How come this arcanist is invincible?

Chapter 7 The Underground Cage

Nord is one of the six major powers on the continent.

The country is nominally a constitutional monarchy and has a council of elders elected by the people.

In reality, however, it was a militaristic state disguised as a monarchy, which ruled the north for a long time.

The royal family is said to have dragon blood, and dragon sorcerers have been born in every generation.

Kane reviewed the documents.

His gaze swept over the believers who were busy cleaning up the scene and moving the bodies.

He pondered silently in his heart.

"It's not surprising that Nords sent people to infiltrate the demon cult; no power can tolerate the existence of a cult that could shake its rule."

"But since they've decided I'm the 'child of the devil,' does that mean...?"

Even if I manage to escape this stronghold, will I face endless persecution because of my ties to the cult?

"Could it be... that we really have to flee to the Underdark?"

Kane weighed the pros and cons.

With the system at your fingertips, as long as you develop discreetly, you'll eventually rise to prominence.

The country of Knorr also holds too many opportunities and resources that he cannot give up.

"Therefore, if I want to go to Nord or other countries on the continent, I must first clear myself of the identity of 'Child of the Devil'."

As he pondered this, he followed the black-robed cultist to receive treatment.

Taking medicine, applying herbs, bandaging...

Although his injuries appeared to be quite severe, Kane knew that his internal injuries had long since healed.

In his hurried steps, the black-robed cultist turned back and relayed the message:

"Your advisor wants to see you."

Kane's mind stirred slightly.

But a sinister smile crept across his face as he pretended not to care and followed after them.

……

This time, he was taken deeper underground—an area he had previously been forbidden to enter.

The sound of water droplets falling filled the air, and the firelight flickered dimly.

This is a prison, with many dilapidated wooden cages hanging on the walls.

Some cages contained thin, black-robed figures, while others were nothing but skeletons, with faint, mournful cries still audible.

Halfway there, the black-robed cultist leading the way stopped, bowed respectfully, and stepped back.

Kane looked ahead and saw his mentor standing quietly in the shadows not far away.

The tutor gently examined his injuries and spoke apologetically:

"Kane, I will place you in a safer place from now on. I didn't think it through before."

"No, it's alright, mentor."

Kane continued to grin, maintaining his slightly manic appearance.

"That's good."

The mentor nodded, then changed the subject:

"I have already caught the mastermind behind this assassination attempt on you."

They caught him?

Kane was puzzled, but remained outwardly calm.

He followed his mentor into the depths of the prison, where he saw a wooden cage suspended high above the ground.

A familiar figure was huddled inside the cage.

Who else could it be but Shar?

At this moment, she was dressed in rags, her hair was disheveled, and the small wooden cage made it impossible for her to move.

He appeared listless and weak, with a dejected expression.

The aloof executor of the past is nowhere to be seen.

"tutor……"

Kane deliberately feigned confusion.

The mentor smiled slightly and explained:

"Our esteemed Executor, Miss Shar, is actually a member of Nord's 'Lamplighters'... How unexpected."

Kane suddenly felt a sense of relief.

The lantern bearer.

One of the guardian forces of the Nord Kingdom, whose mission is "to become the light that illuminates the impending darkness."

No wonder I was assassinated inside the stronghold; there was a mole lurking within.

But he never expected that this seemingly evil executive officer actually came from the side of justice.

He didn't immediately express his opinion, but simply looked quietly at his mentor.

He knew very well that the other party had brought him here specifically not just to inform him of this matter.

"Let's talk about the Stigmata Ritual."

The mentor spoke with a smile that hadn't faded.

Why are you saying this?

Kane became secretly wary, his mind racing.

Then, the instructor continued:

"Did you know that this ceremony was actually a transaction?"

"A deal?" Kane wondered.

"That's right," the tutor nodded.

"Although the gods no longer care about us, the world is still protected by the legacy of that legend, and the abyss is difficult to penetrate directly."

Therefore, the Patriarch created the stigmata ritual.

"Each time a holy mark is inscribed, the demonic projection will tear apart a part of the recipient's soul and bring it back to the abyss."

At the same time, the power of the abyss will erode the remaining souls, making those souls... even purer and stronger.

Kane suddenly understood.

No wonder Ange was able to master two first-level spells so quickly; it turns out it was a gift from the Abyss.

