Drawing Lots

Early the next morning, Ian deliberately sought out Hank.

"Captain Hank, I remember you said that Rock-armored Demon Bears could be found near Scorching Canyon?"

Hank was inspecting the walls. He turned at the sound of Ian's voice. "Yes. They can occasionally be seen around the Lava Stone Forest south of the canyon."

That thing has thick hide, terrifying strength, and can even use simple earth-element wizardry. Few people hunt it. Are you interested in it?"

"I need its Essence Blood to prepare something." Ian did not mention its specific use.

"Would the blood of other Magic Beasts work as well? Do you know who in the camp has any?"

Hank stroked the stubble on his chin. "Essence Blood... Aside from Potion Masters like you and a few people cultivating special wizardry, most people do not collect it. But the newly arrived Iron Anvil might know."

"Iron Anvil?"

"The Alchemist who came with Wizard Elinor."

Hank turned and pointed toward the newly built temporary workshop on the eastern side of the camp.

"He specializes in making and repairing Wizard Tools and often needs materials from all kinds of Magic Beasts. The apprentices from Violet Heights under him form hunting teams to earn Contribution Points. You can go ask him."

After thanking him, Ian headed toward the workshop area. The air was thick with the mingled smell of scorched metal and sulfur.

A particularly stocky, dark-skinned figure was swinging a rune hammer, pounding on a metal component.

"Master Iron Anvil." Ian waited for a pause before stepping forward to greet him.

Iron Anvil stopped, wiped away his sweat, and looked at Ian.

"A Potion Master? What is it?"

Ian explained why he had come.

"Rock-armored Demon Bear Essence Blood?" Iron Anvil's voice was low and heavy.

"That thing's blood coagulates too quickly. It is troublesome to handle, so we usually only take the hide, claws, and fangs."

Iron Anvil paused. "But... Scarface and the others went out scouting a few days ago and seemed to have injured one. I do not know whether they collected any. Go ask him."

"Thank you." Ian nodded and was about to leave.

"Wait." Iron Anvil called him back, his voice low.

"Seeing that you are from High Tower too, and that you seem like a decent person, let me remind you of something. After Violet Heights fell, there may still be traitors in the camp who have not been rooted out. You understand what I mean..."

After saying that, Iron Anvil turned around and resumed hammering.

Ian's heart tightened. "Thank you for telling me."

Iron Anvil thought well of him because Ian had not been perfunctory when teaching the Potion Masters from Violet Heights. Perhaps word of it had reached Iron Anvil.

"Traitors?" Ian sighed inwardly. This was the same as Hank's tone, warning him to watch out for the family Wizards.

But there was no way to completely prevent such things. The Crimson Court had many evil forms of wizardry that used blood sacrifices to increase one's strength. Many people saw no hope of advancing through normal means and could not resist the temptation.

In the third wooden hut on the western side of the camp, Ian found Scarface.

A vicious scar slashed diagonally across his entire face, and his gaze was exceedingly fierce.

When Scarface learned that Ian was a Potion Master willing to purchase Essence Blood from all kinds of Magic Beasts in exchange for potions, his attitude eased considerably.

"Essence Blood? I have some, but not much."

Scarface dragged a chest out from beneath the bed. Inside were several jars of dark red, viscous liquid that gave off a strong earthy stench.

"That bear was caught in our trap and bled quite a bit. We only had time to collect this much."

Ian examined it. It would probably yield three portions of Blood Essence.

After some bargaining, Ian traded six Lesser Healing Potions for all the Essence Blood. The potions were worth around fifteen magic stones.

Scarface was very satisfied. He had never expected that this junk could be exchanged for potions.

"Oh, right." Once the deal was done and Scarface had put away the potions, he casually warned Ian.

"Before this, someone from the Osborne Family also came to buy Essence Blood from me, but his attitude was terrible and his offer was low."

"The Osborne Family?"

"What did their family crest look like? Do you remember?" Ian's thoughts stirred.

"There was a mountain rock design on the cuff. I think it was a mountain rock, but I did not pay much attention." Scarface thought for a moment before replying uncertainly.

