"Unfortunately, the effort to unlock the fourth Blood Swirl and master the Angel's Sting has completely consumed the life essence of Edson and Winterburn. It will take at least another ten days to develop the Sigil of Swift Step."
"But actually, there's a better choice than Swift Step or Spider's Climb!"
The first page of the Blood Scroll 〢〨 records the Bloodflame Aura, the foundational secret of the Adonis Clan's Bloodline Magic!
The second page, however, details the Bloodflame Shapeshifting.
As the name suggests, Bloodflame Shapeshifting doesn't allow you to transform into different animals or change your appearance but instead lets you become a mass of bloodflame!
Charlotte doesn't care whether he can transform into various animals or different people, but if he can transform into a bloodflame, he'll be able to float through the air—perhaps not exactly flying, but good enough for travel.
During the midday break, Charlotte was called over by Count Leo, who immediately sent a chill down his spine with his first sentence: "We of Byron and the Black Phoenix Dynasty have already signed an alliance, so this time, we're going to lure out the Southern Seraph restorationists and assassinate Grand Duke Ferdinand!"
"To ignite a war!"
Charlotte, who has gazed into the eyes of an evil god, whose soul has been shattered and reassembled, has reawakened the memories of two lifetimes. The knowledge Charlotte Mecklen learned in his youth is still fresh in his mind, and he knows the history and enmity between the Southern Seraph and the Behemoth Principality well.
In short, the Southern Seraph resisted the invasion of the Falser Empire and was on the brink of victory, only to be backstabbed by the Behemoth Principality, leading to its downfall.
The Southern Seraph has been a destroyed nation for nearly two centuries. While its people have grudgingly accepted Imperial rule, they harbor deep hatred for the Behemoth Principality.
There's a rumor that someone once drunkenly proclaimed, "I'm from the Behemoth Principality…" in a tavern, only to be beaten to death by a group of Southern Seraph natives.
The enmity between the two nations is evident.
If the Southern Seraph restorationists were to assassinate Grand Duke Ferdinand, the Falser Imperial family would be honor-bound to avenge him. The restorationists couldn't possibly withstand the full might of the Imperial army, forcing them to seek external assistance...
The slightest flutter of a butterfly's wings can sometimes unleash a cataclysmic storm.
But sometimes, the storm is orchestrated.
Although Charlotte is a time traveler with no particular loyalty to the Falser Empire, the thought of a war breaking out and the countless innocents who would perish makes him shudder.
Before his journey to this world, he had lived in a nation that had enjoyed decades of peace. It was precisely because of this long peace that he understood its value and the horrors of war.
In a low voice, he said, "I wasn't given that directive."
Count Leo replied, "Your rank is too low to be privy to the entire plan; it's not surprising."
"However, you must fully cooperate with my actions."
"Complete this mission, and I'll transfer you to my command. I promise to promote you by at least one rank."
Charlotte expressed his gratitude with respect, but in his heart, he was thinking, "I must find a way to sabotage Byron's plans."
"How absurd—I'm a fugitive, yet here I am worrying about helping the Falser Empire maintain peace."
Count Leo, satisfied with Charlotte's attitude, gave him a few more instructions before dismissing him to prepare for the journey ahead.
The group moved swiftly over the next two days and reached Machu Pichu.
This ancient stronghold of the Orcish Empire, though conquered and set ablaze by the Sherlock Kingdom, still stood imposing even in ruins.
Orcish architecture was known for its grand scale, with every structure towering dozens of meters high. The fortress gates, in particular, were magnificently towering. Even after centuries of destruction, the city's remains still instilled awe.
Despite his exhaustion, Charlotte volunteered to scout the area personally.
Whether it was his subordinates or Count Leo, they all found this man reliable.
The adventurers believed their "leader" was brave for facing danger himself, while Count Leo saw a future subordinate who was diligent and unafraid of hardship—a perfect candidate for a personal aide.
But only Charlotte knew the truth: he was venturing alone into Machu Pichu to test the recent progress he had made on the first page of the Agmillas Maze.
Charlotte, holding his magical staff in one hand and his old Magnum in the other, marched confidently into Machu Pichu. Once he passed through the crumbling fortress gates, which blocked the view from the outside, he immediately stowed away his weapons and pulled out his journal, flipping to the page detailing the Agmillas Maze.
He opened the first page, placed the journal on the ground, and muttered quietly to himself. At first, nothing happened, and he began to worry that his research had been for naught. But then, a thought emerged: Charlotte Mecklen had discovered the ruins of the ancient Orcish Empire, Machu Pichu, meeting the criteria for setting up the first maze. Machu Pichu is now beginning to transform into a maze.
Charlotte watched as the first page of the Agmillas Maze faded away. He then sensed an invisible force emanating from the journal in his hand, gradually spreading throughout the ancient Orcish stronghold.
The first part to be transformed was the fortress entrance behind him, which served as the starting point for the maze's expansion deeper into Machu Pichu. The thought reappeared: Machu Pichu's maze transformation will take eighteen days to complete. During this time, leaving this place is prohibited.
Charlotte took a deep breath, collected his journal, and returned to the fortress gates, standing inside as he called out, "There's nothing dangerous in here. I've even found a clean area where we can set up camp and wait for Grand Duke Ferdinand to pass through."
Count Leo smiled slightly and said, "Good."
Though he had heard some tales about Machu Pichu, as a high-ranking superhuman, he had no fear and entered the ruins with his two servants.
Charlotte then sensed a thought: Three maze NPCs have been added. Infiltration progress has increased by 1.5%.
He was both surprised and delighted—he hadn't expected such a benefit!
The adventurers also entered the ruined fortress, and the thought kept updating: Fifteen maze NPCs added. Infiltration progress increased by 0.8%...
Twenty-one maze NPCs added. Infiltration progress increased by 1.3%...
Thirty-four maze NPCs added. Infiltration progress increased by 3.3%...
Total maze NPCs: 136. Total infiltration progress: 16.5%.
Charlotte let out a long sigh of relief—his research direction was correct after all!
This ancient Orcish stronghold was massive, capable of housing 270,000 troops at its peak. Although only about twenty percent of the fortress had transformed into a maze, it was enough to trap anyone who entered.
Count Leo, being a high-ranking superhuman, grew wary as his instincts triggered a sense of danger. He scanned the area but found nothing amiss.
What he didn't realize was that the danger wasn't lurking—it had already enveloped them.