A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 121 The Shadow of Mahabray

"Hays, muster the troops!"

After listening to Gess's account, Jiang Shuzhou immediately realized the value of this information.

That cube!

It's definitely not ordinary; it's very likely to be connected to the abyss.

It can even summon large numbers of demons without opening an abyss portal.

This is a treasure!

"This demon must be eradicated; we have no choice but to!"

This was the order given by Jiang Shuzhou.

"Sir, you..."

"Needless to say, Griffith's crimes are heinous, plunging the entire population of Mahablay into misery; everyone deserves to kill him!"

"Gus, rest assured. In a few days, I will lead my troops to attack Griffith and annihilate him!"

Looking at the righteous and awe-inspiring Jiang Shuzhou, Hayes felt that something was amiss.

Based on his understanding of his lord, if there were no profit to be made, Jiang Shuzhou probably wouldn't even glance at Mahabrai's men even if they were all dead.

However, he didn't say much and led Gus to an empty room to make arrangements.

"Brother Gus, don't put too much pressure on yourself. This isn't your fault, so don't blame yourself too much."

"You, protect the Guts brothers! If anything happens to them, I will hold you responsible!"

After instructing the guards beside him, Hayes then gave Guss some more instructions.

"Don't go to the back mountain; that's the lord's private territory."

"Don't neglect your cultivation either..."

Looking at this burly man, Hayes seemed to be reminded of his former self.

That lost, disheartened version of myself.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"The Abyss is the master of the flesh and blood path. When you don't know how to create your own creation, you might as well learn from the Abyss."

This is a quote from "The Gospel of Flesh and Blood".

Jiang Shuzhou wholeheartedly agrees with this.

The experiments on the Path of Flesh and Blood did not become smoother as Jiang Shuzhou's realm improved; on the contrary, Jiang Shuzhou encountered a bottleneck.

To this day, Jiang Shuzhou has still not been able to develop a flesh and blood tree that can grow without nutrients and only needs sunlight.

A great deal of flesh and blood was poured into it, yet no output was produced.

For an alchemist, this would undoubtedly be extremely painful.

However, a series of failures is not all bad.

Through his failures, Jiang Shuzhou has identified three paths to success.

The first method involves extensive testing, combining flesh and blood with corresponding runes to achieve the goal of flesh and blood regeneration.

The advantages are low risk and stable operation, while the disadvantages are long processing time, high cost, low cost-effectiveness, and long meat production time.

The second principle is to draw upon the power of nature, study creatures such as grass frogs and wood mice, and conduct experiments using their flesh and blood to create a truly real tree of flesh and blood.

The advantages are short processing time, high cost-effectiveness, and relatively low cost. The disadvantages are that it cannot be achieved stably and the meat production time is long.

The third method involves finding the abyss and using its pollution to artificially induce the achievement of one's goals.

The advantages are short processing time, low cost, extremely high cost-effectiveness, short meat production time, and stable production. The only disadvantage is that it is extremely dangerous.

Now, Mahablay's demonic pollution perfectly suits Jiang Shuzhou's needs.

Some people might say this thing is dangerous, but that doesn't matter. Hasn't Jiang Shuzhou researched enough dangerous things?

Moreover, the influence of the abyss is not insurmountable; it just requires some time and means.

It's all worth it if we can complete the Tree of Flesh and Blood.

Time to go to Mahabré.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

When Mahab's plea for help reached the court of the Auvi Empire, the empire's ministers were preoccupied with internal strife.

Not long ago, the emperor of the empire, the legendary knight Chaosko Augustus, was nearing the end of his life.

According to an ancient covenant, the empire's forty-two electors will choose one of the eighteen princes and princesses to inherit the throne and power.

"The situation in Mahablay is so dire that I believe a member of the royal family should be sent to reassure the people."

"Your Majesty, I share the same thought."

"His Majesty……"

As the emperor addressed him repeatedly as "Your Majesty," the elderly Osko slowly raised his head, his eyes revealing weariness and contemplation.

Behind the seemingly reasonable proposal lies an undercurrent of intrigue, with the princes and princesses each embroiled in a power struggle among the electors.

"The situation in Mahablay is urgent. Does anyone here have a suitable candidate?"

"In my opinion, the seventeenth prince is quite good."

"I believe that the eighteenth princess is young and promising, and is also the youngest member of the royal family. It is the right time for her to gain experience."

"minister……"

"Alright, alright, as you wish, the Seventeenth Prince and the Eighteenth Princess shall go together."

Osko waved his hand, and just like that, he exiled the two to the frontier, far away from the center of power.

"Father! That place is..."

"Um?"

"Yes, I will obey your command."

"Thank you for your appreciation, Father, and thank you for your kind words, ministers. Rosemary will certainly live up to your expectations."

"good."

Osko nodded. It was a pity that Rosemary was still too young; otherwise, she might have actually inherited the throne.

"Go ahead, I've already asked the Mage Alliance for help."

"Mahabray's demon portal is only wide enough for low-ranking demons to pass through, and I have already sealed it off with the power of the Covenant."

"High-level professionals cannot enter, and demons cannot leave. There's no need to worry about safety. I will send enough troops to accompany you on your expedition."

This was one of the few instances of paternal love Osko showed; at least he didn't abandon his son to fight in the holy war on the frontier like his father had done.

"You should go to Mahabré."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Honorable mid-level alchemist Navis Lebo, your application has been approved. Effective immediately, you are granted the authority to command all Mage Alliance troops stationed in Mahabray."

Reinforcements are on their way. We must eliminate all demons and curb the demonic corruption of Mahabray.

Finally, the Mage Alliance thanks you for your contributions, and please allow me to express my highest respect to you.

When Jiang Shuzhou volunteered to go to Mahablay, he was immediately approved and authorized to become the commander-in-chief of the army.

This is a win-win situation; the Mage Alliance doesn't need to worry about not finding mages willing to fight in the abyss.

With a bunch of cannon fodder, Jiang Shuzhou could achieve his goals more safely and conveniently.

Mahabé, here I come.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the temple of Tyr, the God of Justice, within the Alliance of Saints.

"Evil is spreading, and the demonic corruption of Mahablay is increasing day by day."

"We cannot sit idly by and wait to die!"

"I hereby announce that Reverend Joan of Arc will lead the expedition to aid Mahabray!"

The bishop on the platform spoke passionately, but the priests below reacted differently.

Some people were excited, some were indifferent, some breathed a sigh of relief, and some shook their heads in disappointment.

"Following God's will, I will surely return victorious!"

The girl's voice was firm; her heart was already filled with justice, and she longed to uphold it.

Thunderous applause erupted, and everyone, for whatever reason, joined in.

"I will head to Mahabré immediately!"