On his way back, Ian pondered what the others had said.

"The Osborne Family, huh. To hear news of them here... what a surprise."

He recalled the information Kenna had brought back when he first returned. It mentioned that a Bloodline Wizard family was investigating Nolan's affairs.

He had paid some attention to it at the time, but the war had immediately disrupted his plans, and he had not had the mind to continue investigating.

A storm is coming.

Ian collected himself, took out the Essence Blood he had just purchased, and began using the Bloodline Refinement Technique to refine Blood Essence.

[Bloodline Refinement Technique Proficiency +1]

[Bloodline Refinement Technique Proficiency +1]

[Bloodline Refinement Technique: Proficient (308/400)]

By the time the liquid in the vessel gave off a rotten smell, his proficiency had only increased by two points.

Three crystal-clear Blood Essences, like blood diamonds, flew out of the vessel and were collected by Ian.

"What a waste of money!"

The complexity of this wizardry rivaled that of advanced wizardry, and it devoured magic stones at an alarming rate.

Those without sufficient family resources or talent simply could not master this wizardry.

Half a month later.

At dusk, Sterling suddenly summoned all the Advanced Apprentices in the camp to the Central Stone Tower.

This included the newly arrived Wizard Elinor, Copperbeard, Iron Anvil, Scarface, and the other remnants from Violet Heights.

Excluding the two Formal Wizards, there were eighteen people in total, an exceptionally powerful force.

The atmosphere in the hall was grave. On the map hanging on the wall, the red cross marking Violet Heights was especially conspicuous.

Sterling's finger moved across the areas surrounding the Forge camp.

"I called you here so that you would understand the situation."

Sterling's voice was steady, but it carried a chill.

"The Crimson Court's Blood Bats and Shadow Stingers are infiltrating the western side of Scorching Canyon. They have already begun approaching our camp in scattered groups."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"The front line cannot spare attention for this side. We must handle it ourselves and clear out the scouts nearby.

"Ordinary scouting teams can no longer detect what is happening there. We do not even know whether the Crimson Court has already established a camp in that area."

He did not say that he would investigate personally. There was surely a reason he could not reveal.

Wizard Elinor sat to one side, her empty sleeve hanging down.

"The apprentices I brought may be battered remnants, but they can still fight. Copperbeard has repaired a ballista, so defense will not be a problem. Now is the best time to take the initiative and clear them out."

The Rune Ballista was incredibly powerful. If used at the right moment, it could even threaten a Formal Wizard.

Copperbeard's voice remained booming. "One ballista has been repaired, but its energy core needs time to charge. It is also inconvenient to move, so it can only be used for defense."

"Can another one be repaired?" Sterling looked toward Copperbeard.

"We lack the materials. There is no way for now."

Copperbeard's answer disappointed Sterling somewhat, but there was nothing to be done. This was not High Tower, after all.

"I have decided to form two elite teams, each led by two Advanced Apprentices, to investigate the western canyon. Who is willing to go?"

The room fell silent. No one stepped forward.

The last time they encountered a full Blood Bat squad, the camp had nearly collapsed. This was only reconnaissance, not a direct fight, and the enemy might not have so many people—but what if they did?

The Crimson Court's Blood Bats and Shadow Stingers were no ordinary opponents. They were the Crimson Court's elite scouting divisions, filled with powerful experts.

If they ran into them, it would be almost the same as writing their names onto the death list in advance.

Sterling's cold gaze swept across faces that were either solemn or evasive.

"Since no one is volunteering." Sterling's voice broke the silence without a trace of emotion.

"To ensure fairness, we will decide by drawing lots. Hank, prepare the lot container."

Drawing lots?!

The expressions of all the apprentices shifted, and their breathing seemed to stop for a moment.

Ian's heart skipped a beat. He was a Potion Master and should not have to take part in the drawing, but there was no guarantee.

Wasn't this supposed to be a logistics base? Why was there still a risk of going to the battlefield?

But that was the reality of war: ever-changing and merciless, always catching people off guard.