Continuing: Preparations for the Duel

Ailas sat on the soft sofa, the expensive bearskin cushion offering a relaxing experience. But the half-elf before him clearly wasn't in the mood to notice this; to him, the current situation wasn't exactly something to look forward to.

Although Ailas still shares the same interests as the Red Robe Mage regarding the entire City of a Thousand Towers, his current actions are not progressing smoothly. Not every emerging noble agrees with their plans; some clearly oppose and are indifferent to these changes. Ailas is disappointed in these people. Although they are still young, power and wealth have ensnared them, making them unwilling to make any changes, as if such changes would only bring them disaster. Those stubborn, irresponsible nobles are not worth expecting anything from, but Ailas dares not alert the upper-ranking nobles. He understands that the three old mages are not easy to deal with; mere anger will be ineffective. Just like that day in the courtroom, if they wanted, they could even take back his power now. At that point, he would have nothing, let alone be able to wage a revolution.

However, that wasn't his job.

Ailas stared anxiously at the sun outside the window, inwardly cursing. Never before had time seemed to drag on so slowly. The old mages had chosen the date for the duel, the same day he had planned to launch his attack. Was it a coincidence, or...? No, it must be a coincidence. Although many lower-ranking nobles knew of his plan, only a few of his trusted confidants knew the details. He had been sending men to observe and monitor them for days; they hadn't shown any unusual behavior, acting as usual. There shouldn't be any problems. Soon, those Red Robe Mages would arrive, and then the entire city would undergo new changes and influences. How should he utilize these influences? If he failed, his master would not forgive him for making such a foolish mistake. Thinking of this, the half-elf broke out in a cold sweat. He knew very well how the incompetent were dealt with; he didn't want to suffer the same fate.

Fortunately, so far, the plan has gone smoothly.

With this thought in mind, Ailas calmed himself down and looked at the longsword hanging beside him.

Perhaps I should practice more.

On the other side, it was clear that someone was doing what Ailas was about to do.

"Whoosh!!"

A cold, sharp light flashed, slicing the wooden goblet in two. Mina sheathed her knife and stood still, her eyes fixed on her prey. Nia, on the other hand, stared with slight surprise at the severed goblet—its force field shield and magical protection were now completely destroyed. While these could withstand most attacks from mages, and even mages could only disrupt the opponent's magical energy to cancel spells against such defenses, sufficient power could achieve the same effect.

"That's amazing..."

Fina stared blankly at her sister. As an apprentice mage, she understood how much strength and knowledge it would take to split such a protective spell in two.

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought that Dispel Magic from that weapon."

Nia looked at Li Lin, who was staring thoughtfully at the broken wooden cup, lost in thought.

"The power of Vampire Species is also art."

Angela snapped her fan shut, looking rather unenthusiastic. Ever since activating the Eye of Kalatu that day, Li Lin's mood hadn't been very high. Although he hadn't shown any unusual behavior on a daily basis, the little guy could clearly sense that his master seemed to be in a bad mood. Nia had spoken to Li Lin alone, but it hadn't been very effective.

"Alright, Mina, that's good. Go practice a thousand more times."

"Yes, Miss Angela."

Mina nodded, then turned and left the room. Li Lin, however, remained staring blankly at the wooden cup, seemingly lost in thought, as if he had thought of something, or perhaps nothing at all.

Li Lin.

Nia had no choice but to speak up.

"You should rest now. Our plan is about to begin. Don't forget everything you have to do."

"Master, what else do you have to worry about? Anyone who stands in my way will die, and I will kill any enemy I see. No matter how stupid someone is, if they dare to stand in your way, I will just blast them to dust, won't I?"

I'm thinking about something.

Li Lin frowned.

"I always feel like something's off..."

"How?"

Angela frowned slightly.

"Do those old geezers intend to break the contract? Then I wouldn't mind sending them to their graves myself..."

"You mean the war between the Magic Empire?"

Nia's guess seems to be closer to the truth.

