Throne of Magical Arcana
chapter-277

"Mr… Mr. Rhine?! Why are you here?!" Lucien was more than surprised. Although he was still alert, it was still a big relief to Lucien.

It was Rhine who was sitting in the throne up there, raising his glass to greet to Lucien. Just like when he was in Aalto, Rhine still looked very relaxed and casual, as if he was here just waiting for Lucien.

The fancy gold throne in this glorious castle built by Count Witte himself to honor his great achievement in the countless battles now looked boring in this world of black and white. When facing death, all those valuable things including feelings, glory, loyalty, treasure and cuisines had lost their meaning. In the world of death, everything was the same meaningless.

However, Rhine was the only colorful existence in this space. Silver, red and black… he was so out of tune here, a living man in the world of death. He lit up the space, but also made this space seem a bit absurd and so unreal.

"Why am I here?" Rhine swirled the wine a little and grinned, "I'm here for you, Lucien."

"Come on, Mr. Rhine…" the corner of Lucien's lips twitched a bit. Rhine still liked playing jokes, which made him feel a little more relaxed.

Lucien did not believe Rhine's joke. After all, they had not met each other for a long time. Even prophesy could not be this accurate.

Rhine shook his head and put down the glass. When he slowly stood up, Lucien saw the pair of huge bat wings behind his back. The wings were so huge that the whole castle was filled with them, and the dim light on the wings rippled like water.

"Vampire… Legendary?" After seeing that, Lucien finally became certain that Rhine was not a human being. Although he had much of this thought when he met Rhine's grandson, Viscount Carendia, now his guess was finally proved right.

Rhine slowly walked down the stairs and smiled, "I am not joking. Lucien, I am waiting for you. I even cast my projection into Count Witte's dream."

Although this Rhine in front of Lucien was acting in a quite casual way, Lucien suddenly had this weird feeling that Rhine was using all his power to maintain his own existence. Maybe this Rhine was not real. It could be a projection!

"I see. What can I do for you, Mr. Rhine? You also know the World of Souls?" Lucien became more serious.

Rhine nodded, "I was sent by the Dark Council to Aalto for a task, but later I found the real seal of the Master of Argent. Because the seal was part of a very important story that had created much of a stir before Saint Calendar, and the secret of the World of Souls, I changed my plan and chose to work with my enemies."

"Sard… The grand cardinal?" Lucien murmured thoughtfully. Across Aalto, the grand cardinal seemed to be the only one who was qualified to be Rhine's enemy and to work with him. The other two legendary-level people were all in the north fortress—one was God's Glory, Bellia, the leader of Sword Brothers, Natasha's teacher, and the other was Snake the Chaos, Milton, who had a very close relationship with Violet family. To Lucien, it was just absurd and creepy thinking of the fact that a Saint Cardinal would work with the ancestor of a vampire…

Rhine's smile was as charming as before, "Brilliant. Then, our goal was basically fulfilled. But when I was exploring the Word of Souls, I ran into some… some accidents, and I got trapped somewhere here, like Maskelyne, who left you with the amulet."

He took a glance at Lucien's chest as he was speaking.

"How do you know…?" Lucien burst out a question. However, he instantly realized that Rhine was watching him all the time before he entered this world. It was not hard for Rhine to know that Lucien had found Sun's Corona left by Maskelyne.

When they were now standing face to face, feeling the existence of Sun's Corona should be even easier for this legendary level vampire. Maybe Rhine also knew where Maskelyne was in the World of Souls…

Thinking of this, Lucien hurriedly asked, "Mr. Rhine, but you look different, as if you and Mr. Maskelyne are both trapped here? What's the secret of this place?"

Lucien had been bothered by this question for days and nights, especially after he found that Maskelyne might have something to do with the establishment of Saint Truth. Finally, Lucien had someone in front of him that could probably answer this question!

Rhine shrugged a bit, "It's a long story. I am always cautious, so before I entered this world, I was quite prepared. Also, because I can borrow someone's power, even trapped as I am right now, I can still cast my projection. Unfortunately, this projection does not have much power. To communicate with the material world, I can only pick those lives that are close to death to cast my projection in their dreams. In fact, what Count Witte has encountered so far is related to something in this world, so I have been watching him for a long time. From Mianka, the Transfiguration sorcerer's dream, I got to know that you were going there."

