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Chapter 476: Clinging to Power
Grand Arcanist.
A legendary mage profession.
Owner of a floating city.
Pioneer of the arcane path.
Ruler of the Netheril Empire.
One of the strongest legendary-tier beings.
Grand Arcanist Cronorman.
Level 10 Mage / Level 15 Arcanist.
His total professional level reaches 25.
A legendary pinnacle super spellcaster.
Member of the Netheril Empire's Saveniton Council of Twelve!
If Grand Arcanist Cronorman could live indefinitely...
Matthew believed he would transcend mortal limits, reaching 30+ levels as a supreme power.
Unfortunately, Matthew remembered clearly:
Just a few years later.
In the year when both Scarlet Fortress and Crimson Fortress were destroyed.
During the orc tide that once again swept across the Netheril Empire.
Grand Arcanist Cronorman sacrificed himself.
Ironically, he died at the hands of an orc army!
This figure, regarded by many archaeological players as immensely powerful...
Renowned for his virtuous character and his efforts in creating laws to mediate conflicts among the lower classes, noble lords, floating cities, and Arcanists...
A cornerstone figure of the Netheril Empire's arcane legacy.
Perished in an orc raid that was not even particularly "fierce."
His death marked the beginning of a fracture across all levels of the Netheril Empire.
The populace struggled to survive, lords scrambled to defend their domains, and spellcasters, especially Arcanists, withdrew to lofty isolation.
The floating cities, once brilliant symbols of civilization, became tools for exploitation and private gain.
Of course, for now, none of this concerned Matthew directly.
He only knew that the real "threat" might lie with this Grand Arcanist.
Or with the god who shattered the Scarlet Fortress's outer walls—Gruush!
The Orc God of Greater Divine Power.
A deity who had vanished for millennia but would re-emerge in a decade.
Without a doubt, Matthew was almost certain that Gruush's early appearance was related to him.
"Could the sudden Abyssal Rift also be linked to Gruush's arrival?"
"This terrifying evil god lurking in the Abyss must already be taking action..."
"It seems the orcs' grand-scale disruptions are fundamentally aimed at paving the way for Gruush on the material plane."
"Perhaps the orc tide in the coming years will be driven by Gruush's machinations..."
"And the reason Grand Arcanist Cronorman sacrifices himself must also involve this orc evil god..."
"No wonder the Core Elves' plan failed—what 'good luck' they had!"
Despite these thoughts racing in his mind, Matthew put on an expression of excitement mixed with feigned confusion and asked:
"Are you really Grand Arcanist Cronorman?"
"That's wonderful! Scarlet Fortress is saved!"
Cronorman, who was closely observing Matthew and Yaya, blinked in bemusement and helplessly waved a hand, saying:
"I'm not omnipotent; there's no way I can save Scarlet Fortress."
"Ultimately, their fate lies in their own hands..."
"As does yours, young Arcanist, and the time dragon's..."
Matthew's heart sank, though he had anticipated this revelation.
He hadn't expected Cronorman to instantly discern Yaya's true nature.
All Matthew could do was silently hope that this Grand Arcanist was as benevolent as players had claimed.
At least from his opening remarks, he didn't seem condescending like most Arcanists Matthew remembered.
Matthew refrained from retorting, instead maintaining an astonished yet respectful gaze as he asked:
"How did you know Yaya's identity? Has her disguise failed?"
Cronorman smiled faintly but didn't answer, instead posing a question:
"If I hadn't shown up and you couldn't contact the people at Scarlet Fortress, what would you have done?"
Sensing a test, Matthew's thoughts churned before he confidently replied:
"It's simple. If I can't use spells, Yaya and I will just fly over."
"But I'd make sure to bring as many supplies as possible and set up a teleportation array..."
With the teleportation array established, all kinds of battle potions and consumables could be delivered.
The Third and Eighth Legions' remaining elites...
Could handle these mindless, beast-like orcs, even under pressure, without being entirely wiped out.
Cronorman smiled faintly, nodding slightly in approval.
To him, Matthew seemed more like an idealist—someone with ideas and the determination to see them through.
But before he could speak, Matthew's next words left him stunned:
"Anyway, Yaya and I are just avatars. Once we deliver the supplies, it doesn't matter if we face danger."
"Avatars?"
Realizing the implication, Cronorman's gaze sharpened, scrutinizing Matthew and Yaya with newfound interest.
The two stood calm and unflinching under his gaze.
Spotting subtle clues, Cronorman glanced down at the orc horde, lightly raising a hand while casting a spell.
"Is this a talent or a spell?" he asked casually.
Perfect!
Excitement surged in Matthew as he resisted the urge to observe Cronorman's spellcasting, confidently replying:
"There's no difference!"
For Arcanists...
If they didn't know a spell, they learned a new one.
If they lacked a talent, they invented a spell to compensate!
That was the essence of an Arcanist—the master of true knowledge.
Cronorman glanced at Matthew with evident delight, stopping his spell as Yaya watched, eyes wide with curiosity.
With a casual flick of his staff, Cronorman aimed below.
A chilling sense of threat made Matthew tense up.
Yet, he astutely noticed that no magic energy had leaked—proof of Cronorman's unparalleled control.
Moments later, the orcs besieging the fortress began to rise into the air.
No matter how hard they struggled, they couldn't prevent themselves from floating higher and higher.
Over ten thousand orcs, suspended in the air, formed a dense mass.
Witnessing this breathtaking scene, Matthew felt a wave of realization.
Among Grand Arcanists, there were indeed levels of mastery!
Cronorman raised his staff, letting the airborne orcs plummet to the ground. Without sparing them a glance, he turned to Matthew and said:
"Well said. Let's head down."
Thud!
Bang!
Like raindrops, the orcs crashed to the ground, turning into mangled corpses without a single cry.
With a mere gesture, over ten thousand orcs perished.
This was Cronorman's signature move—the Cronorman Gravity Inversion Technique!