Chapter 333: Future Enemies

"Project the scene from Restraint Room No. 3 over here!"

He wanted to see what Archmage Greta was so urgently rushing over from Seventon for. Was she going to play dirty with Aquilain? Or was she simply here to inquire about Lord Huo Ke's impending promotion to Great Arcanist? The Tower Spirit reacted very quickly; within a second or two of Xia Duo giving the order, a projection appeared between Xia Duo and Aiboke, but the projection only showed Aquilain crouching in the corner, with no sign of Archmage Greta at all!

Was the surveillance tampered with?

No, it must be an Illusion! Xia Duo quickly made his judgment. There were many ways to penetrate an illusion, but they were not applicable to the current situation. Xia Duo was just holding a wait-and-see attitude to see if he could catch anything.

Since the other party didn't want him to see these things, he wouldn't go looking for trouble.

Signaling the Tower Spirit to dismiss the projection, Xia Duo began to question Aiboke, "What is going on with Archmage Greta? Did you see the Princess when you went to Seventon? Also, have you notified Huo Ke Territory?"

"When I went to Seventon just now, I first found Archmage Olong and explained the situation to him. Afterward, Archmage Greta appeared. Before I could even notify Huo Ke Territory, I was made to return early at Archmage Greta's request."

Aiboke first briefly recounted his trip to Seventon, then added, "This matter is far more complex than we imagined. When I was explaining the situation to him at the time, his expression changed on the spot. Before I could even finish, Archmage Greta appeared."

In the end, he added, "I think it is necessary for us to withdraw from this as soon as possible."

Xia Duo was silent. He thought of a historical event on Earth; perhaps the patriotic youth in Sarajevo never imagined that his single gunshot would lead to a world war that caused tens of millions of casualties.

Lord Huo Ke was about to become a Great Arcanist. Once he succeeded, the number of Great Arcanists in Netheril would rise from fifteen to sixteen.

A newly emerged powerhouse would inevitably demand status and resources matching their strength. Once the balance was broken, there was no telling what would happen.

Of course, things might not be as Xia Duo thought. Perhaps countless Netherese, including the existing upper echelons, were calling for the birth of the next Great Arcanist! If that were the case, he might be the one in trouble.

He maintained his territory and order, which seemed reasonable and legal, but a figure like a Great Arcanist could already ignore rules to a certain extent, especially rules concerning those at the bottom.

Xia Duo felt a bit panicked inside, but he didn't show it at all on his face. He said to Aiboke, "I agree with your view, but it is not easy to withdraw now. We must prepare for the worst."

The so-called worst-case scenario was being targeted by the next Great Arcanist whom countless people were calling for! However, judging by Archmage Greta's attitude, things might not be that bad. What Xia Duo needed to do next was to actively align himself with the Princess.

This was one of his own backers anyway, so there was nothing to be embarrassed about. A living Great Arcanist and an unconfirmed Great Arcanist had vastly different weights.

After thinking for a moment, he instructed Aiboke, "When Archmage Greta comes out later, you return to Seventon with her. Do not notify Huo Ke Territory about Aquilain's arrest for now. You stay there first and find out about the situation in Huo Ke Territory, as well as how their relationship is with the Princess and Lord Iolum."

"You mean—"

"Regardless, the Tower of Time was left behind by Lord Iolum's student, and I also hold the title of Pioneer granted by the Princess. Let's see the situation in Huo Ke Territory first!"

Aiboke nodded to show he understood. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly stopped speaking, his eyes looking toward the direction behind Xia Duo. Xia Duo turned his head to look, but there was nothing there.

But before he could ask, he heard the sound of footsteps coming from inside, getting closer and closer—

It was Archmage Greta coming out!

Xia Duo hurriedly went to meet her and asked tentatively, "Lord Greta, did you have any success?"

"Hmm." Greta's pace did not stop at all, and her speaking speed was somewhat fast. "You did well in this matter; I will report it to the Princess. As for this Aquilain, handle him however you see fit. Just act as if I was never here!"

Xia Duo's footsteps paused. He and Aiboke looked at each other, and both saw a trace of relief in the other's eyes.

Watching Archmage Greta walk toward the Elevator without stopping, Xia Duo hurriedly followed and asked again, "Lord Greta, Niya brought back news earlier saying that the Eagle Chamber of Commerce, and even Huo Ke Territory behind it, would not become our enemies. What does this mean?"

Originally, Xia Duo did not expect Greta to answer this question, but to his surprise, she actually did!

"It means that in the future, they are very likely to become enemies—not just your enemies, but also the Princess's enemies! I am only telling you this here; keep it to yourself and do not tell anyone else!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Duo subconsciously looked at Aiboke, only to see him walking with his head down without any abnormality, seemingly thinking about how to gather information once he arrived in Seventon.

Once inside the Elevator, Xia Duo felt that Archmage Greta seemed quite easy to talk to, so he tentatively asked another question: "Lord Greta, I have one more question—"

"Stop!" Greta suddenly turned to look at Xia Duo. "For Niya's sake, you may ask one last question, but I do not guarantee whether I will answer it."

Niya? A jolt went through Xia Duo's heart. Could it be that Niya had really become the Princess's student? No, if it were true, Greta shouldn't have hidden it, because there was no need.

Xia Duo wanted to ask about Niya, but felt it was inappropriate to waste this last question on it. In the end, he played a little trick: "Lord Greta, in your opinion, what should I do in the current situation?"

After asking, Xia Duo couldn't help but feel a bit anxious, wondering how Archmage Greta would answer, or if she would simply not answer at all. "If I were you, I would spend more energy on territorial expansion instead of hiding in the Mage Tower and resting on my laurels!" Greta said with a pointed meaning.

Xia Duo nodded blankly, "Yes, I will keep that in mind!"

Soon, the Elevator reached the Public Level. Greta stepped out first and walked toward the Teleportation Room. Xia Duo was still thinking about whether the Archmage was reminding him not to forget his duties as a Pioneer, or something else, so he lagged behind.

But that was just as well. Having regained his composure, he had Aiboke adjust the plan; what needed to be notified would still be notified.

Not until he watched the two disappear into the Teleportation Array did Xia Duo have the chance to carefully think about the information Archmage Greta had conveyed.

Thanks to 【Tu Fu 90】 for the 1000 reward!! Thanks for everyone's support!!

(End of chapter)