Chapter 341: Unexpected Incident

He kept guessing in his heart, but on the surface, Xia Duo remained calm, saying as if it were a matter of routine:

"Mage Weierde, it is a pleasure to meet an Advanced Rank Mage. What would you like to do with this visit?"

Simple small talk is not welcomed by Mages, unless they are people with close relations, but to Xia Duo, Weierde clearly did not reach that level.

"I am also very happy to meet such a young Intermediate Rank Mage. Mage Xia Duo, your talent makes me envious. The Magic Goddess favors you so much!"

Weierde looked very upright and spoke very pleasantly, but the cold aura "smelled" from him constantly reminded Xia Duo that this person was not simple.

Xia Duo did not speak, just quietly looking at Weierde, and Weierde also saw that Xia Duo was not the kind of young man who would lose his head from a few compliments.

Thus, he finally stated his purpose, "My Lord received news from the Arcane Union that Aquilain was arrested in Daxia Territory, so he specifically sent me over to redeem him. All losses suffered by Daxia Territory as a result will be paid by us."

Redeeming a person?

Xia Duo frowned. If someone else had come, he might have agreed, but the Weierde before him was from August Territory, and Depake had just specifically reminded him that there was a blood feud between August Territory and Huo Ke Territory.

The matter was already complicated enough, and for August Territory to get involved made Xia Duo have a headache. He had the mind to refuse directly, but the cold aura he perceived from the other party, as well as the August Territory behind him, gave him some concerns.

"Mage Weierde, can you tell me why you want to redeem Aquilain? You must know he is not one of your people." Xia Duo implicitly expressed his refusal.

But Weierde seemed completely unconcerned, saying without any concealment: "Of course, to kill him!"

Hearing this, it was even more impossible for Xia Duo to agree. He really did not want to get involved in the relationship between these two houses, "Mage Weierde, I am sorry, but based on this reason alone, I cannot agree."

Weierde suddenly smiled and changed the subject, "I wonder how Lord Xia Duo views the current situation in Netheril?"

"Sorry, I do not know about this." Xia Duo was not lying, and he understood the principle of not discussing deep matters with shallow acquaintances, "If there is nothing else, I have a very important experiment over there that needs to be handled. I will have Depake entertain you. The Tower of Time welcomes your arrival."

After speaking, Xia Duo prepared to get up and leave.

"Lord Xia Duo, please wait a moment."

Weierde blocked Xia Duo, "I am very sorry, my previous words caused you to have a misunderstanding, but I want to say that when facing Huo Ke Territory, August is your best friend."

"No!" Xia Duo stopped his footsteps, "We are not enemies with Huo Ke Territory, it was just a very small accident that occurred. Aquilain cannot represent Huo Ke Territory, and you cannot represent August."

Although Archmage Greta revealed that Huo Ke Territory might very well become an enemy in the future, it was not yet, and the distinction between enemy and friend does not lie in verbal debate; one must always look at the reality.

Weierde's lips moved, but in the end, he did not persuade anything, only mentioning one thing when leaving, "If Lord Xia Duo knew about the great cause we are undertaking, he would definitely agree with us!"

This sentence was reported by Depake after he sent him out. Regarding this, Xia Duo was noncommittal. Regardless of whether August had good intentions or malicious ones, he did not want to get involved for the time being.

This had nothing to do with his fundamental plan of "clinging to a powerful backer externally and accumulating strength internally." The most urgent thing now was to wait for Aiboke to return and for news from Huo Ke Territory to settle this matter as soon as possible.

As for the aftermath, naturally, the "backer" would handle it. He just needed to hold on tight, hide behind, and develop quietly.

On the second day after Weierde left, Aiboke returned. Xia Duo, having received a reminder from the Tower Spirit, did not want to wait even a moment and immediately had the Tower Spirit teleport him in front of Aiboke.

Upon meeting, Xia Duo asked impatiently: "How is the situation? Did you hear any new news?"

Aiboke's face was somewhat tired; he had been busy scouting for news these days and had not rested well.

However, he had obtained some new news today that he felt was very important, so he rushed back immediately, "There is not much news to be found; it is about the same as what we previously understood, all superficial information. However—"

"However what?"

"Today, a new piece of news suddenly appeared in Seventon: multiple Mages from Huo Ke Territory were ambushed and killed, four of whom died on the spot. This has been confirmed by the Arcane Union. Additionally, there is news claiming this was done by their blood-feud enemy, August Territory, but the authenticity remains to be verified."

August? Xia Duo's heart skipped a beat. Although there was no definitive news yet, many people, including himself, had already concluded it was done by August Territory!

"Has Huo Ke Territory made a response?" Xia Duo asked.

"Yes, this matter has already reached the Arcane Union, and it probably won't be long before it spreads completely." Speaking of this, a trace of worry appeared on Aiboke's face.

He also believed this matter was done by August Territory, but this affair also had a significant connection to the Tower of Time, as Aquilain was arrested by the Tower of Time.

No one knew if Huo Ke Territory would think the Tower of Time was also involved!

What Aiboke could think of, Xia Duo had also thought of. Originally, he was prepared to use Aquilain to trade for some Arcane Crystals or repair materials, but now that such a thing had happened, Aquilain certainly could not be released.

Because now, he could no longer be sure if Huo Ke Territory would treat the Tower of Time as an enemy.

Previously, Huo Ke Territory had not lost anything, just losing a bit of face, but because they were in the wrong and the Tower of Time had a backer, they could only accept it.

But now, Huo Ke Territory had lost four Mages at once, so this debt would likely be counted against August Territory, but the Tower of Time would likely have to share some of it as well.

Thinking of this, Xia Duo hurriedly asked Aiboke, "Did you notify Huo Ke Territory that Aquilain was arrested?"

"I have already notified them."

At this moment, Aiboke was also somewhat annoyed, because when he notified them, he clearly hinted that they could release the person for money. But in the current situation, how could one easily release someone who was already almost certainly an enemy!

"Sigh—"

Xia Duo let out a sigh. He even suspected that August Territory was specifically targeting him. Weierde failed to "redeem" Aquilain here, and an ambush case immediately occurred over there.

If one were to say these two events had no connection at all, Xia Duo would not believe it. This clearly involved the Tower of Time, and also—

"Aiboke, when you notified Huo Ke Territory, did you leak any wind? August Territory sent someone the day before yesterday saying they wanted to buy Aquilain, and I did not agree."

"Ah!"

Aiboke reacted quickly, immediately linking this matter to the ambush case, and the annoyance and worry on his face grew heavier.

"Forget it, it was my lack of consideration." Xia Duo comforted him, though he was also somewhat annoyed.

Originally, he had arranged for Aiboke to pass the news through the Arcane Union, thinking to expose the Aquilain affair and confirm that the other party had violated the rules first.

But plans never keep up with changes!

"Sigh—"

Xia Duo sighed again, but things always had to be solved. He let Aiboke go to rest first, then stood alone in place, thinking carefully.