The dim magical lights cast wavering shadows across the Stone Wall, and an oppressive air filled the Black Magic Society's stronghold.
Joyce sat upright in a high-backed chair, her slender fingers lightly tapping the tabletop, her crimson nails resembling bloodstained claws.
Her gaze was icy as she watched the Black Mage kneeling on the floor, her voice slowly breaking the silence.
"What exactly is going on? The Lizardmen have grown increasingly hostile toward us lately. Three supply outposts have already been overturned."
Bitterness filled the kneeling Black Mage's face as he replied in a low voice, "My lady, we don't know the reason either. Recently, whenever our caravans appeared near Lizardmen tribes, they were driven away. Several squads were even directly attacked by the Lizardmen."
Joyce's brows drew together slightly, and her gaze sharpened.
"Find out why. I don't want to hear such nonsense as 'we don't know' again."
The Black Mage shuddered and hurriedly nodded. "Yes, my lady. We've already sent people to investigate. There should be results soon."
Joyce snorted coldly and leaned back in her chair, her gaze falling on the Mithril Ore report beside her.
She lightly tapped the report with a slender finger and asked indifferently, "What about the Mithril Ore mine on the Danpier Plateau? How is the investigation going?"
The Black Mage's expression changed slightly, and cold sweat instantly beaded across his forehead. "My lady, there are... no definite results yet. We captured some Kobolds who escaped back, but they all said our people turned on each other, leading to the destruction of the Mithril Ore mine."
"Turned on each other?"
Joyce repeated softly, a faint sneer appearing at the corner of her lips. She slowly rose to her feet, her deep-purple magical gown trailing along the ground like a venomous snake gliding