The atmosphere in the first-floor hall of the castle was heavy and oppressive.
Gilru and Martha stood at the center of the hall, occasionally glancing out the window as if waiting for something.
"What exactly is the relationship between that lord and Lynn..."
Gilru muttered to himself, his tone filled with a mix of doubt and apprehension.
There was a deeper meaning in his words he was speculating that Lynn and the mysterious wizard lord had a close connection.
Martha, standing beside him, caught the underlying implication. She frowned slightly and hesitated before speaking:
"I'm not sure either. But that wizard lord doesn't seem to harbor any ill intentions. When he appeared earlier, he even helped us deal with the members of the Star Hunters..."
The two exchanged a complicated look.
They knew very little about Lynn.
All they knew was that he was a nature wizard from a distant land who had successfully joined the City of Machinery and even gained official citizenship.
However, they did not know about his past before arriving at the City of Machinery.
They never expected Lynn to be associated with someone of that caliber.
After all, that mysterious wizard lord possessed unfathomable strength even the black dragon beneath him exuded a terrifying aura.
Just catching a glimpse of it from afar was enough to send chills down their spines.
Compared to the tension they felt when facing Grand Wizard Yude earlier, the fear brought by this black dragon was something that reached deep into their very souls.
Martha couldn't help but compare this mysterious wizard to the Warhammer Master. After much contemplation, she concluded that even she found it shocking.
Even a Morning Star Wizard like the Warhammer Master might not be on the same level as this wizard lord.
As the two remained immersed in shock and unease, suddenly, both Gilru and Martha froze, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.
A psychic pulse resonated from their communication devices it was a message from Grand Wizard Yude!
Earlier, when they were confronted by the Five-Ring Mage from the Star Hunters, they had desperately sent out distress signals to Yude, but their messages had vanished without a trace, receiving no response whatsoever.
Now, with the Star Hunters' threat already neutralized by the mysterious wizard lord, Yude had chosen this moment to contact them.
Despite the faint resentment they felt, they dared not show any disrespect in the face of a Third-Level Grand Wizard. They immediately connected the call.
A shimmering projection materialized in the center of the hall, revealing the face of Grand Wizard Yude.
His hawk-like eyes remained just as piercing in the projection, making Gilru and Martha instinctively straighten their postures, their expressions solemn.
"Are you both alright? You didn't run into any trouble, did you?"
Yude's sharp gaze swept over them. Even though it was just a projection, it was enough to make their hearts race and their breaths shallow.
His tone was calm as if he was merely inquiring about their safety, but Gilru and Martha felt a whirlwind of emotions in their hearts.
After all, during the most critical moment of their plan, Yude had been nowhere to be found, nearly getting Lynn and the others killed. Now, he was brushing aside the entire Star Hunters incident with a single sentence, pretending to be concerned about whether they had encountered any trouble.
Gilru and Martha exchanged glances, and a suspicion began to form in their minds.
They weren't fools. They could easily pick up on the hidden implications in Yude's words.
It seemed that this mysterious wizard lord and Grand Wizard Yude did not know each other.
There might even be some conflict between them.
Otherwise, why would Yude's first question be whether they had run into trouble?
If that were truly the case, then things could get complicated.
Lynn appeared to have a relatively close relationship with that mysterious wizard lord.
But if Yude harbored animosity toward that lord, wouldn't reporting the truth put Lynn in danger as well?
Between Yude who had nearly gotten them killed and Lynn, with whom they had a life-and-death bond, Gilru, and Martha naturally leaned toward protecting Lynn.
However, standing before a Third-Level Grand Wizard, even if it was just a projection, they dared not lie outright.
Lying to someone of that level was no different from courting death.
In the end, Gilru spoke first. After a brief moment of contemplation, he carefully chose his words and slowly said:
"Thanks to Lord Yude's blessing, we were quite lucky. Just as that Five-Ring Mage attacked, a mysterious wizard lord suddenly appeared..."
He deliberately paused here, sneaking a glance at Yude's expression.
Though Yude was an old fox who was adept at controlling his expressions, his hawk-like eyes flickered slightly, his pupils constricting for just a brief moment.
It was fleeting, but it was enough to confirm Gilru's suspicions.
"Perhaps that lord harbors a deep hatred for the Divine Civilizations he wiped out all of the Star Hunters on the spot..."
Gilru carefully recounted the events, choosing his words with precision.
He didn't lie, but he was selective about what he revealed. He deliberately omitted any conversation between Lynn and the mysterious wizard lord, subtly severing any direct connection between them.
After listening to Gilru's report, Yude fell silent for a moment. His hawk-like eyes narrowed slightly as if processing the information.
"Lord Yude, how will the battle merits be calculated?"
Martha lowered her head slightly, her tone respectful but steady.
"The Star Hunters that were eliminated by that lord will we still receive the rewards as originally planned?"
