Chapter 292: Busy

Chapter 292: Busy

Everyone around Bran was busy. Most of the Fairies were observing along the city’s edge, identifying beasts with abnormal Mana Fluctuations, making images of them, and sending the pictures to Danny to be compiled into a record.

Even though Mary was pregnant, she was bustling about and working hard. Women from the Northlands were never fussy. Many were still wielding swords and clubs right up until giving birth, and would be up and about half a day after delivery. Zack led people in friendly exchanges with various beasts. As a Northlander, he was most skilled at dealing with beasts and knew how to live peacefully with the fierce birds and beasts within the Territory.

Ancient Tree had the easiest duty. Before Huahua woke up, his main task was to remain perfectly still.

Although Bran did not mobilize the White Robes, they had also begun their own observations and research. Wizards, old and young, started running around inside and out to gather firsthand information. After an initial period of disorganized individual efforts, they gradually realized this would be a long-term project where individuals could hardly achieve much alone.

Thus, the first branch that arose was the Animal Department. It seemed a branch with little relation to a Wizard’s abilities. Some Wizards who could transform into animals were prioritized, such as Polly and Peter. They would specialize in investigating the animals around Northland City.

Bran saw the actions of the White-robed Ones, but they did not affect him. He continued his own investigation step by step. Bran believed people would never see the same things. Having another independent investigation team meant another unique perspective, which might lead to unexpected gains.

The most interesting part was that Baz also joined this branch. His reason was plausible: after his death, he would be transformed into one of The Dead, a creation purely from Wizard abilities, so he naturally belonged to the Wizard community. The White Robes needed his coordination experience, so they tacitly accepted this reasoning.

As the Mana in Northland City grew increasingly abundant, some of it broke free from its restraints and drifted everywhere with the breeze. More and more beasts were attracted by this, following the faint traces and gathering towards Northland City under the influence of their instincts.

As more and more beasts gathered, conflict was inevitable. After a chaotic and disorderly struggle for dominance, the wild animals finally re-established order around Northland City. A group of the most powerful creatures firmly occupied the positions closest to the edge of Northland City.

Because Feiyu was a relative, the Giant Falcon managed to secure a spot within the city. It began building its nest on the houses in the Eastern District where Northlanders lived. This behavior immediately displeased the Snow Falcon. It woke up to find its Territory had been occupied by an invader. A warning cry soon resounded across the sky, and the White Wolf also began howling in response to its companion.

Just as the two sides were poised for a fight, with Feiyu caught in the middle wavering, Eileen arrived there with the Black Dragon Maya. Maya’s appearance made the two sides, who were about to fight amongst themselves, temporarily stop.

A dragon! Although it was the first time seeing one, both the Giant Falcon and the Snow Falcon simultaneously showed intense hostility. It was a baseless hostility, rooted deep in their Bloodline. However, this opponent was a bit too powerful, making them hesitate. So, the two sides that were just confronting each other slowly stood together, beginning to face the powerful enemy before them.

Maya also stared intently at these falcons, feeling somewhat nervous. Eileen had warned it before coming here, but it hadn’t taken it seriously.

A little bird that dared to attack a dragon? It wanted to see it for itself. It entered Northland City on foot as Eileen instructed, not because it feared the little birds Eileen mentioned, but because it feared that youth. The youth whose name it now knew—Grand Sorcerer Bran. As for a few measly little birds, it hadn’t given them much thought.

It was a dragon! Not one of those lowly beasts. How could little birds that tussle with lowly Wyverns have anything to do with it?

But when it saw these little birds, it had a feeling of déjà vu. Deep crisis followed immediately. Arch-enemies! This thought naturally sprang into Maya’s mind. Something hidden deep in its Bloodline began to Awaken. Its eyes slowly turned red, and flames flickered in its mouth.

Feiyu jumped out first, electricity crackling between its feathers, though the sparks were far too weak.

This sudden turn of events left Eileen at a loss. She tried hard to calm Maya, but it had no effect. Just as she was growing extremely anxious, a force suddenly appeared and gently pushed her away. This seemed to be some kind of signal. Maya and Feiyu moved simultaneously. A fiery pillar as fierce as a Torrent and weak sparks of electricity rushed towards each other. At the same time, Feiyu’s companions behind it fanned out and lunged forward.

A gray smoke suddenly appeared, separating the two sides like a huge curtain. The flames and electricity were instantly swallowed upon falling into the curtain. The falcons lunging forward were also gently caught by the gray smoke and set down on the ground.

A light shout came from within the gray smoke. “Go back!”

When the gray smoke appeared, Maya immediately dropped to the ground, not daring to look up. Eileen also ran back with a nervous look on her face, placing herself in front of it.

The gray smoke gradually shrank into a ball and drifted in front of Eileen accompanied by laughter. “Don’t be nervous. I just wanted to see the gap.”

Eileen was very uncomfortable facing Bran in his current state. “Could you change back first?”

The gray smoke shook slightly and, under Eileen’s gaze, revealed Bran’s appearance.

“Has Zoya returned? I have some gifts I want to give her.”

“No.”

“Why is she so slow? She should have been back long ago based on her traveling speed.”

Bran chuckled. “She’s not rushing. Using these feet to slowly measure the land can sometimes bring many interesting feelings.”

“Why has the outside become like that?”

“Like what?”

“When I passed through Sandstone City on my way here, I saw the Scholars’ Camp had been damaged. A lot of beasts were running wild inside.”

“Oh, really? I’ve been very busy lately and haven’t paid attention to the outside situation. Also, no Scholars have come to complain to me.” Bran pointed at the Black Dragon and asked, “Why did you bring it here?”

Eileen blushed a little. “It wanted to absorb Mana.”

Bran shook his head. “There’s no need to spoil it too much. For a short while, this Black Dragon doesn’t need to absorb Mana. As long as the consumption isn’t too intense, it can sustain itself.

Besides, you’ve seen my situation. In the future, there will be more wild Giant Falcons or Snow Falcons. Today, you were lucky; they just happened to be gathering together to fight over territory. In a few more days, as they gradually adapt to the current situation, they’ll start patrolling the skies. By then, I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep an eye on everything.

If this Black Dragon comes over again, what should I do?”

“Don’t those Snow Falcons listen to you very well?”

Bran looked at Eileen. “That’s the difference between you and me. I see them as companions, as family. They all possess high intelligence and have their own joys and angers. I cannot go too much against their will.

You saw it just now. Their hostility towards each other was somewhat baffling, beyond what you and I can understand. Perhaps some things are not as simple as they appear on the surface.”

“A dragon? Interesting,” Bran murmured softly. Then he continued, “Don’t underestimate this dragon. I’ve touched its Soul and know it possesses intelligence. Don’t treat it as a smart beast, but rather as a companion or family member. Otherwise, you will lose it very soon.”

Hearing Bran’s reminder, Eileen explained nervously, “I’ve always been good to it, really! And I truly do treat it as family.”

Bran asked in return, “Are your father, brother, and your clan members the same?”

Seeing that Eileen wasn’t very sure either, Bran suggested, “Don’t rush back. Take it to see the scenery along the way. Stay outside for a little longer. You need to truly understand each other.”