The Dark Mage Of The Magus World-Chapter 88 - 89: The Exorcism

Hutson had already made up his mind. It was time to leave—Stormwind City, the Violet Kingdom—everything.

There were two reasons for this.

First, he had taken a lot of things from Creek Valley Town.

And if that town had an owner—an owner capable of altering reality itself—Hutson wanted to be far, far away before they came looking to reclaim their possessions. He wasn’t foolish enough to think he could fight such an entity.

Second, the phenomenon wasn’t contained.

the corruption from Creek Valley Town had seeped into Stormwind, stretching its eerie influence over the city itself.

If it could spread this far, who was to say it wouldn’t continue? Hutson had no intention of waiting around to find out.

Distance was his only defense.

No matter how powerful a force was, it had to have limits.

Besides, he still had an excuse to leave.

"Master Larry’s task isn’t finished.

I need to head to Doris Kingdom," Hutson reminded himself.

It had been the justification for his journey all along—a mission to retrieve Moonstone Grass.

But now, it had become his lifeline.

He absently rubbed the rune stone in his pocket. Still no message.

If the war ended, Larry would send word through the stone. But here, beyond the Moonlight Woodland’s network, Hutson could only receive messages—he couldn’t send them. Nor could he access the inner discussions of the Moonlight Tavern or the guild’s mission board. Only certified sorcerers like Larry had the authority to broadcast messages.

No word meant the battle was still raging.

Fine. No need to wait.

Hutson had decided. He turned to Robert and spoke plainly, "That’s that. I’ll be leaving Stormwind in a couple of days."

"What?!" Robert blurted out, panic flashing across his face. "My lord, where are you going? Can I come with you?"

Hutson didn’t even hesitate. "No. You’re too much trouble. Unless you’ve suddenly become a beautiful woman, I don’t see why I’d bring you along."

Robert looked crestfallen. "But... I feel safer with you, my lord. If you leave, who knows what could happen to me?"

Hutson chuckled, shaking his head. "Safer? Are you sure? You were only with me for a short trip, and look what happened. And if you follow me further?"

Robert fell silent, realization dawning.

He had only escorted Hutson to Creek Valley Town. And yet, that was enough to throw him into a nightmare beyond reason.

If he continued down this path... how much worse would it get?

His survival instinct screamed at him. No. He wasn’t built for this kind of madness.

Robert swallowed hard and said nothing more.

Hutson smirked and turned to Milo. "Vice President Milo, I have a favor to ask."

Milo gave a respectful nod. "I am at your service, sir."

After leaving the Adventurer’s Guild, Hutson returned to his inn, a modest establishment under the Banks Family.

News of his return spread fast.

Sid, reeking of alcohol, stumbled through the door, his voice slurred with excitement. "My lord! You’re back!"

Hutson barely looked up from packing his things. "I am. I’ll be leaving in a few days. You can return home as well."

"Leaving?!" Sid sobered instantly. "Where are you going, my lord?"

"That’s not something you need to know," Hutson replied flatly. "Just do me a favor—pass my thanks to Count Huen."

Sid gave a slow nod. "Understood. I’ll deliver the message."

That night, Hutson lay on his bed, deep in meditation.

He had hoped to finalize the alchemical formula for an enhanced meditation potion before leaving Stormwind. But after what had happened in Creek Valley Town... this city was no longer safe.

A hundred kilometers wasn’t nearly far enough.

But Doris Kingdom, on the western coast—that would be beyond Creek Valley’s reach.

Getting there, however, wouldn’t be simple.

Travel between the Violet Kingdom and Doris Kingdom required identification documents, permits, and clearance from the Violet Kingdom’s government. A bureaucratic nightmare.

Fortunately, Milo had connections.

When Hutson explained his plan, the vice president of the Adventurer’s Guild immediately assured him, "Consider it done."

Milo would prepare a false identity, complete with all the necessary documentation.

With the right noble connections, this sort of thing was easily arranged.

