After the event at the Fighting pits, Two weeks has passed and during these past two weeks, Magnus has broke through in his cultivation, consecutively. Now, he was at the 5th-Level Topaz realm and his strength has greatly increased.
With his consecutive breakthroughs, he also raised his proficiency levels with his [World Devouring Art] and his [Great Leviathan Body]. Now, he was able to refine the blood, energy and flesh of the fallen at a much faster rate. His body was now much stronger than those on his level and could match the physical body of those at the 2nd Level-Amethyst realm. Magnus was now able to absorb more World Energy and refine them faster.
During these two weeks, Magnus has gone back to the pits twice and every time he did, he would always be welcomed by a ever-growing crowd. Even nobles would come to watch, this was because of the storm he kicked up with his proposition of one versus a hundred. It became the news that began to spread like wildfire and attracted the attention of many people.
Some of the nobles would pit their men against him, and this would always make the crowd explode. Bets would be placed and even if Magnus would win every time, neither the nobles or the audience took it to heart. To them this was just a sport, it doesn't matter if one of their men dies, they could always just replace them.
Due to his reputation soaring, not only in the pits but also in the various circles of the fort. Magnus was more than welcome to participate in the pits. Plus, those he has killed would always be mysteriously devoured by the shadow that comes from his body and this saves the pit the trouble of cleaning the bodies.
A great number of men died for Magnus and crates of cultivation resources were spent for him to advance in his cultivation, some of the men had Stigmata but most of them weren't useful. But either way, it doesn't matter...they're just food for him.
His [Golden Monkey Fist] has grown stronger and though he still hasn't tried to use the [Desolate Golden Fist] on someone before, he had a feeling that it was still much stronger than the [Golden Monkey Fist]. As for the broadsword named "Sharktooth" that he commissioned from Gerald, the Blacksmith, he has gained some proficiency in using it and he also had gotten used to changing it's weight.
Gula has also fashioned a tailor-made Sword arts for him, from the numerous Stigmata that he consumed and refined with Gula's own comprehension. With a name "Sharktooth" Gula made him a sword art that took inspiration from one of the apex predator of the sea, the Great White Shark and has named this sword art "Great White Rush". A series of fast, heavy attacks that gets heavier with each consecutive attack.
Aside from his progress, Scarlet has also made progress in her own quest. For two weeks, Scarlet has been tirelessly preparing for her revenge, gathering information about every move of the Yellow Queen. She has also taken trips to various Mercenary Guilds close to the Yellow Rock Fort and finally she found a trusted Guild that could muster a thousand men for only thirty thousand gold coin.
It was pricey but it was what she needed...
If she were to pool all the asset of her family, at best, it would only amount lower than ten thousand even with Magnus' earnings from the pits.
So because of this, she was determined to convince Magnus to venture to the Ruins.
This morning, She found Magnus training his sword, sweat poured from his small yet chiseled body. For a young child, Magnus already had a good body, Scarlet was charmed at first but then she remembered that Magnus was only about ten.
"Magnus, do you have a minute?" Scarlet called out from the side. She was being accompanied by the two maids that was assigned to Magnus
Hearing her voice, Magnus stopped and stabbed Sharktooth to the ground. He rushed towards Scarlet which looked very cute, like a child that runs towards his elder sister. Scarlet giggled and took the towel from the Maid's hands, crouching down, she smiled as she wiped the sweat from Magnus' face and body.
After that quick cleaning up, Scarlet told Magnus about the situation and her request, at first she thought that Magnus would reject, as he was still just a child and now she wants him to undergo such a dangerous mission.
But surprisingly Magnus replied. "You saved my life...A debt must be repaid."
Scarlet didn't see it but a violet gleam appeared from Magnus' eyes as he continued.
"I would soon be breaking to the Amethyst realm, after that I will go to the ruins."
Hearing this, Scarlet felt stunned and excited. She already was aware of his strength and now that he was about to breakthrough to the Amethyst realm, Scarlet has more faith that his mission would be successful...after all, who can kill over a hundred men of equal cultivation, if not more, other than him?
Scarlet nodded and saw Magnus walking back to continue training with his sword, with this Scarlet went back with confidence. She ordered her men to find and buy three precious herbs that could help Magnus achieve a breakthrough faster.
...
A few days later, Scarlet's men arrived at the villa and rushed to see her.
"My Lady, we have brought what you asked for." The servant heaved heavily.
Scarlet's countenance brightened and immediately she beckoned her servants to follow her and bring the items she asked them to find.
She rushed towards Magnus' room and just as she was about to open the door, a huge wave of energy came crashing towards them. Luckily, she was a cultivator, at the 5th-Level Topaz realm, she was able to react fast enough and shield her servants from the blast.
"Urgh..." She groaned, and as she slowly opened her eyes...Scarlet saw that the door to Magnus' room was blown apart.
And inside, Magnus was sitting crossed legged and around him were crystalline-like, violet- colored energy, emanating from his body. She saw him slowly open his eyes and from them, Scarlet saw two beautiful and enchanting eyes. For a moment, she couldn't take her eyes off of them but then she felt a instinctual fear that came from her soul.
Scarlet shivered but soon this fear disappeared and so did the violet energy that came from Magnus. She quickly got up and rushed towards him, checking if he was alright.
"I'm alright, big sister Scarlet." Magnus said.
