Chapter 202: State of Mind

Chapter 202: State of Mind

Lily stood atop the High Tower in Twinwing City, looking down at everything below. She loved this feeling of looking down upon the mortal world. Everything below seemed very small, which made one feel a surge of heroic spirit, as if the heavens and the earth were within one’s grasp.

Savoring this feeling carefully, she realized that the Insect Swarm, the surrendered troops, and the slaves were truly insignificant. In the face of immense power , what wasn’t insignificant? Her chest rose and fell slowly as this world began to resonate with her. Although there were many things to do, she would not forget—power was the foundation.

She would not give up true greatness for these insignificant things. She had to continue moving forward on the path of a Wizard and could not fall behind her younger brother. She sensed that her brother was undergoing some changes again. She could even feel that he was enduring pain—excruciating, tearing pain.

When she saw her brother again, his body was covered in cracks, as if it might shatter at any moment. But beneath the fragments, a heart-stopping power was also being born amidst the conflict.

She did not want to persuade her brother; she only hoped he would be safe and sound, that he could endure once more and grasp even greater power.

The Snow Falcon brought news: the Northland Warriors following her would likely be delayed.

The Western Territory was now in a chaotic state. The Northlanders’ style of killing without bothering to bury the dead had turned victory into a complete farce.

The war was won, everyone patted their backsides and headed home, only to be stopped midway by message-carrying Snow Falcons. Though filled with reluctance, they all cursed and grumbled as they hurried back.

The Northlands and the Demon Clan had been fighting for nearly a thousand years, yet the Northlands had never gained any benefits from it. For the Northlands, war was just a game of killing or being killed. The Northlanders did not understand what victory in capturing cities and lands could bring?

Vincent was relatively knowledgeable, but only compared to the other country bumpkins in the Northlands. He thought about how Lily lacked nothing, and how the Demon Clan’s defeat would leave behind a large amount of supplies. However, he failed to have a correct understanding of the scale implied by “large amount.”

People still viewed this operation with the mindset of small-scale raids—whoever grabbed something first kept it…

Under his daughter’s scornful gaze, Vincent was busy non-stop and gradually realized something was wrong. Just based on these kids outside the city and the few people in the Western Territory, they couldn’t possibly use up so many supplies. Not to mention Silverpine Town and the areas beyond…

So, what’s yours or mine—the key was not to let these things go to waste. Leave construction materials for the children, and exchange some useful items for them, like herds. Everything else should be divided up as soon as possible.

Vincent regained his confidence and retook control, beginning to direct and assign tasks. Those who hadn’t left, stayed; those who had left were quickly called back. After a flurry of activity, a group of country bumpkins, who had just run back to the Western Territory, were herded to the Demon Clan’s main camp.

Facing mountains of supplies and their tribesmen working like busy ants, people immediately cheered and rushed forward. Now, the Demon Clan’s camp had no shortage of pack animals and livestock. They grabbed one at will, hitched it to a cart, and joined the transport line.

The Northlands became busy, with an endless stream of vehicles transporting supplies from the Western Territory to various places. The Northlanders tasted the fruit of victory, never expecting that war could bring such immense wealth.

Everyone wore genuine smiles on their faces. This time, the focus of discussion was no longer victory, but wealth. Some people began to wish that the Great Wizard would quickly wage war against the Demon Clan again to plunder more wealth for the Northlands.

…

Compared to Lily, who was profiting greatly from the war, and the Northlanders who were dazzled by wealth, Northland City was in a much more difficult situation. Bran had always taken the path of self-reliance, treating his subjects like self-sufficient farmers. He hoped they would manage their own stomachs and not cause trouble. These subjects lived up to expectations; this year’s crops were growing well, promising a good harvest.

The influx of Wizards brought a lot of wealth and business opportunities, but the benefits for Northland City were limited. Northland City was a strange place. When it was occupied by the Remnant People, even they dared not collect road tolls or city entry taxes.

After Bran took over, he also seemed to have forgotten all this. The main reason was that for a long time, this place had been constantly plagued by troubles, and no foolhardy merchant would come running here.

Pachu was a very loyal person. He noticed this problem during a casual conversation and immediately suggested it to Danny.

People understood very well that Danny could not be measured by her status as an Attendant. In Northland City, it was no secret that Danny and the Great Wizard shared a life-and-death oath. This fact in itself represented a certain possibility.

The mistress of Northland City—this title had recently begun to circulate in the city. Perhaps from the subjects’ perspective, Danny was the suitable candidate to be the Lord—a flesh-and-blood person, not a monster-like existence like the Great Wizard. Someone with that kind of power was only fit to be placed on a pedestal.

After Bran left, Pachu and others began reporting on administrative affairs more frequently. At this time, Pachu seemed more like an old steward than a Wizard. Often, he clearly communicated with Danny with the mindset of an elder, sharing experiences.

Earl also acted very naturally around Danny, with the natural obedience of a subordinate to a superior—the feeling of a Knight facing their Lord—because she felt she was a useful person. She could use her blood and strength to protect and defend her Lord.

Although Bran was very easygoing, people could feel his detachment. It wasn’t directed at any specific person or thing, but at everything in this world. Holding his cat, leaning against his tree, occasionally glancing up at Danny beside him. Then, he would immerse himself back into his own world.

He communicated with people, with Wizards. After spending enough time with him, one would realize it was observation and scrutiny, and he did not hide this intention. Just as he told the White Robes, this was communication—fair and voluntary. And he would compensate with knowledge or wealth.

Pachu and these Wizards had gradually gotten used to it. Someone who could become a Great Wizard would always have traits different from ordinary people. And they did receive generous rewards in return, so there was nothing to complain about.

But during the time Bran was away, a feeling called relief descended upon Pachu and the others. Perhaps the Great Wizard simply should not be involved in mundane affairs.

He only needed to live in seclusion here, occasionally sharing experiences with the Wizards in his spare time, and usually not come out to scare people. People respected him because he was the Guardian of everything here. But people feared him even more, fearing the power he inadvertently revealed. People did not want trivial, mundane matters to trigger the unexpected.

Therefore, the people here urgently needed a mistress.