Wizards begin by accessing the Inspiration panel.

Chapter 248 The Knight Family

"Five hundred magic stones." The witch looked at Richard again, her eyes filled with a difficult-to-describe feeling, including worry, hesitation, and a desire to see through Richard's true intentions.

"So expensive?!" Richard blurted out.

"You think being royalty is too expensive? I'm afraid of the hassle," the witch said irritably.

Richard smiled, seemingly understanding what the witch's expression meant earlier.

It seems she was also worried that she might use Daenerys's information to do things that were detrimental to Daenerys or the royal family of Heron.

Richard took out five mid-level magic stones, placed them on the table, and said with a smile:

"I'm actually her friend."

The witch rolled her eyes at Richard, said nothing, and lowered her head to begin scribbling. Inwardly, she cursed, "If you're going to lie, at least come up with a plausible reason! Do you think you're a child? Who would spend five hundred magic stones to buy information about their friend? Pah!"

Richard took the parchment scroll from the witch and examined it carefully.

"Daenerys Bannings, a genius ice wizard, thirty-nine years old"

"Level 1, mid-tier strength. The youngest daughter of the previous king of the Heron Empire. Belongs to the Haidashia Academy on the Vitlor Continent. Talented in the sorcery of Icebound Spells, specializing in Giant Ice Spikes."

"It is suspected that he went to Crab Claw Peninsula yesterday with two other wizards from Hydashia Academy."

But after reading the first sentence, Richard was stunned, as if he had been struck by lightning.

Thirty-nine years old.

"Isn't this information a little too detailed?" Richard muttered to himself.

It's alright though!

The age gap wasn't that big; according to what I'd heard in my past life, it was the kind of situation where the man would be carrying a lot of gold bricks.

This was the first time he had learned about Daenerys's detailed background.

The witch's small ears were very sensitive. She twitched slightly and seemed to have heard Richard's words. She was speechless. "There are actually people who complain about the information being too detailed?"

Princess of the Kingdom of Helun

genius wizard of Hydashia Academy

Richard touched his nose and couldn't help but shake his head.

"In comparison, the difference between my background and theirs is too great."

"Fortunately, my strength has improved now."

"otherwise"

"Huh? Daenerys isn't in the capital, but has gone to Crab Claw Peninsula?" Richard asked, looking up after seeing the last sentence.

The witch nodded and said, "Consider this news a free gift, since it has already spread."

"Here's what happened: an ancient ruin was discovered on a small island not far from Crab Claw Peninsula. Currently, the sea tribe's shamans and the kingdom's shamans have had several clashes over the right to explore this site."

"Based on the information we have so far, Lady Daenerys has likely gone to handle this matter."

"Because if this matter isn't resolved, shipping on the Crab Claw Peninsula has been severely affected. Initially, some merchant ships were directly destroyed by the sea creatures, and recently I heard that shipping routes were almost completely cut off, which has made the kingdom's wealthy merchants and nobles restless."

"If all the routes are suspended, then the route from Crab Claw Peninsula to the continent of Vitlor is also suspended?" Richard couldn't help but confirm again.

"That's right, it's stopped now too."

"Until the Kingdom of Heron and the Sea Clan reach an agreement, I don't think the Sea Clan will allow the sea routes to reopen," the witch nodded firmly in agreement.

Upon hearing this news, Richard felt a bit disgusted with the sea creatures.

"You say you're going to fight over the ruins, fine, but attacking merchant ships is just too despicable," Richard thought to himself.

It seems the sea creatures are trying to force the Kingdom of Helun to make concessions through this behavior.

After Richard left the Wizarding Market, he headed straight for the Knight family mansion.

Since the city of Pentos was built on a hillside, the higher the status of a family, the closer they were to the top of the hill and the closer they were to the king's palace.

According to passersby, the Knight family's Marquisate is located above the halfway point of the mountain, at a higher point on the peak.

Richard strolled leisurely uphill, taking the opportunity to learn about the local customs and culture of Pentos.

Under the azure sky, as the terrain gradually rises, the silhouettes of griffins circling the mountain peaks become clearer, and their cries can be heard from time to time.

But Richard noticed the expressions on the faces of the people around him, which showed no fear or terror. Clearly, they were already used to the presence of this extraordinary bird of prey.

