Chapter 1210: Cult’s Plans
The land of Indus was vast and diverse. It was both a country and a continent, and always remained independent from worldly affairs.
Fertile river valleys stretched across the lands, complemented by waterways that supported farmlands and bustling cities. In the north, the lands rose into snow-capped mountains, rich with minerals. Whereas the central plains were warm and fertile, perfect for agriculture and settlements. The lands in the south were home to river deltas and abundant fishing grounds.
The people of Indus were resourceful and inventive. They were excellent in architecture, trade, and irrigation. Magical beasts inhabited the continent’s wildlands, elementals dwelled in sacred groves, and all sorts of mystical locations sprawled across the lands.
Magic was integrated into daily life, enhancing agriculture, construction, and craftsmanship, making both the people and the environment feel alive with a wonderful and homely energy.
The prosperity of Indus was largely due to its rulers, who were powerful Magi. Their strength and mastery of magic made them formidable enough to deter foreign powers, ensuring the country’s safety from any invasion.
At the same time, these rulers were just and righteous, governing their people wisely and maintaining order across their lands. Under their leadership, both Magi and mortals flourished.
Agriculture, trade, craftsmanship, and arcane research all advanced steadily over the years, and the people of Indus were able to thrive without reliance on other kingdoms or empires. The rulers balanced power with fairness, creating a society where innovation, magic, and daily life prospered side by side.
As a result, Indus became largely self-sufficient, a continent where the strength of its rulers protected its independence and the justice of their rule nurtured the well-being of all who lived there.
But that was all going to soon change...
With the advent of the planetary alignment set to take place in the next hundred years, many of the Cult’s plans would begin to be gradually expedited. And that included the civil war that would soon take Indus by storm.
The dark clutches of the Cult of Bones reached all across Tron. And so, it was no surprise that they had grand designs for the continent of Indus too.
Europa had long since served as the primary base for the Cult, where they operated from the shadows. In the time since the establishment of this clandestine organization, Yen-Lu had been secretly conquered by them as well, their rulers reduced to mere figureheads.
Within the next decade or so, Indus, too, would fall under their control. Then, all that would remain would be the continents of Ulier and Nahua. Eventually, they, too, would fall for the schemes of the Cult. It was inevitable.
In a secluded region of this country, two powerful figures had gathered. They were both Mana Core Magi, one belonging to the Cult of Bones, while the other hailing from the royal family of Indus.
Marden enjoyed the breathtaking scenery as he stood atop a verdant hill. Sipping on wine, he watched as the sun slowly dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the land sprawled out before him.
Fertile plains stretched outwards, dotted with clusters of brick structures and remnants of stone buildings. The rivers reflected the fading light of the sun, winding through the ancient ruins like a silver, glowing ribbon.
Scattered trees could be seen on the terrain, and raised platforms were occupied remnants of a long-forgotten civilization. The final sunlight highlighted the geometry of the abandoned streets and buildings, giving a clear sense of the organized urban planning that the ancient Magi had developed.
"The ancient Magi were truly wise," Marden muttered with admiration.
He gestured at the ancient ruins sprawled before him and asked, "Was it the dwarves?"
"Indeed," said the middle-aged man standing beside him.
He had dark hair, brown eyes, and a tanned complexion. Dressed in lavish blue robes, he carried the aura of someone who had held a seat of authority for a long time.
This was the third prince of the Vasuran Empire, the royal family of Indus. His name was Devraj Vasuran, a powerful Mana Core Magus.
Devraj gazed at the sprawling ruins before him and continued in a dignified voice:
"Before Indus, before even Feypore, this land belonged to the dwarves. Here, they forged the Empire of Drakmor. It was said to be an age of stone and steel, when their forges burned without end and their halls stretched deep underneath the mountains."
Marden cast a side glance at the tall, broad-shouldered man beside him, concealing the utter boredom in his eyes. Before the man could go on to spout more nonsense about the ancient dwarves, he interjected:
"That’s nice. Anyway. What is the status at the royal court?"
Devraj turned to look at him. He observed him deeply for a few moments, then nodded. "It is proceeding all according to plan."
"And what about that man who has been hindering our plans?" Marden asked, frustration evident in his voice.
"His Majesty... will be dealt with when the time is right," Devraj murmured, his voice low.
Marden’s lips curled into a faint smirk, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He took another sip from the goblet, then asked:
"Do you not have any misgivings about taking the life of your father?"
Those words rang like thunder inside Devraj’s ears. For a brief moment, his eyes gleamed with conflicting emotions, only to be replaced by firm, cold resolve the next instant.
He turned to Marden and said in a solemn voice, "It needs to be done. And it shall be done."
"Very well." Marden nodded. "I don’t doubt you."
For a moment, he felt as though he had found a kindred spirit in Devraj. But the next moment, when he noticed the haunting spirits of his deceased kin clinging to him, he couldn’t help but give birth to a dark feeling of schadenfreude.
After a moment, he continued, "Well, the poison we gave you will work as long as your father consumes it with his meals. The poison will take his life when he least expects it, and then..."
He turned to Devraj and added with a confident smile:
"You will be king."
Devraj silently nodded, his gaze distant and churning with dark emotions.
"Well then." Marden put away the goblet and the wine jug and prepared to depart. "It was nice catching up with you, old friend. I have other matters to tend to, so I shall take my leave."
With that said, he cast a set of hand seals, and his feet soon left the ground.
"Where are you headed?" Devraj asked with a slight frown. He had hoped to discuss more about the Cult’s plans, but it seemed that would not be the case.
"It’s a secret," Marden said with an amused smile.
His figure turned into a blur as he shot into the night sky, and in the next heartbeat, he disappeared behind the clouds.