved, his great archmage upbringing game was now complete.
Karsus had grown up exactly as he had hoped.
Under the shadow of Garon's dragon wings, Karsus looked up at the dragon, seriously saying, "I will not forget the teachings you gave me at the beginning, there would be no me today without you."
The silver dragon reached out with its sky-shielding dragon claw, and for the first time in a long time, touched the great archmage's head as it had when he was a child.
The dragon claw touched and then withdrew.
Garon said to Karsus, "A spell that can seize the powers of a deity, you only have one chance to cast it."
"Afterwards, whether successful or not, you will incur the enmity of all the gods."
"Are you prepared for this?"
Karsus nodded, "I understand the consequences."
He showed a hint of ruthlessness, "But as long as it can eliminate the Felin mages and bring a bright future to Netheril, it's worth it."
Karsus still remembered when he was defeated and mocked by the king of the Felin mages, feeling as if his heart was scorched by flames.
At the same time.
The silver dragon shook its head, saying to Karsus, "No, you're wrong."
Karsus was slightly taken aback, puzzled.
He looked at Garon, waiting for more.
Under Karsus's gaze, Garon slowly said, "The Felin mages were never truly Netheril's enemies, compared to the one scheming against Netheril, the Felin mages are trivial; they're just a pawn."
Karsus furrowed his brow.
"The real enemy?"
Garon raised a finger, pointing to the sky, and said softly, "The Master of All Endings."
At the mention of this name, Karsus's pupils shrank.
Clearly, he had heard of this death god.
The Felin mages and the Master of All Endings are not even on the same level; the difference between them is like a chasm.
"How could this be?"
"Why would a powerful deity want to annihilate Netheril?"
Garon calmly said, "Then you should ask Iapetos. The Eternal Life Technique he created allowed a large number of great
archmages to achieve immortality, escaping the end of death, which severely challenged the authority of the Master of All Endings."
"Unless all the great archmages of Netheril give up the Eternal Life Technique, He will not rest."
Karsus himself also knew the Eternal Life Technique.
He understood the importance of this spell for Netheril.
If it weren't for the great archmages, who retained human bodies and minds, this nation could not have grown to its current state, and asking the great archmages to give up the Eternal Life Technique was tantamount to directly killing them.
"I see."
Karsus's expression darkened for a moment.
Then, his gaze flickered, and he said to Garon, "Then, targeting the death god with the Deification Technique seems to be the best choice."
Garon nodded, "That needs to be considered in the long run."
After a pause, Garon dropped another piece of news that Karsus could hardly believe.
"By the way, don't think about seeking revenge on the king of the Felin mages."
"Why?"
Karsus looked puzzled.
In Garon's education of Karsus, he had always encouraged revenge, so Karsus was a bit confused when he heard Garon's words.
"Because the king of the Felin mages is the king of Netheril's archmages."
"Iapetos incarnated as a Felin mage, and has secretly taken control of the Felin domain."
"Now, it's time to stop the war."
Karsus was silent for a moment, then sighed deeply and said to Garon, "Teacher, how many more things are there that I don't know about? Can you tell me everything at once?"
The silver dragon waved its dragon claw and pretended to be mysterious, its voice deep, "There are still many things you don't know, but I will only let you know at the right time."
Karsus shrugged, already somewhat accustomed.
Suddenly, he said puzzledly, "If he is the king of archmages, why did he challenge me to a duel?"
Garon said righteously, "I saw you were going astray at the time, so I asked him to correct you, and the effect was remarkable."
Karsus's brows furrowed, his face numb, not knowing what to say.
"Alright."
"Should I also thank you, teacher?"
Karsus glared at the silver dragon, gritting his teeth.
Garon waved his dragon claw and laughed, "No need to thank me, this is what a teacher should do."
Karsus covered his face and sighed deeply again.
He felt that he had sighed more today than in his entire life combined.
"I see the Deification Technique requires some special materials, have you gathered them yet?" Garon said to Karsus.
