“Great!” he raised another finger, “In addition, I need to keep my land and position in the east!”
“Want to leave an escape route? Sure! I can promise you that! Anything for mankind!” Logan considered the condition for only a few moments before he agreed in delight.
“Anything for mankind!” Leylin chuckled to himself. He had always known that the central region would be where everything would come to a head, and his plans also required that he go there. Hence, he had already considered going to the central region.
Keeping a hold of their land here was obviously for him to retain the icy cave. There would have been no further negotiations if this point had been rejected. Leylin would rather secede from Twilight Zone than share the icy cave with anyone.
Now, he didn’t mind putting on a little show.
Logan was truly touched. Many large guilds that he had visited previously had refused to help. After all, Magi were all rational beings, and they too had to think of their subordinates. The central region was now full of danger; how then was it more alluring than the east?
“Ley… … Sir Leylin, Twilight Zone will forever remember your contribution!”
Logan appeared very reassured, as he entered his metallic lifeform and hurriedly left. It seemed like he still had many guilds to visit.
“Sir! Why did you…” Immediately after Logan left, Celine asked with urgency.
“I have already decided. You can stay behind and guard this place if you wish. In any case, we will retain our land in the east. Going to the center is merely a gamble. It doesn’t matter if we fail, and if we do manage to succeed, Nature’s Alliance will become one of the central region’s large-scale guilds! Isn’t that what you’ve always been dreaming of?” Leylin smiled at Celine, placid.
“But… what about your safety?” Celine knew that the rise of Nature’s Alliance was founded completely on the formidable strength of the man before her. Were they to lose him, the consequences would be unimaginable.
“You do not need to worry about my safety, for I will not put myself in a deadly situation. Furthermore, do you not trust my abilities?” Leylin persuaded her calmly.
Celine nodded and her heart calmed. As the person who came into contact with Leylin the most and the one closest to him, she deeply believed in the man’s unfathomable abilities.
Sometimes, the display of just a fraction of his power could scare her breathless.
“Okay! Pass the orders. A new batch of Magi and acolytes are to be chosen, we set off in ten days!” Leylin commanded.
“Yes!” Celine saluted withdrew herself with a bow. Nature’s Alliance was currently under Leylin’s sole command, and nobody in the guild could disobey him. Although there were some small troubles initially, Leylin’s absolute authority ensured the orders for the mobilization of their forces were sent out methodically.
Although many acolytes feared the disorder in the central region, they also craved adventure. Despite the danger, there were also many magicians there who had gained rewards aplenty.
As for the higher ups? Their fates were in Leylin’s hand, so what choice would they have?
After ten days, an enormous squadron had been formed, and began advancing towards the central region
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the canyon of Nature’s Alliance, Celine was clad in a purple gown. She observed the squadron proceed slowly until they disappeared along the horizon.
Due to some considerations Leylin had, he wanted Celine to remain here.
“You must definitely return alive!” She prayed as she returned to Nature’s Alliance.
“Guild master!” Several official Magi and acolytes hastily greeted her. They knew of Leylin’s and Celine’s relationship, and the fact that both of them were the nominal masters of the guild, so they did not dare to be negligent
Upon witnessing this scene, Celine felt some emptiness in her heart, but shortly after, another unfamiliar feeling arose.
“You may rise! The dark elves in the eastern region have already retreated, leaving behind many resources for us to conquer. This is our chance!” Celine’s voice was cold yet noble, and no one dared to look straight at her.
“Things will only be interesting when some leeway is given to these sorts of women”
Meanwhile, on a luxurious vehicle pulled by a giant salamander, Leylin stroked his chin and he broke into a demonic chuckle.
A woman like Celine could only bloom completely if authority was given to her. Hence, Leylin had intentionally given her position and power in the guild. He was sure that, in their next meeting, she would definitely not disappoint him.
Furthermore, his goals during this journey to the center were too large for Celine’s strength to be of assistance to him. He was also not in the mood to get intimate with her, so he had left her behind.
“The central region!” Leylin quietly went over the intelligence he had gathered regarding the central region.
It was the core of the entire Twilight Zone with a very high population density. The strength of its large-scale guilds largely surpassed that of guilds in the other regions. Yet, this was not the most horrifying fact…
“The Guardian of the Realm… …” Leylin let out a sigh.
The position of the Guardian was normally given to the most powerful Magus in the entirety of Twilight Zone.
But the Protector of the East, Logan, had met him several times and their abilities should be on par. Hence, the Guardian of the Realm should be a powerhouse even amongst rank 3 Magi. If not for his lifespan that was almost depleted, Leylin would not dare to play such tricks.
