Chapter 38 Sudden Departure

In the only pharmacy in Goldspark Town.

After returning, Charles hurried there at once, hoping to seek help, only to discover the place long abandoned, with two constables from the security squad standing guard outside.

The entire room looked as if it had been ransacked—every medicine cabinet thrown open, a jumble of herbs scattered across the floor, and the mingling of pungent medicinal scents creating a stifling stench.

“Young master, we have no idea why he suddenly left,” one of the patrolling officers responsible for the town’s security replied, his face baffled in a way that could not have been feigned. “The people nearby just heard loud noises coming from inside, and by the time anyone dared to look, there was no one left within.”

Charles asked no more. A heavy feeling sank into his chest: clearly, his acquaintance’s enemies had tracked him down. For a third-rank Spiritbinder to flee in such panic, the enemy’s power was self-evident, far beyond anything he could hope to handle—a fatal encounter.

Thus, the idea of seeking further assistance was dashed; everything ahead would have to depend on his own efforts.

As for Roddy’s looming vengeance, Charles gave it little thought. What he truly feared was that, under that Cassie woman’s instigation, Roddy would go straight to the Bounty Guild and post a contract.

The Bounty Guild was an imperial organization, spanning the entire empire, dedicated to handling matters concerning Spiritbinders.

Yet Spiritbinders held a status above all, loftier even than the empire’s nobility. As such, the authorities imposed very few restrictions: they were forbidden from killing ordinary people, from displaying their arts before commoners, and from summoning totem beasts within city or residential districts—

In other words, so long as ordinary people were neither harmed nor disturbed, conflicts between Spiritbinders—even to the death—would not be interfered with. At most, it would be a matter of private revenge.

But now, he faced a more urgent problem: his source crystals were nearly depleted.

Source crystals were the very essence of a Spiritbinder’s power—without them, even summoning a totem was impossible, let alone casting arts or fighting.

Not a single source crystal could be found in the small gold mine after days of searching; if he remained any longer, he would soon face the bleak prospect of being utterly spent and defenseless.

It was time to leave.

When Charles returned to the manor, Marcus was already waiting. Seeing him come back alone, Marcus asked in surprise, “Charles, why haven’t the others returned? Your clothes are all torn—what danger did you encounter?”

Charles’s hunting attire was, by now, little more than rags, gaping tears exposing his skin, making the surrounding guards exchange curious glances.

“We were attacked by wild beasts. Two guards lost their lives, the rest were injured protecting me. They’re seeking treatment at Stormport now—I came back on my own,” Charles explained in a grave tone.

“Two dreadful beasts also appeared in Glimmer Town to the north,” Marcus said, his brow furrowed, an icy ferocity radiating from him, the very image of a wrathful bear. “They killed dozens before being shot down. Where do such monsters come from?”

“I’ll go rest for a while. Today has exhausted me,” Charles replied, for there was nothing more he could say—warning them would do little good.

Even the weakest of those monsters equaled a grade-level human martial artist; the stronger ones could slaughter novice Spiritbinders like himself with ease. This was only the beginning: soon, monsters would surge forth in endless waves, rendering these lands a hundred miles wide devoid of life, countless people perishing in their attacks.

The world-ending calamity was little more than half a year away—a time when that organization would instigate total war.

In truth, they never desired war; only the twin empires and the Atlantean City-State Alliance, hungry for their spoils, had forced their hand.

Given another six months, they would have amassed an uncountable host of ultimate half-totems, enough to dominate the world, invincible.

In the story’s future, had it not been for outside interference, they might even have succeeded in creating a “God.”

Charles found himself curious: what would such a being truly be?

That evening, after bathing, a lamp shone in the study.

Eve, the maid, brought a small plate of pastries and medicinal food—Baron himself had instructed Chef Niu Kelian to prepare them, to replenish his strength lest overzealous study wear him out.

The girl eyed him curiously. He seemed changed—once he’d looked at her like a hungry wolf; now, he appeared utterly uninterested, as if he’d discovered something more fascinating, devoting himself to his studies every day.

Yet he seemed to grow ever more handsome.

“Just leave them; you needn’t serve me tonight,” Charles said, glancing up at the maid who stood frozen by his side, and smiled.

“Yes, right away.” Flustered by the depth of his gaze, the girl jumped like a startled rabbit and fled the study.

If only life could remain so tranquil, Charles mused, he might enjoy being a noble scoundrel, teasing maids as one of life’s pleasures.

But in three months, the barbarian horde would invade—Goldspark Town would cease to exist. Even if they fled, worse calamities would soon follow.

In such turbulent times, there was no leisure for indulgence. One never knew when disaster might strike.

Without strength, all was but a castle in the air, ready to collapse at any moment.

Shaking his head, Charles turned back to the black-bound tome in his hands.

This book, given to him by Marcus at Niu Kelian’s request, seemed a simple herbal compendium to Marcus, but after Charles deciphered its runes, it became a thick notebook.

Within were the fundamentals of Spiritbinding, even rare explanations of basic totems, with hundreds of evolutionary forms and simple cultivation methods.

On the open market, such a book would cost at least three thousand gold coins, and still not be as comprehensive as this.

“Uncle Niu, I owe you another favor. Good luck!” Charles thought, recalling that in the future, Niu Kelian would survive many dangers unscathed.

In fact, by seizing opportunities, Niu Kelian would eventually achieve a super-evolution of his primary totem, becoming one of the world’s most formidable powers.

Yet the future held infinite possibilities. Even the so-called protagonist, Simon, had had his opportunities stolen by Charles—misfortune could befall anyone.

“Charles, here is what I know of totem cultivation. Aside from my family’s core secrets, everything else is written here. Don’t worry about Nian Gao; I sent her with you to Stormport to keep her safe from enemies…”

On the first page, a familiar spiritual resonance appeared, a thread of information flowing directly into his mind—a note recorded through the art of spirit.

Relieved, Charles continued reading, and on the page, a great black bull materialized before his eyes…