Ten minutes later, at the magic laboratory in the center of Wildfire Territory.

Reception Hall.

Falk and Havier from the Warm Fire Commerce Association sit on one side.

Andrew, Ivan, and An Ya represent Wildfire Territory, sitting on the other side.

Barbara sits in the middle, acting as a bridge of communication.

The naive scholar Leia, however, doesn't sit with Falk and Havier but clings to Barbara's side, full of wonder and curiosity, asking her all sorts of questions.

On arriving at Wildfire Territory, especially after walking through the large gate on the northeast side of the territory with "Welcome to Wildfire Territory" written on it, and along a wide road that led straight to the magic laboratory in the territory center, Leia confirmed: "It really isn't a mirage!

Indeed... it's clearer up close!"

For Leia, seeing such a large developing territory deep in the desert was astonishingly novel.

Once she stepped into Wildfire Territory, she was dazzled by the fresh people and events unseen in any big city.

Before this, she had never seen such a vast Water Tower Tree (Shire).

Nor had she ever seen a dog so enormous (Little Ha)!

The key was, throughout the development of Wildfire Territory, the construction philosophy, ambiance, and atmosphere reflected were entirely new to Leia.

She even vaguely felt internally: "This Wildfire Territory feels different from Warm Fire City, and from every other city I've visited! It's not the hardware, but... the atmosphere! The atmosphere here is different from elsewhere!"

In stark contrast to Leia was Havier.

To be honest, Andrew couldn't quite understand why the Warm Fire Commerce Association sent such a shallow person.

Yes, though it had been less than half an hour since meeting Havier, Andrew was quite certain: this was a simpleton! The word "simpleton" was written on his face and all over his body.

Havier's face was noticeably displeased at this moment, staring at Andrew.

For Havier, whether it was Wildfire Town or Wildfire Territory, wasn't it just a backward place in the boondocks?

How could such a lowly existence sit "face to face" with him and Falk in this reception hall?

He was used to being admired and looked up to wherever he went!

As for the environment in Wildfire Territory, which in Leia's eyes was full of vitality and enthusiasm, to Havier it appeared "chaotic" and "noisy to death"!

"Are we discussing here?"

Havier looked impatient and disdainful as he coldly stated, "Isn't there a quieter place?"

He referred to the bustling noise of the territory's people outside the magic laboratory.

"Oh, you find it noisy." Andrew couldn't be bothered to be polite, waving his hand to cast a soundproof magic barrier, then smiled at Havier, whose face had grown darker, seemingly about to burst, saying, "No need to thank me, don't mention it."

"You—" Havier abruptly stood up.

But was pressed back into his seat by a glance from Falk.

Ivan and An Ya maintained their composure, acting as if nothing happened.

Barbara, however, gave Andrew an apologetic glance.

Andrew smiled, indicating he didn't mind.

Internally, he felt a bit strange: "I always feel Barbara's attitude toward Havier is somewhat unusual..."

Havier seemed arrogant to everyone, quite rude, including Barbara.

Andrew originally thought Barbara's temperament would never tolerate such a person.

Yet whether it was an illusion or not, Barbara seemed to have some extra tolerance for Havier.

Andrew frowned slightly internally.

The knights from the Warm Fire Commerce Association did not participate but stood guard outside the reception hall.

Among the Warm Fire Commerce Association people, the most normal and reliable was, after all, the elderly Falk.

The old man had piercing, wise eyes that seemed to see through everything. After arriving at Wildfire Territory, he looked around and occasionally asked Andrew, who was guiding. After Andrew answered, Falk would always say "Thank you."

When seeing Ivan, Falk's gaze paused slightly but soon moved on.

Upon entering the reception hall and seeing An Ya, who participated in the talks as the territory administrator, Falk's body seemed to tremble slightly, a well-hidden unusual look flashing in his eyes.

At this moment, Falk signaled Havier next to him to sit down with his gaze, then began to exchange some pleasantries and gratitude to Andrew for caring and safeguarding Barbara.

Andrew was humble, indicating he hadn't done much, and instead, Barbara had helped him and everyone in Wildfire Territory a lot.

Falk then asked, "Mr. Andrew, you will confirm joining us to Warm Fire City tomorrow, correct?"

So they planned to stay one night in the territory before returning? Andrew thought internally.

On the surface, he remained composed and nodded, saying, "Yes, whenever you plan to return, I'll set off then."

After pausing, he pointed to Ivan next to him and asked, "This is my guard, he will go with me, is that alright?"

"Of course, no problem."

Falk's aged face displayed a slight smile, seemingly casually asking, "And this one? Not coming along to Warm Fire City?"

His gaze turned to An Ya.

An Ya was utterly unafraid, smiling, "I do have a bit of interest in going. But Wildfire Territory needs me to stay behind and manage."

"Manage?" A peculiar expression flickered in Falk's eyes.

Barbara explained on the side, "Sister An Ya is our Wildfire Territory's big manager. Andrew can leave, but Sister An Ya cannot leave for even a day."

Saying so, she winked at An Ya.

There was a detail in Barbara's words, she said, "our Wildfire Territory."

Leia had been pestering Barbara, whispering questions incessantly.

Hearing "our Wildfire Territory," she was momentarily stunned, closely observing Barbara's face and expression, especially noticing the eye contact between Barbara and Andrew when "our Wildfire Territory" was mentioned. Leia seemed to understand something, yet couldn't quite believe it immediately.

Meanwhil, Falk, after hearing An Ya's identity as the territory administrator, had an increasingly apparent and barely concealed peculiarity in his expression.

In his view, the fact that An Ya was Wildfire Territory's administrator seemed very illogical.

"Ah, administrator, this really is..." Falk hesitated momentarily, then shook his head, "In any case, tomorrow morning, Andrew and this gentleman—"

"Ivan," Ivan interjected.

"Yes, Mr. Ivan, will accompany us to Warm Fire City, it's settled then."

Falk quickly regained his usual calm demeanor from the brief moment of mild discomposure.

Then he shifted the conversation and asked, "I heard Barbara say that Wildfire Territory produces a high-quality drinkable water, is that right?"

There it is! Andrew thought internally.

After the brief pleasantries, chit-chat, expressions of gratitude, and setting the return date, this was the true main point.

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