NOVGO.NET Chapter 1522: The Next Step (Part 1)
Chapter 1522: The Next Step (Part 1)
There was now one major change the group needed to keep in mind as they traveled. Their faces, their appearances, everything, had been recorded and broadcast. Multiple reports were already circulating through Alterian, plastering their likenesses across magical displays, papers, and online feeds.
The police force, as well as the general public, had been given an official list of the members of the Dark Guild. Among those images, the young face of Raze stood out the most, and now it was being shown everywhere.
The reports did make a point of warning that these figures were capable of disguising themselves. Altering appearances wasn’t uncommon among mages, but it made it that much harder for authorities to track them down. Still, it also made life harder for Raze’s group. Moving about became a careful process, one that required thought at every step.
Thankfully, with the number of enchanted masks that Raze carried, all of them could alter their features well enough to move through ordinary areas of Alterian. They could still pass through streets, inns, and marketplaces, blending in when needed. But the same couldn’t be said for more important areas, guild halls, government buildings, or corporate centers. In those places, suspicion was high, and stringent checks were put into place. Anyone trying to enter or leave was carefully screened.
In truth, much of it felt like a show. Measures that looked reassuring to the public, but offered little real security. Some questioned if they were really meant or trying to catch those from the Dark Guild, and who knew who was part of the Dark Guild. Yet despite the performance, an uneasy tension hung in the air, something that couldn’t be ignored.
It was a tension that spread even into casual conversations. In taverns and on street corners, people spoke in hushed voices about the Dark Magus. At times, individuals became surprisingly outspoken, admitting doubts about the official line. More and more people began questioning whether the Dark Magus was truly the villain he was painted to be, and whether the Guild itself was as dangerous as claimed.
Such talk was dangerous in public, but in the hidden corners of online forums, where anonymity gave courage, the tone was far bolder. There were more supporters of the Dark Magus than anyone would have guessed. Still, Raze and the others remained unaware of this shifting undercurrent, their focus fixed on their own next step.
They had entered Alen’s establishment, the place where Aurora was currently staying. On Raze’s advice, Aurora had avoided attending the academy, knowing full well that something would happen during the Exchange. She had been busy helping however she could, serving food, providing shelter, and keeping lines of contact open. She had even spoken with her brother, ensuring he knew that Raze and the others were in his home, waiting for his return from whatever business held him away.
For now, the group remained inside, receiving occasional updates and speaking among themselves. Raze used the time to quietly ask Kelly about the situation with Harvey and the Dark Guild.
The Guild was continuing to grow, preparing for their next move. But Raze’s thoughts were elsewhere.
I’m sure Harvey would have heard of the news about Ibarin by now, he thought. I wonder how he feels about it. He had no direct involvement, but without him and the foundation he built for the Dark Guild, I wouldn’t have been able to rally the members I needed. Even Londo, according to Kelly, played his part in finding what was necessary.
Eventually, Alen returned. He pushed through the doors with a heavy sigh, his hand resting against his forehead the moment he saw Raze and the others waiting in his reception room.
“Right,” he muttered, his voice carrying both exhaustion and resignation. “And here I thought I could come back to have a nice rest or a break. But I suppose that’s too much to ask. We’ll have to resolve this first.”
Raze rose from his seat with a polite smile and gave a small bow. “Your sister has been treating us well. I wanted to thank you for that. And you were a great help during the Exchange. Thank you for what you did there.”
“No,” Alen replied, raising his hand firmly, cutting off the gratitude. “What happened was what needed to happen. There are no questions about that. You did exactly as I asked, you revealed the truth to the world. And his true colors were far worse than anyone had imagined.”
He lowered his hand then and let out another sigh, this one heavier than before. “I’ve been busy because of all this. I arranged a safe haven for the Central Academy students. Even though Ibarin is gone, there are still matters that concern me. The students no longer have their magic, and delivering that news to their families was no easy task.
“On top of that, the Cerebus Guild has been investigating them closely. The world sees those students as victims of Ibarin’s cruelty, and many of their families are powerful. Because of that, I don’t think the Guild will actually act against them. But you and I both know that the Cerebus Guild answers to Gizin. And ever since you told me what happened at Wilton, I’ve been keeping a close eye on them.”
Raze listened intently, his expression calm but his resolve only deepening. Alen’s words confirmed what he already knew. This only pushed his decision further.
“We didn’t just come here because it was a safe place to stay,” Raze finally said. His voice was steady, but each word carried weight. “There’s another reason we came here. Because I want to talk to you about our next target, Gizin.”
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