Leylin was immediately fed up by this sort of thing. With their current situation, perhaps the entire headquarters would be breached tomorrow, and everyone would be finished. He still wanted to scramble for power and profits?
“What?” Faisal wrinkled his brows. He’d met a challenger moments after he set up his authority. This triggered his immense dissatisfaction, so he decided to suppress the challenger ruthlessly.
“I have an extremely important experiment…”
“Experiment? Just for the purpose of an experiment?” Leylin was interrupted by Faisal before he could complete his words. “Did I mishear? You want to abandon your responsibility in this kind of critical moment just for an experiment?”
Numerous high-ranked Warlocks around the round table also started whispering to each other after they heard Faisal words.
“Let me finish!” Leylin pressed his hands down.
“The experiment I’m working on is an interplanar experiment. I’m confident in being able to find the coordinates of the Mentors in three days. Marquis Schadt can testify to this.”
Schadt, who’d been still as a statue from the beginning, also nodded, “Indeed. Marquis Leylin’s fundamental knowledge about astral experiments far surpasses mine. Especially in accurately searching for coordinates, he leaves me ashamed of my meagre ability.”
“Even so,” Faisal ground his teeth, “The defence of the West Zone…”
“I’ll take care of that as well,” Freya interrupted.
“You?” Faisal was a little astonished.
“Yes. Anyway, my own defence zone is not far from Leylin’s. It’s alright for me to take care of both, right?” Freya looked at Faisal challengingly. The other Warlocks had a knowing smile on their faces when they recalled the rumours about Freya and Leylin.
“You can if you say so, but what if your area has problems first…” Faisal dragged out his speech, looking at Freya who had an unyielding expression. He thought Leylin was getting more and more out of hand.
Freya ground her teeth and stated stubbornly, “It’ll be my responsibility!”
“Fine, I hope you remember what you said today!” Faisal nodded and sat back down.
The person involved, Leylin, sat foolishly at a distance from the beginning. Only after it ended did he respond and look at Freya. This woman had helped him over and over again, even at the expense of her own family’s interests, and was already facing criticism from her elders.
He hadn’t expected that she would be willing to help him to this extent.
Actually, this so-called important experiment was just to pull the wool over Faisal’s eyes. With his knowledge, it was easy for him to convince Schadt by exposing a bit of his abilities.
If Faisal hadn’t agreed even after that, he would’ve looked for an opportunity to shirk his responsibility.
However, Freya unexpectedly took it on for him. Leylin suddenly felt a bit of a headache as he looked at her.
“You don’t need to do this, you know…” Leylin walked to Freya’s side and said softly after the meeting dispersed,.
“It’s my choice.” Freya gathered her black long hair together and left quickly. She seemed stubborn and firm.
Leylin shook his head, then communicated with the A.I. Chip and took a look at the latest data.
[Progress on deduction of information about the Morning Star realm: 52.7%]
After more than ten days, the A.I. Chip had finally finished analysing the flesh of the Azure Mountain King’s clone. His information about the Morning Star realm had crossed 50%!
With this, the final requirement for his advancement to the Morning Star realm had been fulfilled.
“The future seems exciting. I will look forward to it….” A smile hung on the corner of Leylin’s mouth. He then took a glance at the meeting place and at last moved his legs, leaving with incomparably firm footsteps.
……
In an unknown place, several mysterious conscients¹ were communicating with each other.
“The attacks of the plant legion have had pretty good results! The progress this time is pretty smooth. The air force has also taken down Greenflame City. It seems like the Morning Star Warlocks are already lost in the astral plane.”
“Not necessarily. Gilbert and the rest are very cunning. It’s possible that they’re feigning weakness in order to bait us into exposing ourselves,” another voice immediately retorted, “The lifespan of a Morning Star Warlock is nigh endless. Even temporary gains and losses of territory are nothing to them. They can always expand their influence again in the future…”
“What you said also makes sense. We must consider this, and continue to test them. Try to attack their headquarters in Phosphorescence Swamp!” the previous voice said. A powerful stream of thought swept out, “Where’s that old Azure Mountain guy?”
“Hehe… he lost a clone to the Ouroboros Clan. With his main body settling a debt with Felix, I’m afraid he won’t be available for a period of time…” a woman jokingly said.
“His clone fell? It must have been at rank 3. Even then, who interfered?” The voice who spoke previously seemed sluggish.
“No one! Azure Mountain’s clone unexpectedly fell at the hand of a member of the younger generation without the interference of any Morning Star powers. It’s even someone who had just advanced to the Crystal Phase. I’m afraid he’ll feel too embarrassed to meet people before he thoroughly washes himself of his shame…” The female voice answered
“To have his clone killed by a member of the younger generation. It’s simply a humiliation to all Morning Star Magi!”
“That’s right!” The numerous thoughts descended into chaos.
“Silence!“ the first voice said with immense dignity behind its tone. It immediately suppressed the disturbance.