Lucien nodded seriously. He had no idea how complicated everything was behind the story on the surface.

"Because you've known the existence of the World of Souls; because we're, haha, quite close friends; because you're the weakest one among all of us who know this world, and thus the safest one; because I cannot cast my projection into your dream… I had this plan and decided to use Count Witte to lead you into the World of Souls again to talk to you." Rhine grinned.

"But Mr. Rhine, what does Count Witte's business have to do with the World of Souls? Is this place related to the gods? You want me to save you, right? But before I become a legendary archmage, I'm afraid I am not capable of digging into this world…" Lucien asked a lot of questions. He was shocked and also lost.

Rhine nodded, and this serious look on his face was rare, "I don't know for sure what the ultimate secret of this world is. In my mind, according to the information that I have, this place is indeed related to gods and the true immortal. Unfortunately, I haven't met Maskelyne or his friends yet, so I cannot answer your questions, Lucien. Maybe you'll find your own answer when you explore this world more yourself."

After pausing a bit, Rhine continued, "As for Count Witte, someone who was very close to the secret of gods like Maskelyne sent his people to get the count's wealth. I don't know why he is doing this. After all, the wealth should be meaningless to him."

Lucien nodded seriously and said, "Then, how can I help you, Rhine?"

"Two stages," said Rhine. "First, when you become a senior-rank mage, go to several places, quite dangerous I must confess, and activate the things I left there. Also, find a person for me. If everything goes well, I should be able to leave this place without stage two; If stage one fails, then we'll wait until you become a legendary archmage, or a grand arcanist, which would be the best, to save me, like what Maskelyne asked."

Lucien was a bit surprised with how well-planned Rhine was. Then, he said to Rhine seriously, "Mr. Rhine, you've helped me many times, and I'll always keep this in mind. If I can become a senior-rank mage, of course I'll try my best to help you. But as for reaching legendary level… I'm not sure if I am that capable right now…"

"I like your personality, Lucien." Rhine smiled. "We both know that this thing is dangerous, and I am only asking for your help, not forcing you to do this by making you vow or promise anything. It's always up to you. Also, I won't make you help me for nothing. When you become a senior-rank mage, go to the place where I store my treasures, and take three items that you like the most. If you can save me or become a legendary archmage, you can go to the bottom floor and pick one of my most valuable items out of my collection. Don't say no, Lucien. The more powerful you are, the bigger chance I have of being rescued."

Lucien nodded slightly, "I will do it for you, and also for me. As an arcanist, after knowing such a big secret, I cannot stop myself from exploring further."

What Lucien did not mention was that his fear toward aging was also part of the reason.

Also, as sophisticated as Rhine, Lucien did not believe that he was Rhine's only hope.

"Lucien, before you reach the legendary level, do not tell this to other people and ask for their help, no matter if he or she is a legendary knight from Holm, or a grand arcanist, or a legendary archmage. What's most likely to happen when you tell such a big secret to someone powerful like them is that they'll kill you to keep the secret."

Lucien nodded with great caution and in a very serious way. This might be the biggest secret of the world. Once the secret was revealed, the world was going to face a horrible storm.

After staying silent for a few seconds, Lucien asked, "Mr. Rhine, can you tell me more about this world?"

"Knowing too much all at once might not be a good thing, Lucien. When you are qualified to know more, I'll cast my projection in your dream to tell you." Rhine put on the charming smile again.

When Lucien just found that what Rhine said was a bit contradictory to his previous words, Rhine said to him, "Right now, let me give you some pay in advance."

He took a step closer to Lucien and a great power burst out from his body. Lucien could not move at all. Four sharp fangs grew out of Rhine's well aligned teeth.

It was not horrible or scary, but beautiful in an unique way.

"Mr. Rhine?" Lucien did not panic, since he knew that Rhine had no reason to kill him after this long conversation.

Rhine's voice was gentle, "Relax, this isn't the Embrace." Then, he lowered his head and bit on Lucien's neck.

Lucien's neck felt some pricking pain, and he felt dizzy. Then his blood started to boil, and the heat became some kind of power, running toward Lucien's soul.

His body quickly became very weak, while his soul was strengthened at an even faster speed!