Chapter 247: 254. Chapter 254: Laying Bare

254. Chapter 254 Showdown

Lin Ke brought some changes.

The wizards of the Paro Sage Legion suddenly discovered that the Medical Department had perked up.

Not only had the long-stalled "Sublimation" potion project finally entered the stage of large-scale promotion, but they had also separately applied for an "Empowerment" potion project.

Even some recently concocted potions for healing demon corrosion damage had their taste improved somewhat.

This truly astonished the wizards.

Before, no one had complained that these potions tasted too awful.

Like swill, hard to swallow, yet one had to drink one or two bottles every day, truly tormenting.

But how did the potion makers of the Medical Department respond?

"The formula is like this; unauthorized changes—what if they affect the efficacy?"

"Is life more important, or taste?"

All wizards have received basic education in potion-making.

Of course they know mature formulas cannot be easily altered.

But merely improving the taste—it's not asking you to optimize or enhance, what could it possibly affect?

Just admit you're unskilled, why be so stubborn?

This time, that bunch of birdbrains in the Medical Department actually took the initiative to do "good deeds"—could it be that the sun in the Fairy World rose from the west?

Sensing the anomaly, well-informed wizards made a quick inquiry and immediately discovered the source of the change.

It turned out that Paro Sage's most valued junior in recent years, hailed as the next Celine Wushi, the genius pharmacist Linke Grande, had somehow arrived in the Fairy World through some unknown channel.

Thus, the past could be explained.

The potions they developed were all bestsellers.

Improving potion taste—what a big deal, isn't it doable with just hands?

Consequently, the reputation of the 16 pharmacists of the Medical Department was inexplicably damaged.

When Lin Ke learned of these things, he laughed and cried at once.

Improving potion taste was what Salosaer Wizard demanded of him, not something Lin Ke voluntarily took on.

His wounds hadn't even healed yet, and he didn't have that much leisure.

Even if his wounds healed, Lin Ke still had very important matters to attend to.

As the saying goes, practice yields true knowledge.

Having undergone no real combat, the self-designed witchcraft "Battle Armor" based on Lin Ke's own conception and researched materials had been drafted into as many as eight versions.

But in several actual combats, only three versions were commonly used.

They were Combat Mode, Defense Mode, and Comprehensive Mode.

The other versions weren't without merits—for example, the Anti-Loken Battle Armor should prove remarkably effective against Body Refining Wizards.

However, having not yet undergone real combat testing, everything remained uncertain.

Lin Ke prepared to optimize the existing eight versions of Battle Armor, focusing on strengthening Combat Mode, Defense Mode, and Comprehensive Mode.

The remaining time was then devoted to the "Empowerment" potion project.

The potion formula and preparation method had already undergone formal channels at the Academy and were purchased by the Paro Sage Legion for usage rights for the next hundred years.

The Medical Department dispatched a team, working overtime according to Lin Ke's plan, to conduct preliminary verification of the project.

Lin Ke served as the head of "scientific research," directing the course, overseeing progress, without needing to personally handle every detail.

Time flew by.

One month passed in a flash.

The feedback on the large-scale promotion results of the "Sublimation" potion project was very good.

Already 100,000 fairies of various tribes had been injected with the "Sublimation" potion, completing the enhancement of their innate abilities.

Nearly every fairy had increased their combat power by at least one extraordinary level.

From cannon fodder honorably upgraded to enforcers.

It provided the Paro Sage Legion with considerable additional combat strength.

With the first phase results being encouraging, the second phase immediately expanded in scale, encompassing as many as 200,000 fairies.

After all, the raw materials for producing the "Sublimation" potion could already be cultivated and yielded in areas of the Fairy World heavily infiltrated by the Wizard World Will.

Self-sufficiency could be achieved, with no logistical pressure.

The verification work for the "Empowerment" potion project concluded; the situation was not bad, but not exactly good either.

After experimentation, it was indeed possible to grant fairies an additional two abilities, and effectively avoid conflicts, allowing harmonious coexistence with innate abilities.

However, fairies injected with the specially formulated "Empowerment" potion required a considerable length of time to adapt to the presence of the additional abilities and integrate them into their combat systems.

It was like in the era of cold weapons, a warrior accustomed to infantry combat suddenly switching to cavalry, needing prolonged training before adapting to the new mode of warfare.

But the Paro Sage Legion had no such time to grant the fairies for growth.

Thus, the "Empowerment" potion project immediately adjusted its direction, shifting from a universal project similar to the "Sublimation" potion to a specialized one.

They selected some high-quality, high-aptitude fairies, simultaneously injecting them with the "Sublimation" potion and the "Empowerment" potion.

These fairies would serve as auxiliary troops, officially enlisted into the Paro Sage Legion, to follow and fight.

