Fire Mage-Chapter 677: Shepherd

Chapter 677: Shepherd

His clone lounged on a Lawson sofa, a glass of alcohol in hand. Charles barely spared him a glance before shifting focus to the other man seated across.

The middle-aged man looked to be around fifty, with a large frame, lightly wrinkled face, and thin spectacles. Long brown hair framed his stern features. His amber eyes glinted with restrained power.

He wore a brown frock coat over a crisp white shirt, a bowler hat, and black gloves. Everything about him screamed control and calculation.

"Runeth?" Charles’s eyes sparkled with recognition. "No wonder I couldn’t see who he was talking to."

Runeth rose and approached, eyes appraising.

"You’ve grown stronger since we last met," he said. "Far too fast, actually. I received your ’Will’ from that Zephyr lad a month ago and came here right away. But all I found was your clone. He told me you’d entered the Star Tombs."

He paused, voice shifting to a solemn note.

"So, what happened in Miracle City? How did you run into Udnir’s avatar? And why were you alone?"

Charles forced a smile. Then, without holding anything back, he told Runeth everything—starting from the moment he stepped into Miracle City.

"Time Loop spell?" Runeth echoed in disbelief. "You survived a Fate Professor’s scheme and escaped from Udnir?"

He shook his head in quiet amazement.

Meanwhile, Charles’s thoughts drifted to another mystery.

"What do you think about that goddess—Anangu?" he asked. "Ever heard of her?"

Runeth shook his head.

"No. This is the first time I’ve heard of that Goddess. If I had to guess, she might be one of the forgotten Ancient Gods from the Primordial Era. That era ended more than a hundred million years ago. Back then, beings like the Ancient Titans, High Humans, High Elves, and Ancient Dwarves walked the world. Each one was stronger than even the High Gods—living disasters, really. But I heard they all vanished one day. The only one known to have survived is the Goddess Mxyenta."

He paused, frowning in thought, then continued.

"After the disappearance of those beings, new powerful gods rose to claim the Divine Throne. They retaliated against the Chaos Beings and waged war across vast parts of the universe. Anangu might be one of those gods. If I’m not mistaken, Mother Nature—the main Goddess of Easica World—is also one of them."

"Mother Nature? You mean Zaqiel?" Charles asked, recalling a past conversation with Anangu. "When I met her, she said, ’It’s more like we are the same. I’m Her, and She is me.’"

Runeth’s brows furrowed. He shook his head slowly.

"Her past is shrouded in mystery. But you might find some clues in that strange plant from the pocket dimension. It carries the power of Mother Goddess Zaqiel."

Charles gave a slow nod, then shifted the topic.

"So, what brings you here? You didn’t come just to check on me, right?"

"Haha, no. Checking on you was part of it, but I came for something else. I’m heading to an important place. Want to come along?"

"Important place?" Charles’s interest was piqued.

"Yes. I plan to return to the Nightwind Family and retrieve the Darkness Elemental Crystal from their Ancestral Hall. I need it to restore my spell model."

At those words, Charles’s fist clenched involuntarily.

"Of course, I’m coming. I’ve got unfinished business with those bastards," he said coldly, a hard look in his eyes.

"But before that, I have a promise to fulfill." Charles’s tone softened as he turned toward the clone. "What have you been doing all this time? Last time, I barely had a chance to speak with you."

The clone finally stopped drinking and looked at him.

"Me? I’ve been helping Valarie. I’m now vice-captain of the Gold Demon Pirate crew. I like the sea, the food, the drinks, the stars. I’m enjoying this lifestyle."

Charles stared at him, dumbfounded. What happened to him?

Runeth burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Stop staring like that, lad. He’s acting normal. You’re the one always in trouble, always stirring up chaos."

"It’s not like I ask for it," Charles muttered, shaking his head. Then, he added seriously, "You can live your life how you want. But help me if I end up in a situation I can’t handle alone. Your soul shard’s evolving fast—it already holds fifty percent of my original power. Don’t let some strange force corrupt you and turn you against me."

"I’m not that dumb," Clone Charles said, standing up. Crimson flames enveloped him as he vanished, but not before leaving a parting remark.

"I’m going back to the Azure Federation. Don’t call me unless it’s something really important."

"What a unique clone," Runeth muttered.

Charles gave him a sideways glance. "What’s so unique about him? He’s just... average. No drive."

"Unlike you, he actually cares," Runeth said, smiling. "He accompanied me to restaurants like a grandson. We talked about everything—history, food, people. He’s warm, emotional... even insightful. The opposite of you."

