Chapter 332: Visitors from Seventon

Through this practical experience, Xia Duo gained quite a bit of first-hand knowledge and placed even greater importance on the core abilities of a Spellcaster, and of course, on external items as well.

If Aquilain had been carrying a few powerful Magic Items, perhaps there would have been quite a few twists and turns this time, though the final result would have been hard to change.

Because the one Aquilain was truly facing was not Xia Duo and the other two, but rather the Tower of Time itself!

Aside from the Forbidden Spell, the Tower of Time had many more ways to deal with him; it was just that blocking the Portal was the most critical part.

Xia Duo had not expected this operation to go so smoothly. After sending Bishop Anbulier back to Savile Town, he immediately began discussing the follow-up with Aiboke without a moment's rest.

As the saying goes, a surprise attack is thrilling for a moment, but the aftermath is a headache. The follow-up handling of this matter might be even more troublesome than the initial preparation, but fortunately, Xia Duo had already anticipated this.

"What do you think about what Aquilain said?" Xia Duo asked.

Neither of them considered the possibility that Aquilain was lying; under those circumstances, if it had been a lie, Bishop Anbulier would have warned them long ago.

Moreover, if it were a lie, it would be even more disadvantageous for Aquilain, so Xia Duo had no need to consider it at all; he could just treat it as the truth.

"Lord Duolaisen of Huo Ke Territory?" Upon hearing Xia Duo's inquiry, Aiboke could not help but frown. "I have seen his name in the monthly journal of the Arcane Union. It is said that he invented a brand-new Communication Spell with an extremely wide range of application. The Arcane Union is currently negotiating with him regarding its introduction, but—"

Aiboke hesitated for a moment before saying, "But there are also rumors that he has already had a falling out with the Arcane Union, though it is uncertain whether they are true or false. As for whether he is about to become a Great Arcanist, the Arcane Union has not released any word. Perhaps we have learned some incredible news."

Currently, there are only fifteen known Great Arcanists in Netheril who are confirmed to be alive, and a relatively stable landscape has formed to this day.

If one more were to suddenly appear, it might cause earth-shaking changes in Netheril.

Some would be happy to see this, while others would be unable to sleep or eat because of it.

Xia Duo carefully considered the impact of this news, but limited by his restricted knowledge of Netheril, he ultimately could not figure anything out.

But there was one thing—

"This news must not get out from us!"

Looking at Aiboke's slightly serious expression, Xia Duo suddenly said, "The matter of Niya becoming a student of the Princess is something I made up!"

If this were hidden any longer, leading Aiboke to make a misjudgment, that would be bad; it was better to clarify it now.

However, Aiboke's reaction was somewhat beyond Xia Duo's expectations—

"I know! If it were true, the Arcane Union would have released the news long ago!"

"Then why did you—"

"Why didn't I point it out?" Aiboke shook his head. "Although I knew this was not confirmed news, it wasn't necessarily false either. The fact that the Princess took the initiative to keep Niya itself carried some mysteries. Thinking about it carefully, it wasn't impossible! The Princess is not such a petty person."

Upon hearing this, Xia Duo's eyes lit up. "You have also met the Princess?"

"I have." However, Aiboke did not continue on this topic. "Although the Princess is very magnanimous, we cannot exploit that magnanimity. Let's not mention the matter of Niya becoming the Princess's student again; let it end here."

"Mm."

Xia Duo nodded and asked again: "Then what about Aquilain?"

This matter could not be hidden for long, and with the news that Lord Duolaisen was about to become a Great Arcanist, the longer Aquilain was kept in their hands, the more trouble there would be.

It had to be resolved as soon as possible.

Aiboke thought for a moment and felt that this matter could no longer proceed as originally planned, so he said: "I will contact Huo Ke Territory through the channels of the Arcane Union!"

"That works, but before contacting Huo Ke Territory, report the news about Duolaisen to the Princess's side first!" Although Xia Duo knew the news could not be leaked by them, reporting it upward was the proper thing to do.

As a mere Intermediate Mage, he could not bear the weight of news that might cause a change in the landscape of Netheril.

Xia Duo did not want to let the matter drag on, so he urged immediately: "Go now!"

"Yes!"

It was just past noon; from the time the three of them passed through the Shadow Portal into the Shadow Plane until now, it had been no more than half an hour in total.

Watching Aiboke leave in a hurry, Xia Duo did not rest either. He went to Savile Town once more to notify the important figures in the Territory to "visit" the Mage Tower.

In reality, it was just to avoid the limelight and prevent that quasi-Great Arcanist from Huo Ke Territory from going crazy, though the probability of that was extremely small.

However, Xia Duo did indeed need to hold a meeting of all senior officials of Savile Territory. Previously, he had only met with Town Mayor Sain, Commercial Director Dailike, and the military supervisor Keyaan.

But he didn't really understand them at all; he had only roughly looked at the materials prepared by Town Mayor Sain and chatted a few words.

Now he was prepared to understand things more comprehensively, from every aspect, so that the subsequent plans could be implemented smoothly.

However, Xia Duo ultimately failed to hold the full meeting. Just as he was preparing to start, Aiboke returned, and he had brought a guest back with him!

"Lord Greta, welcome to the Tower of Time again!" Xia Duo bowed respectfully, not showing the slightest neglect just because he could suppress the other party at any time within the Tower of Time.

"Xia Duo? I remember you. You performed well in that Arcane Competition two months ago."

Archmage Greta's attitude was quite amiable, but the Arcane Competition two months ago that she spoke of had already passed a long time ago for Xia Duo.

He had even needed Aiboke's reminder to recall Archmage Greta's identity.

"Thank you for your praise, Archmage! Please come this way—"

Xia Duo gestured, and soon led Archmage Greta to the Restraint Room where Aquilain was being held. Looking from the outside, Aquilain looked like a lifeless sculpture, huddled in the corner, motionless.

But the Magic Aura that flared up from time to time seemed to prove that the other party was not only alive but living quite well!

"That news was revealed by him voluntarily when we captured him. However, judging by the situation at the time, the news should be true!" Xia Duo said simply.

Archmage Greta did not respond, first observing Aquilain from the outside, and then stating her own request: "I need to see him alone."

"No problem!"

Xia Duo immediately summoned the Tower Spirit to release the restrictions on the perimeter of the Restraint Room, while simultaneously signaling Aiboke with his eyes to step out, as he had something to say.

Just now, as soon as he received the notification, he saw Aiboke return with Archmage Greta. The two of them hadn't had a chance to communicate privately yet, and he didn't know what the situation was like in Seventon, or how Aiboke had returned so quickly!

And he had even brought someone back!

That news was perhaps even more important than he had imagined!