His heart sank slightly, but his face remained expressionless.

The tutor seemed to see through his thoughts and asked again:

"Are you wondering why, even though you rejected the power of the abyss, I still value you so much?"

Before Kane could answer, he began to explain on his own:

"Because 'confrontation' itself is a form of response."

The fact that you can resist the erosion of the abyss's projection in some way proves that your soul is incredibly powerful.

And this will only further pique the interest of the abyss.

The mentor opened his arms, his gentle expression finally fading, revealing a hint of fanaticism in his eyes:

"Kane, you are destined to be the devil's favorite child of the abyss, why not choose to accept this deal?"

By relinquishing the shackles of this world, your soul will become a high-ranking demon in the abyss, gaining the power of eternal life.

After hearing these words, Kane finally understood.

Why was the original owner of this body gradually deceived by this mentor, even to the point of sacrificing her entire family?

Besides their extraordinary abilities, their language skills are equally formidable.

"Yes, mentor."

Kane feigned a struggle before responding in a low voice.

Seeing that he agreed, the tutor finally showed a satisfied smile:

"There's one more thing, Kane."

He pointed to Shar in the cage.

"I give you the power to decide what to do with her; kill her or defile her."

Everything about her is at your disposal.

Kane understood instantly.

This is both a pledge of loyalty and a reward.

He looked at Shar.

Her eyes were filled with hatred, her face was haggard but still beautiful, and her expression was cold and arrogant, as if she did not care about her own fate.

But Kane had already considered many things.

On the surface, he suddenly revealed a crazed smile:

"Thank you, Professor. But could you please keep her for me?"

Before the final Stigmata Ritual... I will personally torture and kill her.

"Of course, no problem."

The mentor smiled and nodded.

Then he turned to Shar in the cage:

"Shar, is there anything else you'd like to say?"

Shar glanced at the two with hostility, then raised her head and began to chant softly as if talking to herself.

The voice was clear and crisp, yet carried a hint of determination:

"...There is no need to erect a monument for me, nor to sing a song...The lamplighter's journey home is never lost...The light still burns with an inextinguishable gleam."

Is this... a death wish?

Kane pondered to himself.

Shar did not look at them.

He also understood why she didn't choose suicide.

On this continent, most faiths strictly forbid suicide, as it signifies being abandoned by God.

Even though the gods no longer appear.

……

After saying goodbye to his mentor, Kane was taken to a new residence.

This time, the surrounding security was significantly tighter than before.

He sneered inwardly:

On one hand, they were guarding against assassins, and on the other hand, they were guarding against him.

Fortunately, though.

The last piece of the puzzle is now complete.

He was always worried about his identity after escaping, especially about "laundering" his identity.

Given my current status, hoping to enter a legitimate magic institution to study is nothing short of a pipe dream.

However, if they could save one of the Lantern Bearers, they could sever ties with the past and find a way out.

"A good person who does one bad thing is considered utterly wicked, while a bad person who does one good thing is considered to have turned over a new leaf."

If I can save the official Lantern Bearer, even if I still belong to the evil camp, in the eyes of some people I may be regarded as neutral or even gray.

"It's time to leave... I don't intend to obediently hand over this body to that demon named Oras."

Kane quickly devised a plan to rescue the people and escape, and once again calmed down and went into hiding.

A week has passed in the blink of an eye.

He combined the existing intelligence and secretly conducted a thorough investigation of the stronghold.

"Including the mentor, there are two magic-based professionals. In terms of melee professions, besides Laun, there are three 'Silent Killers'."

The black-robed cultists numbered approximately eighty, most armed with daggers, and a few perhaps possessed basic abilities such as magic tricks.

He then took stock of the skills he currently possessed:

[Mage's Hand] lv6, [Dagger Mastery] lv7, [Potion Making] lv2.

In addition, there are many gray skills acquired through training or reading that have not yet been unlocked.

As an arcanist, he still possessed a pitifully small number of spells—after all, this was just a small underground stronghold with limited resources.

"The time was still too short... Fortunately, the accumulated experience points are enough."

He glanced at the six-figure experience points he had accumulated on the system panel, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"It's time to upgrade; it's time to take over this stronghold."

"Mentor... next time we meet, our positions should be completely reversed."