Chapter 898: Inherent Aura

The Tulip family's fleet arrived, the Black Horse Island's fleet arrived, the Iron Hoof Island's fleet arrived, and one after another, large numbers of fleets transported knights and commoners to Heartreed Island.

Parris stood before the dark and profound magic gate, felt an overwhelming awe.

Though she had no interest in history or novels, she knew that teleportation arrays were legendary, powerful magical artifacts—yet here one truly stood before her. She had interacted with the Magic Guild before, where even conjuring a small fireball took those mages forever.

Even the great magicians' spells had minimal impact, nowhere near as powerful as her own flash-step techniques.

Even Archmage Acheronides didn’t strike her as extraordinary, as she rarely saw her in combat.

But now, facing this magic gate, she deeply felt the wonder of magic. She had heard Cris Truth say that in this era, the magic web was withering and magic was in decline. Only if the magic web were restored to the level of the Moon Empire’s time could the true marvel of magical artifacts be fully realized.

"Captain Parris, what are you thinking about?" As if summoned—Cris, the vice president of the Magic Guild, had somehow arrived before the magic gate from the guild’s camp.

"I was thinking about how terrifying magic is."

"Magic is the most direct manifestation of truth, and truth is the deepest, most unfathomable mystery of this world. But as mages, exploring truth and mastering magic is the lifelong pursuit of our ideals... Even though you are not a mage, you should still seek truth."

"Ugh, studying those magic tomes and research notes? That’s not my thing." Just the mention of books gave Parris a headache.

So without further delay, she called over the knights of the patrol regiment to escort the column of serfs, some carrying goods and others pushing wheelbarrows, as they marched toward the magic gate.

The knights, already instructed, hurried among the serf ranks.

They loudly barked the crossing rules: "Your body will lose control when entering, but stay calm! Hold onto your goods tightly, grip the handles, and you’ll be through in a flash! First-time crossings may cause dizziness, but a short rest will restore you!"

Despite these reassurances, many serfs still hesitated before the magic gate, frozen in fear.

At this point, the knights’ whips would mercilessly snap threateningly at their feet, urging the serfs onward. If they still refused, the next lash would land on their backs—striking them was cruel, but sometimes, there was no other way to drive serfs who had never seen the world beyond their villages.

"No need to fear! The teleportation array doesn’t eat people!" Parris joined the announcement efforts, holding a new magical artifact—a loudspeaker.

"Walk through this gate, and you’ll be freemen! The Lord will grant you land—your own land! The fruits of your labor will belong to you! You’ll only need to pay five percent in taxes to receive the knights’ protection!"

To avoid the whip, for the promise of freedom and land, even the most timid serfs gritted their teeth and rushed into the magic gate.

As serfs entered one after another, the rest of the procession followed out of sheer momentum, and no more resistance followed.

Soon.

The entire serf procession had smoothly entered the Heartreed Teleportation Array.

The knights followed suit. Parris planned to enter last—truth be told, she was a little nervous herself. So she quietly made her way to the Magic Guild’s work camp, watching as Cris and the others busily studied the gate’s magic—a task assigned by Acheronides.

The Heartreed Teleportation Array was merely a prototype model, requiring extensive data collection to perfect this grand magical artifact.

"Any word from the reed marshes?" Parris asked.

Cris nodded. "Everyone crossed the Heartreed Teleportation Array safely. Aside from a few weaker serfs experiencing nausea and dizziness, there were no other issues."

"How much longer will the Magic Guild be working here?"

"A long time. Studying the gate’s magic is complex, but only a small team of mages needs to remain stationed here. I’m planning to head to Flame Island today—The Lord has sent word that more ancient Moon Empire mages are appearing among the Moon Slayers, and my assistance is needed at the guild."

"Right, then, I’ll go ahead. See you on Flame Island."

"See you on Flame Island."

She took a deep breath.

Stepping through the magic gate.

Instantly, a sensation of weightlessness enveloped Parris. She opened her eyes but could see nothing around her, only occasional fleeting glimmers of indistinct light. The sense of confinement was quite unbearable, though fortunately, it lasted only a brief moment.

Then, her body felt as if it had been hurled forward, and light returned to her vision.

Regaining control of her body, she swiftly twisted her waist, landing firmly on wooden planks that covered half the lake's surface, as if jumping from a height.

*Thump.*

Her boots hit the plank, causing it to sway slightly.

The sky was a clear blue, the sunlight radiant, and the surroundings bustling with newly arrived serfs forming into ranks. An eerie magic gate stood tall on the lake behind her, while ramshackle wooden huts dotted the lakeshore like scattered building blocks.

Beyond stretched endless dense forests, their undulating peaks fading into the horizon.

"Commander Parris, welcome to the Reed Marsh of Flame Island," greeted a Viscount Sky Knight in charge of reception, leading a squad of knights patrolling the area. "His Highness has instructed that the patrol knights will be stationed here to maintain order and assist in constructing Reed City."

Suppressing her curiosity about the surroundings, Parris replied, "Do I need to go to Xinhuo City to pay respects to His Highness?"

"No need. His Highness will come to Reed Marsh tonight for a followers' banquet, where you can receive his instructions. If you're not too tired, Commander, you may take over the security here immediately. I must head to Marquis Niuwei's camp for inspection—there's simply too much to handle."

"Then leave this place to me," Parris said, assuming command.

She gathered the patrol knights, deployed them to inspect the Flame Territory camp in Reed Marsh, arranged housing for the serfs according to their assigned teams, and established strict passage regulations.

Within moments, the Flame Territory camp quickly became orderly.

The neighboring Niuwei Territory camp also quieted down soon after.

Unnoticed, night had fallen.

At the sound of a majestic and inviolable dragon's roar, Liszt descended from the sky astride the Invisible Dragon Bard. Signaling Bard to check if Acheronides needed assistance, he proceeded to the Flame Territory camp escorted by knights to inspect the first batch of immigrants who had arrived via the Xinlu Teleportation Array.

He then dispatched knights to Marquis Niuwei's camp to invite Marquis Niuwei and others to the gathering.

Half an hour later.

Amid roaring bonfires, an outdoor feast began. All nobles from the Niuwei and Flame Territories gathered, roasting their own meat. Only Liszt, Lee William, Parris, Cris, and other Viscount nobles and great magicians sat at a single table, where servants handled the grilling and served dishes.

"Father, how do you find Flame Island?" Liszt asked with a smile, raising his beer mug.

Lee William clinked his mug with Liszt's, drained it, and sighed, "The weather is a bit hotter than the Sapphire Archipelago. But this place feels freer, more vibrant—virgin land teeming with unseen civilization and wealth."