Chapter 261: Construction of the Wizard Tower (Part 1)

Veronica's Wizard Tower, named "Dawn Tower," stands thirty-seven meters tall and comprises eight levels.

The first floor is segregated by huge statues, a pond, and high walls. Veronica cleverly built her wizard tower within a small woodland only a hundred meters away from Ryan's castle. The majestic wizard tower, constructed from white and grey boulders with wooden structures, towers beside the earl's castle, creating a harmonious presence.

The construction of the Garland Witch's tower faced challenges initially. Given the craftsmanship of the Winfort artisans, building such a luxurious wizard tower required a lot of time and faced many difficulties.

Thankfully, there were dwarves.

In terms of architecture, dwarven craftsmanship is undoubtedly top-notch. Their construction techniques might not be as dazzling as those of the high elves, but dwarven craftsmanship is always synonymous with sturdiness and durability. The massive structures at Karaz-a-Karak on the Peak of Eternity have withstood over seven thousand years and remain as solid as ever.

With the dwarves' help, Veronica's wizard tower was completed ahead of schedule.

Several knights arrived at the Garland Witch's wizard tower. A pureblood elven warhorse named Grape neighed excitedly as its master unbridled it: "Grape, have a look around~"

Ryan, clad in a deep red earl's velvet coat, gracefully dismounted. He patted Grape's neck, and the pureblood elven warhorse, understanding human nature, nodded before joyfully running around, neighing loudly and causing many knights' warhorses to tremble.

Armand, Hex, Olivier, and Teresa came to visit Veronica's wizard tower. The witch Teresa had asked to come, while the other three royal knights were curious about the wizard tower, so they took this opportunity to tour it together.

Lops was leading twenty knights and fifty soldiers on a patrol across the territory, getting to know the local populace.

Additionally, a new knight joined the group, a young ranger knight named Lucien. Not very tall and still carrying an air of academia, the fuzz on his cheeks suggested he was just over twenty. His white skin and youthful, somewhat delicate face contrasted with the two swords he carried on his back, dressed in noble attire with a blue base and white patterns.

He was a ranger knight trained at the Winfort Academy, standing out in this selection and catching Ryan's eye. This young knight was this year's outstanding graduate from the Winfort Academy, possessing elite, advanced skills with solid fundamentals but lacking real battle experience. Ryan appreciated his devout faith, calm thinking, and logical abilities, which set him apart from the impulsive ranger knights common to Brittany. Ryan needed knights capable of thought.

As the group arrived at the wizard tower's entrance, the tall doors were shut, with a huge lion statue blocking the way: "Please speak the password."

"????" Ryan frowned: "What password?"

"The password for passage." The lion statue seemed pre-programmed, pausing before repeating its previous statement: "Please speak the password."

"...Any hints?" Ryan, clueless about the password Veronica had set, asked for a clue. The statue, hearing the word "hint," then said: "Where did Miss Veronica and her lover first meet?"

"The Star Gate of Skyreach Fortress."

"Correct answer." The statue stepped aside.

The knights didn't say much; having spent time in Ryan's territory, they all knew the powerful Garland Witch was Ryan's lover, even the newly knighted Lucien had heard about it.

Only Teresa, following behind Ryan, sourly remarked: "You met her at the Star Gate, and she didn't greet you with her fireball spell?"

"Of course, I tasted it, and it was caught with my face," Ryan quipped.

Laughter erupted among the knights, and with Ryan openly joking about it, they felt free to laugh along.

Upon entering, they were greeted by luxurious decorations. The large chandelier hanging in the wizard tower's first-floor lobby was inlaid with gold, and various decorations were adorned with glass, jade, and ivory.

Several witch apprentices in fiery red robes were cleaning. Five battle golems equipped with magic crystals stood in the hall, ready to work or fight on command. The furniture, made of oak, exuded luxury and glory, impressing everyone, though some knights frowned, thinking the wizard tower might be a bit too extravagant.

"Lord Ryan!" A graceful witch appeared before Ryan. She seemed not yet twenty, with a youthful face, but the blooming Garland flower on her fiery red robe's collar indicated she was already an elite Garland Witch.

"Hello, Catherine, congratulations. You've become a fully-fledged wizard in your own right," Ryan said with a smile.

"No, no, no, everything I have is thanks to my mentor, please don't say that, Lord Ryan!" Catherine, somewhat flustered, shook her head vigorously, her golden hair swaying. She quickly bowed to Ryan and the knights: "Good morning, sirs."

Then she bowed to Teresa: "Good morning, Councilor Trovick."

Teresa didn't like Catherine, just as she disliked Veronica, but in front of everyone, the witch still offered Catherine a smile: "Hello, Catherine."

The first floor's lobby featured exquisite white walls, murals, oak furniture, large floor lamps, and wooden flooring. All witch apprentices lined up to greet Ryan and the others. They were all beauties, mostly aged between nine and eighteen. Ryan inquired: "When did they arrive?"

Veronica had previously informed Ryan that Garland Council Speaker Margarita would send a group of witch apprentices to Veronica, both as an internship to increase these apprentices' exposure to the outside world and as a gesture of goodwill to Ryan.

"They arrived... the night before last," Catherine nodded, her cheeks flushed: "A total of seventeen witch apprentices and two official witches have come here. The wizard tower was just completed, and there's a lot to clean up. We've just moved in, and it'll take about a week to get everything sorted."

"Where's Veronica?" Ryan understood, but before Catherine could answer, a charming voice came from the staircase: "Oh! My dear, you've arrived?"

