Establishing Command Authority

The Old Wizard's words made Richard frown slightly. This was the downside of a world where strength reigned supreme.

Great Wizards obeyed the Command Department's arrangements only because the Great Wizards within the Command Department could defeat them—or, at the very least, stood on equal footing with them.

Once the Great Wizards disappeared, the Command Department would instantly become a mere ornament.

Great Wizards would never take orders from a bunch of Third-Ring Wizards.

After a moment of silence, Richard said calmly, "Understood. Send notice to every basic war zone command. I'm rebuilding the command system."

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, and send a message to headquarters. Have them transfer two Third-Ring Wizards to me."

"Third-Ring Wizards... no problem, sir."

The Wizards of the Staff Department did not pry. A Five-Ring Great Wizard had the right to add a few student subordinates to his own Command Department.

Richard swept his gaze across the command hall. The staff officers, now busy at work, consciously began organizing the files for several war zones, allowing Richard, the commander of a secondary war zone, to gain a more detailed understanding of the basic war zones under his command.

As they sorted through the materials, Richard suddenly spotted someone who looked vaguely familiar.

"You are... Kayan?"

Though they had not seen one another for nearly a thousand years, Richard still recognized Kayan among the Wizards.

It could not be helped. This unlucky Wizard had left an especially deep impression on Richard. Lifting his misfortune Curse back then had brought Richard immense gains.

The Hand of Equilibrium Richard now used, as well as the Eye of Truth in his left eye, had both come from the phantom creature that had cursed Kayan.

"Hm?"

Kayan froze. In an instant, his mind raced as he desperately searched his memories for