He roughly morized the information on the note, then folded it. Fang Hong imdiately retraced his steps, following the map's route heading north.
In the north, winding corridors spread out, imrsed in darkness and silence. On both sides were various rooms, large and small, most of which had doors wide open. So doorways had dark bloodstains, or scorch marks from spells penetrating the door — inside was a ss, with overturned cabinets and beds, traces of battles visible everywhere.
As Fang Hong walked, he carefully observed these details, imagining scenes of Arcanists killing their way through each room, checking inside for remnants of Blind Followers, followed by a fierce battle.
The Arcanists seed to have thoroughly inspected the place, not missing a single room, even secret chambers were the sa.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Fang Hong's mind, causing him to stop abruptly and look around—small rooms ca into view, which were the living quarters for Blind Followers, a bit further away were a prayer room, or a lecture hall—but these sights were commonplace here, just the tip of the iceberg of a Cult's underground gathering place.
However, what Fang Hong cared about was not these appearances.
Did the Arcanists have a feud with the Blind Followers?
He hadn't heard of such a thing. Aierna had told him a lot about Istania's customs recently, also about the Arcanists. The lineage of Arcanists originally sprung from Istania's Court Sorcerers. For certain reasons, their relationship with the Royal House of Penelope wasn't great.
Fang Hong knew that to find the reason, probably one would have to look into the legendary grandfather of Princess Rupert.
Yet, because the Royal House of Penelope mainly targeted slave trade and the old noble lords, and since Arcanists were indifferent to these matters, although they had so dealings with the forr lords, they weren't subordinate to them, and held a neutral stance on the slave trade. Hence, over two generations, relations have sowhat improved.
But it was limited to this—
The Arcanists weren't inclined to curry favor with a re Princess Rupert, and they indeed showed an indifferent attitude in this regard.
According to what was gathered from the Tansnier Crafting Association, the actions of the Arcanists were directed by the Stars and Moon Council, not the Royal House of Penelope. Although the Stars and Moon Council had branches in Istania, from Abed's lack of knowledge about it, this possibility should be excluded.
Abed was under the Grand Princess, while Princess Rupert held a status in the Royal Household second only to the King of Sand, Barbaltan. In theory, no information should bypass her.
Unless the other side didn't speak the truth.
But what reason would the Grand Princess have to lie?
While pondering this, suddenly a loud crash ca from ahead, sounding like a heavy object hitting sothing, which then shattered. Fang Hong imdiately looked up towards that direction—it sounded far, but it was northwest—realizing sothing, he temporarily set aside his doubts and walked towards that direction.
Before getting close, the sounds of battle erged from ahead, as if soone was commanding, followed by a low incantation. Fang Hong looked forward, there was a wall, the faint sounds of combat clearly coming from behind it.
Were the Arcanists battling the Blind Followers?
Though not completely certain, Fang Hong guessed it was likely the case, given he hadn't forgotten his identity as a Combat Artisan. He stood still and released a silver Construct Bee, pointing towards that direction, the little thing imdiately flew off in an elegant arc.
Fang Hong pulled down his Wind Goggles, seeing a corner ahead, he imdiately directed his Flexible Construct to fly over the corner, and suddenly a brightness appeared—not firelight, but a spell's Flash. Fang Hong saw a beam of purple Magic Missile, trailing a long tail, crossing a hall, heading afar.
Through that fleeting flash, he discerned the combatants in the hall, one side wearing purple robes, were Arcanists he recognized. The other side's attire he had never seen, but clearly weren't allies. Strangers appearing here were most likely Blind Followers.
That fleeting light left a deep impression of the Blind Followers on Fang Hong's mind, for these people's faces bore crisscrossing horrifying scars, the bloodied wounds cutting across their eyelids, many were blind in one eye, so completely blind.
There were normal ones, but very few.
The Blind Followers wore gray fabric robes, adorned with spider and thorn patterns, just like Dika's favorites.
Blind Followers were Magicians too, both sides cast spells at each other from the hall's ends, yet both had Guardians. Fang Hong had previously encountered and experienced the Blind Followers' Guardians, those Desert Swordsn in gray cloaks.
The Guardians brought by the Arcanists appeared to be Hall Guard Knights from 'Eye of Revelation', dressed in yellow robes, wielding spears and glaives in combat. Many organizations in Eteliria cultivated their own exclusive guards, with nurous Knight Orders, so were quite distinctive, even recruiting Chosen ones.
But most were closed societies, the Hall Guard Knights of 'Eye of Revelation' evidently belonged to the latter. In fact, 'Eye of Revelation' itself rarely open to Chosen ones.
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