"Big sister?" Scarlet felt weird with Magnus calling her that.
But Magnus childishly smile at her and explained. "You saved my life, took me in, provided me with food and shelter. But most importantly, made me stronger...I will help you achieve your revenge, big sister."
Hearing this, Scarlet suddenly remember her own thoughts like how she was ready to use and sacrifice Magnus if she had to. But now? She felt her heart break when she saw his pure and childish smile, tears welled up her eyes but she wiped them before they could fall down her cheeks.
"Consolidate your cultivation and we'll talk when you will set out for the ruins."
She felt more attached to him now, but her motive has not changed. She must have her revenge.
Magnus nodded and he was led to another room as his was wrecked by his breakthrough.
...
Later that night, Scarlet went to talk with her elders.
"I heard that boy broke through?" One of them spoke with surprise and joy.
Scarlet smiled at the elder and nodded. "Yes, he's consolidating his cultivation as we speak.
Another one then said. "He's even a greater genius than those from the capital."
"Hahaha, it's a good thing the Lady brought him home." One of them laughed.
After a more idle talks and laugh. Scarlet coughed and the mood got serious.
"Ahem, ahem. Now...how is the talks with the other families is going?" Scarlet asked.
One of the elder answered. "The Glenn Family would fight with us as long as we convinced them that we have the power to topple the queen. Otherwise...as they said 'Little ladies should not play house with adults.'"
Hearing this, Scarlet's face turned dark and sour, saying. "Decrepit, old fools. Too cowardly to admit that they're afraid of the Queen's forces..."
The elders got quiet, it's true that they were planning to start a rebellion but they didn't have the forces, so they wanted to enlist the power of the other families that were at odds with the queen but if they don't show them proof that they could take on the queen to some extent, they would not join.
"Fine! If that's how they want to play, then I'll pay them a visit when Magnus comes back. I'm sure he would've grown stronger by then, enough to silence those old fools."
The elders thought about this and nodded, this was indeed a good way to make those families follow them.
"Now then My Lady, what about the mercenaries?"
Scarlet massaged her temple the moment she heard this question but she answered.
"The Mercenary Guild said that they could provide us with a thousand men..."
"A thousand!"
"How much?!" The elders exclaimed.
Scarlet's expression turned even more sour and answered in a low voice. "Thirty Thousand..."
One of the elders abruptly stood and flared up. "That's just plain robbery!"
The elder to his right placed a hand on his shoulder in attempts to calm him down. "My Lady, how in the world could we have that much gold, even if we tried to pool everything we have, it wouldn't be enough. The queen could march her troops towards here and even then we wouldn't have enough men."
Scarlet knew they were right and her face turned even more sour. "I know...that's why i really hope Magnus could help make a difference by going to the ruins."
"How pitiful...the fate of our house, rest in the hands of a child." An elder mockingly laughed, not at Scarlet but over the entirety of their situation.
Scarlet sighed and said. "There's nothing we can do but put our trust in him and do what we can on our end."
She ended their meeting and another troubled night awaited her when she returned to her room.
Scarlet still remembered the uncaring, disgusted face of the Yellow Queen showed her when she begged for her forgiveness. From those condescending eyes she knew that the queen didn't consider her subjects as humans, they weren't even animals. To her, they were all just...objects to be used, weeds to be pulled when they're no longer useful for her.
Anger burned deep within her heart, she would want nothing more than to make that little bitch suffer for what she did.
With great effort, Scarlet managed to calm herself down. Once she did, she sat cross-legged and began to cultivate. Deep inside, she wanted for her revenge to come from her own effort but she knew that with her own talents it would take her years before she has gained enough strength to challenge the Yellow Queen's reign. By then, the queen would have already bolstered her forces and it would be harder for her to take her revenge.
That's why she was willing to stake it all on Magnus, the child of miracles that she believed that can help with her quest for revenge. He had already proven that he had the talent and fate to be an expert that will soar to the heavens.
With him helping her, she was steadily making steps closer to her revenge. Thinking about it this way helped her to calm down. Now she could calmly cultivate and steadily raise her own strength as she hasn't given up her desire to be the one who makes the Yellow Queen suffer.
...
The next morning, the villa was getting busy.
Today was the day, Magnus chose to leave for the ruins. Such a decision caught the elders and Scarlet off guarded but soon Magnus reasoned with them that even though he has just entered the Amethyst realm, he could still raise his strength along the way.
And he would only stagnate in a peaceful place like the Yellow Rock Fort.
Convinced by his reasoning, Scarlet decided to lend Magnus one of the fastest breed of horse of their villa. Though she was still worried, she knew that he was doing this to help her and because of that she felt strangely happy.
"Take care of yourself..." Scarlet tried her best to show him that she was confident that he would be alright.
"Mmn." Magnus nodded and smiled, he knew what she wanted to convey.
With a simple wave of goodbye, Magnus rode the horse despite his frame being small. It was a bumpy ride but he used darkness to stabilize his position. The Gates of the fort were opened and Magnus rode his horse out of Yellow Rock Fort.
"You know you're being used right?"
As Magnus got farther and farther away from the fort, Gula's voice echoed in his head.
Magnus showed an innocent smiled and said. "I know..."
But then, his expression turned cold and continued. "...and I'm also just using her."
Hearing this, Gula laughed and said.
"I'm liking you more and more, King..."