Chapter 200: Pioneer

"The Empire's territory has ceased expanding for nearly a hundred years. The era calls for a new generation of Pioneers to open up brand-new lands and territories with courage, perseverance, magic, and swords."

Archmage Greta's expression was solemn, as if she had already seen the coming of the Great Age of Expansion. "Todd, Xia Duo, Butler, are you willing to accept the title of 'Pioneer' bestowed by Her Highness the Princess?"

This—

The situation was not quite right!

Although Xia Duo was not clear about what special significance this "Pioneer" title held, he knew that opening up new territory was not something a low-rank Mage like him could accomplish.

The Pioneer of the Savile Territory was a Great Arcanist, possessing sufficient connections, money, and influence to hoodwink a large group of citizens into following them into the wilderness.

Without massive manpower and material resources, what use would it be even if the Pioneer were a Great Arcanist?

That wouldn't be called expansion; that would be called a wilderness adventure!

The weak have no qualifications, and if one were a strong person, they could simply join the Arcane Union. Could it be that the Arcane Union couldn't even afford to pay the wages of a strong person?

Opening up the wilderness is not only time-consuming but also labor-intensive. The only benefit is perhaps gaining a piece of territory that is completely autonomous!

But the strong have enough life to waste; Xia Duo does not! At least, he couldn't see any indispensable benefits to opening up the wilderness for himself right now.

But the problem is, can one refuse the request of an Archmage? Especially in front of so many people, and with the other party representing Her Highness the Princess.

Don't end up crushed by the leg hair before even getting to hug the thigh!

"I am willing!" Todd had already agreed.

With someone taking the lead, Xia Duo was not so reluctant anymore and immediately replied, "I am willing!"

Butler was no exception. Of course, Xia Duo estimated that he wouldn't dare to be an exception either.

"Very good!" Archmage Greta nodded with satisfaction, took out the documents and scepters, and handed them to the three of them. "I hope you do not disappoint my Lord!"

Xia Duo took the document and the scepter. Both of these items were Magic Items—the document looked like golden, flexible paper from the outside, and it recorded that Xia Duo had obtained the Pioneer title, as well as the powers and obligations of a Pioneer.

It was densely packed with text. Perhaps to eliminate ambiguity, as long as one squeezed it slightly, the Netherese text on the paper would turn into Elvish.

As for the scepter, it was even more magnificent and extraordinary. It was silver-white overall, with a blue Gemstone embedded at the top. The staff body and the Gemstone constantly caused the surrounding Magic Net to vibrate, clearly telling the surrounding Spellcasters—

Look! This is a good treasure!

Xia Duo no longer had the heart to look closely at the specific content of the document or the function of the scepter; his heart and liver were trembling at this moment!

Would the days ahead have to be spent in the wilderness?

Would the comfortable environment of the Mage Tower be gone forever?

Xia Duo thought somewhat pessimistically. At this moment, Lord Aipusi suddenly said, "Archmage Greta, this—"

"Rest assured! It will not affect your plan!" Greta waved her hand and said again, "Do as you should!"

"Yes!"

Greta sat back in her seat above. Lord Aipusi, however, felt somewhat uneasy. He knew that Her Highness the Princess supported the expansion; it was discussed when he met with Archmage Olong in Seventon last time.

Archmage Olong said that Her Highness the Princess would give him a certain amount of support. Could this be the support he meant? Bestowing the "Pioneer" title upon three winners?

Since when did the "Pioneer" title become so cheap?

At the time, Archmage Olong also mentioned that he should accept a title when the time was right. Aipusi had originally thought it meant accepting the "Pioneer" title, but now it seemed that was not the case.

However, regardless, since Archmage Greta had just told him to do as he should, Aipusi would not stand on ceremony with her.

Holding such a simplified Arcane Competition, besides finding an opportunity to invite allies and backers to build momentum and Stun enemies lurking in the dark and eyeing the territory;

Another purpose was to recruit some New Mages with potential to cope with the upcoming Green Pearl Forest expansion.

Now that there were three more "Pioneer" titles, the price he would have to pay might be higher.

While Lord Aipusi was calculating in his heart how to recruit this batch of foreign Mages, he waited for Xia Duo and the other two to return to their original seats.

Next was the final highlight of the day. Lord Aipusi signaled, "Bishop Anbulier!"

Bishop Anbulier, who had long received the news from the Lord, immediately stood up, came to the field, stood side-by-side with Lord Aipusi, and faced south together.

Directly facing the largest number of commoners.

"People of the Savile Territory, today I want to solemnly introduce to you the sole heir of the Savile Territory, your future master—Niya Saville!"

Bishop Anbulier possessed a very high reputation in the Savile Territory, not only because of his excellent healing methods but also because he had served as the Judge of the territory for a long time in the past.

Known for being fair, benevolent, and dignified.

In the eyes of most ordinary subjects, if the Lord who was rarely seen all year round might lie, this loyal servant of the Lord of Radiance absolutely could not lie.

In other words, the territory really had an heir!

The crowd was ecstatic at first, but then they became suspicious of a female heir, though no one dared to question it aloud, expressing their doubts through silence instead.

But Anbulier seemed not to notice at all, continuing to introduce Niya, from Niya's birth, growth, and various experiences, all the way to her recent participation in the Orc War, and most importantly—

Niya is an 8th-level Mage!

Hearing this introduction, the subjects were still somewhat confused. Even those who had spent time in the Mage Tower did not have much understanding of the Spellcasting Level of an Official Mage.

After all, they were at most just Apprentices, and the vast majority couldn't even squeeze into the threshold of Spellcasting!

The Mages from the Iolum Territory opposite Xia Duo had wonderful expressions on their faces now, especially those New Mages from the Pure White Tower.

Some of them were younger than Niya, but most were about the same age as her, in their early twenties. It was just that Niya was already an Intermediate Mage, while they—

Even the Advanced Mages opposite were moved. An Intermediate Mage in their early twenties was a very rare genius, even if placed in the core area of the Empire.

As for the members of the Tower of Time on Xia Duo's side, there was not much surprise. In fact, as early as when Niya appeared last following the Lord, everyone had already guessed her identity.

As for Niya's strength, they were all in the same Mage Tower; after a long time, they had become accustomed to it.

Bishop Anbulier's introduction continued, and Lord Aipusi beckoned to Niya, who was still sitting under the Great Arcanist Statue.

When Niya walked to the center of the field, Lord Aipusi and Bishop Anbulier automatically stepped aside for Niya, making her face the subjects directly. Next, it was time for Niya's performance!