It was mid-September.

The autumn air was crisp and refreshing.

Ogrande City was no exception.

Furthermore, due to the Rat Plague, the Evil Spirit Calamity, the war between the Church and the Evil God Organization, and more...

"A land where mysterious and bizarre Extraordinary Power was reawakening."

This had become the common moniker for Ogrande City in many newspapers across the Holy Land Continent.

Naturally, this attracted many tourists to Ogrande, along with those who yearned for its Mysterious Power.

Travel agencies even began advertising "Tours of Mystery and the Bizarre" in the papers.

As a result, autumn tourists practically filled every steam-powered train car bound for Ogrande City.

The dense fog in the Fog Zone had thinned considerably. From the safety of their carriages, autumn tourists on guided tours curiously gazed out at the magical Fog Zone, an area known for the presence of the Confused.

In the Bay Area, the wide Rhine-Danube River shimmered and sparkled, like a silver dragon sprawling across its surface as steamships sailed past.

With the arrival of autumn, the Old Town District grew even more bustling and lively. Busy people could be seen everywhere.

Carts and wagons transporting coal and wood moved in a ceaseless stream.

Winters in Ogrande City were bitterly cold.

When the heavy snows arrived, the bodies of the homeless would lie buried deep in icy alleys, frozen until the thaw.

It was essential to stock up on ample food, coal, and wood before winter set in.

New City District.

In the manor’s second-floor study.

Zorn finished reviewing the winter procurement list. He handed it to his old butler, Glangk, and spoke.

"Uncle Glangk, have you finished reading the Extraordinary Knowledge I gave you a while ago?"

Hearing this, Glangk straightened his posture slightly and responded earnestly.

"Yes, Young Master Zorn. I’ve finished it. In fact, I’ve read it many times. An old man’s memory isn’t what it used to be, so it required a bit more effort, but I’ve more or less memorized all of it."

"Good."

Zorn nodded.

"In a couple of days, I’ll prepare the ritual for you. The Knight Sequence will be enough to give you a physique healthier and more robust than a young man’s!"

At these words, Glangk’s body trembled slightly, and his eyes grew moist.

His voice was slightly hoarse.

"Thank you, Young Master Zorn!"

By this point, word of the mysterious and bizarre Extraordinary Power had spread completely throughout Ogrande City.

To master an Extraordinary Sequence meant gaining power and miraculous abilities far beyond those of an ordinary person.

’It would be a lie to say he wasn’t envious.’

’Ordinary people like him, who served the nobility, could never hope for such a thing.’

’And yet, Young Master Zorn was willing to bestow a powerful form of Extraordinary Power upon him.’

’When he had first heard the news, he had been so grateful, so excited, that he hadn’t slept soundly for several nights.’

"Now, now, Uncle Glangk, you’ve earned this. I’m afraid I’ll still need you to manage the manor’s affairs in the future. That’s all, you may go."

Glangk gave Zorn a deep bow before leaving the study.

The old butler, Glangk, was fiercely loyal to the Coric Clan. He kept the vast manor running in perfect order.

Especially in the months since Zorn’s arrival, he had bustled about, never once slacking in his duties.

But he was in his late fifties, nearly sixty, and no longer had the stamina of his youth.

’Zorn’s plan was to give him a standard Extraordinary Knight Sequence.’

’After obtaining the Knight Sequence, Glangk would possess exceptional stamina, endurance, and resilient mental fortitude.’

’Even in his fifties or sixties, he would still have the abundant energy and sharp mind of a thirty-year-old.’

’He would be able to serve the Coric Clan for another thirty years.’

As Zorn went back to reading and digesting the Fighting Master’s Essence...

The Merciful Witch, Vanessa, emerged silently from a corner behind Zorn.

"Young Master Zorn, there have been a lot of people snooping around the manor grounds these last couple of days."

"People in passing carriages are even deliberately craning their necks to get a look."

"What’s more, there’s a rumor that..."

Vanessa hesitated.

"...says you’re the powerful Fighting Master who killed the Rat King Knight!"

"There were rumors about it before, but they were only rumors. This time, the information is said to be confirmed and coming directly from the Church."

Hearing this, Zorn couldn’t help but rub his temples.

"Once news like this gets out, there’s no hiding it."

"Just be extra vigilant for a while. Things should quiet down after that."

’Zorn was planning to take the Magical Castle to the Legendary Ancient Mage Ruins in the next day or two. His first stop would be the first level: the Gray Mist Knight Tier.’

’He would have the Magical Castle absorb a portion of the Gray Mist Origin to construct the Gray Mist Barrier Wall.’

’This would effectively block enemy scouting and potential attacks.’

With the tide of the Extraordinary surging through Ogrande City, more and more forms of Extraordinary Power would continue to emerge.

Establishing some form of defense was a necessity.

As he was speaking with Vanessa, Zorn suddenly perceived something.

A moment later, Vanessa also had a vague sense of it, her gaze shifting toward the basement.

"Has that fellow awakened?"

"Not awakened... He’s been completely refined by me!"

The two of them rose and headed for the basement.

...

Inside the silent Magical Castle, lit by the Steam Furnace Lighthouse.

Zorn led Vanessa inside.

For some time now, Zorn had kept the Evil Spirit Divine Mage, Francis, within the Magical Castle, cultivating him with the Black Mist.

Several times a day, he would subject Francis to a profound baptism of Evil Spirit Authority.

The ritual trap deep underground no longer had the calamitous environment to draw upon, so it could no longer leverage the Black Mist.

However, it now served as the perfect trap for hunting gray rats.