Even when the griffins call out, many passersby will look up and glance at them, their faces showing a sense of relief and security.

It truly lives up to its name as the "City of Griffins"!

A model of harmonious coexistence between humans and griffins.

As the clock tower's hands struck the hour, the melodious chimes rang out. Richard gazed at the bustling crowds, lively shops, playing children, and smiling faces.

It just feels like a sophisticated and vibrant city!

While passing through the middle of the mountain, Richard saw a tall white stone statue in an open square.

The statue depicts a human male clad in heavy armor, holding a shield and a sword, riding a majestic griffin.

The entire statue is about ten meters tall and is carved from a single piece of white stone. The carving technique is quite extraordinary, lifelike and vivid, perfectly embodying the bravery of human men and the majesty of griffins!

Richard, intrigued, stepped forward and saw a plaque on the base describing the figure: Osama Bannings, the founding monarch of the Kingdom of Heron.

Shortly afterward, a visitor arrived at the gates of the Knight family mansion, near the summit.

"So this is the family Stephena belongs to? They are indeed hereditary nobles."

Richard stood at the gate of the Knight family mansion, overlooking the plains below. He saw the winding river rushing into the distance, then turned to look at the eight knights in ceremonial uniforms, carrying ceremonial guards and standing spiritedly at the entrance to the Marquis's mansion. He couldn't help but admire them.

"Unfortunately, some people get old and senile."

Richard walked up the steps and said:

"Go and announce that Richard of the Ignis School has come to visit."

The knight captain, who had been calm, immediately changed his expression upon hearing about the Ignis School. He bowed respectfully and said, "My lord, please wait a moment. I will inform them immediately."

A moment later, the door opened a crack.

A middle-aged man dressed as a butler in a tuxedo emerged from the gap, emanating the aura of a second-level wizard apprentice.

However, when he sensed Richard's presence, his expression changed drastically, his eyes darted around uncertainly, and he quickly stepped forward, saying:

"Sir Richard, you were looking for Miss Stephanie, weren't you? I regret to inform you that Miss Stephanie has been out and hasn't returned, so..."

"Oh! Is that so?" Richard looked at the butler with a half-smile.

Under Richard's seemingly penetrating gaze, the butler broke out in a cold sweat and began wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead.

"In that case, I'll go find Wizard Hiat!"

"What!" the butler exclaimed in surprise.

He had assumed that the unfamiliar wizard Richard would leave immediately after learning that Miss Stephana was not there.

Unexpectedly, this wizard Richard did not play by the rules at all and actually wanted to see the family's eldest elder, wizard Hiat.

"Huh, does that mean the sorceress, Hia, isn't here either?" Richard asked the butler with a leisurely air.

"No, no, Lord Richard, of course the Grand Elder is here. I will go and inform him right away. Please have a seat in the reception room for a moment."

"Open the door!" The butler immediately turned around and led the way.

Upon hearing this, the four knights immediately went to the door and together slowly pushed open the magnificent gate, which was more than three meters high, to welcome Richard in.

-

Inside an alchemy room belonging to the Knight family.

An elderly woman with silver hair is working on a metal alchemy table, operating a vessel.

"Knock knock knock!"

A knock came at the door.

"Your Excellency, a wizard named Richard from the Ignis School has come to visit you," the butler announced respectfully at the door.

"Oh! Didn't you tell him that Stephanie isn't here?" a hoarse, slightly high-pitched female voice rang out.

"I did tell him, but he seemed very certain that Miss Stephana was in the manor. After I told him that she wasn't there, he asked to see you, Elder. He's waiting in the drawing room now."

"Richard...that name sounds familiar. Is he a certified wizard?"

"Yes, Elder, a formal wizard. He looks very young, almost the same age as the young lady."

"Could it be that the Ignis School has produced another genius wizard who can rival Stephania?"

Richard Richard

"I remember now, isn't this the wizard apprentice our family spies mentioned who took away Stephania's Soul-Eating Spider?" an old woman with a sinister face said in surprise.

"Could it be that they've already become a full-fledged wizard so quickly?"

"Creak!"

The door opened.

Shea emerged from the room, leaning on a long staff. Her hair was silvery-white, and her face was covered in wrinkles. Even with the strength of a formal wizard, she could no longer control the aging of her body.

Life is indeed gradually moving towards its end.