Seven days. That’s how long it would take.

For now, Hutson would have to wait.

Robert arrived at Hutson’s door—pale, exhausted, his face marked with deep, dark circles.

"My lord... I’ve been having nightmares. Every night."

Hutson raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Robert swallowed. "A man... a monster with an axe. He chases me through endless corridors. And every night... he takes my head."

His voice trembled. "I wake up just before I die. But it happens again and again."

"...My lord," Robert hesitated, his hands clenched into fists. "Am I... cursed?"

Hutson considered him for a long moment. Then, sighing, he pulled out his pocket watch.

"...It’s possible," he said at last. "I can’t say for certain. But I’ll dispel it for you."

Robert’s eyes lit up with desperate hope.

"This is Advanced Holy Light.

It dispels all curses and nightmares," Hutson explained, lazily flipping the watch between his fingers. "It has limited uses. I wouldn’t normally waste it on something like this."

He sighed, shaking his head. "But I suppose I can make an exception. You did guide me, after all."

In truth?

Hutson wasn’t convinced anything was wrong with Robert.

At least, not supernaturally.

But fear itself was a powerful thing.

Even if there was no curse, Robert believed he was cursed. And if he believed it long enough, his mind would shatter.

Better to give him peace of mind.

"Thank you, my lord!" Robert’s relief was palpable. His eyes darted toward the watch in Hutson’s hand.

It was unlike anything he had ever seen.

Flawless craftsmanship. Seamless design. Not a single visible joint or crack.

A single, perfect piece.

Robert was no stranger to rare artifacts—he had spent years as an adventurer. But this? This was beyond anything he had ever laid eyes on.

More than that—Hutson wore it close to his person.

A mystic’s most treasured possession was never something ordinary.

Hutson held the watch out, allowing its chain to dangle before Robert’s eyes. Slowly, he funneled his magic into the artifact.

The watch glowed.

Pure white light flooded the room.

A ghostly figure—a woman—materialized before them.

She cast her gaze upon Robert, studying him for a brief moment.

Then, with an almost indifferent gesture, she exhaled.

A breath of radiant light engulfed Robert.

He gasped.

Warmth. Like sinking into a hot spring. Every inch of his body suffused with a gentle, comforting heat.

It was unlike anything he had ever felt.

As Robert stood there, a sudden wisp of black smoke rose from his body.

The moment it emerged, it dissipated instantly, vanishing into nothing.

Hutson’s eyes narrowed. So, there really was something.

He hadn’t expected his Holy Healing to actually reveal a malignant force. But there it was—undeniable proof.

Robert saw it too, and a chill crawled down his spine. Something had been inside him. Something he hadn’t even known was there.

A wave of relief surged through him. "I knew it! I could feel something weighing on me this whole time... Thank the gods I came to you, my lord. If I had waited any longer... I might not have survived."

The dark presence was gone. And as soon as it vanished, so did the suffocating weight he had been carrying.

His chest felt lighter. His mind clearer.

Hutson gave a small nod. "You should be able to sleep peacefully now."

Robert exhaled, his entire body sagging with exhaustion and gratitude. Then, suddenly, he dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the ground.

"My lord, you’ve saved my life!"

His voice trembled with emotion—pure, unfiltered relief.

Hutson could tell that the past few nights had been unbearable for him. The nightmares, the exhaustion, the creeping dread of an unseen force haunting his every step...

And now, in an instant, it was all gone.

"Enough," Hutson said, waving a hand dismissively. "Go home."

Robert nodded, scrambling to his feet, eager to leave now that he was free of whatever had been plaguing him.

But just as he reached the door—

"Wait."

Robert froze.

Hutson’s voice was calm, but there was something sharp underneath it—a weight behind his words.

"There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you," Hutson said. "Of course, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I’m just... curious."

Robert turned back, puzzled. "Anything, my lord. If I know the answer, I’ll tell you."

Hutson met his gaze, his expression unreadable.

"...Who hired you to assassinate Josh?"