Annihilation

Construction site.

Inside the temporary camp.

Tuckerau stared at the crystal ball before him, his expression grave.

He stepped out of the tent and found Iliya and Phil. "I performed a divination. Fate tells me that we will face a challenge!"

"Is it dangerous?"

Phil narrowed his eyes. "I can't wait to test my spells."

"The danger level isn't high, but it is connected to some unknown terror!" Tuckerau shook his head.

"I hate vague statements like that the most..." Phil rolled his eyes.

"Actually, combined with our deductions and the information we have, it's obvious... We have no enemies in the Northern Territory. The only possibility is the Empire... Their scouts discovered us!"

Iliya sneered.

"What should we do, then?"

"Duke Marcus's life is in our hands. He won't agree with the Empire's actions... So this is most likely a private operation!"

Tuckerau analyzed calmly. "The Northern Territory nobles are our shield, but they aren't reliable, so we must display our strength! Wipe out this probing force completely! That will buy us plenty of time!"

"And once the Mage Tower is completed, we'll have the power to contend with Legends! Then we can directly establish an academy and recruit students!"

Iliya looked at the Mage Tower, whose first floor had already begun construction, her face full of confidence.

If the Empire thought they were still only as strong as they had been when they seized the Obelisk, they would surely pay a bloody price.

Several days later.

An army advanced along the road.

As a commander, Baker was highly skilled at marching. Before choosing this route, he had already sent people to scout it out.

Moreover, he kept scouts spread around the perimeter at all times, ready to report any news.

But against an enemy beyond his imagination,