She deliberately changed the subject, fearing that Grand Wizard Yude would continue his questioning and dig up information related to Lynn. After all, if Lynn's connection to that mysterious wizard lord was exposed, things would become troublesome.
Taking the initiative and using the topic of battle merits to divert attention this was the best strategy Martha could come up with.
However, Grand Wizard Yude merely glanced at her indifferently, seemingly uninterested in the matter of battle merits.
If it had been earlier, the annihilation of more than a dozen members of the Starhunter Society would indeed have been a great relief to him, helping to restore some of his lost prestige from the previous battle.
But now, after personally witnessing that mysterious wizard's power capable of obliterating his clone with a single finger Grand Wizard Yude was well aware that the situation had already spiraled beyond his control.
The moment his clone was destroyed by that wizard, he immediately reported the incident to the Eastern War Zone Headquarters.
At present, the Morning Star Wizards at headquarters are closely monitoring the situation in this area, even deploying some of the Eastern War Zone's war instruments to analyze the battlefield traces left behind.
Compared to the major concerns of the entire Eastern War Zone, the battle merits of killing those Starhunter Society members were now insignificant.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Grand Wizard Yude spoke calmly:
"The battle merits will be distributed as originally planned Lynn and the two of you will receive them… I'll personally handle the necessary explanations."
His voice was flat, but there was a subtle hint of apology in it.
Even though his miscalculation had nearly cost the lives of three junior wizards, it was impossible for him to outright apologize.
Instead, he directly used his authority to waive the requirement for Lynn and his companions to submit proof of their kills. The merits were added to their records automatically.
This was the small, indirect apology he could offer.
Whether or not they accepted it was no longer his concern.
Then, shifting the subject, Grand Wizard Yude's eyes suddenly sharpened as he asked in a heavier tone:
"Where is Lynn? Where is that mysterious wizard now?"
His piercing gaze locked onto Martha and Gilru like a predatory bird eyeing its prey, carrying an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Hearing Grand Wizard Yude mention Lynn and the mysterious wizard, both Martha and Gilru tensed up.
So, they couldn't avoid it after all?
Just as the two were about to respond, their expressions suddenly changed as they simultaneously turned toward the castle entrance.
Noticing their reaction, Grand Wizard Yude followed their gaze.
He saw Lynn, clad in armor and covered in wounds, striding into the hall.
Beside him was a figure wearing a strange mask, walking steadily and keeping close behind.
Lynn stepped into the hall, his gaze sweeping across the room as his heart tightened slightly.
Earlier, when he had separated from the interdimensional creature, he had made sure to inquire about something.
He had confirmed why Grand Wizard Yude hadn't come to their aid.
It turned out that one of Grand Wizard Yude's clones had been slain by that interdimensional being.
Grand Wizard Yude had detected the creature's presence even before Lynn and his group had and had even engaged it in battle.
A terrifying existence, possibly a Morning Star Wizard, had suddenly appeared near the Thirteenth Frontline. Such an event was bound to cause a massive upheaval across the war zone.
Now, Grand Wizard Yude dared not come in person, instead relying on communication tools to speak with them. This alone was enough to indicate the gravity of the situation.
"So… the interrogation has already begun…"
Lynn speculated inwardly but maintained his composure on the surface. He even deliberately showed signs of exhaustion, his face slightly pale.
"Lynn, what's going on with you?"
Grand Wizard Yude's voice was cold and laced with scrutiny, his sharp eyes locked onto Lynn and the masked figure beside him.
The fact that Lynn had not reunited with Gilru and Martha right away had already caught Grand Wizard Yude's attention.
But what intrigued him even more was the presence of the person standing behind Lynn.
The figure was draped in a thick robe, with a hood pulled low to obscure their face. However, the faint outline beneath the fabric made one thing clear.
It was a woman.
Since when had Lynn gained a female companion?
In their previous operation, the only female wizard present had been Martha, had she not?
Grand Wizard Yude frowned slightly, recalling the moment his clone had been erased with a single finger.
At that time, atop the elegantly coiling black dragon, besides that terrifying wizard, he vaguely remembered the presence of a mysterious female wizard as well.
As he considered this, Grand Wizard Yude's gaze grew even sharper, his eagle-like pupils contracting as he locked onto Lynn like a predator.
"Lynn, explain to me in full detail what exactly happened earlier?"
His tone suddenly turned icy and commanding, exuding an undeniable authority that weighed heavily on the room.
Gilru and Martha exchanged glances, their hearts sinking as cold sweat began to form on their backs.
This was bad!
If Lynn's account differed in any way from their previous report, Grand Wizard Yude would immediately realize they had been hiding something.
At that point, not only Lynn but even they wouldn't be able to escape Grand Wizard Yude's wrath…
A chill ran down their spines as unease and tension-filled their hearts. They silently prayed for Lynn to handle the situation well.