Meanwhile, the first-phase 100,000 fairies of various tribes injected only with the "Sublimation" potion, and the second-phase 200,000 fairies, were used to wage "street fighting," consuming numerous low-level Abyssal Demons.

In one month's time, the situation underwent tremendous change.

Even though the three main corps occasionally took turns going out to "mow grass valleys," reducing the number of low-level Abyssal Demons, it was merely treating symptoms, not the root cause.

The Abyssal Demon Army besieging the Fairy World and the Paro Sage Legion grew ever larger in scale.

The numbers of low-, mid-, and high-level demons surged dramatically.

The former commander of the Abyssal Demon Army, a level Flame Demon, has already "abdicated in favor of the worthy."

Now commanding the Abyssal Demon Army and facing off against the Paro Sage Legion is a level Rock Demon.

It is extremely difficult for the Paro Sages to kill even a level Flame Demon.

What more of a level Rock Demon, which is of higher extraordinary rank and stronger defensive capability?

With the Guidance Rune Array constructed by the Elite Guard's combined spellcasting, the Paro Sage used himself as a lure to welcome the descent of the Wizard World Will,

Taking advantage of the level Rock Demon's initial arrival, a sneak attack by the bird could only inflict heavy damage on the level Rock Demon, but could not kill it on the spot.

As a result, the next day, this level Rock Demon had fully recovered.

And it commanded the Abyssal Demon Army to launch a fierce seven-day assault on the Paro Sage Legion's Star Defense Line.

The Star Defense Line formed by the Annihilation Fortress and Starship remained firm, successfully withstanding the Abyssal Demon Army's fierce assault and inflicting heavy casualties.

The cost was that supplies were reduced to the point where only two high-intensity local battles could be continued, reaching the crisis line.

This made the situation faced by the Paro Sage Legion increasingly difficult, gradually shifting from balance to disadvantage.

Once supplies are exhausted, the Star Defense Line will collapse without being attacked.

The war will then enter the "street fighting" stage inside the Fairy World.

"Street fighting" has always been a meat grinder.

From the start of the campaign to now, fewer than five non-lethal attrition incidents have occurred in the Paro Sage Legion, which will likely face an extreme crisis.

Even if not completely wiped out, there will be massive casualties and attrition.

Wizards will die when killed!

On the battlefield of the myriad realms, there has never been a shortage of wizard legions destroyed in formation.

With the changing situation, the Paro Sage Legion certainly will not sit and wait for death.

The entire legion has already mobilized, preparing for the impending decisive battle.

However, whether to hold firm or break through, the core decision-makers seem undecided.

Repeated deliberation, hesitation, and uncertainty have left the wizards below somewhat at a loss.

"Make preparations."

That day, Murphy the Elder suddenly pulled the already-healed Lin Ke Grande aside and whispered, "If things go wrong, immediately flee and do not fight to the death."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ke Grande was greatly shocked, his brows tightly furrowed, and he asked, "What happened?"

"Nothing happened."

Murphy the Elder shook his head, but his expression was very solemn, "The Staff Office has reassessed the situation and believes the optimal solution is to abandon the Fairy World and break out now. Paro Sage rejected this suggestion and decided to hold firm."

"Hmm, I understand." Lin Ke Grande knew in his heart that Paro Sage's decision to hold firm was made under the Academy's orders.

Although Murphy the Elder is a senior Level 2 Wizard and a backbone of the legion, he has not entered the core decision-making layer and naturally does not know the hidden details.

He merely, out of the intuition of an "old soldier" who has long been on the front lines of the myriad realms battlefield, believes that without Academy support, the legion's defense of the Fairy World is not a good strategy and is prone to heavy losses.

It is a rare thing for Murphy the Elder to take the risk and privately warn Lin Ke Grande.

Lin Ke Grande felt grateful, but could not tell Murphy the Elder that all this was arranged by the Academy.

Murphy the Elder then told Lin Ke Grande some battlefield survival and life-preserving experience before departing.

After seeing off the worried Murphy the Elder with mixed emotions, Lin Ke Grande, upon arriving in the Fairy World, submitted his first request to meet Paro Sage through the Attendant Office.

Some things must be laid out now, taking advantage of this opportunity.

"Very important? Must meet?"

The Attendant Office chief, amidst his busyness, took time to personally find Lin Ke Grande and confirm it.

As the situation worsens, Paro Sage has more affairs to handle, and time is tighter.

If unnecessary, the Attendant Office chief does not want any unrelated person to disturb Paro Sage.

But Lin Ke Grande's identity is special and cannot be casually refused.

"Very important!"

Lin Ke Grande heard the implication in the Attendant Office chief's words and still insisted.

"Alright."

Even if unwilling, the Attendant Office chief had no choice but to agree, "Come with me, Paro Sage is waiting for you."

