Chapter 392

Words : 2344 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

“What’s going on? What happened?” “Why is the outpost...?” Something had clearly happened at the outpost while they were away. The expedition teams hurriedly returned to the outpost. “It’s the expedition team! The people who left are coming back!” Just then, a mage guarding the outpost’s outer barrier recognized them and shouted with great welcome. The situation with the barrier looked even worse up close. Near the barrier, there were corpses of beasts that had been burned or frozen and traces of destruction were carved all over the barrier. ‘Were we attacked by beasts?’ It seemed the beasts had gone wild, startled by the eruption of the ley lines. However, the situation inside the outpost didn’t look too good either. The internal state was even more serious than what they saw from outside. Barracks everywhere were burned, and traces of destruction filled the outpost. There were also dead people, with uncollected corpses visible. “What on earth happened here?” The exhausted expedition team headed to the central plaza. The central plaza was chaotic. All the wounded were lying in the central plaza and everyone around was busy moving about. “Wounded this way! Move them slowly! You there, mage! Bring all remaining potions!” In that chaotic situation, there was someone commanding the group with a loud voice. Not only were her actions charismatic, but her appearance, like a snow fairy had descended, played a big role in catching attention. Queen Yekaterina was actively commanding the outpost’s personnel and organizing this chaotic situation. She didn’t just give orders but also personally stopped bleeding and bandaged the wounded. The two aides who came with her were busy transporting the injured. “Even though she’s royalty, she doesn’t shy away from such hard work.” “More importantly, why is the outpost like this...?” The expedition team was amazed by Yekaterina’s actions but was confused by the current situation. Wasn’t this outpost supposed to be the safest place in the Kasar Basin? Just then, a mage who spotted the expedition team approached Yekaterina and said something. Yekaterina turned this way and approached with her twin aides. Being in public, her expression was quite neat, like when they saw her in the hotel lobby. “Welcome back everyone. Is there a representative for this group?” When Yekaterina asked, three people stepped forward. One was Gregorium Solute, the Old Magic Tower’s leader. Another was Liumea, the New Magic Tower’s leader. And finally, Derek Olson, representing the free status and various schools. Mages with high rank and excellent skills and experience, they all bowed to Queen Yekaterina. “Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty. I am Derek Olson. Please excuse us for not being able to show proper formal courtesy.” “There’s no need for that in the current situation, I understand.” “More importantly, may I ask what happened here?” Yekaterina put on a rather serious expression and explained what had happened today. “It was an hour ago. Suddenly, beasts living in this area started rushing in from all directions.” The beasts living in the Kasar Basin were on a different level from normal animals outside. They were beasts that had adapted and evolved to an environment with excessive mana distribution, forming the ecosystem here. Mages naturally had to fight against such beasts. “They pounded on the barrier, and some parts even collapsed. We fought desperately against them.” Just looking at the corpses scattered near the barrier showed their numbers were far from small. The traces of destruction carved everywhere were evidence of how fierce the fighting had been. “But the outpost’s barrier shouldn’t have collapsed so easily.” Derek asked, unable to understand. Other expedition members felt the same way. Even though it was temporarily established, this was an outpost where over a thousand mages stayed. And since it was occasionally visited by wealthy or high-status people for tourism besides mages, safety was the top priority. The barrier was continuously maintained and inspected in real-time, with the best preparations made to guard against any possible situations. Even if beasts rushed at this barrier, it didn’t make sense for there to be chaos inside the outpost. “That’s right. Actually, we blocked the external attacks without much damage. If there was a problem, it was internal.” “...Don’t tell me.” Derek seemed to notice something as his eyes widened. Yekaterina nodded with a grave face. “There were traitors inside. They timed their simultaneous terrorist attacks with the external assault.” They targeted the relatively vulnerable interior as many mages had rushed to the barrier