“We came to investigate the problem of Caugust and Bayton Academy secretly cultivating high-risk demonic creatures. However, it seems this disaster has already been resolved by you, Lord Saul.”

Saul looked back at distant Caugust.

Resolved?

Perhaps, for the Tribunal, the biggest uncertainty factor had already been controlled by Saul.

Unless they still wanted to snatch the Inverted Tree from Saul’s hands, the source of this uprising had indeed been eliminated, but the disaster caused by the Inverted Tree hadn’t been resolved yet.

There were no living people left in Caugust’s inner city, though there should still be some survivors in the outer city.

For them, this sacrifice was the real disaster.

“Will the Tribunal send people in to search for survivors?” Saul asked.

Shadu across from him shook his head very decisively.

“If they were ordinary people, they would have been completely polluted the moment the Inverted Tree erupted. Even if they’re still alive now, they only have one breath left. As for wizards, those who were still alive when you stopped the disaster were naturally saved. They’ll come out on their own.”

This was the terrifying nature of wizards.

For ordinary people, encountering a wizard’s slaughter was more terrible than encountering a natural disaster.

Even if they didn’t die directly in the disaster, they would die afterward from various radiation pollution caused by wizards.

“I was naive.” Saul laughed self-mockingly.

“You stopped the disaster from spreading. This isn’t naivety—it’s nobility.” Shadu smiled, shamelessly flattering Saul.

Even Saul, the one being praised, felt it was ironic, yet the other party looked completely natural.

Then Shadu changed the subject. “May I ask, has Bayton Academy’s dean already been executed by you?”

“He’s already dead.”

“That’s good. With the Inverted Tree in your hands, we can rest assured.” Shadu hinted to Saul that the Tribunal wouldn’t compete with him for the Inverted Tree.

Then he extended an invitation to Saul.

“Additionally, Lord Saul, our Chief Frim would like to invite you to the Tribunal for a meeting. When would be convenient for you?”

The Tribunal Chief inviting Saul to the Tribunal?

To set up the pentagram formation for the Symphony of Fate, Saul indeed had plans to visit the Nephret Continent.

But not now—Little Algae was still waiting for his tree seed.

However, an invitation from a fourth-rank wizard couldn’t be casually refused.

Keli, who had been quietly listening to Saul’s conversation with the Tribunal members, now stood up somewhat nervously.

She had heard Saul mention that the rebellion at Gorsa’s wizard tower might also have some connection to the Tribunal.

She just didn’t know what their attitude toward Saul was now.

Saul considered for a moment. “I would indeed be willing to visit the Tribunal to meet the Chief, but I currently have very important matters to handle and cannot depart immediately.”

Shadu quickly smiled and said, “It’s my fault for not being clear. Since we’re inviting you, if you have matters to handle, naturally you should handle your affairs first. Of course, we still hope you can come to Nephret within a year. We can send a special airship to pick you up at any time.”

The other party spoke very politely but also clearly gave Saul a one-year time limit.

Domineering as always.

“I understand.” Saul put away his smile and nodded slightly.

Shadu smiled and bowed again, then left with the three wizards behind him who had remained silent throughout.

“What do the Tribunal people want with you?” Keli was somewhat worried.

Watching the departing figures of the Tribunal members, Saul took a bite of the rabbit leg. “Either it’s related to the Borderland, or it’s related to Master Gorsa.”

“Should we go find Tower Master Gorsa for help? Isn’t he at the Sighing Wall? That’s much closer than Nephret.” Keli suggested.

But Saul shook his head. “He may not have time.”

When they parted last time, Master Gorsa had clearly told Saul that after returning, he would prepare to advance to fourth rank.

This was absolutely the most important matter for Master Gorsa at present.

Saul didn’t want to trouble him with his own affairs or disturb his advancement.

He also hoped Master Gorsa would advance quickly.

After all, which was more impressive—a Fourth-Rank Master or a Third-Rank Master? Was there even a need to consider?

“Then I’ll accompany you when the time comes!” Keli puffed out her small chest, still holding more than half of the roasted rabbit.

Ann and Agu didn’t express their opinions.

Regardless, wherever Saul was, they would definitely be there too.

“We’ll talk about it when the time comes.” Saul waved the rabbit leg in his hand. “Let’s eat first.”

The two ate while chatting about their respective experiences.

“So where do we go next? Are you taking the Inverted Tree back with you?” Keli sucked on her fingers.

Saul hadn’t told her about the Symphony of Fate.

Knowing such things would only be a burden for her and wouldn’t benefit her advancement.

“I’ve already entrusted the Inverted Tree to a capable person to watch over. We’ll return to the Borderland first—Senior Byron is also there.” After a pause, Saul asked her, “Are you willing to come with me to the Borderland? I’ve established a wizard tower there, though there aren’t many people currently.”

Keli pulled at the corner of her mouth. “This is the first time I’ve seen a kidnapper ask for the kidnapped person’s opinion.”

After speaking, she somewhat unnaturally brushed her hair that gleamed with metallic luster. “As long as you don’t mind that I’m still only first-rank and can’t help you much.”

Saul immediately showed a disgusted expression.

“I definitely mind, but aren’t you preparing to advance? How about this—if you can’t advance within three months, I’ll hang you at the top of the wizard tower as a flag, okay?”

“Why a flag?” Keli was confused by Saul, but suddenly realized and punched Saul’s shoulder.

“Flag your sister!”

“Oh my, how can a dignified marquis use profanity?”

“I learned it from you! By the way, should we roast this cat together?”

“Better not, it’s quite expensive.”

The two talked and laughed, bickered and made noise, as if returning to their time as wizard apprentices, completely forgetting the pressure from the Tribunal.

Agu and Ann stood aside watching, finding it both amusing and enviable.

Wizards were inherently people whose rationality overwhelmed emotion. How many could maintain such pure feelings after advancing to third rank?

“Master advanced too quickly and too smoothly. He doesn’t have much of the bearing of a third-rank wizard,” Agu sighed.

Ann rolled her eyes at him disapprovingly. “Bearing is something only people with pretense but no real strength need to intimidate others. I think master is just fine as he is now.”

…

The evil wizard Saul, returning with the Inverted Tree seed and a kidnapped female marquis, didn’t know that Byron, who was guarding the Purity Wizard Tower, had suddenly had a dream.

One second, Byron was still buried in his laboratory, conducting a complex cultivation experiment.

But the next second, he suddenly lost consciousness and crashed head-first onto the experiment table. The bottles and vials in his hands also fell to the ground and shattered.

In the dark space, a phantom, water-ripple-like humanoid shadow suddenly appeared.

The shadow was colorful and constantly changing colors as it swayed. Just looking at it made Byron dizzy.

But Byron wasn’t nervous. He had seen such scenes before.

He quickly realized he had fallen asleep, and passively so.

Because such scenes had occurred many times over the past two years.

However, what he hadn’t expected was that this time, the human figure in front of him actually spoke.

“Hello, Byron.”

Byron asked expressionlessly, “Who are you?”

The figure across from him was quiet for a moment.

“I’ve forgotten most of it. You can just call me… Half-Elf.”

Byron’s eyes widened slightly.

Did anyone still remember the half-elf?

(End of Chapter)

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