“Let Azure Mountain’s matter go for now. The area he’s responsible for isn’t that important anyway. The next test will be crucial in determining the existence of those three. This matter also concerns how we’ll be treating the Ouroboros Clan in the future, so we should be serious about it!”
The powerful conscient¹ stated, its imposing aura full of dignity.
“We got it!” Numerous thought backed up a step as if expressing surrender.
“Great! The plant legion still needs to advance and push the battlefront forward. As for the air force, remain on the defensive for now. The defence abilities of the headquarters of the Ouroboros Clan are still decent…”
The most powerful thought immediately started to distribute tasks. Soon after, the thoughts in the secret space left one after the other, and the region quieted down immediately.
A deadly stillness permeated the surroundings.
After this meeting, the attacks that were originally planned against the Ouroboros Clan grew in intensity.
Among these, parties such as Azure Mountain City and Nefas broke apart all pretense and flagrantly dispatched their elite groups into the territory of the Ouroboros Clan. This resulted in a great slaughter.
The frontline also approached the headquarters of the Ouroboros Clan in Phosphorescence Swamp continuously. In moments, it was like a storm was raging in the region, which practically affected the weather of the entire central continent.
Numerous Morning Star Magi, Radiant Moon Magi, and even Breaking Dawn Magi all diverted their attentions to the sky above Phosphorescence Swamp.
For the central continent which is in dire straits, any minute changes would be able to cause a huge variation.
¹ New term: conscients. A conscient is a high-level projection of one’s perception across the land. The person themself is not present, physically nor spiritually, only observing casually from a distance.
WMW Chapter 496
Preparation for Battle
The chaos in the Ouroboros Clan was like a stone thrown into the peaceful lake that was the central continent, setting off ripples everywhere.
Due to the mutual deterrence of Morning Star Magi, such a large-sca
le war was rare.
The information about the current state of the Ouroboros Clan spread throughout the entire central continent like wildfire. Many spies, investigators, and idle Magi rushed towards Phosphorescence Swamp.
They had a pressing need to know how it all began, and what the final outcome would be. They would use this information for their own reference, and in the future would hand it over to the next generation.
“Storm clouds are brewing!”
Phosphorescence Swamp, Ouroboros Clan headquarters. Dressed in skintight leather, Freya stood on a high balcony and observed the huge Warlock City below.
“Even a peaceful, prosperous city like this will have to bear the brunt of battle?” Looking at the gloomy horizon in the distance, dismay clouded Freya’s features.
Seeing Julian and a few other elders heading towards her, her already cheerless self became even more depressed.
Disregarding the few elders, Freya asked Julian directly, “How is the deployment of manpower coming along?”
“They have been assigned accordingly, but…” Julian showed signs of hesitation.
“Let me explain. A while ago, due to your haphazard assignment of the snake bloodline Warlocks, our family suffered huge losses. And now we have to bear an even greater burden because of your decision to take over Leylin’s responsibility of the defences in the West Zone!” An elderly man with a pair of red eyebrows uttered with an icy tone, his face clearly showing his displeasure. The others were the same, dissatisfaction written all over their faces.
“You must understand, our family barely has the ability to defend ourselves, yet you pile up more responsibility on us. We’re going to be short-handed, and when problems arise, our family might even be exterminated!” Another elderly woman exclaimed.
“Aunt… I know that, but…” These elderly men and women were all Freya’s seniors in the family. Many of them had known her since her youth. Even though her status as a Crystal Phase Magus was higher than theirs, there were still many matters that were not easy to bring up for discussions in the course of the conversation.
“I know. You have developed feelings for that fellow, right?” Another elderly man with a cyst on his face asked sarcastically.
“Uncle Ivanov! So what if I have?” Freya’s steely glare was levelled on Ivanov as she drew a deep breath, the tension in the air reaching the choking point.
The cyst on his face trembled and he backed up a few steps, his lips quivering and he remarked, ”This is how you want to treat him? That playboy who not only had a fling with his own female senior, but even that slut Miran…”
“Enough!” Freya suddenly yelled, her face turning crimson. The other few elders raised their brows in shock.
Controversial relationships were common among Warlocks, especially when they were young. Leylin’s licentious lifestyle wasn’t that big a deal. But for Ivanov to bring up the subject, it was unsettling.
However, in hindsight, what Ivanov said made sense. If Leylin was really interested in Freya, they would have gotten together long ago. Right now, it seemed like a one-sided affair for their chief.
Freya’s worried aunt asked hesitantly, ”Little Freya, you…..”
At this moment, another voice echoed, “Marquis Lucian is here!”
Everyone exchanged glances and immediately quieted down. Family scandals like this were best kept amongst themselves.
“We will take our leave now, will you reconsider…” the female elder shot a loving look at Freya before leaving with the rest.
With their departure, Freya sighed a breath of relief and stepped out to welcome Lucian.
“Hehe… Dreadful, right?” Lucian asked with a smile, two other Magi behind him.
