"I've already contacted them through spell communication. That wizard will be coming out shortly…"
Zona stood behind Jefferis, a puzzled expression still lingering on her face. "Given your status and rank, my lord, is such a grand reception really necessary?"
But Jefferis had no intention of explaining. Instead, he straightened his back until he stood ramrod straight, his entire bearing like a spear piercing the heavens, eyes fixed firmly on the front gate of the
"He's coming out," Jefferis murmured.
BOOM! The tower's great doors swung open wide. Leilin stepped through, clad in a purple-gold wizard's robe, an apologetic smile on his face. "I didn't expect Lord Jefferis to come in person…"
"Huh? Why do I feel like Leilin has changed somehow…"
Zona studied the young wizard before her with an uneasy, searching gaze. Though his appearance was just as youthful and handsome as before, she had the overwhelming sense that something about him was fundamentally different.
"The bearing! He can stand face to face with Lord Jefferis alone — he's even giving me the impression of meeting him as an equal. How is that possible? Jefferis is a Legend…"
Zona seemed to realize something, then shook her head vigorously as if trying to fling the thought from her mind.
"What nonsense am I thinking? That's impossible!"
"I knew it! You've entered the realm of the Legend as well!"
It was Jefferis who spoke, and his words sent a wave of shock rippling through the entire entourage.
"So it's true… he really has entered the Legend realm. How long has it even been since we last met?"
Zona clapped a hand over her small mouth, her face full of astonishment.
Compared to her mild loss of composure, the rest of the retinue was thrown into far greater turmoil.
What did reaching the Legend level mean? Without exaggeration, once the Faolan Family produced this Legend powerhouse, the entire balance of power across the
Every Legend stood at the absolute pinnacle of the entire
"Although I had sensed the fluctuations of a Legend breakthrough before, to be honest, I didn't believe it was Lord Leilin. After all, your age… it's really…"
A bitter smile crept across Jefferis's face. "…it's really quite hard for old folks like us to believe."
"Age!!!"
Only now did Zona and the others finally react. "That's right — Lord Leilin isn't even twenty-five yet! Good heavens! A twenty-five-year-old Legend! And what's more, a Legend Wizard — the very advancement path known for being the most difficult to ascend!"
The news was so explosive that it plunged the scene into a stunned silence, as though everyone had been rendered dumbfounded by the miracle Leilin represented.
"Heavens… the Gods… this…"
Zona struggled to find words adequate to describe his talent. "I can say with absolute certainty that he will become a legend of the wizarding world! His name will be recorded for all time and sung by generations to come…"
"Just a bit of luck," Leilin said with a kind smile.
Regardless, the fact that the Goddess of Wealth's church had sent a Legend to protect him was a clear display of goodwill, and Leilin appreciated it.
"Come! Let's go inside and talk properly!" At that moment, Leilin's eyes seemed to see no one but Jefferis.
"Then I'll oblige!" Among peers of the same rank, Jefferis's attitude became remarkably warm and approachable. Behind him, Zona and the other attendants wore expressions of complete nonchalance.
Only another Legend merited a Legend's attention! Equal strength was the prerequisite for equal exchange — an axiom that held true everywhere!
…
This earth-shattering news spread outward like a tsunami in every direction.
Since none other than the Holy Lance Legend, Jefferis himself, could vouch for it, there was no room to question its authenticity. Across the continent, waves of shock and upheaval surged in its wake.
…
The Church of the God of Murder.
The aged pontiff stared at the intelligence report in his hands, lost in contemplation.
"Legend-level strength, and he possesses a secret trump card that can kill even other Legends. It seems the rise of the Faolan Family in the Outer Seas can no longer be stopped…"
"Pass down the order! Have our people proceed with caution in the investigation! Try not to let him notice!"
"As you command, Holy Father!"
A black-robed priest bowed swiftly and withdrew, understanding that the pontiff had in fact chosen to shelve any immediate plans for revenge.
After all, even within the Church of the God of Murder, Legends were few in number. The previous fall of Thothros had already inflicted severe damage on the Church's forces. Until they had thoroughly uncovered the young wizard's secrets and background, it was unwise to take reckless risks.
The God of Murder had never cared about reputation or honor in any case. Scheming in the shadows was what he excelled at.
