I Pioneered Scientific Magic

Chapter 353: The Wizards Have Fallen Under the Devil's Influence

Lynn cautiously returned home, securing the not-so-sturdy door before stepping into the empty interior. They prostrated themselves respectfully, addressing someone in utmost reverence.

"Lord Pearson!"

With these words, a figure clad in a crimson robe appeared before them, emanating an imposing aura that stifled the room.

"No one followed or sensed anything amiss today, correct?" Pearson solemnly inquired.

"No, those wizard lackeys may search thoroughly, but they never randomly harm civilians," Lynn nervously replied.

Pearson's tense demeanor relaxed slightly. "Any useful information you've gathered?"

He had been in the capital for a full five days through secret passages, yet remained covert, wary of the city's unexpectedly stringent defenses. Gunners guarded every district, making it difficult to dismantle these sentries.

Given the circumstances, Pearson dared not employ magic easily, lest he draw attention to himself.

Fortunately, luck favored them; they found a devout believer not far from the well-connected area, who, after some persuasion, became their informant, responsible for gathering external information.

"My Lord, based on my findings, those wizards' lackeys have captured five fallen Griffin Knights. They're currently detained in the prison set up in the XC district," Lynn reported, head bowed.

"Seems like Arno indeed got caught..." Pearson thought to himself. Given Arno's prowess, he wouldn't have met his end immediately, even caught in the lightning web spanning the city. If there were no disturbances in the capital, it likely meant he was captured.

Recalling the city's map, Pearson noted the prison wasn't too far from their location.

Though he didn't particularly like Arno's arrogance, he was a colleague. It wouldn't hurt to aid him; it might even improve their odds in the city's conflicts.

"And... When I was at the market today, I overheard those devil worshippers mentioning..." Lynn hesitated, unsure whether to proceed.

"What did they say?" Pearson frowned.

"They mentioned the Bible... that it contains many errors," Lynn stuttered.

For instance, the Bible's belief in a geocentric world was incorrect; in truth, the land beneath their feet rotated around the sun due to something called gravity. Furthermore, the landmass wasn't flat; when looking at a distant tower from the sea, one always saw the top before the base. Lunar eclipses occurred when the planet rotated between the sun and the moon, projecting the eclipse they witnessed...

"They even claimed to have calculated the circumference of this land, at forty-three thousand two hundred kilometers," Lynn trembled slightly.

"Absurd!" Pearson chuckled. These cultists' ideas were outrageous. How could the land they stood on be round? They'd fall off!

And how did they calculate a circumference of forty-three thousand two hundred kilometers? Did they use a ruler?

These wizards dared to mislead believers with such ludicrous claims, utterly nonsensical!

After pausing, Lynn ceased speaking. Some odd experiments had been conducted on-site, demonstrating these seemingly irrational conclusions.

A child from a neighboring hunter's family whispered that they understood and could replicate these experiments. Perhaps the land beneath their feet was truly round, but Pearson found himself lost in this concept.

"It appears these wizards have been heavily influenced by the devil, their sanity severely compromised," Pearson scoffed, then swiftly inquired about the most heavily guarded mansion.

Pearson had a premonition; this place was extraordinary. Its defenses surpassed even the palace's, harboring a secretive interior.

Shaking his head, Lynn mentioned constant surveillance; they couldn't get close.

"In that case, you should rest," Pearson suggested, allowing Lynn to enter slumber.

Meanwhile, shadowy figures materialized in the small room. The lead guard handed a sealed scroll to Pearson.

Taking it gravely, Pearson read it and promptly incinerated the message.

The time was tonight!

...

At midnight, on the eastern segment of the city walls, Ham held a musket, stationed at the watchtower. Waves of drowsiness assaulted his mind, making it hazy.

Even though shifts changed every night and were split into halves, being over fifty, his energy didn't match his younger days. After a few hours, he struggled.

Maybe a short nap? The enemies wouldn't attack in the dead of night, and others were also watching. One more or less wouldn't make a difference.

As these thoughts flitted through Ham's mind, a sense of duty surged, reinvigorating him.

Just a little longer, it's almost time for the shift change...

In a daze, Ham entered a state between dream and wakefulness. The ground seemed to shake violently, intensifying.

"Everyone, wake up! Enemy attack!" A loud shout came from another watchtower.

Ham jolted awake, instinctively aiming the musket at the wall. But it was pitch black; he could only discern shadows illuminated faintly by the watchtower's fire.

Luckily, the wizards on the wall reacted. Dozens of dazzling fireballs soared into the sky, casting light on everything.

Ham and others involuntarily gasped. Tens of thousands of enemy soldiers had breached the two-kilometer perimeter, within their striking range.

At the forefront stood priests and bishops, donned in white robes, solemnly praying. Their prayers echoed clearly, despite the distance.

"Damn it, they're launching a full-scale attack!" Sanchez, in charge of rotation, said gravely.

Just a few days ago, during the previous battle, these priestly groups watched as cannon fodder charged and died. But now, they struck first.

Sanchez realized this wasn't a minor probe; it was a decisive battle!

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