Ever since news of Vick's capture spread, the Black Magic Society had remained active in the shadows. Rather than being discouraged by it, they had intensified their investigations and operations. After confirming that the Empire had failed to intercept the Space Gem, the Black Magic Society's higher-ups unanimously concluded that Vick must have used some secret method to send the gem out of the Tarim Plane. They began secretly dispatching people to search for clues, and on several occasions, their spies had even reached the North Wind Warband Encampment where Ang was stationed.
However, those spies had failed to accomplish anything. Ang had long since set up an around-the-clock Anti-Magic Field around the encampment. Any Black Mage who approached would have all the magic in their body restrained by the field. Trapped and panicked, they were quickly discovered and subdued by the warband's soldiers.
Ang showed no mercy to those who came. He knew full well that they were members of the Black Magic Society. If he did not deal with them thoroughly, they would inevitably bring endless trouble upon him and the encampment. He refused to interrogate the prisoners and sentenced every one of them to death. Whenever he watched them being taken away, his expression remained cold. He understood that kindness and tolerance would only be seen as weakness by enemies.
Meanwhile, reports from the front arrived one after another. The news Haru relayed was encouraging: the Imperial army had gradually reclaimed the areas outside Central City, and with the powerful assistance of the Mage Association, most Hell Gates had been successfully closed. Duke Panston's forces had also expanded to nearly four hundred thousand men, becoming an unstoppable torrent of steel. Under his command, the Hellhounds retreated steadily. Many fled back to hell, while the rest were forced