Chapter 298: Support

Chapter 298: Support

Wisdom City was somewhat desolate now. Claire walked on the empty streets and couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy. In the struggle for interests, they balanced and guarded against each other. Though there were grievances, they could still consider the bigger picture.

Baz readily handed over everything and left this place seemingly open and aboveboard, but he had long since arranged an escape route. Ge Yin, seeing the situation turning bad, acted so decisively. He merely sent back a message phrased as a guess, then vanished on the vast sea. It was precisely because of this message that she was not caught off guard.

South Cape and Lianhai swore that due to their brave and tenacious resistance, the enemy suffered heavy losses and had to halt their advance. But the Scholars brought back unsettling news: the enemy had proactively stopped their attack and began consolidating their forces.

Upon learning the news, Claire immediately informed the other factions.

For a few days, she suspected that the Demon Clan had bypassed the Northlands and launched a surprise attack from the sea. But subsequent news disproved this guess. It was a group of completely unfamiliar humanoid creatures.

Everyone was gone, and many matters now fell on her shoulders alone. In the past, she could relieve some of the pressure through arguments, but now she could only endure silently, feeling increasingly overwhelmed.

Thus, before fully understanding the situation, she sent the message to all parties. She neither knew the number of the invaders nor their specific combat strength. Just like that, a seemingly baffling plea for aid was sent out by her to all sides.

The message had been sent for many days, and all factions had replied, except for the Northlands. Ever since the Northern Wizards rose to prominence, those familiar with warfare had already understood that the era of relying on sheer numbers was over. Therefore, they now desperately needed the help of the Northern Wizards, even if it meant sending a few insignificant individuals from Northland City. But Northland City remained quiet, and people even began to suspect that Bran had not relayed the message internally at all.

Bran in Northland City did not conceal the news; he even informed his people at the fastest speed possible. However, for the first time, Bran used a commanding tone, strictly forbidding his people from heading south.

He paid special attention to his Sister, telling her to restrain those Little Wizards and not act rashly before figuring out the enemy’s background. Along with the message, he also sent that drop of Pool Water from the Pool of Foresight, as well as some of his conjectures. Those who dared to come so blatantly must have some reliance.

Seeing the Northlands’ lack of response, many people could understand.

Throughout countless ages in the past, the Scholars actively participated in actions against the Demon Clan. Now, facing this sudden invasion, all factions also had the obligation to lend a hand. But the Northlands were different; the Northlands had never made any Covenant with them. So, this plea for aid without any detailed battle reports seemed somewhat rude to the Northlands.

And the cost? Since the Northlands had no obligation to help the various factions, such assistance would inevitably require clearly stated compensation. Even if there was no compensation, at least the stakes should be explained.

But the Scholars could not do that for the time being. Many messages needed verification and assessment, and discussions and communication with several parties were required. This was not something the Scholars could decide unilaterally.

South Cape and Lianhai probably still harbored some illusions, which was why they holed up and did not move. And the Snow Pine Kingdom behind them would certainly not stand up for these two troublesome countries. The Scholars were anxious but couldn’t think of any good solutions.

Kingdoms like Anya had symbolically dispatched some Knights to the Snow Pine Kingdom, and the liaison personnel from several countries stationed in Northland City also began to move around.

Some news consequently spread far and wide, and some young Wizards began to grow eager.

Pachu came to Bran for this, hoping he could stop this trend. At the very least, he should issue a warning, reminding certain restless individuals—do not forget what place this is.

Bran looked at Pachu and asked in return, “What place is this?”

“The City of Wizards.”

“Yes, the City of Wizards. We cannot restrict the freedom of Wizards. Since some people want to leave, let them go.”

“But what about those who spread rumors and incite others?”

“Are they rumors? You should know most of this news is true. Even many conjectures and inferences are largely based on this news.

To verify whether these conjectures and inferences are correct, a price always has to be paid.”

Pachu looked up at Bran. From these words, he sensed a faint scent of blood. Bran, who had always been protective of Wizards, had suddenly changed his attitude. This made Pachu realize something unusual was happening.

Facing Pachu’s gaze, Bran lightly changed the subject: “We are Wizards. When following in the footsteps of our predecessors, we need to believe they were right. Even if that might not be entirely true, Mana will find a way, creating some interesting changes. Then, we will realize it wasn’t all correct.

But regardless of right or wrong, as a Wizard, I will ultimately conform to the changes of Mana, even if it’s a path of no return. What’s more interesting is that Mana is everywhere, even in actions that seem unrelated to Mana, such as those rumors.

We Wizards are protected by our own Mana, as if we are its masters. Have you ever thought, what if we aren’t? What if everything about us is under its control?

Mana drives everything. If I am merely the slave of some insignificant wisp of Mana, then what reason do I have to prevent other Mana from exercising their will?”

Bran pointed to his own head. “I cannot stop it, nor do I want to stop it. Wizards must adapt to the changes of Mana through confrontation, and maintain clear awareness through confrontation.

Those young Wizards have grown in power too quickly recently. They are already lost in the Mana, starting to become complacent about their own strength, even ignoring your advice.”

Bran extended a finger and tapped it in front of his eyes. That finger instantly vanished from Pachu’s sight, merging into the Void. “Since you have already advised them, I don’t want to say anything more. Here, the tributaries of Mana are roaring, telling me to mind my own business.”

Noticing Pachu was looking at him as if he were a madman, Bran smiled silently. Suddenly, his arm exploded, turning into a swirl of gray smoke that enveloped Pachu.

In a dizzying whirl, Pachu found himself in a vast, rolling river of ink. The river was boundless and bottomless, and he was being carried along by the waves, flowing downstream…

The gray smoke dissipated, and Pachu stood there, looking utterly lost. A moment later, he performed a full prostration towards Bran. This bow was because Bran had shown him true Mana, an unimaginable World.

And also because he realized that ink-black river seemed to be Bran himself. The familiar Mana Fluctuation, the aura, was no different from the Bran standing before him.

Finally, some young Wizards left Northland City, accompanied by the blessings of other young people, and the complicated, pained gazes of the White-robed Ones.