"I am caring," Charles protested, recalling the kids he’d once protected, and even his bond with Runeth.

"Caring, my ass. You’re cold, emotionless, and way too smart for your own good," Runeth scoffed. "Anyway, where are we headed?"

"42D El Road, West Borough," Charles replied, touching his face as his features began to change.

Moments later, he had fully transformed into a blue-haired man who looked to be around twenty-four.

Runeth squinted. "What’s that on your waist? I noticed it earlier... it’s hiding something."

"She’s Grace—a powerful weapon I found in the Star Tombs Dungeon. According to the Guardian, she was created by an ancient Rune Master named ’Shepherd.’ Ever heard of him?"

"Shepherd?!" Runeth’s eyes widened. "She’s Shepherd’s creation?"

He instinctively reached for the sword.

But Grace reacted instantly. Invisible blades lashed out at Runeth—only to dissolve into red smoke just before reaching his skin.

Charles stared, stunned. A faint layer of refined wisdom enveloped Runeth like an invisible shield.

"How strong were you in the past, old man? I can’t even see your limits."

"I was an Arch-Wizard of Three Elements," Runeth replied proudly, "and now I carry the soul of a ’Divine Hand.’"

"Divine Hand?" Charles echoed, confused.

"My soul holds the knowledge of a Rank-8 Historian-Class Mystic," Runeth explained. "But in this body, I’m barely a Rank-5 Wonder Discoverer. Even with my fractured soul and broken spell models, my wisdom still sits around Rank-7."

There was a flicker of sorrow in his eyes.

Charles sighed, sensing his thoughts.

"Is there no other option than the ’Fake Reincarnation Technique’?"

Silence lingered.

After a moment, Runeth shook his head.

"I’ve already made preparations with Zera. Reincarnation is my last resort. You’re lucky to possess something created by Shepherd, lad. That man was an Ancient Rune Mage, a legend even among the ancients. His creations could defy gods themselves. They say he was imprisoned in the Prison of Time Axis by the Lawful Gods for selling weapons to Evil Gods and Demons. If he ever escapes, it’d be a miracle."

"Did the Lawful Gods really need to go that far?" Charles frowned, then turned toward the door.

He used an invisible string to unlock it from the other side and opened it.

"Let’s go. I have something to ask you on the way."

Runeth adjusted his hat and followed.

"What do you want to ask?"

"What do you know about the Monarch of Myriarch?"

"Hm? That’s a Rank-8 Trickster Class title, if I recall. Why?"

"I received the eye of a Monarch of Myriarch as a reward from the Star Tombs." Charles pointed to the crystalline Eye of the Faceless. "Think it’s possible to transplant this into me?"

Runeth raised an eyebrow. "Possible? Yes. But you’d need to remain inactive for over ten years during the process. Can you manage that?"

"That’s fine. I plan to stay in one place and focus on constructing and comprehending my remaining spells," Charles replied as they walked toward the Central Borough.

"Good." Runeth nodded, then asked, "So, what happened in the Star Tombs?"

"It’s a long story," Charles replied. "But I came out with a lot."

He began recounting his experience, including the encounter with the Evil Goddess.

"I don’t know much about the Evil Goddess Vespera," Runeth admitted. "But I’ve heard of the Star Monarchs. Twenty of them ruled various parts of the universe during the Age of Origin Time. Some were evil, others neutral. Over time, they were all slain—either by the Lawful or Chaotic factions. I didn’t expect the Star Tombs to house their inheritance. Don’t lose that key, lad. That’s an opportunity of a lifetime."

As they talked, they reached El Road in West Borough and stopped before a small, single-storied house.

"Who lives here?" Runeth asked.

Charles raised his hand and knocked three times on the door.

A few seconds later, the door creaked open, revealing a familiar fair-skinned man. He looked to be around forty, with silver hair, matching silver eyes, a rugged face, and a height of about 170 cm. A plain grey robe hung loosely on his frame, and a half-lit cigar dangled from his mouth. His expression was one of confusion—until recognition struck.

"Charles?!" Hunt’s eyes widened.

Charles grinned. "You’ve aged a bit, Mr. Hunt. How have you been?"

"You’ve grown up, Charles!" Hunt dropped the cigar from his lips and pulled him into a tight hug. "I’m sorry for your loss, kid. Lady Eve was not just a caring mother but a good friend. None of us saw it coming."