to block the attack. Many mages died or were injured in the resulting catastrophe. “Traitors, you say? Who exactly...?” “They were mixed in everywhere. The clothes they wore, their robes, and the patterns on them. They were probably spies who had infiltrated long ago.” “What happened to them?” “They escaped. Before the expedition team arrived, not even 30 minutes ago.” Our side didn’t just take it either. We quickly reorganized and began to respond, but they cleverly ran away as soon as we started to move. They moved in perfect coordination and retreated, almost fleeing, outside the outpost. “How could this happen...” “More importantly, is the expedition team alright? The numbers seem...much reduced from when you departed.” Yekaterina asked, looking at the fatigue-worn expedition team. While the outpost’s condition was serious, the expedition team’s appearance wasn’t any better. “...We also had quite a lot happen.” Derek Olson couldn’t hide his dejection. He informed Yekaterina that monsters had appeared at the mansion, many people had died or been injured, and the mansion had collapsed. “That can’t be! How many casualties?” “Of those who went into the mansion, less than half returned.” Of nearly 200 who went in, not even 100 survived. “I heard there were even some Lexer-grade mages, so why...” “That...” Since Derek didn’t know much about that either, his gaze naturally turned to Rudger’s group. After all, they were the only team that included two 6th-circle mages in this gathering. “Uh, huh?” When people’s gazes gathered, Roina became flustered. She naturally stepped back and pushed Rudger forward. “What are you doing?” “I, I’m uncomfortable in situations like this.” It wasn’t just an excuse – Roina’s complexion was so pale she looked like she might throw up any moment. ‘Can’t be helped.’ Rudger told the mages looking this way what had happened at the mansion. “Mage Limrei has passed away.” “Rudger Chelici, was it? May I ask how the Sage came to pass?” “Do you remember the incident inside the mansion? Shadow monsters appeared and went on a rampage.” “Yes. But why are you mentioning that now...” “Mage Limrei was behind that incident.” “What?” The truth flowing from Rudger sent shockwaves of shock through the audience. “Is that really true? Or is there some misunderstanding...” “My companions can certainly testify about this matter.” When Rudger said that, Sempas and Roina also nodded, agreeing with Rudger’s words. With fellow 6th-circle mages stepping forward like this, people showed various reactions. It’s true. It’s a lie. There’s no reason to say such things in this place, and so on. “Then aren’t you all in on it too?!” Someone shouted with a gaze full of suspicion. At those words, some mages glared at Rudger’s group. If Limrei, who had been active with them, had done such things, Rudger’s group couldn’t be free from suspicion. “Are you suspecting us now?” “We can’t say it’s impossible.” “So you’re saying that includes me and Roina as well?” When Rudger mentioned Roina’s name, the mage who first expressed suspicion swallowed hard. Perhaps because of Roina, the Magic Association mages instead came forward to defend Rudger. “If they were accomplices, they wouldn’t have told the truth in the first place.” “Are you doubting the renowned Mage Roina Pavlini?” If nothing else, the reputation of 6th-circle mages was tremendous. Even those who were building suspicion had to drop it due to Roina’s fame. “To sum up, the situation is truly the worst-case scenario.” The betrayal of Sage Limrei along with the annihilation of the Truth School. The deaths of combat mages including Belkart Benmark. Quite a number of skilled individuals who had headed to the mansion had died. Moreover, the ley lines beneath the mansion were turbulent with magical energy surging up. Like water drops falling on a calm surface, unrest and despair spread in ripples in all directions. “Are, are we all going to die?” “Don’t be ridiculous! Why should I...!” Negative emotions bred more negative emotions, chain-reacting to transmit even greater fear to others. It was truly like an epidemic. “Everyone! Please calm down!” At that moment, a high and clear voice rebuked the audience. Like bell sounds driving away dawn’s fog, the thoughts filling their heads were washed away. Everyone stared at Queen Yekaterina, the owner of the voice. “Certainly, the current situation is not good. But there’s no meaning in continuing to worry about what’s already happened in our current situation because the situation isn’t over yet.” Speaking decisively, Yekaterina’s appearance was overflowing with the authority and charisma of a nation’s leader. She had a strange charm that drew people in and everyone nodded as if enchanted by something. “Wow. Amazing.” Arpa