After saying that, the Attendant Office chief turned around, led Lin Ke Grande through half of the Forward Base, from the Medical Department's station to Paro Sage's tent.

"You all go out for a moment."

Upon seeing Lin Ke Grande enter, Paro Sage gestured for the staff stationed in this tent from the Attendant Office and Staff Office to leave first, making space.

"What's the matter?"

Raising his hand to rub his slightly swollen head, Paro Sage asked while also somewhat missing Celine Wushi's massage.

If Celine Wushi knew what Paro Sage was thinking now, he would surely spit and say, "Pah! Scumbag."

"Are you sure about holding firm?"

Lin Ke Grande originally did not want to interfere with the legion's decisions, but since it concerned his own life, he still wanted to ask for a definite answer.

"Didn't you already know this long ago?"

Paro Sage questioned doubtfully, "Why are you asking now?"

"Indeed, I have long known."

Lin Ke Grande said seriously, "But I do not know what backup plans the legion or the Academy have, nor am I confident that the Academy's backup will arrive on time."

"Hmm..."

Paro Sage pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Are you distrustful of the Academy because of the ambush incident?"

Lin Ke Grande fell silent for a moment, then nodded frankly.

When he submitted the request to meet Paro Sage, he had already prepared to "lay all cards on the table."

Ah!

Sage Paro took a deep breath, his face showing a helpless expression, "Ms. Lisandra has successfully messed up another thing, chilling someone's heart."

After sighing, Sage Paro said seriously, "Dean Forrester asked me to tell you, the academy's arrangement for you this time is indeed very abrupt, and also very unfriendly to you. But, secretly, someone has always been protecting you, and will not let you truly face a life-threatening danger."

Lin Ke continued to remain silent.

Regarding this point, when reviewing the ambush incident, Lin Ke had some speculation.

But, once the heart is chilled, it remains chilled.

In front of Sage Paro, Lin Ke did not conceal this.

He also hoped to convey his thoughts to Dean Forrester through Sage Paro.

The crying child gets candy.

Being too sensible, too considerate, too thoughtful for the academy, the academy might think, since you are so sensible, so considerate, so thoughtful for the academy, then let's have another such "arrangement."

Then, what to do?

Suffer another unprovoked attack?

Suffer another beating with no chance to fight back?

Lin Ke is unwilling, so he must show his attitude.

Even if this action might anger some people.

Sage Paro stared deeply at Lin Ke for a long time, then asked solemnly, "Do you still remember the space storage wizard artifact you sent, and the supplies inside it?"

"I remember."

Lin Ke nodded in response.

"The portal connecting to the rear camp has already been built, just not announced yet."

Sage Paro said lightly, "The legion's logistical supply is under no pressure, the star defense line is very solid, the abyssal demon army cannot break through! Also, the academy has arranged a legion, ready to support. But..."

Lin Ke followed up: "But unless it's the critical moment, that legion won't be deployed, right?"

"No."

Sage Paro waved his hand, denying Lin Ke's guess, "It can be deployed at any time. But, I don't think the situation will develop to the point where that legion's support is needed."

"Understood."

Lin Ke pondered, it seems the academy and legion's arrangements are still very proper.

All aspects have been considered.

Wizards countering demons is not just empty talk.

"Alright, since you've gotten the answer you wanted, go back, I still have many things to do here."

Sage Paro, seeing this, gave the order to leave.

"Hmm, goodbye."

Lin Ke had already achieved his purpose, stood up to say goodbye, exited the tent neatly, without any delay.

"Did you hear that?"

Sage Paro suddenly said to the empty space beside where Lin Ke had been standing.

"I heard it."

Dean Forrester's figure appeared with the voice, "Is the little guy's suspicion and vigilance always this heavy?"

"I already told you that."

Sage Paro said coldly, "It's you who didn't take it seriously, insisting on using the little guy as a pawn, and not communicating with him in advance. It's normal for this kind of alienation and disaffection to appear."

After a pause, Sage Paro stared directly into Dean Forrester's eyes, emphasizing word by word: "If it were me, I would also do so. The academy doesn't even treat me as a person, why should I still trust the academy."

"emmm..."

Dean Forrester fell silent for a moment, his face showing a helpless expression, "Many things, I also cannot stop. Second sister is too spoiled, too self-centered."

"This has nothing to do with us."

Sage Paro didn't buy this, having no intention to sympathize with Dean Forrester's difficulties, "We grassroots who built everything from nothing are also self-centered."

"Alright."

Dean Forrester didn't continue to dwell on this, turning to ask, "Is everything ready?"

Sage Paro nodded.

Dean Forrester estimated the time and the academy's other arrangements, then waved his hand:

"Let's destroy these abyssal demons."