Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96: 004: Black Rock Territory

The Ramos Duchy, a human kingdom that emerged after the Millennium Boundary ended, has only a few hundred years of history and remains quite young.

A millennium ago, this region was nothing more than a barren and desolate wilderness known as the Gray Territory. It was the millennium of peace and the subsequent population surge in the Seven Kingdoms that caused humans to overflow into this area, gradually forming scattered settlements.

At that time, people lived independently, struggling against the harsh natural environment and constantly facing attacks from wild beasts and demons. Life was exceedingly difficult.

It wasn’t until three hundred years ago that the Ramos family, under the Saladin Kingdom, built the first castle here to defend against Gnolls, Kobolds, and other demonic beasts from the forest that frequently attacked from the south of the Gray Territory. This gradually attracted surrounding refugees, eventually forming a stable human settlement.

Later, as the Ramos family declined within the core of the Saladin Kingdom, they shifted their focus entirely to this developing land and formally established the Ramos Duchy.

However, back then, the Ramos Duchy was merely a small human town with a mere population of tens of thousands. In the demon- and beast-infested Gray Territory, it was like a floating island on a vast ocean, always teetering on the brink of annihilation.

Then, approximately one hundred years ago, a brilliant and extraordinary knight, Grant Gwodis, emerged in the Ramos Duchy, becoming a legendary Great Knight at the age of just twenty-four.

Under his leadership, the Ramos Duchy reclaimed wastelands, defeated Gnolls and Kobolds, and vanquished the powerful demons of the Gray Territory.

With security ensured, the Ramos Duchy ushered in a period of rapid development. Furthermore, since its ties with the Saladin Kingdom had become minimal, it implemented more lenient laws, more open-minded ideologies, and a more just and equitable system.

As a result, the Duchy attracted large numbers of people who, for various reasons, were unwilling to stay in the Seven Kingdoms. Its population once soared to the millions, and its reputation as the "Land of Freedom" and "Land of Liberty" spread across the Seven Kingdoms.

Sadly, as with all things, prosperity inevitably gives way to decline, and the Ramos Duchy was no exception.

With the aging and eventual passing of its protector Grant, dark clouds once again enveloped the land. Although the Ramos Duchy had cultivated many formidable forces over the years, none could reach Grant’s heights. Worse yet, the enemies they faced this time were far more terrifying than the forest predators of the past—they were—

Black Wizards!

When these Transcendents wielding supernatural power descended upon the land, humanity’s proud military forces proved completely ineffective. Within just a few years, a Black Wizard Organization asserted its dominance, and the Ramos Duchy fell into an age of darkness...

...

The Ramos Duchy, Black Rock Town. _{fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm}

As Lynch stepped into the first human town along his path of escape, he turned his head to take in the sights around him, his brow furrowing slightly. He did not have a good feeling about this place.

The street scenes were somewhat similar to those of towns he’d visited before: cobblestone roads, Gothic-style wooden buildings, towering obelisks. What was different, however, was the pervasive filth and decay. Many things appeared broken and neglected, as if no one had cared for them in years.

The deeper differences lay in societal aspects.

The pedestrians on the streets were mostly muscular, intimidating figures whose eyes gleamed with menace—clearly people not to be trifled with. Nearly all of them carried weapons: axes, scythes, Cross Swords, and more.

Everyday items were scarce in the shops lining the streets. The most common establishments were blacksmith shops, not stocked with farming tools like hoes and sickles, but rather an array of weapons.

The air was perpetually tinged with a faint smell of blood. In shadowy alleyways, rotting corpses could occasionally be seen.

Not far from the entrance was a modest square. At its center stood a decrepit statue overrun by spiderwebs, depicting an old knight holding a sword vertically before him. The figure exuded an air of authority and inviolability.

The base of the statue bore an inscription identifying the figure: Grant Gwodis.

As Lynch passed by the statue, he couldn’t help but slow his pace, staring at it for a moment longer. For some reason, the knight felt oddly familiar to him—like someone he’d seen before. But where?

"Damn it, you promised ten silver coins. What’s the meaning of handing me nine and a half now?"

"Shouldn’t you ask yourself? You agreed to deliver ten virgins, but you only brought back nine. The last one is just some filthy scum, spoiled by the Old Axe Tavern. Giving you half a silver coin is already generous!"

Just then, an argument broke out along the street.