Historian

Caroso was still quite obedient. At his words, he walked over to a machine containing a Poisoned One.

Caroso frowned at the complex writing on it and said, "Nimel."

"Here." Nimel hurried to Caroso's side.

"Help me decipher this writing and open this thing," Caroso said.

"I'll try." Nimel began examining it seriously.

[Boss Caro can't open this thing?]

[With Boss Caro's temper, shouldn't he just smash it with one sword?]

[Damn, I thought Nimel staying beside Boss Caro was just a mascot.]

[Are you guys underestimating the great God of Wisdom? This is the first group of battle mages.]

[You think this Wisdom is Aqua or something?]

"This is... writing from before the Innovation Era?" Nimel said in surprise.

"That's right. This is from the Age of Gods." Caroso nodded. "Do you know why Elemental Mage tuition is the highest?"

"All Elemental Mages are historians."

"When Nature Mages cast spells, they rely on affinity with nature. The higher their affinity, the more power nature lends them. In battle, Nature Mages depend heavily on favorable terrain. For example, when there is no wind, they are at a severe disadvantage when using wind spells. Unless the wind is especially strong, it is difficult for them to borrow its power."

"Elemental Mages are different. Elemental spirits are everywhere, and Elemental Mages rely on communicating with the elements. Research from a long time ago discovered that elemental spirits are not immortal and indestructible. They are much like living beings. The mages some aged elemental spirits have communicated with are ancient mages, and those elemental spirits are unwilling to learn new languages. As a result, the more languages you know, the more elements you can communicate with, and the stronger your spells become. Some ancient elemental spirits also possess greater power."

"Brother, I know all that basic stuff..." Nimel's pretty face reddened. "I know I only got ninety-eight on the test and embarrassed you, Brother. I'll work harder..."

[Hahahaha, she thinks Boss Caro is explaining it to her.]

[Nimel is so cute.]

[Now I get it. When Elemental Mages fight, they have to call for help, and the other side at least has to understand them. Otherwise, you can rattle off a whole bunch of dialect and they won't even know what you want.]

[What Boss Caro said reminds me of a setting: the languages mages currently use to cast spells are all imitations of ancient High Elven.]

[Yeah, High Elves have the strongest magical talent, and communicating with elements is easier for them too.]

[I remember some big shot translated it. Apparently, what High Elven actually says is: Fire spirit, we've known each other for so many years, do me a favor. Help me make a super invincible level-eight giant fireball that'll burn even his bone fragments away. I'll pay half the mana cost. Please and thank you. Next time there's something good like this, I'll come find you again.]

[Damn it, it instantly doesn't sound so classy anymore.]

Caroso glanced at the scrolling comments in confusion.

Phew, looks like they didn't understand... Forget it. They don't rely on this for battle, and they won't be tested on it either.

Seeing that Caroso ignored her, Nimel continued translating on her own.

To Nimel, Caroso's current reaction was what seemed normal.

"Like this, then this..." Nimel looked at the complicated buttons below and pressed them one by one.

Gurgle, gurgle...

Click.

With a crisp sound, the liquid inside the tank was slowly drained away, and the glass cover lifted.

Caroso instinctively pulled Nimel back and raised his sword in front of them.

Sizzle!

A cloud of poisonous mist sprayed from the Poisoned One's body, but the flames on Caroso's sword surged at that moment, blocking all of the mist. The virus was burned completely clean by the blaze.

Visible to the naked eye, the Poisoned One began shriveling and vaporizing after being exposed to the air, until only a mechanical arm remained.

Caroso heated the metal with his sword, then picked up the mechanical arm only after confirming there was no problem.

"Stand guard for me. Don't let anything threaten me. I'm making two cards on the spot," Caroso said to Nimel.

"Yes!" Nimel gripped her staff tightly and nodded firmly.

By then, Teresa and the others had already fought their way to the first floor and were battling countless cultists.

Teresa discovered that while these cultists appeared to be third tier, many of them did not truly meet that standard. They were weakened versions. They did not have many cards, though their mana was at the normal level for third tier.

"Maintain formation. Shield warriors, push forward. Paladins, focus on Holy Light spells. Retainers, stay in the gaps between the shield warriors. If there is a lethal attack, expend the retainers first!" Teresa commanded calmly.

These retainers were not living people, but follower cards.

The cultists had now become organized and disciplined, making it exceptionally difficult to advance. If Teresa had not been there, they would probably have been on the verge of a total wipeout by now.

"Those in the rear, do not approach the elevator. Squad One, fall back and guard the elevator entrance. Do not let anyone go up!" Teresa cut down a wraith that dropped from above with one stroke. A black substance that was half liquid and half gas splattered onto her armor, making it hiss and smoke.

Soon, a ten-man squad retreated to the rear.

It consisted of four warriors, two paladins, two priests, and two Nature Mages. The composition was extremely balanced.

They guarded the elevator entrance, cutting down any cultists who tried to approach.

Not only that, any raiders who wanted to go up would have to get past them first.

The raiders had all witnessed Teresa's decisiveness when she killed people earlier.

"What do we do?"

"Damn it, now we can only pray that something happens to Caroso himself."

Some of the people from the academies could not help growing anxious when they saw this.

At this point, whether they left the group or approached that ten-man squad, both carried considerable risk.

The people from those academies had simple thoughts. If they continued advancing like this, they could clear this dungeon, but they had their own missions as well.

"Your Highness Teresa, I want to go support Caroso," a warrior said. "I'm from Azure Wolf Province too. I need to protect him."

"Right, I want to help him too!"

"He can't manage alone!"

"Shut up, all of you!" Teresa coldly swept her gaze over those who had spoken. "Whether you are his enemies or his friends, either die, leave the group, or fight properly!"

"Anyone who leaves the group and dares approach the elevator will be killed!"

"As for his safety, he said he only needed that mage. He does not need any other support."

"But what if he's forcing himself to hold on?" The warrior grew anxious. "If he can't handle it, we'll be in danger too."

"That is his problem." Teresa refocused on the enemies before her. "He said that even if he died, he would not let the monsters over there come here. I'm supposed to doubt a strong man who can come and go freely among heretics, and trust you worthless lot instead?"