The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Chapter 399

Hm? Balder blinked in confusion, half expecting that Alavin was teasing him, but the voice and tone didn’t quite match.

The little white turtle seemed to be growing more amused by the second, finding Balder’s plump figure to be quite the comical sight. “ls your whole family like this, or did you put in the effort to achieve such a layered appearance?

Ha! Balder stared at the small white turtle in surprise. “Can it talk? Alavin shrugged. “When I summoned the Kings of Old, they gave it to me as a gift.”

Clearing its throat, the little turtle spoke authoritatively, “Young lad, mind your tone. Chubby one, step outside. We have important matters to discuss —very important.”

“Me? Go outside?” Balder pointed toward the door, still shocked. Was it a talking Magi-Monster? Could it be a sacred beast? Alavin was becoming more impressive by the moment, with the protection of a royal effigy and now a sacred beast!

‘lll have a chat with it first.” Alavin said, equally curious about the little creature. Balder reluctantly exited the room, looking back three times with each step before gently closing the door behind him.

The turtle was no bigger than a fist, resembling an exquisitely carved ivory, smooth and lustrous figurine. It stretched its tiny limbs to relieve the stiffness from being confined for five days and nights. "Those ancient ones are quite pleased with you. Strike while the iron is hot and talk to them— get this chain off me. Let's deal with matters as they come, solve problems that arise, and please, let's not keep using such brute methods to restrain me, alright?”

“You've been living inside the Royal Mausoleum for a thousand years?” Alavin was still skeptical

“I was young and naive, lured into a cave, and then chained for centuries. Centuries, can you grasp that? How many centuries does one have in a lifetime, and I've just wasted them in a daze.” The turtle held up its head, shaking it sorrowfully, almost shedding tears. It meandered around, bobbing its head. “But let's leave the past behind. I am generous and forgiving, and I'll consider guarding their tomb my duty. But what's the situation now? The Royal Mausoleum is gone, they have departed, and it should be time to let me go. yet here I am. chained to your neck. Let’s be reasonable, shall we?"

Despite its youthful appearance. the turtle spoke with the wisdom of the ages.

Alavin took it into his hand, examining it closely. “Why did the Kings deceive you into the Royal Mausoleum? Why not another Magi-Monster?” “I was kindhearted, innocent. I was barely a millennium old, young and ignorant.”

Alavin couldn't help but chuckle. A thousand years old and still naive? "I don’t believe you!”

The turtle replied earnestly, “I know it's hard for you to accept, but it doesn't matter. Let's make a deal. If you free me from this chain, I'll grant you three favors.

“You're that powerful?

“Powerful? Heh, immensely so! I, the venerable one, am handsome and dashing, with might that reaches the heavens and wisdom unmatched. Matters of the heavens, the earth, and the mortal realm—if you can ask it, I can achieve it. Three favors, and you won't regret it.”

Alavin narrowed his eyes.

"So, what do you say? Consider it. Keeping me tethered to you is inconvenient fer both of us. If I’m not happy and refuse to help when you need it, youll have no power over =~ me, right?” The turtle tried to look solemn, but it was cursing madly insid& Its inner self seemedto be jumping and pointing at Alavin, urging him to make a deeision. The turtle craved freedom! It wanted to roam the world, swim the four seas, court all the lady turtles, and spread its seed—it had been restrained for a millennium!

Alavin remained calm. “I'm still very curious about your relationship with the Kings. Why are they so insistent on binding you?"

If the turtle nad indeed been tethered for araillennium, Alavin seriously wetdered if it had committes.some heinous act or offendectthe Kings in some way.~ Otherwise, why would they keep it chained? Being confined in the Royal Matisoleum was one thing, but now it Was affixed to the Golden Heart—it was Clear they were intent on an eternal struggle.

™“

The turtle looked at him innocently, stretching itsdimbs and wagging its tail. “Do I look like a creature capable of vile acts? Contact those ageless ones and either free me or giveme a fy w straightforward answer on hew to b eak these chains. I can’t just hang there indefinitely, can you2I have my pride.”

Alavin squinted at the creature, suddenly realizing how odd the situation was—he was staring down a turtle. He touched the chain and felt the turtle’s shell. “How have you lived for so many years?”