quietly admired Yekaterina’s appearance of not losing hope and courage but Rudger knows that the one most afraid of the current situation is Yekaterina. Rudger saw Yekaterina’s fingertips trembling. To others it might look like she was shaking with passion, but the reality was the opposite. It was a habit shown when trying hard to hide fear and pretending to be okay. Yet Yekaterina didn’t show it because she knew that the moment she collapsed, everything would be over. “Right now outside that barrier, those who seek to destroy the Night of Mystery are watching for an opportunity. If we give up here, that’s when everything will truly end.” “Then what should we do?” To Derek’s question, Yekaterina spoke decisively. “We fight!” Yekaterina declared while looking at everyone in turn with unwavering eyes. “We must establish countermeasures, find methods, and make preparations. Because we can’t move as they want us to.” Seeing Yekaterina speaking like that, Rudger suddenly recalled a past event. ─Establish countermeasures, find methods, and make preparations. If you don’t want to dance in the enemy’s palm That was advice he had directly given to Yekaterina during the Machiavelli period. ‘She still remembers well what she learned.’ Though afraid of fighting, she doesn’t avoid it. Though more fearful than anyone, she never turns her eyes away from the most important choices. Courage was Yekaterina’s greatest weapon. People are drawn to her and willingly follow because such genuine actions move their hearts. “Everyone, don’t forget your roles!” The chaotic situation reminiscent of an unorganized market was gradually sorted out. The wounded focused on treatment, and those unharmed helped them. They dismantled burned tents and repaired and reinforced broken barriers. Representatives leading each school or organization gathered among themselves to prepare discussions about what to do going forward. The location was inside the largest tent. Rudger was also there. They tried to call Roina too, but she withdrew saying she hated such places and would rather help people. Though she said that, it essentially meant dumping the responsibility on Rudger. “Mr. Rudger Chelici, was it? Nice to meet you.” Before entering the meeting, Yekaterina approached Rudger first. “We’re not meeting for the first time, right? Since we briefly encountered each other at the hotel.” Could she be holding a grudge about closing the door then? Rudger naturally covered it up without showing much surprise. “This is the first time we’re having a proper conversation.” “Hohoho. I’ve heard a lot about you. That you’re an extremely excellent person. Both as a mage and as a teacher.” “The rumors are just exaggerated.” “We’ll see about that as we watch. Let’s do well together going forward.” Yekaterina said that while giving a slight smile. ‘Do well together?’ Rudger harbored a small suspicion about Yekaterina’s attitude inside. Why is she suddenly approaching me and acting friendly? ‘Could she have somehow guessed my identity?’ There shouldn’t have been such an opportunity. This should be the first time meeting and talking like this. It doesn’t make sense that she could have deduced it through small attitudes or weaknesses from this side. ‘There’s no way this foolish girl could do that.’ Rudger always called Yekaterina a fool. Of course, that wasn’t because Yekaterina was really stupid. If anything, she was closer to being in charge of ‘simple’ rather than ‘stupid’ in simple-minded. In reality, Yekaterina’s intelligence was above basic level. The problem was that she often acted extremely emotionally when she needed to make rational judgments. She often did such things during the civil war, causing Rudger to frequently get annoyed and rebuke her as foolish. Yekaterina also had her pride inside, so she would bark back saying she did everything with good intentions. The two had many conflicts of opinion during the civil war. As such things happened repeatedly, Yekaterina naturally became fixed as an ‘inadequate princess’ image in Rudger’s mind. ‘But her intuition was strangely sharp, so did she really notice something?’ Rudger was considerably tense while watching Yekaterina’s back. If she had noticed his identity, he would have to explain how he ended up becoming Theon’s teacher. He wanted to avoid being caught unnecessarily. Meanwhile, representatives from each school had all gathered in one place. It was a meeting to handle the agenda of how to overcome this current situation. At that moment, the Old Magic Tower’s representative stepped forward and spoke. “We will withdraw from this matter.” It was a bombshell statement that came right as the meeting was starting.

Chapter 392

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