Chapter 313: Handling the Aftermath

Although gaining a follower like Aiwa made Xia Duo feel pleased, the subsequent change in plans also gave him a bit of a headache.

His original plan was just to stop by here on his way, then notify the territory residents to set off tomorrow for the territory to continue pioneering; but now with Aiwa added, he certainly couldn't just send him to the territory like that.

He now had to return to the Tower of Time as soon as possible to discuss with Niya how this matter could be resolved satisfactorily, so he instructed Laidun:

"Cleric Laidun, Lord Niya has promised me a group of people. I will have them sent to the warehouse here; you must be careful to receive them and organize them into working groups!"

"Yes, my lord!"

"Let's leave it at that for now. I think the craftsman training in that warehouse just now is quite good. You can find more craftsmen, focusing on those useful for territory pioneering. You should talk more with Steward Yarman about this aspect."

"Yes!"

After giving instructions to Laidun, Xia Duo had Aiwa stay in this warehouse for the time being to await his orders, and then he left the port.

Town Hall.

This was not Xia Duo's first time here, but he received special treatment this time. After discussing with Saier Town Mayor, the number of support personnel was finally determined.

A total of 200 households, and their status was transferred directly to Daxia Territory, rather than being temporarily transferred.

This made Xia Duo's territory suddenly feel substantial. He couldn't help but sigh that he had racked his brains trying to scrape together residents, while Niya had solved it for him with just one sentence.

It is not easy to take too big a step in the initial stage; with 200 households, one can already maintain a relatively stable, self-sufficient territory.

And this is precisely the first step that a Pioneer needs to take.

It was finally about to be completed by him!

"Saier Town Mayor, I will have to trouble you with the subsequent matters. Send those people to the Liyadun Chamber of Commerce warehouse at the port; Cleric Laidun will be responsible for receiving them."

"Good."

Saier Town Mayor's mood was not high, but Xia Duo could roughly guess some of it; it was nothing more than Niya giving the residents of Savile Territory to him. Even if he was Niya's husband, Niya's subordinates were not wooden people; they would have their own thoughts.

……

Returning to the Tower of Time, Xia Duo immediately contacted Niya, but the other side remained in a "not answered" state, and he did not have the permission level to force a call. Feeling a bit anxious, he ran straight to the top floor.

Just as he exited the elevator, he saw Aiboke walking toward him with an unfamiliar Mage. Xia Duo thought to himself that this was probably another Arcanist wanting to obtain Divine Grace and coming here to repair the Magic Net.

After nodding slightly in greeting, Xia Duo came to Niya's study. At this moment, Niya was standing in front of the window, looking at the real-time projection on the window in a daze; she didn't even seem to notice the sound of his footsteps when he entered.

"Niya?" Xia Duo called out softly.

Niya turned around, her eyes still carrying a trace of confusion, but compared to yesterday, her complexion was much better; at least the bloodshot look in her eyes had disappeared.

"What is it?" Niya's voice was still a bit hoarse, but it had a few more parts of composure than before.

Xia Duo moved two steps closer, gazing at the young Mage who had become his wife, and said the sentence he had deliberated over for a long time on the way here: "The person who killed Asaer has become my follower!"

Asaer? Hearing this familiar name, Niya's eyes gradually became sharp. She stared tightly at Xia Duo's eyes, and Xia Duo also gazed at her, not giving an inch.

In fact, Xia Duo doing this was also testing Niya's attitude toward him. Although he considered himself to have a relatively good understanding of Niya's temperament, the Mythallar incident was always a line between the two of them.

Xia Duo considered that he hadn't done anything wrong in this matter, but once such things involve one's own relatives, it is easy to lose reason.

Putting himself in her shoes, to be fair, if his own father died because of someone's news, he would also be resentful, dissatisfied, and vent; this is not something a Sacred Contract can smooth over.

Sometimes a scene would flash through Xia Duo's mind—waking up from a dream, Niya standing in front of his bed, holding a dripping knife in her hand.

This kind of scene felt terrifying just to think about.

As such, some tests that did not involve the bottom line were very necessary.

"You—" Niya paused, her eyes flickering a little as she looked at Xia Duo, and she sighed, "You were too reckless this time!"

She didn't say no, so that meant it was okay?

Xia Duo immediately followed up, his tone becoming a bit gentler, "The matter happened too suddenly. I happened to see him when I went to the port to inspect the residents. During the Orc Tide last year, he was my companion and once saved me; now I cannot not save him."

Every sentence of these words was true, only omitting some of the weighing process, but this better highlighted that Xia Duo was a person who valued relationships.

Perhaps other Mages would sneer at this, but Niya would definitely buy this.

Besides, Asaer was the culprit who caused his grandfather's death; now that he had been killed by someone, not to mention providing shelter, one couldn't let the killer be easily found!

"You were really too reckless this time!" Niya repeated again, and then gave her true attitude, "Go bring the person to the Tower of Time!"

Xia Duo did not dare to delay and immediately returned to Savile Town to bring the disguised Aiwa in.

And when he came to Niya's study again, Aiboke was also there. Xia Duo happened to hear Niya say, "Uncle Aiboke, I will have to trouble you this time!"

When Xia Duo looked at Aiboke, Aiboke also happened to look at him, "Where is that person?"

"Outside, do you need me to call him in?"

"No need, go to my place!"

Xia Duo had no objections; in order to resolve future troubles, it was certainly up to the person handling the matter to decide.

……

Arriving at Aiboke's Private Research Lab, Niya did not follow. Xia Duo was left alone in the Reception Room to wait, while Aiboke took Aiwa into the inner room.

During the wait, Xia Duo looked around in this Reception Room. Unlike other Mages, Aiboke's place was full of blue and white decorations, and even the walls had various complex blue and white patterns.

It gave one a feeling of being amidst mysteries.

And on the ceiling of the Reception Room, a huge Lan Bai Xing pattern was positioned right in the center. When Xia Duo looked at it, it was as if it were also looking at him!

Xia Duo hurriedly lowered his head and stopped looking around randomly.

He didn't know how much time had passed when Xia Duo suddenly heard footsteps. He hurriedly put away his notes and saw Aiboke walking out with Aiwa.

Aiboke was walking in front carrying a staff, while Aiwa was walking behind clutching a piece of wood half a foot long, as thick as an arm, with silver patterns.

"The matter has been handled. Have your follower throw the wood into the Wolfburg River after he returns, and do not show his face in the near future!" Aiboke said.

"Mm."

Afterwards, Xia Duo prepared to take Aiwa back to Savile Town. The moment he walked out of the door, he received a Sending from Aiboke, "Have more conversations with Niya when you have time; the child needs care the most right now."

Xia Duo's footsteps paused, he turned and nodded, and only then did he leave.