Legacy of the Dark Sage

Mannick, Ingrid and Imman arrived at the docks where a ship that would ferry them to the island was waiting.

The Courtenay Family had a transportation array in the dome that connected to the island but because of the Magic Interference Array, it could not be used.

Following the events when the black silhouette appeared and destroyed the island's barrier, the Magic Interference Array also got destroyed. After its destruction it should allow them to use the transportation array.

But for reasons still unknown, the transportation array in the island was not responding and finding the cause and fixing it would take time.

Since they could not afford to waste time, Ingrid suggested they go by ship.

From the docks, Mannick, Ingrid and Imman could already see the dark sky above the island. Even from a distance, they could also feel the ominous aura of the baby Echidna.

Mannick's brow furrowed as he stared at the sky. He clenched his fists and muttered, "That's..."

"Yes..." Ingrid, standing to his left, agreed while staring at the dark sky as well. "The magic fluctuation in the island was too enormous; it influenced such a change in the surrounding."

"Princess Haylee ordered us to keep the 'entity' on the island. It is curious why she said that instead of subduing the baby Echidna."

Ingrid looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Even after sensing that malicious aura from the island you still call that beast a 'baby'?"

"Humph," Imman crossed his arms. "Don't tell me you guys are not curious about that silhouette's identity."

"Enough with the nonsense. Let's go," Mannick told them off and hurried to the ship.

Ingrid and Imman looked him over. Both understood the weight of the task Haylee gave them and knew exactly why Mannick was in a hurry.

Without further delay, the two followed suit.

RAWRGH!

A ground shaking roar suddenly sounded from the island. It was followed by the ominous presence they knew was from the baby Echidna to suddenly be replaced by another far more ominous one.

Mannick stopped in his tracks as he looked back at the island. His brows furrowed further. Ingrid and Imman also looked at the island.

"The manticore's seal has also been broken," Ingrid muttered.

"Keeping the entity in the island will be tricky if a legendary beast is on the rampage," Imman also said.

The Courtenay members keeping an eye on the island said that after the entity succeeded in destroying the island's barrier it dropped directly above the baby Echidna's location.

After that, they noticed a large amount of activity inside. Unfortunately, every surveillance orbs in the island got destroyed and they were unable to get any visuals of what happened.

"Then we split up. You two can deal with the Manticore, while I find and stall the entity,'" Mannick told them.

Imman looked at him with a frown, "Dealing with the beast is not our priority but the entity. We can ignore it."

"No," Ingrid shook her head and looked at Imman. "Mannick has a point. But…" She looked at Mannick and smiled slightly, "I'll go find the entity while you two deal with the Manticore."

Imman's frown deepened. Before he could protest, Mannick gave a short nod and said, "Fine. Let's go."

He did not need to ask Ingrid why she preferred to find the entity instead of dealing with the Manticore. She was also an Exalted, but her magic output was still lacking compared to him and Imman who were closer to becoming a Magus. If they wanted to deal with the Manticore as soon as possible, it was better to have him, and Imman go.

However, the reason Mannick first suggested finding the entity was also because his magic output was higher compared to them.

While a rumor went around that Imman found something that would help him breakthrough to the Magus level, he had not used it yet. In the end, Mannick's magic output was still stronger because he was an Exalted for a much longer period.

Imman wanted to protest, however, seeing the two go up to the ship, he could only swallow his discontent and follow.

Back on the island.

Kyran smiled after hearing Stella's warning.

'Thanks. Retreat with the rest. I'll take Styx and the others to safety.'

[Okay. But... Kyran... Are you sure it's alright to have him pretend to be 'you'?]

Kyran chuckled.

The 'him' Stella referred to was the person who acted as 'Tyr's' replacement.

Silas.

Using transformation magic, Silas shortened his hair and changed its color. Then he wore the face-altering mask to have 'Tyr's' face. As for their build, Silas was on the average side, while Kyran possessed a well-toned body. However, it could easily be remedied by having Silas wear a long coat, with thick inner clothing.

Their height was pretty much the same. Kyran used to be a few centimeters short compared to Silas, but after five years of training in the Tower of Tribulation, Kyran got taller.

'Yes, Silas can pull it off,' Kyran assured her. 'There may be a few who might notice something different but by the time their suspicion grows, 'Tyr' can replace him."

To be honest, Kyran had thought of getting one of the puppets working at the Blacksmith Order to act like Tyr. But currently, the puppet 'Tyr' was employed as one of the Conclave members.

That was right. Currently, the 'Tyr' who Anette saw back in the cottage was there. And the reason Kyran could not use it was because the puppet was none other than Neo!

It was one of the reasons Neo's learning abilities were far more superior than Aki and Len. Because he already possessed more data than the two.

It was also one of the reasons Kyran was forced to make his move to save it.

['Tyr'? You mean you? Or are you referring to one of your puppets?]

Kyran did not respond but the slight smile on his face was a dead giveaway. Unfortunately, Stella could not see it.

'I'm close to them. I'll warp them to the island's transportation array and transport them out.'

[Transportation Array? There is a Transportation Array there? How come the Courtenay or the Royal Army is not using it to go to the island?]

'It's because they can't use it. I have complete dominion over the whole island, and all the array inside.'

[You… Fine. But where are you planning on transporting them to? The island's transportation array is sure to be connected to one of the Courtenay's—.]

Stella suddenly stopped and sighed.

[Nevermind.]

Kyran chuckled. He knew what Stella was about to say. But she probably realized how absurd she sounded given his Array knowledge.

Changing the target location of the island's transportation array would not be a problem to Kyran.

[Kyran, I understand why you don't want to hide them in your 'world.' But given the urgency of the situation can't you make an exception? I'm worried about the Royal Family picking up on your magic if you warp Styx and the others. If you're worried about one of them becoming a traitor, I can have Callan remove their memory.]

Kyran chose not to answer her.

Hiding Styx and the others in his domain was never an option. Not because he did not trust them, or the Royal Family might find his trace, but because of the consequences.

Besides, explaining how Styx and the others left the island and survived the ordeal would be troublesome if he hid them in his domain, compared to if they escaped through the island's transportation array.

'I'll be occupied once the deputy marshals arrive. I'll contact you when everything has settled.'

Kyran went on his way after saying his piece. He was not expecting Stella to respond. In any case, she would never interrupt him when she knew he was in the middle of something.

After a moment of silence, Stella told him in a soft voice.

[Be careful.]

Meanwhile, in the cave where Neo and Styx with the other three were hiding, they were in the middle of a discussion on how to leave the island.

To be precise, Styx, Addie, Archel and Michel were talking while Neo watched them in silence.

"We've dealt with most of the beasts on the island so going back to the docks will not be a problem."

"The problem is the roar just now. That is definitely not from the baby Echidna."

Michel and Archel said while looking at Styx.

"Hm," Styx agreed with a short nod. "Let's not dwell on which of the remaining two legendary beast made that. Both have probably been affected by the baby Echidna's rampage and a three-way battle is likely to happen."

Archel smiled wryly, "If that's the case then it would be good for us. Let them fight amongst themselves."

"Er... I have a new message from Master," Neo suddenly spoke. "He said the Conclave sent someone who will take us to the Courtenay's transportation array."

"'Sent someone'?" Styx repeated with a frown. Was it really that easy to send someone in the island?

"Please don't ask questions because I can't answer them."

Addie, Archel and Michel exchanged glances but did not say anything.