Chapter 2. Archmage Palantras

Archmage Palantras was quite a peculiar character. I created him under the influence of cult fantasy films, which always featured some wise man with a long beard who solved all the problems of the main characters.

Archmage Palantras was exactly that kind of character. Although he was a minor character and did not appear in the plot very often, he still made a significant contribution to the development of my novel.

Firstly, he was the first person to befriend the main character after she ended up in the Red Castle. He sympathised with her situation as a hostage and often rescued her from the predicaments she found herself in.

Secondly, he was the most powerful magician in the world. For many years, he travelled, gathering information about peoples and the magic they possessed, and eventually became the most powerful wizard, capable of wielding any magic.

He met Zeldris Aldrua about ten years ago. At that time, this red-eyed demon was still a child, and less than a year had passed since his coronation. Since many doubted his rightful claim to the throne at that time, he needed strong allies to secure his position as ruler. One of them was the living legend of the world of magic, Mob Palantras. He agreed to take the vacant position of chief archmage of the kingdom, but in return, Zeldris had to promise him complete freedom of action and the ability to leave the palace whenever he wanted.

Before that, Palantras had never agreed to similar offers from other kings, as he saw that many of them only wanted to seize his power and nothing more. He hated war and wanted to use his powers only for the good of the people. The reason Palantras agreed to become Zeldiris' archmage was that Zeldiris swore he would never force him to participate in wars with other states.

A kind old man. True, he died quite early. His fate, as I wrote in his storyline, was to die defending the magic tower, whose safety he valued above his own life.

But I can save him. As the author of the novel, I can predict the events of the next few months in advance, which will save him from this demise. Well, for a small fee, of course...

At present, the archmage, as warned, left the palace quite often. His love for exploring the world around him had not gone away, and he continued to travel, sometimes disappearing for several months at a time. He usually returned for two reasons. The first was that his 'birds' brought him rumours of hostile plans from other states, and he returned to the Red Castle to warn Zeldiris of a possible war. The second was that during his adventures, he found interesting specimens for experiments and returned to conduct experiments in the magic tower. And then he would leave again.

It was very lucky to catch him. And I was lucky that while I was waiting to be sent to the knife, I had a chance to see him. In fact, he was my only hope of getting out of such a dire situation.

The magic tower, the place he usually didn't leave when he returned, was located in the southern part of the palace. Getting there was difficult, but not impossible. My main task was to leave the royal farm where I was currently staying and then get to the Red Castle.

I made a plan to escape from the pigsty. My original idea was to escape during a walk, but then I was inevitably faced with the question: how to get over the fence surrounding the pen? It was quite high. It was difficult to cross, especially in the body of a pig. I had a small, clumsy body and short legs. I doubt I could jump over even a small obstacle. The only option left was to dig a tunnel.

But that would take a lot of time. It would probably take me at least a week to dig a hole of the right size. But I couldn't wait that long!

Archmage Palantras was extremely unpredictable and could leave at any moment and not return for six months. Every minute of my life in this body was precious, and I couldn't take any risks. And so, I made a very dangerous decision...

Three days after I learned of the archmage's return, I waited until we were taken out for a walk, and... I decided to risk everything.

Sam the swineherd, as usual, lay down to sleep under a tree, and I, waiting for this moment, began to put my plan into action.

'Mother pig, brothers and sisters... Please forgive your unbearable fellow tribeswoman!'

I ran up and jumped with all my might onto my mother pig's back, causing her hooves to buckle, and then onto the back of my 'brother,' one of the largest individuals in our degenerate herd.

After performing these daring manoeuvres, I looked back to check that Sam was still asleep and hadn't noticed anything, then jumped over the fence and onto solid ground.

So, using the other pigs as support, I managed to overcome this obstacle!

Breathing heavily, I took one last look at the piglets, which I would probably never see again, and set off.

And so I left the pigsty, which had been my first refuge in this world.

These two weeks will remain in my memory forever. If only to permanently discourage me from ever eating pork again!

I rushed forward with all my strength, eager to leave this place as quickly as possible.

I was so close to my long-awaited freedom...!

Finally, I saw the wrought-iron gate — the last barrier before leaving the royal farm.

It was unlocked and slightly ajar, so I managed to squeeze through the small gap and get out.

Freedom at last!

I breathed in the fresh summer air, and a satisfied squeal escaped from my snout.

I found myself on the grounds of the royal palace, which I knew like the back of my hand. Although a lot of time had passed and I had forgotten some details, I remembered the location of the magic tower very clearly.

So, without hesitation, I rushed there.

In fact, seeing the architecture of the castle, which I had previously only described in the pages of a novel, in real life for the first time was a truly strange and exciting feeling.

All these beautiful arches and buildings, the stunning landscape design of the garden, and the majestic Red Castle — gigantic, with many towers and battlements, made entirely of red stone. Such beauty... Could it really be my doing...?

But I quickly dismissed these thoughts, deciding that I would enjoy these views later. Right now... I had to reach my goal!

Many people looked at me in surprise as I ran between their legs, and one lady even screamed, apparently mistaking me for a wild pig.

But I paid no attention to it and quickly ran to the southern part of the palace.

Finally, it appeared before me — a grey brick tower, ten stories high, a real impregnable fortress. At the very top was a triangular roof and a small window with a light shining from it. I guessed that the archmage was there.

But ten floors...! It would be a really difficult challenge. Even in my past life, I hated climbing stairs because I barely had enough stamina, and I was a human! What can I say about a pig...

Gritting my teeth, I decided to do it. After all, I was so close! Just one more push, and I would reach my cherished goal.

With difficulty, I managed to unlock the door to the tower with my hoof. Fortunately, the archmage never locked it, because no one ever barged in on him without warning, and he considered it an unnecessary precaution.

I went inside and saw the beginning of a long, winding staircase that curved like a snake and led upwards.

The staircase was narrow and looked extremely unsafe, so if I suddenly slipped on any floor, I would definitely fall...

How did the archmage manage to climb this deadly staircase every day?

I sighed, letting out something like a growl.

It was too late to turn back.

Well, here we go...

And I began to climb the stairs. It was extremely uncomfortable to do so with my hooves, and it took me a certain amount of time to climb each step. But I didn't give up!

Step by step, push by push...

One floor, then the second, then the third...

At some point, I stopped counting them and just prayed that it would all finally end.

I tried not to look down, because the sight of the abyss rapidly receding below made me feel sick. If I died in this life by falling down the stairs, it would be an even more ridiculous death than being run over by a truck! And I couldn't allow that to happen.

Even if the life of a pig like me had no value, I still wanted to live. Perhaps it was only after my death that I realised how priceless it was to see the blue sky above my head. And I will definitely see it again!

With one last push, I finally reached the top floor.

Before me was a wide wooden door with a silver handle in the shape of an eagle's head. I tried to push it, but it was locked.

Then I noticed a bell hanging on the side of the door. It was located low enough that even a child could pull it.

Obviously, the archmage had made it so that guests could announce their arrival. Quite often, immersed in his experiments, he couldn't hear the usual knock on the door.

I only had to jump once to reach the ribbon wrapped around the bell and pull it.

Immediately, a loud melodious sound rang out, followed by footsteps and noise behind the door.

— Who's there? — a hoarse voice asked before the lock clicked and the archmage looked out.

Our eyes met.

— A pig...? — he said in amazement. — Is this some kind of joke?

— Archmage Palantras, I am going to do you a great favour! Make me human, and in return, you will learn all the secrets of this world!