To cast the Deification Technique, you need the stomach of an ancient golden dragon, the heart's blood of a terrasque beast, the bile of a twelve-headed hydra, among other materials—none of which are easy to obtain.
Karsus replied, "I only lack the stomach of an ancient golden dragon."
"Ancient golden dragons generally live on Dragon Island in the depths of the Falling Star Sea, where many legendary dragons of great power reside, making it difficult to obtain."
Garon nodded slightly, "I can help you obtain this material."
"As for you, your task is to familiarize yourself well with the Deification Technique, so you can succeed in one try and seize the power of the death god."
The Deification Technique was extremely complex and obscure.
From the first glance at its information, Garon was sure it was probably the most complex twelfth-ring spell in history, and he felt it would take him at least several years to fully master it.
Karsus, the creator of this spell, also needed some time to prepare to successfully cast it in one go.
"Alright."
Karsus nodded.
Then.
"There are some plans to deal with the death god that I should tell you about."
Garon said.
"Please speak."
Garon shook his head, "I plan to go to the Falling Star Sea now, someone else will tell you."
Saying this, he called the goddess of magic in his mind.
At the instant Garon called, extraordinary divine power descended.
Missyrel's incarnation crossed space and arrived in the quiet canyon.
At the same time.
Seeing Missyrel again, Karsus looked at this stunningly beautiful incarnation of the goddess of magic with somewhat complex eyes, unsure of what to say.
"Should I call you Miss Sister, or the revered goddess of magic?"
After a moment, Karsus exhaled and said to the smiling Missyrel.
Missyrel spoke softly, "That's up to you, Karsus."
Karsus was silent for a while, but eventually, a smile appeared on his face, and he
stepped forward, embracing Missyrel like he did when he was a child, saying, "It's been a long time, Miss Sister."
The goddess of magic did not refuse this embrace.
Her fair fingers brushed through the great archmage's hair, speaking softly, "Karsus, you've finally grown up."
If the followers of the goddess of magic saw this scene, who knows how many would lose their faith.
The gentle embrace lasted only a few seconds, and Karsus released his arms.
At the same time.
A pair of huge eyes blinked, as the silver dragon nearby watched the pair intently, not looking away.
Karsus felt a bit uncomfortable being watched by Garon, the great archmage's face slightly red, but the goddess of magic maintained a calm expression, her lips still wearing that faint, elusive smile.
"Teacher, it's time for you to go to Dragon Island."
Karsus said to Garon.
Garon clicked his tongue, shaking his head, "So you've started to find me, your teacher, an eyesore? Karsus, I'm too heartbroken, after raising you all this time."
He said he was heartbroken.
But with the silver dragon's mischievous gaze, where was there a trace of heartbreak?
Clearly, he was just enjoying the spectacle.
Saying this, Garon spread his dragon wings.
In the fierce wind stirred up, the silver dragon's figure entered the river of time, disappearing from sight, and when it reappeared, it had already reached the Falling Star Sea thousands of kilometers away.
Garon easily found the location of the Ferun Dragon Island.
Like many in the prime material world, it was hidden within a sea area concealed by a magic array.
Upon discovering this roughly seventy-meter-long colossal silver dragon, the metallic dragons of Dragon Island were stirred up like boiling water, with the ancient golden dragon king of the island coming out to greet him personally.
The Silver Calamity.
This mysterious dragon, whose fame had spread far and wide a thousand years ago, was already well-known to many true dragons.
Now seeing the real thing, many dragons cast respectful glances.
Among dragons, only they knew what a seventy-plus-meter dragon truly meant; the two-thousand-year-old ancient gold dragon king of the island was not even fifty meters long, the difference between him and Garon like that of a child to an adult.
This one must be a demigod dragon.
Legendary dragons, upon seeing Garon and sensing that unfathomable dragon might, simultaneously realized this.
Under the lead of the dragons of this place, Garon toured Dragon Island leisurely, not in a hurry, giving his disciple more time alone with Missyrel.
"Elder, may I ask where you come from?"
"I heard of your deeds a thousand years ago."
Above Dragon Island, the ancient gold dragon spoke respectfully to Garon.