Given enough time, they would surely be able to buy and divide, piece by piece, until every secret of that young Legend wizard was laid bare!
…
The royal capital of Danbres.
The aging king had, for once, set aside his afternoon entertainment and was listening to a trusted confidant's report.
After hearing it through, the king sat in silence for a long while before speaking in a low voice. "So you're saying that wizard has advanced to Legend?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! With Lord Jefferis of the Church of Wealth as witness! Lord Leilin has indeed ascended to the rank of Legend Wizard!"
The speaker was one of the king's most trusted advisors, who also served as commander of the court wizards — a High-ranking Wizard with silver eyes.
Even so, the man couldn't hide the bitterness in his voice. Leilin's age was simply devastating.
"You are a wizard yourself and understand these matters better than anyone. Speak plainly! I trust you!" The king rubbed his temples in distress, then waved a hand.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
The High-ranking Wizard considered for a moment, then began. "Legend-level power represents the absolute pinnacle of mortal capability. It can even—"
"I know, I know! Get to the point!" the king said impatiently.
"As you command." The High-ranking Wizard drew a deep breath.
"First and foremost, we must avoid provoking him. Fortunately, from all indications so far, he bears us no ill will — after all, he still holds the title of Court Wizard that Your Majesty bestowed upon him. Beyond that, I believe the proposal made last time by the Marquis of Golden Thorn can now be carried out. In truth, having a domestic Legend wizard would be of considerable help to our kingdom's diplomacy…"
"Ennoblement?"
The king took a deep breath, then made his decision. "Very well. Settle it then — go personally to handle the matter."
…
A city near the northern frontier. The Temple of the God of Justice.
A knight with long, graceful legs knelt in devout prayer before the divine statue.
Radiant and righteous divine power rippled over her continuously, casting a golden glow across the young knight's face.
"Rafinia, the church has a mission that requires you to fulfill!"
At that moment, a kindly elderly priestess entered.
"Grandma Maria!" Rafinia immediately rose to support the aged priestess, who seemed to wheeze after just a few steps. She was still muttering under her breath. "Rafinia is a member of the church — and you saved my life before. Just tell me what the mission is!"
"Very well…" Maria gave a broad account of what had transpired on Faolan Island, and concluded, "The church would like you to serve as the envoy for this visit. After all, you have a personal connection with that gentleman…"
"Leilin? Let me think about this…"
Rafinia bit her lip.
After the priestess departed, the image of a young wizard surfaced once again before the knight's eyes. Every detail of their shared experiences came rushing back.
After that failed relief expedition to Silver Moon City — the one she had dragged Leilin into — Rafinia had stormed off on her own, arriving just in time for the city's fall.
Wounded grievously in the chaos of battle, she had been rescued by a Holy Knight of the God of Justice and converted by his example to the faith, joining the church of
Perhaps it was something intrinsic to her nature, for Rafinia's progress had been astonishingly swift. She had already become a full-fledged Paladin!
With each step deeper into her cultivation, she had believed the past no longer mattered. Yet today, it all came flooding back.
"You've… advanced to Legend, haven't you?" Rafinia whispered to herself, and thought of the passionate knight who had accompanied her on that doomed relief march. Their bones had long since turned to ash.
"Those who chose to fight and die for the cause are mostly gone now, while the cautious one like you ascends to Legend. Are you here to mock me?"
Rafinia let out a sudden low laugh, her shadow twisting grotesquely in the lamplight.
"My God, forgive my earlier wavering! I shall uphold justice, and even death shall not make me falter!"
She immediately knelt before the divine statue once more and began to pray, her expression resolute and unyielding.
"Even if you have reached Legend, I will not abandon my dream and my path. In the end, I will prove that your choice was wrong! The only things truly worth protecting in this world are love and justice!"
…
As news of Leilin's advancement spread, envoys from more and more factions arrived on Faolan Island, making Morning Star Port ever more prosperous.
Alongside the envoys came large merchant caravans. Virtually every trader in the surrounding seas chose this place to conduct business.
After all, the protection of a Legend powerhouse carried tremendous credibility in the Gods World.
For ordinary merchants, all they needed was a fair and safe trading environment — and only sufficient power could guarantee that!
And what could be more convincing than a Legend?