Veronica, wearing a semi-circular neckline black pearl slit dress, greeted them with a sweet smile. Her black-brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, and elven gem earrings swayed in the air. Her graceful steps revealed a pair of beautiful legs beneath her dress, and she wore black velvet pointed heels. Adorned with various gemstone jewelry, Veronica's beautiful almond eyes first looked at Ryan with affection, then provocatively at Teresa: "Hello, everyone. Welcome to my Dawn Wizard Tower."

Teresa clenched her teeth, and Veronica lifted her chin. The two Garland councilors' eyes met, sparks flying.

Ryan chuckled to himself. With his support and help, Veronica finally fulfilled her long-cherished wish of owning her own wizard tower and establishing her own witch training system. In some ways, she had already surpassed Teresa.

Indeed, it was Veronica's turn to be proud. Before Ryan rose to prominence, Veronica had bet everything on him, not only investing all she had but also offending most of the Elder Council and a majority of council members. Veronica gained Speaker

 Margarita's attention only after Ryan's rise.

Ryan could imagine the pressure Veronica endured within the council, often away on travels and campaigns, leaving her alone.

This was her deserved reward. Veronica had given so much to Ryan, and he reciprocated. The wizard tower was Ryan's repayment. Seeing the two witches at odds, Ryan didn't intervene but changed the subject: "Let's have a tour, Veronica."

"Of course." Veronica knew to stop while ahead, with Ryan's knights present, she needed to maintain her partner's dignity: "Let me show you around."

The first floor was a lobby and storage area still being cleaned, with little to see. The second floor housed a storeroom and dining area where the witch apprentices dined, with Veronica creating a "cold storage" for food preservation with magic.

These features didn't particularly intrigue the group.

However, when Ryan and the others, led by Veronica, reached the third and fourth floors' laboratory and magic workshop, the knights began to marvel.

The laboratory was filled with various colored glass bottles, pristine walls, a clean pool, ventilation boxes, test tubes, and various magic tools and vessels. Veronica, arm in arm with Ryan, introduced the lab: "This is the laboratory where apprentices will brew and distill magical potions."

"Magical potions? My Lady, this is my first time seeing the creation of magical potions!" Royal Knight Armand was fascinated by a round glass distillation apparatus heated by an alcohol lamp below, boiling the golden liquid inside, with golden droplets joyfully bouncing.

In Brittany, magic was not uncommon. Some dukes, like Francois, chose to believe in the Lake Prophet and the Lady's prophets, who provided magical solutions to the dukes. However, these Lake Prophets weren't bound by law and often meddled in territorial affairs. Francois, a Grail Knight, could withstand the pressure and turn these prophets into his court ladies.

But not every duke was a Grail Knight.

Thus, not all dukes appreciated the help of Lake Prophets. Dukes like Bordeleaux, Belayon, and Lyonesse opted to hire court mages from outside, including graduates from the Empire's Royal Wizard Academy and mages from the southern wizard unions.

"Luck potion, granting the Lady's blessing for three hours. During its effective time, indescribable luck will protect you," Veronica explained with a sweet smile: "Making this potion requires fifteen complex steps, then boiling it over flame for three days and nights. Any mistake can render the potion ineffective."

"Oh, I think I could drink it all the time," Olivier said, eyes shining at the golden potion.

"Luck potion is highly toxic, Sir Olivier," Teresa said dryly, her silver eyes carrying an indescribable weirdness: "The toxin requires years to be eliminated from the body. Relying too much on magic potions can lead to physical collapse."

Olivier retracted his hand as if bitten by a snake.

"Indeed, the toxicity of luck potions is high. One cannot consume it again within a year, or there's a risk of sudden death. Even so, it's not recommended to consume more than three luck potions in a lifetime, as overuse can lead to arrogance, blindness, irritability, decreased intelligence, and permanent brain damage causing hysteria," Veronica nodded: "And what about this potion?" Hex was interested in a small bottle labeled "Truth Serum."

"This potion forces the truth out of anyone. All truths. The person under its influence will undergo a mental trial. If they fail, they'll be compelled to answer any question truthfully," Veronica introduced with a sweet smile: "Would anyone like to try?"

Everyone shook their heads, many knights apprehensive. This was the terror of magic. A legendary knight could achieve feats on the battlefield, but a legendary wizard could do much more.

Additionally, Veronica showed them other potions, like Focus Potion, which temporarily enhanced observational skills, Courage Potion, which briefly banished fear, and even Swine Fragrance Potion—a potion that made the user smell like a pig for ten hours. According to Veronica, Garland Witches often used this potion to sabotage rivals or adversaries.

Next was the magic workshop, primarily producing magical artifacts, including magical equipment, ornaments, and weapons. However, the workshop was still in preparation, with many devices awaiting transport from Skyreach Fortress, so there wasn't much to see or operate.

Then came the fifth and sixth floors' apprentice living area and library. With fiery red corridors and comfortable carpets, each floor had four rooms—either triple or single occupancy, furnished with complete sets and soft beds. Witch apprentices resided on the fifth and sixth floors, which could accommodate twenty apprentices. On the sixth floor, official witches enjoyed private rooms.

Apprentice rooms featured en-suite bathrooms, supplied with water from the tower's rooftop water tank and nearby water devices. Dwarven craftsmanship, with its meticulously constructed water pipes and pressure devices, amazed the knights.

"The living conditions here are excellent. May I inquire if lodging services are available?" the young ranger knight Lucien joked: "I'm willing to pay."

Veronica's eyes flashed fiercely: "Then I can only say..."

Update! A bit early today~

But there won't be a second update~

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