Chapter 176 Leaving the Death Garrison

After completing the final spell transcription, and with a year having passed since his promotion, the study of various spellcasting techniques and some new magical languages further increased Shaoke's workload. However, to be able to cast spells smoothly and ahead of others, he had no choice but to forcibly extend his study time. After all, the power of every high-rank mage is slowly built up through such tedious learning.

After clearing away some papers and scattered items on the writing desk, Shaoke looked at the various books and large quantities of magic materials piled in the wall niches. All these items were rewards he had obtained from executing missions here, though a small portion came from mages he had hunted down, though their number was small.

Looking somewhat vexedly at those precious materials, Shaoke momentarily didn't know how to take them away. Should he hire a few servants here to help carry them out? This thought only flashed through his mind before he dismissed it. After all, these precious materials couldn't simply be transported by a few servants. In the end, having no other option, he sought out some high-rank mages from the Death Mage Corps, hoping they could assist him upon his departure and also help him retrieve his final rewards.

Passing through several passages of varying sizes, Shaoke, following the instructions given by the seventh-tier mage back then, found the high-rank mages managing the departure of low-rank mages. Coincidentally, there was a fourth-rank female mage there who also seemed to be preparing to leave.

Shaoke's arrival quickly drew everyone's attention. The female mage nodded slightly at Shaoke before forcefully pulling down her hood, concealing her features. After paying his respects to the high-rank mages, Shaoke stood silently to the side, waiting for the female mage to leave.

The high-rank mages, after inspecting the scroll in the female mage's hand, readily took out a small, pitch-black bag inlaid with scattered crystals and handed it to her. In response to her puzzled inquiry, they quickly provided an explanation. Of course, this explanation was also for Shaoke's benefit, as all who came here were mages leaving the Death Mage Corps, and they were quite happy to explain just once and send two mages on their way.

It turned out that the pitch-black bag was a small storage pouch capable of holding many items, though it couldn't contain living beings. Inside were all the rewards the mages were entitled to. Finally, the female mage raised the same concern as Shaoke, and the mages were prepared for this as well, placing an empty storage pouch into her hand.

"I think you should reconsider. After all, a fourth-tier mage is much better off in the Death Mage Corps than in those legions outside," said the high-rank mage who handed the storage pouch to the female mage, seizing the opportunity to try persuading her once more. Although he knew the chances were slim, he still wanted to give it a try. After all, he would receive corresponding rewards for every fourth-tier mage he managed to retain.

"I cannot accept your kindness now, but I believe that after some time, I will return here," the female mage shook her head, declining the offer again. After taking the two storage pouches, she nodded at Shaoke and left first.

The high-rank mages weren't angered by the female mage's refusal; they merely offered polite blessings before proceeding to do the same for Shaoke. Of course, Shaoke also ultimately declined the mage's attempt to retain him. After receiving blessings from several high-rank mages, he left, returning to his room to pack up those precious magical items. As for the final rewards, he didn't inspect them in detail, as the Death Mage Corps wouldn't cheat them. He only needed to know what items were inside.

The maid calmly helped Shaoke take down some precious items from the wall niches, piling them on the thick black carpet. After the mage inspected them one by one, they were stored in the storage pouch.

The packing proceeded quickly. The various precious books were stored in sandalwood boxes lined with red velvet cloth before the mage chanted a spell to open the storage pouch and place them inside. As for the precious magic materials, they were also placed in boxes according to their different uses and levels of rarity before Shaoke stored them in the storage pouch. This way, the items inside wouldn't be too disorganized.

After carefully checking the room once more to ensure nothing was left behind, Shaoke was about to leave when the maid suddenly embraced him, begging for one last intimate encounter. Faced with the soft caress of her hands and the friction of her body, Shaoke accepted her request. The two began a wild, passionate entanglement in the now-empty room.

Watching his own fierce expression and the maid's frenzied look in the mirror, Shaoke entered her from behind again and again. Finally, under her deliberate efforts to please him, he erupted.

