Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 563: Strange Disease



The Cult of Bones was a clandestine organization that operated in the shadows of Ravenfell.

Many of its members were necromancers or practitioners of dark magic. They were feared for their ability to raise the dead and spread disease.

They had a strong presence in Ravenfell's underworld, having ties to several thieves' guilds, smugglers, and assassins.

Furthermore, they even controlled illicit trades such as black-market magical artifacts, rare potions, forbidden spell books, and even the trafficking of magical creatures or enslaved beings.

Despite having their fingers dipped across the city's dark underbelly, very little was truly known about them. Suffice it to say, no one could find traces of them.

Hearing Adam's question, Daneli's expression turned very solemn. After all, this was the long-term mission that the two had been sent on by the Twilight Brotherhood-to deal with the threat of the Cult of Bones!

"My men tell me that the most suspicious group is the gang known as Red Fists," Daneli began.

"Initially, they were only a small group of thugs, but quickly enough they've come to conquer most of the Corvid Quarter. They're no longer a small gang, but a legitimate large criminal enterprise."

Adam's eyebrows furrowed. "Red Fists? This is the group we came across while dealing with that swindler from the Children of the Red God, right?"

"Yes, that's the one." Daneli nodded.

"I remember hearing about this group all those years ago. At the time, I'd never thought they'd be related to the Cult of Bones," said Adam in a grim tone.

"Well, we still don't know for sure if this gang is related to the Cult of Bones," Daneli replied. "But everything points in that direction."

"How so?" Adam's eyebrows creased further.

Daneli took a deep breath and then began explaining, "Their meteoric rise in the underworld would explain that they have someone very powerful supporting them."

"But that doesn't mean anything, though," Adam countered.

"It doesn't. But ever since they've gained control of the neighborhoods in the Corvid District, a strange disease has begun spreading in those areas, affecting the poor people," Daneli stated while involuntarily clenching his fists.

"What?" Adam's eyes slightly widened. "A strange disease affecting the slums?!"

At that moment, he was very grateful that he had Rowan and his family move out of Corvid Quarter as soon as he returned from his mission in Stratford.

"According to official reports, several people have died." Daneli nodded. "But unofficially, I believe the numbers are quite significant."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Strangely enough, the disease seems to be only restricted to that quarter. And ever since the people from the other quarters found out about this disease, they've completely cordoned off Corvid Quarter."

Adam's expression darkened. "What? Is the rest of the city not worried about the emergence of a strange new disease in the slums? Are they not worried about the deaths of those poor people?"

Daneli shrugged. "When have they ever cared about the plight of the poor?"

Adam couldn't help but grit his teeth. "Tsk, those bastards!"

The elf deeply looked at him, wondering just what was going on in his mind to react this way. However, he didn't press further.

He went on to explain, "As for being worried about this disease, they're not. This disease doesn't affect the Magi. Besides, there's only a handful of mortals living in the other five quarters."

"These mortals, are they not worried about contracting the disease?" Adam asked.

The elf shook his head. "It's transmitted through touch only, and like I said, the entirety of Corvid Quarter has been cordoned off. No one gets it, no one gets out."

Adam turned silent, deep in thought. He then looked at Daneli and asked, "So how are those people faring?"

"You really have a soft spot for the poor and downtrodden, eh?" Daneli asked with an amused expression.

"Well, over the years, the population has been immunized. Although there are still some people dying from the diseases every now and then, but let's be honest, it's not like there weren't any deaths in that district prior to the disease."

Adam's eyes narrowed. "Immunized? How?" Suddenly he thought of a possibility and exclaimed, "Don't tell me..."

"Indeed." Daneli's lips curled up into a cold smile. "The ones curing those people are also the Red Gang. That is why I suspect those bastards to be the ones behind this disease."

Adam was silent for a long while. He then spoke up, "But that still doesn't connect them to the Cult of Bones."

"Over the past years, several Magi in this gang have been associated with practicing dark magic," said the elf. "Do you still think there's no possibility of them being connected to the cult?"

Adam was speechless. "Several Magi in their gang?! I remember when we dealt with the Children of the Red God, the Red Fists consisted of only mortals, and it was led by a mere Rank

1 Magus!"

"Ah, yes, there's has been a change in management, I suppose." Daneli shook his head with a helpless sigh.

"So the Red Fists are the most powerful faction in the Corvid Quarter, and the Magi from the other parts of the city are not bothered about it at all?" Adam asked incredulously.

"I suspect that a few nobles might also be secretly supporting the Red Fists," Daneli ventured

a guess.

"Then that makes them no different from the Umbra Thieves," said Adam with a low voice. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed and he added, "Could it be that this thieves' guild is also secretly supported by the Cult of Bones?!"

Daneli looked at him and answered, "Although there's no evidence suggesting it, it would be safe to assume so."

He knew about Adam's ongoing conflict with the Umbra Thieves in the past years, so he couldn't help but warn, "Be careful. If this thieves' guild really is in cahoots with the Cult of Bones, I'd advise you to not act so recklessly."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The elf paused for a moment before continuing, "From what I hear, there's a lot of bad blood between the two of you."

"Heh," Adam sneered. "That's an understatement."

The pair turned silent for a long time, each thinking about thier own problems. Adam then spoke up, "When you go investigate the Red Fists next time, take me along."

"That goes without saying," Daneli replied with a nod.

Basically, what he meant by that was that Adam's fighting prowess would be a great help to

him. However, he'd never admit that.

Adam weaved a simple hang gesture, canceling the mana barrier. Then, he hopped off the boulder and began making his way toward the castle.

"Anyway, I'll be away for work for the next two months," he said.

"Two months?" The elf's eyebrow rose in surprise. Then, he added, "Alright, understood. We'll deal with the Red Fists after you return."

...

The following day, Adam and Valerian were on their way to Professor Whitaker's office. The young man had to inform her about his two-month-long absence.

"Brother, we're going to our house in Uptown Quarter after this, right?" Valerian, who was sitting on his shoulder, asked excitedly.

"Yeah, but..." Adam glanced at his familiar in a strange manner. "Why are you so excited?"

"Hmph!" The little guy looked away. "Who said I'm excited?"

"This better not be about having Rowan make another gold ornament for you. If I find out about it, I'll cut your allowance in half!" Adam reprimanded.

"O-Of course, not!" Valerian hurriedly replied.

Inwardly, however, he was deviously thinking, Hehe, my foolish brother, you only told me not to

make Rowan do the work.

I can always ask others to make gold jewelry for me. Don't underestimate my network in the city!

Soon, the pair arrived in front of Professor Whitaker's office. Adam gently knocked on the door and respectfully called out, "Professor, it's me."

"Come in." A few seconds later, a kind and gentle voice sounded from within the room.

He opened the door and stepped inside. There, he saw the old woman sitting at her usual spot,

behind her table, and going through some parchment papers.

"Good morning, prof-" He was about to greet her when suddenly he stopped.

From the corner of the table, he saw a tiny head peek out. It was a little girl with a head full of

long black hair with orange streaks. Her eyes were also orange in color and had a mischievous

glint in them.

She first looked at Adam with curiosity, before her attention was instantly drawn to Valerian who was perching on the young man's shoulder and gracefully licking his paw.

The little girl's eyes lit up and she dashed in their direction, all the while screaming in joy,

"Kitty!!"