“Just some minor inconveniences!” Freya fluffed her hair. Glancing over Lucian’s shoulders, she recognised one of the Magi as Leylin’s subordinate, Parker. As for the other female Magus who was wearing a veil, Freya couldn’t recognise her. However, the horrifying Crystal Phase energy waves radiating from her body were unmistakably strong.
Such power normally would not be kept under wraps. Even within the Ouroboros Clan, Crystal Phase Magi were few and far between. They could easily form an organisation with the highest authority and take control over everything.
“Allow me to introduce you to Parker, I am sure you already knew him!” Lucian chuckled, allowing Parker to make his salutations. He then turned to point at the other female Magus.
”This is ‘Shadow’, a Crystal Phase Magus Leylin subdued previously. Having a sensitive identity, she cannot reveal her true name. As for their intentions of being here, Parker!”
“Honourable Marquis Freya!” Parker bowed respectfully, “My Lord knows you have insufficient manpower, so he instructed Shadow and I together with our men to come forth and heed your orders!”
“That’s wonderful!” Freya beamed and her eyes lit up. She secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
In the beginning, when she agreed to take over the defence of the West Zone, she was indeed rendered short-handed. But now with the addition of Parker and his men, a big portion of her concern was put to rest.
Especially… Freya shifted her line of sight towards Tanasha’s black veil. She tried to look through the veil, attempting to figure out her appearance.
Leylin had been keeping such a trump card hidden by his side all along?
A rank 3 Crystal Phase Magus was not easy to subdue. If Freya hadn’t agreed to defend the West Zone, with the abilities of that female Magus and Leylin’s men, they would have no problem defending it themselves.
Perhaps what Freya did was unnecessary… But, since the opposite party sent over their assistants, evidently…
Freya’s mouth curved into a smile which persisted for a short while before she shook her head and abandoned that train of thought.
The current situation had deteriorated so much that no one knew if the Ouroboros Clan would survive to the next year. She could not let her thoughts shift to such superfluous issues.
After watching Parker and Tanasha leave, Freya turned around, ”Marquis Lucian, the intentions of your visit this time was not just to send them to me, right?”
“Yes! There are other matters!” Lucian nodded his head.
“I knew there were more!” Freya rolled her eyes, ”Spill!”
“According to Faisal’s suggestion, I am here to ask you to hand over the authority of the tower genie that your family left at the headquarters!” Lucian muttered in a low voice.
“I think it is time to do that too!” Freya nodded in agreement and extracted a gold ring tossing it to her. “Take it, I hope their defence measures alongside the Magus Tower can impress me!”
“You will not be disappointed!” With the smooth completion of his mission, Lucian also heaved a sigh of relief.
“What else can I do except comply? Freya forced a smile.
The number of Magus Towers in the Ouroboros Clan headquarters was not small. From her vantage point, the whole area seemed to be packed with them.
These Magus Towers were built by high ranking Warlocks, and many of the towers were heavily subsidised by the main headquarters.
Of course, the main headquarters had their own agenda. In the core of every tower were inscribed defensive runes that were built to be combined with the rest. During a crisis, they would be able to activate all the Magus Towers to unite their defences.
Lucian’s so-called taking over of the authority was just a formality to save Freya’s reputation. Once Faisal shed all pretence of cordiality, he could immediately bypass all the locks on the Magus Tower and forcefully activate the Tower’s energy to bolster the defence.
Leylin knew about this, hence his unwillingness to build his Magus Tower at the main headquarters.
Freya was part of an extensive family and they owned massive businesses. Not only did they possessed Magus Towers in their own territory, they even had some high-grade ones in the main headquarters that were used as experimental laboratories. Wh
at Lucian wanted was the authority to those.
“I am glad you understand!” Lucian nodded his head and his expression dulled. ”Even at such times, there are some people who are unwilling to hand over control, not contributing to our Ouroboros Clan. They deserve to be damned!”
“Luckily, that is just a small minority!” Freya nodded in agreement, knowing those Warlocks absolutely did not deserve to die. After all, they were already dead.
After chatting for a while longer, Lucian took his leave. Given his hasty departure, Freya assumed there were some important matters for him to attend to.
With the impending great war, all the Warlocks were on their toes without rest. It was even more prominent for the core leaders, those at the Crystal Phase.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Freya looked to another direction, ”Even with our forthcoming demise, you are really at ease! If you cannot give me a satisfactory explanation, you will be in trouble…”
…….
Unknown to Freya, after elder Ivanov left, he locked himself in the room and threw a big tantrum.
“That crazy woman! She is completely sick! How could she be so adamant in betraying our family for an outsider’s benefit!” Ivanov roared in rage, his voice blocked and absorbed by the sound-proofing on the walls that kept the outside world from knowing what was going on inside.
“And Amasha is such an old muddlehead! How could she treat Freya like a child and give her more time… Damn it! Soon, our family will face imminent destruction!” Ivanov’s face flushed red with anger and his cyst bulged.
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