The squadron proceeded gradually, and the roaming darkness creatures and bandits on their path fled in all directions the moment they spotted them. They did not dare to obstruct Leylin’s party and offend them
The bandits were observant and naturally realised that this squadron was composed of Magi. As for the darkness creatures, they could sense the strong aura travelling towards them and escaped for fear of death.
Thus, the journey was rather a peaceful one.
Along the way, Nature’s Alliance had amassed a following of several other medium-scale guilds as well as a few small-scale guilds. They, too, had heeded the call and wanted to go to the central region to keep watch.
Upon witnessing Nature Alliance’s standard, the guild masters of different guilds immediately came forth to visit him, and even let go of their pride to discuss the possibility of joining forces to advance.
After all, the fact that Leylin was a member of Nature’s Alliance was made known to many. That was a rank 2 Magus! With him there, the procession would definitely make it to the central region without any hiccups.
“Although there are a few idealists in there, most of them are those with great ambitions who are willing to take a gamble!”
After a look, Leylin evaluated these people indifferently.
However, he still agreed to their requests. The horse carriages, which formed a large procession resembling a river, began to travel towards the central region.
As Magi could illuminate the path ahead with spells, there was no need for the carriages to carry torches.
The giant sunstone was placed on the top of a carriage, illuminating the surroundings and their path brightly.
A Fair Trial
*Rumble!*
Faint fluctuations travelled over, and for there to be so many undulations despite the long distance allowed the people in the carriage to ascertain their identities.
“They’re Magi, official Magi! It looks like they’re battling. Do we still proceed?” A peak rank 1 Magus guild master approached Leylin’s carriage and bowed, asking for further instructions.
“Of course!” Leylin spoke indifferently. With the power, they held when they banded together, they could easily go on a rampage in the eastern region. Thus, they were fearless.
The guild leader seemed to have the same thoughts and, after a moment of pause, they continued to advance.
The rest of the party noticed the energy fluctuations as they closed in. One of the two seemed to have reservations with approaching them, while the other hesitated for a moment before heading in their directions.
“Trying to use us to block the enemy?” The Magi in the group of carriages silently waited while smirking.
*Xiu!*
Seconds later, a red streak shot over from afar, and a young Magus appeared.
This Magus looked quite ordinary but for the black ring on his right index finger and his resolute eyes. After seeing so many official Magi, his eyes widened and he tried to take a long way around them.
“You can’t escape! How dare you steal our family’s treasure!” a woman’s voice sounded out. The young man quivered, bit his lips, ground his teeth, and then dashed towards the group of carriages.
“Save me! I’m a wandering Magus, and for some reason, this mad woman is chasing me. She keeps slandering me and saying that I stole her treasure!”
This young Magus was naturally Aaron. After recuperating from his injuries, he had been unlucky enough to meet with the Magus from the Mambo Family, and had been chased all the way here.
As for blocking this group’s path, that was naturally Merlin’s idea.
“Will they save me? After all…” Aaron worriedly communicated with Merlin in his mind.
“Don’t worry! I’ve already completely concealed the aura of the Teardrop Gemstone. That crazy woman behind us won’t find anything!” Merlin promised confidently.
As for that confidence, it was definitely due to a certain someone within the carriages.
“Hehe… Young man, you’re pretty good to have actually helped me gather the Teardrop Gemstone. I didn’t even know the Mambo Family had this in their collection!” Leylin smiled lightly, a cold glint in his eyes.
*Xiu!* At this moment, a pink ray shot into this area, and the female Magus who had been chasing after Aaron appeared in their midst.
After seeing the group of carriages with so many Magi, she felt her chest tighten perceptibly.
“I am Ophelia of the Mambo Family! My apologies if I am offending you, but please do not stop me from pursuing this vile thief!”
The group was arranged haphazardly, with a few small scale guilds in front. Ophelia’s tone was therefore not that polite.
After all, the Mambo Family was quite famous in this region.
“How dare you! Who do you think you are?”
“The Mambo Family? Never heard of it before.”
Although those in front were a just few small scale guilds, their higher-ups were watching on from the back, and even the legendary rank 2 Magus in charge of Nature’s Alliance was present. They were naturally unrestrained in their answers.
“You…” Ophelia’s voice lowered, and a faint aura of danger emanated from her body.
How many people in her family dared to speak to her like this?
At this point, however, more carriages had arrived, and the markings caused Ophelia to swallow the words she was planning to say, making her dumbstruck.
“The Lost Clock, Twisted Black Clouds, Infernal Blood, and… Nature’s Alliance!”
