Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The mountain range called Bercht was situated in the northern part of the continent, a place that didn’t belong to any empire or kingdom. Its altitude was 3,500 meters, and a population of about 1,000 people resided among the peaks. It also served as the home of a group of wizards called the Elders.

Bercht was the collective body of the magic schools spread throughout the continent and the institution that determined the schools’ actions. They followed the Isle of Wizard’s Wealth ritual that they adapted, but the summit rarely happened, perhaps only once every few decades.

“…The summit…”

It was a day in April when the Elders felt the need for a summit.

“It must be held at once!”

The wizards swiftly gathered at the Elders’ Hall, located at the top of the mountain range shrouded by endless darkness.

“A devil appeared in the Mountain of Darkness. We must not forget that magic was initially formed as an occult art to punish the devil.”

Even though they avoided becoming involved with the secular world, they were forced to make a strict exception to deal with the threat that now loomed over them.

“Has the directive been written?”

“We had to go to great lengths for the Shinjin, but the attendance of the Twelve Families has been ascertained.”

The Twelve families, which included the Eliade, Yukline, Bran, Beorad, Riwaynde, and its newest member, the Shinjin, known for their achievements over the past decade, were summoned as per tradition. Being allowed to attend the Bercht conference itself was a great honor for any family. Hence, no one dared refuse the summons.

“The Eliade and Yukline families have fiercely fought each other in the past.”

Bercht’s decision-maker, Dzekdan, expressed his concern.

“That happened ages ago. They’ve already reached some sort of agreement.”

“It’s merely superficial.”