Gears Turning

Boli Town - Four Stars Inn

Standing at the doorway, looking at Wells, who was wrapped up like a mummy, Havent didn't quite know what to say to comfort the good old man.

After facing the Gale Mercenary Group, which had lost half its members, Wells, apart from crying briefly after being revived, quickly controlled his emotions.

He forced a smile and said to the team members gathered around him:

"It's good that we're alive, it's good that we're alive. The reward for this escort mission will be paid in full to everyone, and I'll personally provide some compensation."

The team members sitting around quickly waved their hands, indicating it wasn't necessary, but Wells, lying on the bed, sternly refused.

Havent and Paimon leaned against the wall by the door, side by side. Ever since the wolf attack, this usually boisterous young man had become quiet and withdrawn. Havent glanced at his friend's appearance and scratched the back of his head.

To be honest, he didn't know how to comfort Paimon either. After all, if he put himself in Paimon's shoes, the uncle who usually took good care of him had died in front of him while saving him.

And three of the young men from his own village had also died. All of this was too much for a 17-year-old.

"Hey, want a drink?"

Havent extended a finger and tapped Paimon's arm. Paimon turned his red-rimmed eyes towards him. He slowly shook his head at Havent's invitation, no longer possessing his usual excitement and joy.

"I'm pretty useless. If I had practiced properly, I wouldn't have performed so poorly, and Captain Baki wouldn't have had to die saving me. Little Jamie is only seven this year."

Listening to Paimon's tearful confession, Havent really wanted to say, "Brother, you're thinking too much. Even if you practiced, you still wouldn't be able to beat them." But seeing his good friend so sad, he couldn't hurt the unlucky guy at this moment, so he patted Paimon's shoulder.

"Then be strong and practice hard. Uncle Baki wouldn't want you to be so dejected. When you become powerful, help Uncle Baki's wife and children more. That would be a fitting repayment for Uncle Baki's life-saving grace."

While Havent was comforting Paimon, the caravan supervisor, Mr. Dida, walked in. He first nodded in greeting to the two people standing guard at the door, then said:

"Could you gentlemen do me a favor? I'd like to have a word with Commander Wells."

The scene shifts to Blackrock Province. The headquarters of the Star Gazers is located in Salishiduo, the capital of Blackrock. The Star Gazers' headquarters is on the top floor of the Dusk Star magic tower.

"What's the situation now, Alpha?"

"It's hard to say, Angella. Maybe it's him, maybe it's not. We've done all we can. All that's left is to wait."

"Damn it, we shouldn't have trusted that damn prophecy. What do the other races think now?"

Alpha took out several books and scrolls from his magic pouch and said to Nar, who was wearing a hooded black robe:

"Nar, the outcome is the same. Calm down. Didn't we know this would happen long ago?"

Nar snorted and slammed the Mithril Staff in his hand heavily on the table.

"These damn long-lived races. They think this is just our problem. This is a problem for the entire continent, and also for those crazy burrowing rats. Worton, that damned guy, didn't even show up this time."

Alpha and his old friends around the round table shook their heads helplessly. They couldn't help but think that perhaps Engelt would have been better here, but unfortunately, he had already set off for the Western Continent.

"Alright, alright, let's stop complaining for now. Although several of our dear friends are not here today, I will send them a recording of this meeting.

Let me first talk about recent events.

The first matter is that the Three Elven Kingdoms have simultaneously announced the suspension of external exchanges and have begun recalling their representatives from various countries.

The second matter is that news from the Dwarf Tribes indicates that there has been unusual activity in the Western Continent Mountains bordering the dwarves. Engelt has been invited by Elder Worton to investigate.

The third matter is that Archbishop Ulters sent a letter stating that the Dragon of Time's flame has dimmed again. Although he has taken some measures, the effect is not very significant.

The fourth matter is that the Star Gazers Guild conducted a prediction a few days ago, and the White Frost in the Far North may arrive earlier than expected. We need to strengthen communication with the Empire, and the North Territory needs to prepare for war as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Nar sneered.

"Frederick, that incompetent fool, only cares about the stability of his throne. Communication! With what?"

Alpha was long accustomed to this irritable old man and continued.

"The fifth matter is that according to news from the Magic Guild of the Astra Empire, someone saw Makuhert in a city north of Astra."

Angella frowned and said:

"This is truly bad news. I didn't expect him to recover so quickly. I thought that last time, we would at least cripple him for fifty years. I didn't expect him to reappear after only twenty years."

"Hey, Angella. Are you still dwelling on what happened fifty years ago? Damn it, it's all bad news. Alpha, is there any good news?"

"There is some, I suppose. Firstly, according to the prophecy, the first person who fits the description has appeared. Although the whereabouts of the other two are currently unknown, overall, there is still some hope.

Secondly, news from the Western Continent suggests that Dragon Island has likely appeared. We can begin the next phase of our plan."

The people around the round table looked at the intelligence Alpha had placed on the table and slowly digested the contents. After a while, Alpha continued:

"Then let's each start our actions. I'll go to the Royal Academy first, and then I'll pay a visit to His Majesty Frederick."

"Then I'll go to the northern part of the Astra Empire. Makuhert's appearance is too early, this is not normal."

"Hey! Angella, you still can't let it go, can you? Then I'll go with you. Otherwise, your 'Nature's Breath' is somewhat countered by him, and I don't want to see you, this old orange, crying over your Earth Bear again."

Angella patted Nar's shoulder, picked up the magic hat from the table, and said to Rafa:

"Then we'll be going. I'll send updates later."

The two turned and walked into the teleportation portal that lit up behind them.

The burly knight, clad in full armor, standing in the corner, stood up.

"Lord Alpha, I will also take my leave. I will visit Lord Patunax with my teacher again to see if he has sensed the aura of Dragon Island. However, Lord Patunax has been asleep for two hundred years. I'm not sure if he's awake."

Alpha nodded.

"Please send my regards to Osa. Thank you for coming all this way, Galan."

The young man nodded, then leaped out the window. A black Scorpion-tailed Wyvern flashed by, catching the young man and flying towards the horizon.

"Then Alpha, we're leaving too. We'll talk about the elves later. We'll go see Ulters first. His situation might be more difficult than we imagined."

Watching his friends leave one by one, Alpha stared blankly at the distant sky, lost in thought. After a long time, the sky had gradually darkened. Rafa got up from his chair, put away the books and scrolls on the table, turned around, and walked into a teleportation portal.