However, to their astonishment, Lynn remained completely unfazed by Grand Wizard Yude's pressure.
After all, from being weak to reaching his current state, Lynn had faced countless formidable enemies and encountered numerous powerful wizards.
Among them, those stronger than Grand Wizard Yude were not as numerous as the stars in the sky, but at least more than a handful.
The terrifying deterrence of Aquila in the past, or even the oppressive presence of that otherworldly being before it revealed its true intentions, far exceeded the pressure Yude was exerting now through a mere communication device.
Therefore, Lynn remained unfazed. Unlike Gilru and Martha, who were visibly nervous, he deliberately coughed a few times, making his already pale face look even weaker as if he were severely injured.
His gaze quickly swept across the hall, lingering briefly on three figures. From their expressions, he caught some subtle anomalies.
Especially Martha and Gilru their flickering eyes and slightly changing expressions made Lynn vaguely sense what was going on.
He slightly adjusted his expression and calmly spoke:
"Lord Yude, as per our original plan, we lured the five-ring wizard of the Star Hunters into the formation and waited for your assistance."
"But unfortunately, after waiting for a long time without seeing you, we had no choice but to rely on the formation and our strength to engage the five-ring wizard in a desperate battle. However, a five-ring wizard is a formidable figure at the level of a Second-Level Wizard. I was the weakest among us and was gravely injured multiple times, barely clinging to life..."
"Get to the point!"
Grand Wizard Yude frowned and sharply interrupted him, his tone cold and impatient.
Lynn paused slightly before continuing:
"Just as we were prepared to fight to the death and refused to surrender, suddenly, a mysterious wizard descended. This great wizard rode an elegant yet domineering black dragon, and with just one strike, the Star Hunter wizards were utterly annihilated."
"However, perhaps we were too insignificant, as that fearsome figure did not even spare us a second glance before leaving with the black dragon..."
Though Lynn and the other two had not coordinated their statements beforehand, his account did not contradict what Martha and Gilru had reported.
Grand Wizard Yude scrutinized Lynn with his sharp, eagle-like eyes for a moment before slowly shifting his gaze away.
However, his focus soon locked onto the mysterious figure behind Lynn once again.
Draped in a thick wizard's robe, this person still could not fully conceal their graceful and curvaceous figure it was a woman.
"Lynn, who is the person behind you? Why haven't I seen her before?"
Yude's voice turned heavier, and his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, clearly not overlooking this detail.
Upon hearing this, Gilru and Martha's hearts leaped into their throats, and they instinctively turned to look at Lynn with worry.
Indeed, the sudden appearance of a masked female wizard seemed quite suspicious, even somewhat secretive.
But Lynn had already prepared a response. He calmly said:
"This is my friend. During our desperate struggle, I managed to get in touch with her…"
Hearing Lynn mention the battle again, subtly laced with sarcasm, Yude frowned and coldly asked:
"Then why is she still wearing a mask in front of me, her commanding officer? Is there a problem?"
At these words, Gilru and Martha tensed up even more.
They vaguely remembered that the beautiful wizard with violet eyes if it truly was her…
If her identity were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Lynn pondered briefly, then deliberately hesitated before replying:
"My friend had an accident during an early experiment, which left her face disfigured. She doesn't feel comfortable showing it, which is why she wears a mask… I hope you can understand, Lord Yude."
Under normal circumstances, even a powerful superior wizard would not press further after hearing such an explanation, as it involved personal privacy.
Moreover, the female wizard beside Lynn was not directly under Yude's command, so he had no right to forcefully inspect her face.
However, Grand Wizard Yude was not so easily dissuaded. He coldly commanded:
"Take off your mask. Let me see."
His tone was unyielding, almost like an irrefutable order.
After he spoke, Yude expected Lynn to refuse again. But to his surprise, Lynn reacted in a completely unexpected manner.
He simply shrugged nonchalantly, turned to the figure behind him, and said:
"Go ahead, show Lord Yude."
Without hesitation, the robed figure slowly lifted her mask.
Beneath it was a hideous and terrifying face.
It was crudely stitched together with thick seams, as if made from the patchwork of different human skins, exuding an eerie and sinister aura.
Although it was still a woman's face, it bore no resemblance to the violet-eyed female wizard from before.
The woman forced a smile, but it carried no warmth only an unsettling chill.
At this point, it was clear that Lynn had not spoken a single false word.
A flicker of surprise flashed through Grand Wizard Yude's eyes, and his stern expression softened slightly.
Even with his unyielding temperament, he now felt as though he had overreacted.
Lynn, however, merely smiled and said calmly:
"Earlier, I had gone to pick up my friend. She was at the Twelfth Frontline. Her name is Sonya."
He flawlessly answered all of Yude's inquiries with a composed demeanor, leaving no gaps for suspicion.
Sonya, meanwhile, greeted Yude, Gilru, and Martha with a slight nod before quietly putting her mask back on.
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