As time passed, good news gradually came from the Tarim Plane. With the Imperial Mage Association's full intervention, the situation took a turn for the better. Whenever Duke Panston's army captured a city, the Mage Association's sorcerers followed close behind, using powerful Sealing Techniques to close the Hell Gates within the city.
In the council hall of Bahoya City, Ang and Quintina stood side by side, carefully listening to the latest reports from the front. Upon hearing Duke Panston's name, Quintina nodded lightly, a trace of admiration in her voice. "As expected of the renowned general praised throughout the Empire's history. Only he could turn the tide in such a desperate situation."
"Indeed," Ang replied. "His strategy has prevented the hellhounds from concentrating their attacks on Central City. Instead, they've been scattered across various fronts to confront his army. The pressure on Central City has eased greatly, and the people can finally catch their breath."
However, when the Scouting Sorcerers dispatched by the Mage Association reported that there were still conservatively estimated to be a million hellhounds on the Tarim Plane, the hall fell silent. Such an enormous number exceeded everyone's expectations, casting a shadow over the hope that had only just begun to rise.
A few days later, the Imperial Mage Association issued an emergency Wanted Order. The target left everyone utterly stunned—Dominic, the former president of the Tarim Plane Mage Association.
When Ang received the Wanted Order, he deliberately showed it to Quintina. Her gaze swept over its contents, and her expression gradually turned cold.
"That bastard," she muttered angrily, the paper in her hand seeming on the verge of being crumpled. "For his own selfish desires, he actually chose to make a deal with demons. The opening of the Hell Gates plunged countless innocent people into disaster.