After their intimacy, unlike before, Shaoke didn't let the maid leave his embrace. Instead, he held her, standing quietly before the writing desk, his hands roaming over her body, occasionally squeezing roughly until leaving some dark bruises on her tender skin. Only then did he feel satisfied. The maid endured the pain, her body writhing in agony under the mage's rough handling, her slightly parted lips letting out occasional moans, which only intensified the mage's lust. Standing like this, he charged into her once more.

After who knows how many rounds of passion, Shaoke finally felt his body could no longer endure such intense activity. Only then did he release the now nearly unconscious maid. Looking at her wrinkle-free skin, Shaoke finally gave her a light kiss on the lips, covered her with a soft blanket, quickly tidied up his clothes, and turned to leave the room, erasing his mark from the stone door. This was the first time he had kissed this maid's lips, and also the last.

Just after Shaoke left, the maid lying unconscious on the floor slowly opened her eyes. Tears once again streamed from her reddened eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. Touching the bruises on her body, she bit her lip tightly and fell into a deep sleep. After all, the earlier frenzy had drained much of her strength, and she urgently needed sleep to recover.

Leaving the stone room, Shaoke, following the instructions given by the seventh-tier mage, soon arrived at a relatively small space. The space wasn't large, but not too small either. A huge magic circle was carved into the floor, and with flashes of white light, mages occasionally appeared from the circle and quickly left.

After explaining his purpose to the mages guarding the magic circle and handing them his written proof, they inspected it and had him stand on the circle. Following the location written on the document, they chanted a spell to teleport Shaoke away.

When the unique dizziness from the teleportation circle faded, Shaoke found he had once again left the underground Death Garrison, as the blue sky and faint sunlight reminded him. But this departure wasn't for a mission; it was permanent. Yes, at least for a long time to come, he had no plans to return to that Death Garrison.

A small courtyard, three or five tall oak trees scattered around, a high stone wall blocking the outside view, and three or five black-robed mages sitting cross-legged on a nearby platform. As Shaoke appeared, the mages were quickly alerted by the energy fluctuations of the teleportation and swiftly went on guard. However, after checking Shaoke's written proof, they smiled at him in a friendly manner.

"Mage Xueye, do you need us to arrange accommodation for you in the military camp?" one mage asked, handing the exquisitely crafted paper back to Shaoke and suggesting he rest in the camp.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I'd like to rest at the tavern for the night," Shaoke replied politely, declining the offer after paying his respects to the mages. Although these mages were of higher rank than Shaoke, they were aware of the peculiar temperaments of mages from the Death Mage Corps and thus showed no reaction. They simply told Shaoke how to get to the tavern before returning to their original platform to sit, either meditating or reading.

Following the mages' directions, Shaoke left the small courtyard housing the teleportation circle. After leaving, he didn't take a carriage but instead tightened his cloak and walked alone down the street toward the tavern.

Pedestrians on the street quickly made way for him, as they rarely saw mages dressed like this. Moreover, the gray-black mist swirling around him and the constantly burning green flame on his staff made ordinary people somewhat fearful. After all, none of the mages they had seen before looked like this.

Shaoke paid no attention to his surroundings. He merely released his mental energy to sense the situation around him, preventing any infiltrators or warriors from approaching and attacking him, though no one would dare hunt a mage on the main street in broad daylight.

The tavern was as lively as ever. After extinguishing the flame on his staff, Shaoke quickly found the table where he used to rest with Mage Roman. Although two mages occupied the spot, Shaoke unhesitatingly sat down there. After briefly observing the two mages, he found the third-rank female mage beside him somewhat familiar, while he had no impression of the male mage opposite.

The conversation between the two mages didn't stop because of Shaoke's arrival. The third-rank female mage merely glanced at Shaoke before continuing to explain to the second-rank mage opposite.

Listening carefully, Shaoke realized she was explaining some spell-related issues to the second-rank male mage. Watching her earnest expression as she taught reminded Shaoke once again of the guidance Female Mage Roman had given him in the past.

After eating some pastries, Shaoke disregarded his appearance and curled up in the high-backed chair, falling into a light sleep. The intense battle with the maid had drained most of his energy.