Ophelia’s eyes widened. These were all medium scale guilds, and each one of them was powerful enough to pressure the Mambo Family—especially Nature’s Alliance, which had a powerful rank 2 Magus in charge.
The moment they were provoked, they would squash her like one would an ant.
On the other end, Aaron gaped, stunned. “So many! So many Magi and acolytes! Are they migrating?”
“Ophelia had no intentions of offending anyone; please forgive me!” Cold sweat rushed down Ophelia’s spine, and she immediately dropped to the ground and bowed.
“Haven’t you dealt with this yet?” At this moment, Leylin opened the door and descended from the largest and most luxurious carriage in Nature’s Alliance’s group.
“Lord Leylin!” All the Magi there immediately bowed.
“Ley-Leylin! The legendary rank 2 Magus said to have heavily injured a dark elven Sovereign Mother! Why is my luck so bad?” Ophelia was snarling on the inside, but she wouldn’t dare to even break into a cold sweat in this man’s presence.
“What’s going on?” Leylin furrowed his eyebrows, asking even though he knew the situation.
“My- My apologies, my lord!” A Magus from the Alliance was frightened so badly he couldn’t even speak clearly.
“What’s going on?” Leylin repeated once again, but the atmosphere had frozen. The entire group was quiet, and even some guild leaders of medium-scaled guilds, who were peak rank 1 Magi themselves, did not dare to make a sound.
“My lord, it’s like this….” Ophelia tried her best to make herself sound calm, narrating the whole story.
“Oh! Is that so?”
Leylin turned, and Aaron was pressed to the ground by an invisible force.
“I’ll give you one chance. You said you used your family’s secret method and found him. Do it again in front of us! If the Teardrop Gemstone is on him, then he shall be judged by us all. If not…” Leylin’s dangerous gaze landed on Ophelia, causing her head to tingle.
“If it isn’t, then Ophelia is willing to accept punishment!” Ophelia grit her teeth and forced out an answer.
“Not only that, those of us here are responding to summons from the central region to engage in battle. If you are proven to be wrong, you shall be prosecuted by the war council for obstructing military affairs.”
Leylin smiled to make up for his harsh words. “Well then, begin!”
“What do I do? What do I do?” Aaron watched Ophelia who had already begun to use her family’s secret method and the official Magi who were preparing to watch a good show. He repeatedly asked Merlin in his mind, while not even daring to look at the legendary rank 2 Magus at all.
“Don’t worry. I’m the legendary great Magus Merlin. What is a little rank 2 Magus to me?” Merlin boasted shamelessly, “With my spirit force concealing it, this girl definitely won’t find anything!”
“Then why didn’t you use it previously?” Aaron felt like he had been conned.
“A lot of my spirit force has been used, and it hasn’t been replenished,” Merlin explained vaguely, causing Aaron to immediately begin reproaching himself. How could he not trust Grandpa Merlin, whom he had grown up with?
“You’re dead meat!” Ophelia snickered while lowering her head, pointing at Aaron with the ring.
“There is a tracking spell formation on the Teardrop Gemstone passed down by my ancestors. As long he has it on him, my ring will emit red rays of light. Look, my lords!”
Ophelia pointed the ring at Aaron, and shouted a word, “Mambo!”
Aaron’s heart was at his throat, and he almost closed his eyes to wait for the judgment of destiny.
“Eh?” “Oh!” “Ah?”
All sorts of sounds resounded by Aaron’s ears, but none of them were the accusations he had expected.
He secretly chanced a glance at Ophelia, who was now looking lost and dejected.
“How is this possible? How is this possible? It wasn’t like this the last few times!” She lifted the ring and scanned him a few more times.
The ring had no response, as if it were just an ordinary ring.
“Haha! How is it? Aren’t my concealing methods powerful?” Merlin chuckled heartily in Aaron’s mind.
In reality, all of this was Leylin’s work. If not for him being there, Aaron would definitely have been seen through.
“How?” Ophelia shrieked, unwilling to give up as she took off the ring and inspected the formations within.
Moments later, she yelled out, “It must be you! You must have hidden the Teardrop Gemstone somewhere along the way!
“No! It must definitely be on your person. Hand it over!” Blazing pink flames appeared on her body.
“Enough! What a farce!” Leylin was still playing the role of a fair, altruistic judge.
“No! My lord, you need to believe me!” Ophelia’s vo
ice cracked, sounding a little hoarse.
*Bang!*
A resplendent, silver light flashed, and the flames on her body were extinguished. She retreated a few steps and fell to the ground, her expression still full of stubbornness.
“Haha, that girl actually dares to resist. She’s in trouble!” Merlin rejoiced in Aaron’s mind.
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