Garon smiled and casually said, "Just a nondescript material world."
Explaining his origin was too troublesome; better to brush it off casually.
The ancient gold dragon wisely did not inquire further.
After casually chatting on Dragon Island for a while, the ancient gold dragon asked, "You came to Dragon Island, is there something you need the help of the dragons here for?"
Garon's gaze fell on the ancient gold dragon, scrutinizing it for a few moments.
This gaze made the ancient gold dragon feel somewhat uneasy, a hint of nervousness creeping in.
"I indeed need the help of a gold dragon for something."
"Please speak."
The ancient gold dragon steeled itself, saying.
Then, Garon took out some legendary equipment he had no use for, saying to the ancient gold dragon, "It just requires you to make a small sacrifice, of course, I won't let you sacrifice for nothing."
Some time later.
The silver dragon obtained what he wanted and left Dragon Island.
Garon returned to the canyon.
The goddess of magic had not left but was communicating with Karsus about the Deification Technique, telling him that if this spell were used on a powerful deity, even if successful, the fate of the caster would still be utterly tragic.
The infinite knowledge and power of a deity were not something Karsus could withstand.
However, this fatal flaw was not without a solution; in the Netheril Empire and the Felin domain, the matured Arcane Chain was actually set up for the Deification Technique.
At this time, Karsus had learned of the plan to deal with the Master of All Endings.
Before truly starting the implementation, he needed to ensure that the Deification Technique could be successfully cast in one go.
In the quiet canyon, the silver dragon idled about, Karsus and the goddess of magic chatted and laughed, and time quietly passed.
That year.
The king of the Felin mages announced something significant.
The Felin mages would stop the war against Netheril and release all the archmage prisoners.
The war that had lasted for
decades ended just like that with a single word from the king of the Felin mages, causing many archmages to feel an intense sense of unreality.
However, with the cessation of magic draining, the stable operation of the floating cities, and the reactivation of the Eternal Life Technique, all the great archmages felt the beauty of peace.
As for the reason for the ceasefire...
The king of the Felin mages had determined the cause of the death of the Felin younglings.
The deaths of the Felin younglings were not due to the misuse of magic by the Netheril Empire but were caused by the death curse of the Master of All Endings.
Under the leadership of the king of the Felin mages, the Felin mages purged the followers of the death god from their ranks, and with the help of the king of archmages, developed a spell that could break the death god's curse.
Since the war was caused by a misunderstanding with the archmages.
The king of the Felin mages, after the fact, held talks with the king of archmages, promising many compensations and shook hands with the king of archmages in peace.
Of course, all of this was orchestrated by Iapetos himself.
He did not plan to expose his identity, even though the war had ended.
Besides.
The king of archmages announced he would retire, protecting Netheril from behind the scenes.
After the war with the Felin mages stopped, one floating city after another resumed operation, and as time passed, the archmages gradually healed from the wounds of war and developed a curiosity about the Felin mages.
The king of the Felin mages had expressed a welcome for archmages to visit the Felin domain deep underground after the ceasefire.
Most archmages dared not go.
But archmages are never short of bold characters; as time passed, more and more archmages entered the Felin domain out of curiosity, learning about this powerful race that had nearly brought Netheril to extinction.
As the saying goes, no fight, no acquaintance.
Archmages and Felin mages recognized each other's strengths and, as seasoned casters, had common topics of interest.
As peaceful exchanges began, driven by Iapetos's subtle influences, these two forces surprisingly got along increasingly well, with some Felin mages even leaving their long-inhabited underground homes to live in floating cities at the invitation of archmages.
But this peaceful period lasted only a year.
On one quiet afternoon, a proclamation from the deities plunged the continent of Ferun into silence.
"Those who do not revere death, shall welcome the end of death!"
The Master of All Endings issued a divine decree; Netheril's archmages challenged His authority over death with the Eternal Life Technique, and the Felin mages strangled His followers, both races must pay the price of death.
Gates connecting to the death god's realm activated.
The Master of All Endings' legion of death howled into existence.
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