"That's right."

Li Lin nodded, stood up, walked to the wooden wine glass, and gazed at it.

"There's something wrong with this... I have a feeling something's not quite right, especially after talking to Kalatu, this feeling has only grown stronger... I think I might have guessed the truth of the matter, but there are still some questions that can't be answered. We still don't know enough, but right now, there doesn't seem to be a better way."

He muttered something incomprehensible to himself, and Li Lin reached out to touch the broken edge of the wine glass.

"But this does point us in a new direction. First, let's settle things here. Then, we'll go find Suoxiate."

"That's right, that half-elf mongrel is no match for you, Master. When you're feeling down, bullying the weak is a good way to vent your anger. Watching them wail and scream in the face of power they can't resist will surely make you feel good."

Angela leaned against Li Lin, revealing a lovely and beautiful smile.

"Miss Angela, we shouldn't go too far this time."

Nia didn't seem to disagree with Angela's opinion, so she added the qualifier "this time" to her suggestion.

"After all, this is our hope."

Fina glanced at Li Lin, then at Angela. Instinctively, she wanted to object, but she stopped herself mid-sentence. Compared to Mina, Fina had been more deeply influenced by Angela's brainwashing, so although she had some doubts and dissatisfaction with Angela's words, she still remembered them deeply. Clearly, this was why Angela had her by her side.

The old mages' plan was meticulous. They decided to hold the duel on the same day the enemy launched their attack. Firstly, this would restrain the enemy's forces; secondly, it would stabilize public morale. After all, when everyone's attention was focused on the duel, anything happening at the stone pillars wouldn't attract much attention. Meanwhile, Nia, Angela, and the others would cooperate with the three archmages to suppress the traitors attempting to control the stone tower. Of course, considering the Mages' Association had sent mages, they were certainly not weak. However, against Li Lin, no matter how many Red Robe Mage there were, they were no match. Not to mention Angela and Nia, who also possessed the power to contend with those mages.

Both sides are making their moves; now it's a matter of whose pieces have more weight.

Nia suddenly stood up and gently shook the staff in her hand. The three crystals floating on it flickered with an eerie light, though they were only slowly returning to normal.

The person we're waiting for has entered the city.

She spoke softly, and Li Lin looked up, waiting for her to continue.

"There are one, two, three... four... and so on."

Nia's expression changed slightly.

"Even she came. It seems the Mages' Association really went all out this time?"

"Who?"

Li Lin raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Isabel, one of the Red Robe Mage, is a powerful, evil, and terrifying woman."

Nia explained, then softly chanted an incantation. Soon, a clear phantom appeared before everyone: a beautiful middle-aged woman with long, flowing hair and skin as white and delicate as a young girl's. The ruby set in her forehead seemed almost alive, shimmering with an eerie light. Her red mage robes were very conspicuous in the crowd, but unexpectedly, almost everyone ignored her, as if they had never sensed her presence. It seemed she had just passed the guards' check and was now walking towards the carriage. She seemed to sense something, turning to look into the void, and Nia timely severed the connection between the spells, preventing her from noticing her actions.

"When I was in the Mages' Association, I heard many rumors about her: greedy, evil, powerful, and cunning. Back then, some even said she was trying to seize the position of the Mages' Association's leader—but now it seems that the Mages' Association specifically sent her here to take over the City of a Thousand Towers to curb this greed. It seems it was to satisfy her desires."

"Give a dog one piece of meat, and it will want two; humans are even worse than dogs, they only want more."

Angela gave a cold and indifferent comment on this.

What is her specialty?

"Like you, I use necromancy and charm magic. Of course... my skill level can't compare to yours."

"Very good."

Li Lin nodded in satisfaction. Nia's words made him pull back from his somewhat scattered mood and start considering the problem at hand.

"I'll handle her. You guys take care of the rest. Remember, don't make too much of a commotion. Take the sisters with you; they should be getting used to our methods by now."