Chapter 2889: Blocking the Window of Opportunity, Recruiting Volunteers

Hearing this representative's question, Kuistolimu's expression changed slightly, but with the representatives of the Five Kingdoms in the conference room staring at him, he hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully:

"The half-hour I mentioned is the current conservative termination time for the Time-Related Magic Research Laboratory; that is to say, there is a relatively high degree of certainty to terminate the ritual within half an hour after it begins.

"In the previous Metier Incident, the reason we were able to successfully terminate the ritual even half an hour after it began was mainly due to Consultant Xia Duo. Although it was our first time encountering such a Time-Involving Ritual, the Spirit Thought Network played a decisive role.

"Theoretically, the critical time to safely terminate a Time-Related Magic Ritual is a little over an hour, but beyond half an hour, none of us researchers are confident, unless Consultant Xia Duo takes action personally, which might be able to extend the time to within an hour.

"But don't be too optimistic. Although the previous Metier Incident was our first contact with a Time-Related Magic Ritual, it was also the first time the Demon Descendants encountered interference during the ritual process.

"I presume you have all read the post-incident investigation report; at that time, almost all the Demon Descendant spellcasters were drawn into the ritual and failed to organize effective protection.

"But after that lesson, wouldn't the Demon Descendants arrange for independent spellcasters to provide protection? Terminating a ritual is, in a sense, also performing a ritual, except that we have the advantage of being able to arrange protection calmly.

"Judging from your recent discussions, the Demon Descendants have already begun probing before the official ritual even starts this time, which is enough to serve as a warning to us.

"And besides that, there is one more point that needs to be pointed out: the duration of the Time-line Fluctuation Signal is not equal to the duration of the ritual. Generally speaking, it takes at least ten minutes for the ritual to progress before a Time-line Fluctuation Signal is generated.

"This means that, added to the positioning time, the travel time to the ritual site, and potential interference from the Demon Descendants, even if we ask Consultant Xia Duo to take action, it is impossible to truly have an hour of processing time; the actual window to terminate the ritual may only be a little over half an hour."

After sitting in the Reception Room for a few minutes, Tiao could not help but stand up and pace, while asking the Elf attendant accompanying him, "When can Councilor Xia Duo see me? I really have something very urgent to find him for!"

This question was not something that a Supervisor of intelligence like Dumu could answer, so it was left to the researcher from the Time-Related Magic Research Laboratory, Kuistolimu, to answer—

"Saiputalisi, Aosi, and Youfunisi, the three ambassadors, please contact your countries immediately to explain the situation and recruit high-level Mage volunteers. Elder Dewen, if it is convenient, please also recruit volunteers in Evereska. It is best for volunteers to arrive in Evereska early to facilitate unified action. As for me—"

As for the volunteers from Netheril, although Tiao did not mention it, he would also explain the situation to the Seventon Council in his home country later and try his best to obtain assistance.

Besides this, there are also some Netherese Mages in the Time-Related Magic Research Laboratory, but there are no Arch-Arcanists. If there is little support from the home country, it will be inevitable to draft the Netherese from the Time-Related Magic Research Laboratory.

The Elf attendant's words did not put Tiao at ease. Drinking the tea in the Reception Room, his mood was becoming increasingly irritable, but he still tried his best to calm his emotions to prepare for the upcoming meeting.

The duration is getting longer as always, but the locations have almost never been repeated, distributed around the Northland but not entering our borders, as if these are the ritual backup locations chosen by the Demon Descendants.

To be safe, it is more appropriate to let Elves and humans cooperate for this operation.

After a long while, Tiao was the first to break the silence, "This means that for any signal lasting more than ten minutes, we must go and check; otherwise, the Demon Descendants are very likely to convert the ritual used for probing into actual action. Once the critical point is crossed, we will never have another chance to stop it."

"Then I have another question: is it necessary to get close to terminate the ritual?"

Xia Duo had not yet arrived. Tiao looked at the spring-budding grass and the distant maple forest outside the window, but he could not muster the slightest interest in appreciating this delicate early spring scene, which had not yet arrived in his own country.

"Furthermore, one must consider the reorganization time after a failed interception. Compared to casting spells nearby, long-distance spellcasting involves more unnecessary steps.

His mind was now full of how to persuade Xia Duo and worries about subsequent actions. During the time he reported to his country and came to Yunfeng Manor, the monitoring center detected multiple signals again.

Kuistolimu's words left the representatives of the Five Kingdoms and Elder Dewen in deep thought, and the conference room suddenly went quiet.

Although the Alliance had decided after consultation not to act rashly before precisely locating the signals, the constant alarms from the monitoring center still brought immense psychological pressure to Tiao.

The advice of professionals cannot be ignored; this means that even if a relatively precise ritual location is pinpointed in 6 or 7 minutes, if it is decided to act, the relevant spellcasters must be organized to depart immediately.

"And for us researchers, half an hour is only the termination window under ideal conditions; in reality, there may only be a few minutes. If you count our own spellcasting time, there is at most only one chance."

"It is not that you must be close to stop it; being close is to minimize variables. Long-distance spellcasting has too much interference. If the Demon Descendants' protection is in place, our intervention might not even take effect at all.

Yunfeng Manor, Reception Room.

"Steward Lajieer has already gone to notify the master. Please wait a moment, sir. If the master wishes to see you, I imagine he will be here very soon."

Speaking of this, Tiao paused for a moment, then said in a firm tone, "I will find a way to ask Consultant Xia Duo to participate in the operation. Time waits for no one; everyone, let's get moving!"

The only one not mentioned was the Danzo representative, Enjier. Dwarf Magic, Elven Magic, and Netheril Magic are quite different. After the Metier Incident, the Northland Alliance began to study the Coordinated Casting of the three spell systems, but after all, the time was short, and no breakthrough results had been produced.

Speaking of this, Tiao asked again: "Can a Time-line Fluctuation Signal lasting ten minutes be accurately located? How long will it take?"

Thinking of this, Tiao could no longer sit still. At present, the Demon Descendants' probing is becoming increasingly rampant, and the duration of the Time-line Fluctuation Signals monitored by the monitoring center is getting longer and longer. A mobile interception team must be organized immediately; if it is too late, something major might happen.

"If conditions permit, I believe it is still necessary to cast spells as close as possible!"

"I can answer that question." Dumu answered a step ahead, "The monitoring center has been trying to locate it from the moment the Time-line Fluctuation Signal appeared. It takes 6 or 7 minutes of duration to locate a relatively precise position."