"Perfect timing. Stephena doesn't have the Soul-Devouring Spider on her, so it seems the Soul-Devouring Spider should be on Richard. But why did Richard actually come to us willingly? Is he unaware of the situation or does he have something else to rely on?"

The wise and experienced Hiat people immediately made the connection.

"Go and inform Lord Edgar to come over as well. Also, invite this wizard Richard directly here." After thinking for a moment, Hiat spoke, a shrewd glint in her eyes.

If Edgar is brought along, even if this newly minted wizard has some tricks up his sleeve, we should be able to handle him with ease.

Moreover, this place has been transformed over a hundred years ago, with witch arrays everywhere and a pool of shadow energy particles, allowing me to unleash 130% of my power here.

Even a mid-level first-tier wizard would be unlikely to be his match here.

We'll see if this young man comes.

"Yes, Your Excellency!" The steward respectfully withdrew.

"By the way, if this wizard Richard hesitates, just say that Stephania is with me. That way, he'll naturally come," Sia added.

"Understood, Your Excellency the Grand Elder."

The steward was also a shrewd man, and he immediately understood the elder's intention, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.

When the butler re-entered the drawing room, he saw Richard leisurely sipping tea, his eyes fixed on the expensive oil painting on the wall.

The butler couldn't help but find it amusing.

He thought to himself, "He's still young after all; he can still appreciate paintings."

However, on the surface, the middle-aged butler smiled kindly and said, "Lord Richard, the Grand Elder has agreed to see you. However, the Grand Elder is currently conducting an important experiment in the alchemy room. She asked me to invite you to a meeting. I wonder..."

"Sure!" Richard readily agreed.

"Uh..." The butler stared blankly at Richard, not expecting Richard to agree so readily.

The two reasons I had prepared for later were not even spoken.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Richard asked the butler with a half-smile.

"Of course not, I'll take you there right away," the butler quickly forced a smile to cover it up.

He was thinking to himself, "I really don't understand! Shouldn't a certified wizard be more cautious? Didn't his teacher teach him not to easily enter the residence of a strange wizard?"

Richard had noticed the middle-aged butler's rapid heartbeat and increased blood flow as soon as he entered the hall. Moreover, the butler's shifty eyes while speaking were typical signs of something amiss.

But what does it matter?

In the wizarding world, strength is the most important thing!

The opponent was two levels below him, not even counting his summoned creatures.

All the methods the other party used were meaningless to him.

A single Bloodbone Puppet with top-tier level one strength could easily wipe out the entire Marquis Knight's Mansion.

The two walked through the back garden and came to a detached two-story house.

The building is constructed entirely of stone and has a white exterior, giving it a touch of the Baroque style of the past.

But Richard could vaguely sense the massive fluctuations of shadow energy inside the building.

Don't forget, he is also a necromancer specializing in shadow magic, so he is naturally very familiar with shadow energy fluctuations.

Richard immediately seemed to understand the other party's plan.

"Lord Richard, the Grand Elder is inside. Please come in," the steward said respectfully, bowing.

"Hmm!" Richard nodded and stepped into the two-story building.

"Hey! Not bad!"

In the corridor, Richard discovered no fewer than seven basic witch arrays, one of which was a rare mixed witch array. If caught off guard, even a typical high-level first-level witch might suffer a minor loss.

"This must be the young wizard Richard, right? He's so young, it's enviable." A hoarse female voice that could send chills down anyone's spine rang out.

An elderly woman with silver hair and a wrinkled face appeared at the end of the corridor.

Richard glanced at the other party and immediately sensed their true strength.

Indeed, as the intelligence reports indicated, although Hiat Knight was the eldest elder of the Knight Marquis's family, he was only at the first level of the first stage, and he had already entered the countdown to his death.

As a necromancer, Richard could even sense her body gradually decaying, slowly emanating an aura of death.

Most importantly, as Richard got closer, he could vaguely sense that Stephanie seemed to be right under this building.

Since that's the case, and the real culprit is right in front of him, and he's found Stephena, Richard doesn't intend to waste any more time.

"Witch Siat? I'm sure you know why I'm here. Please release Stephania. If you do, I can let bygones be bygones."

"What?!" Shea stared at Richard in disbelief.

In all her years, she had never seen anything so arrogant, domineering, or blunt.

She was even at a loss for words to describe the other person.

(End of this chapter)