77: Tyrantyr

Under the sunlight, the magnificent complex of nine towers resembled the spine of a giant beast piercing through the snowy plains.

The main tower had a diameter of nearly a hundred feet, and eight subsidiary towers, shaped like sword blades, stood guard around it. Intricate magic runes were embedded in the granite seams at the base of the towers.

What appeared to be naturally growing maidenhair ferns actually concealed deadly traps; these deep purple vines formed a warning net ten feet above the ground.

When we were thirty paces from the outer wall, the vines suddenly retreated like snakes, revealing eight frozen bodies embedded in the ice at the base of the wall.

The outermost rogue still tightly clutched his lock-picking tools in his right hand, and ice crystals had congealed into stalactite-like formations in his wide-open mouth, frozen in terror.

"These people are all dressed as rogues," Randall said, poking a corpse with his greatsword.

I squatted down to examine the tool kit on the waist of the nearest frozen corpse. The ice-encased lock-picking tools had the words "To My Beloved Apprentice" carved into them. "It seems this wizard doesn't like night visitors," I said, pointing to the diamond-shaped wound on the corpse's temple, "but at least he leaves the body intact."

"Guests who arrive properly should not meet such a fate," the Holy Knight said.

I nodded and said, "Since this is a place of business, the guards wouldn't attack guests, and there wouldn't be only rogue corpses here."

"I'll go in first. If it's not as we expect, Lyne, you quickly retreat to the roadside and ride away," Randall said. "I'll cover our retreat."

I nodded. This was the correct plan of action.

We both walked towards the entrance of the tall tower, where two wide, curved staircases wound upwards, leading to a platform taller than a person.

On the platform, the wizard tower's grand door stood majestically.

Randall and I ascended the steps.

Beside the five-meter-tall door, an exquisite plaque caught our attention.

The plaque was inscribed with "High Hedge" in elvish, and above it, a magical rune emblem representing the local wizard owner was carved.

Randall easily pushed open the heavy door, and I quickly followed, stepping inside the wizard tower.

Immediately upon entering, we found a spacious inner corridor. Both sides of the corridor were embedded with glowing fluorite, which emitted a soft yet bright light, illuminating the interior of the building as if it were daytime, leaving no shadows for anyone to hide in.

This scene was exactly as the Halfling had described earlier.

On both sides of the corridor, two tall Meat Golems patrolled ceaselessly, like loyal guards.

These two Meat Golems were somewhat similar to, but not exactly the same as, the two I had encountered in a seaside cave a year ago.

They were grotesque, horrifying monsters pieced together from the remnants of bears, elk, and humans.

However, they did not immediately rush towards us as we entered the door; they merely patrolled back and forth along a fixed route, always maintaining a certain distance.

Seeing this, Randall and I were slightly relieved; at least these Meat Golems were not indiscriminate, berserking attackers.

We quickened our pace, passing through the corridor and heading towards the tall archway ahead.

Passing through the archway, the view suddenly opened up, and a magnificent octagonal hall came into view.

Beneath our feet was a highly polished marble floor, smooth as a mirror, reflecting our figures.

In the center of the floor was a large magical elemental pool, paved with colorful stones ingeniously arranged to form the patterns of the four great elements: wind, fire, water, and earth.

I could feel the surging magical energy within the elemental pool.

At the center of the magic pool stood a giant crystal, several meters tall, emitting a faint blue light, like a jewel from the deep sea, mysterious and alluring.

At the edge of the magic pool, there were also four stone pillars, over 3 meters tall, each topped with a dazzling gem that subtly emanated the magic of the four elements.

The ceiling of the hall was studded with countless constantly glowing fluorite stones, which shimmered brilliantly, illuminating the entire hall with a bright and magnificent glow.

Shelves displayed a dazzling array of magic scrolls, potions, and magical equipment, too numerous to take in at once.

The magic scrolls emitted a faint glow, seemingly whispering ancient spells and mysterious incantations; potion bottles held colorful liquids, exuding an inviting aroma that made one curious to discover their secrets; and the magical equipment shimmered with strange lights, revealing their extraordinary power and attributes.

In this mysterious and magical octagonal hall, all goods were protected by an invisible magical force. They lay quietly on the shelves, emitting faint magical fluctuations.

However, this magical force seemed exceptionally sensitive, as if the slightest touch would immediately trigger alarms and traps, making one hesitant to approach.

"Please do not touch anything, otherwise, you will bear the consequences," a translucent, tall, thin man in a wizard's robe suddenly spoke. His voice was cold and authoritative, but his gaze was not directed at us, as if he were speaking to the air.

I suddenly understood; this did not look like a real person, but rather a magical illusion or projection.

Just then, a person identical to the projection walked in from the doorway, and his physical presence made the magical aura in the hall even more intense.

The wizard's first words were rather unfriendly: "I have no patience for strangers standing on my property... Please leave, it's better for everyone... Unless you have magic to buy. From your appearance, you don't look like people who can afford my goods."

Randall was not provoked by his words. Instead, he stepped forward, performed an elegant gentleman's bow, and asked, "Rumor has it that a powerful wizard named Tyrantier lives here. If that person is you, I would like to speak with you."

Wizard Tyrantier snorted, clearly unimpressed by rumors: "Rumors? Hmph! Foolish! No wizard here wants to listen or speak. Of course, unless you have magic to buy."

Seeing this, I spoke directly: "We want to buy and sell magical items. Do you have any?" My words carried a hint of firmness and confidence, attempting to break through the wizard's cold exterior.

Wizard Tyrantier's gaze finally fell upon me. He looked at me with some surprise and doubt, clearly not expecting someone so young to dare speak directly to him: "Such a young wizard!" he murmured, but then quickly resumed his cold expression. "Very well, the shelves have item names, price tags, and descriptions. See what you want and give me the list. If you have magical items to sell, I buy them here too."

With that, he waved his hand, indicating that we were free to browse the items on the shelves.

Randall and I exchanged a smile.

We began to carefully browse the magical items on the shelves, our hearts filled with curiosity and desire for unknown magic.

Wizard Tyrantier stood to the side, reading a book, occasionally looking up at us with a cold gaze.