Kapitel 27: Chapter 27: The Duke's Letter and Mystical Realm Exploration
Within the Peter Baron's castle, Su Nan skimmed through the letters exchanged between Gus Pasha and the Duke of Salonica Latin. Surprisingly, Gus Pasha had not only kept copies of the letters he sent to the Duke but had also hidden the entire correspondence in an unused room beneath the floorboards of his manor.
The discovery was thanks to the meticulous efforts of Chief Steward Warwick, who had thoroughly inspected the Pasha family estate over the past month.
The letters revealed that the Duke, addressing Gus Pasha as a friend and protege, had frequently encouraged him to expand his ambitions and rise above his current status. Phrases like, "Your abilities far exceed your current station," and, "I hope to see you in a more prominent position," were common. The Duke even mocked Gus's loyalty to the Peter family, writing:
"Your family has served the Peter lineage for generations, but nothing binds you to continue this tradition. Your lord, the old Peter Baron, is dead. Why waste your talents on an untested child? Even the Storm God must pity your misguided loyalty to such a whelp."
Su Nan smirked in disdain. It was clear now why Gus Pasha had been emboldened to rebel. With such flattery and manipulation, the Duke had fueled Gus's ambitions, convincing him to disregard the feudal order and seize power.
The Duke's ultimate goal was obvious: to control Maple Leaf Town through a puppet. If Gus Pasha succeeded, his betrayal would have isolated his family from the other lords, forcing them to rely solely on the Duke. A straightforward scheme—but Su Nan wondered whether Gus had seen through it before his death.
Interestingly, the letters also mentioned the Duke's need for the wealth of Maple Leaf Town. He had recently recruited a significant army, supposedly to defend against the northern threat of the Bulgarian butcher-chieftain. However, the funds for this army had been borrowed from republic bankers in the western peninsula, and the Duke faced repayment deadlines by late autumn.
Throwing the letters aside, Su Nan mused, The Duke won't get his hands on Maple Leaf Town's resources. Not this autumn, not next spring, not ever.
However, Su Nan frowned as a thought struck him. Why would the Duke raise such a massive army to counter the Bulgarians when they are separated by several territories?
The real reason for the Duke's military buildup seemed far more sinister. While the official excuse was to defend the kingdom, Su Nan suspected the Duke's ambitions were aimed at consolidating more power within the Storm Kingdom itself.
The kingdom's shaky foundation, established only 57 years ago by warlike knights carving out their own domains from the remnants of the Eastern Empire, had left it riddled with weaknesses. Feudal lords like the Duke of Salonica Latin operated almost as independent rulers, with their own courts, armies, and laws.
Moreover, the Duke was the king's father-in-law, adding a layer of complexity to their relationship. The kingdom's fragile unity hung by a thread.
Setting aside these political machinations, Su Nan focused on his personal goals. Having unified the Peter Barony, he was more interested in exploring mystical truths than in playing the game of noble politics. Anyone who interfered with his pursuits would be dealt with accordingly.
Su Nan instructed Warwick, "I understand the situation. For now, focus on fortifying our hold here. I'll be entering the mystical realm this afternoon. Assign the wolf messengers to guard the attic and ensure no one disturbs me."
Warwick nodded. "Understood, young master."
After a quick lunch—now considerably richer with dishes like creamy mushroom soup, honeyed milk bread, and meats prepared with fresh sauces—Su Nan returned to the attic.
Channeling his magic, he once again entered the mystical realm.
The realm appeared slightly altered since his last visit. The moon above shone brighter, and the expanse of the wildflower-filled plains had grown, now encompassing an area roughly 20% larger than before. It seemed that as Su Nan's power increased, his domain within the realm expanded as well.
At the edge of the plains, the Gray Soil Cemetery Fortress—a collection of ancient ruins partially shrouded in mist—had become more visible.
Suddenly, Su Nan heard the sounds of battle. At the far end of the plains, the Orr Protector wielded its massive black scythe against a monstrous eight-legged spider. The spider, tank-like in size, lacked eyes; its face was a smooth, gray surface.
The Orr Protector was struggling. Upon noticing Su Nan, it called out desperately, "Master Su Nan! Help me! This creature suppresses my power!"
"It's an energy-world being," the Protector explained. "Here in the mystical realm, my attacks become pure spiritual energy, but I lack intent-based power. Instead, this creature absorbs my strength, growing stronger."
"Master, use magic! In this realm, your spells will be amplified. The mystical realm aligns with your inner will—any spell cast with a wizard's intent will have exponentially greater power here."
"This spider isn't from the mystical realm. It's the result of a ritual in the physical world. Some madman—likely a cultist—has summoned an energy-world fragment into the material world. The effects of such a summoning ripple into the mystical realm."
"Most energy-worlds are benign, but some are profoundly malevolent. Two thousand years ago, wizards dedicated their lives to preventing such rituals. I can't believe such madness persists today!"
Though curious about the nature of energy-worlds, Su Nan focused on the immediate threat. He retrieved two potions: Ghostly Frog Summon and Ghostly Wolf Summon.
It was an excellent opportunity to test their effectiveness in combat.
The Orr Protector leaped back, allowing Su Nan to take the lead. "Be careful, Master. Energy beings are unlike anything you've faced before. They exist neither purely in thought nor matter.
They are entities of a different reality altogether!"
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein