Lynn was taken aback by the "advanced" political system of the Sorcerer's Land, which had swiftly transitioned to a democratic parliamentary system.
However, after a moment's reflection, he found it rather logical. A high-ranking sorcerer could wield the power of an army; failing to grant them commensurate authority would only sow discord.
Thus, there, the status of sorcerers was nearly equivalent to that of nobility!
"You will be awestruck by the sights when we reach the port," Laud said with deep emotion.
Over the years, he had visited the Sorcerer's Land several times. It was akin to a farmer from a village suddenly arriving in Vikneer—the shock was almost beyond words.
"I look forward to witnessing such a spectacle," Lynn replied with a smile.
As they conversed, a sailor approached and whispered a few words into Laud's ear.
Laud waved the sailor away and asked respectfully, "The Lady Sorceress has awakened. Would you like to see her?"
Lynn nodded, eager to ask Jonny many questions, and promptly made his way towards the cabin.
Watching Lynn's departing figure, Laud made no move to follow. Instead, he gazed up at the misty sky, where raindrops filtered through the fog and fell onto the deck.
Though the wind and rain posed no threat to navigation, Laud felt a twinge of unease. This year, their departure had been delayed in an attempt to evade the Church's pursuit.
He hoped that the storm would quieten before they crossed this treacherous sea...
...
Lynn followed the sailor into the ship's interior. The wooden vessel rocked incessantly, and the air was tinged with a faint, unpleasant odor.
Fortunately, he had long adapted to the medieval squalor, and this condition was relatively better. At least Laud had arranged for them to have private quarters, unlike the other crew members.
"Master Sorcerer, this is the place!" The guiding sailor stopped in front of a cabin door, casting a fearful glance at Lynn, haunted by the grim scenes he had witnessed in Harbor Town.
Lynn paid little heed and pushed the door open.
Inside was a small cabin, where a silver-haired sorceress reclined against the wooden headboard of the bed. Her gaze was fixed on the fog-shrouded sea outside the window, with faint light casting a ghostly pallor on her delicate features, lending her an almost ethereal beauty.
Upon hearing the door open, Jonny turned her head. Half of her refined profile was obscured by shadow. As Lynn approached the bed, the girl remained silent for a moment before speaking with sudden intensity.
"Pigeon is dead!"
Lynn paused, then gently responded, "I have preserved her body in ice. Perhaps the great figures of the Sorcerer's Land might find a solution."
Although he said this, Lynn knew well that hope was slim. Regardless of whether those powerful sorcerers possessed the capability, it was unlikely they would rescue a mere sorcerer apprentice.
He had done this partly because Pigeon, who had always been terrified of death, had braved almost certain demise to come to Harbor Town to "rescue" him, which touched Lynn deeply.
Secondly, the unknown energy absorbed by the intelligence system last night also concerned him greatly.
Jonny seemed not to have heard Lynn's words, continuing to murmur.
Lynn sighed inwardly. Given Jonny's current state of mind, she would likely be incapable of providing useful information. He was about to suggest she rest when a soft, warm body pressed against him.
Startled, Lynn hadn't yet reacted before he heard the girl's sobs.
"Pigeon is dead… The teacher is dead… And Kent, Will, Buck, Barton…"
With each name she uttered, Jonny's voice cracked further. Her shoulders shook uncontrollably, and tears streamed down her face, soaking Lynn's clothes. Her voice, choked with emotion, recounted the events in Nordland.
After their movements were discovered by the Church's personnel, Korro had a chance to escape but chose to stay behind to buy time for the others.
This sacrifice saved Jonny's life. Before leaving, she had promised her teacher to bring every apprentice safely to the Sorcerer's Land. Yet, apart from the two of them, everyone else had perished…
Lynn stood quietly, not interrupting Jonny's outpouring. He understood that Jonny needed an outlet to release the accumulated fear, sadness, and despair she had been unable to express over the past ten days.
The intermittent sobbing continued for over ten minutes before Jonny's emotions began to stabilize. She then noticed she was clutching Lynn, her tears having thoroughly dampened his garments.
Embarrassed, she released him, and the cabin's atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Jonny hastily wiped her tears and spoke in a low voice.
"If only the teacher had chosen to take you to the capital of Nordland, perhaps everything would have been different."
"You overestimate me, Jonny," Lynn shook his head. At that time, he had not yet crossed over. With Carl's abilities, he would most likely have been captured alongside them.
"And you have already done more than enough," Lynn said earnestly. Jonny was neither a tactical genius nor a cunning schemer like Laud.
In Carl's memories, she was simply a girl with a talent for magic who enjoyed reading under shaded trees.
It was unrealistic for Korro to place the survival of these apprentices solely on Jonny's shoulders.
Jonny did not respond to Lynn's comfort but instead asked with a hint of bewilderment, "Why did you choose to stay behind alone in Uul Town to face that archbishop?"
This question had lingered in her mind. Though they were all Korro's apprentices, they had no close bonds. Yet, in Uul Town, Lynn had chosen to face the danger alone, leaving them a chance to escape.
The truth was that your presence would have impeded the situation...
Lynn's response was on the tip of his tongue but he swallowed it, opting for a more tactful reply. "Facing Ancilok, I had no confidence in my chances and could not afford to divide my focus to protect you."
Jonny stared at Lynn, about to speak, when suddenly the relatively stable floor jolted violently. Both of them were nearly thrown against the cabin walls.
Before Lynn could regain his footing, terrified screams echoed from above the deck.
"The Eye of Death… It's the Eye of Death!"