Outside the Cold Pine Ridge, deep within the dense forest.

The morning breeze brushed through the treetops, dispelling the lingering fog of the night.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering mottled light spots. An orderly assembled knight team was moving along the forest path.

Leading them was a young man, draped in a black cloak, silver patterns faintly glimmering under the sunlight.

He rode his horse casually, appearing as if he was merely out for a leisurely inspection, showing no sign of tension.

"The Lord seems to be in a good mood," murmured a young knight quietly.

His companion lightly nudged him with an elbow: "Isn't he always like this? Quite approachable. Honestly, riding under Lord Louis is more reassuring than with anyone else."

Though they were unclear about the specific purpose of this outing, they were already accustomed:

As long as it was Louis's command, they would follow it.

Since the Snow Swearer battle, the soldiers of the Red Tide Territory had developed an almost instinctive trust in this young lord.

At the forest's end, a rocky mound abruptly stood tall.

Like a crack split by the sky, it opened into a dark entrance, surrounded by frost-bitten vines and rubble, faint traces suggesting beasts once dwelled here.

Louis dismounted, speaking softly, "Be careful, everyone, let's take a look inside."

He neither showed off nor feigned mystery.

Just as if he suddenly wanted to explore an old site on a whim.

Several knights stepped forward voluntarily, raising torches and clearing obstacles ahead.

Their mood was light-hearted, some even jesting, "Maybe there's a treasure map hidden in this cave."

But as they ventured deeper, the laughter gradually faded.

Deep within the cave, it was damp and chilly.

Furthermore, the air was filled with an indescribable burnt and rotten odor.

These strange smells made them somewhat wary.

Upon reaching a natural cavern hall, the light suddenly brightened.

"Sir, there's someone ahead!" the forward scout suddenly warned loudly.

Everyone immediately went on alert.

Louis merely stiffened for a moment, quickening his pace a bit towards the fire-lit end.

A human figure lay in repose on the stone floor, half-submerged in a pool of greenish liquid, with the air awash with a foul sten odor of rot and blood.

His ash-silver magic robe was already in tatters, his left shoulder like it had been scorched by flames, armor molten and curled.

Exposed skin was covered in black burn marks, with remnants of a worm body embedded in the wound, still slightly writhing.

That circle of power-suppressed seal marks shimmered faintly between flesh and blood, cruel and cold.

"It's him…" Seeing such terrible injuries, Louis's gaze sharpened.

He was about to approach when beside him came a low shout, "Lord Louis, please step back a bit!"

It was Lambert, nervously blocking in front.

"Last time… you were knocked out by an old man with one dying breath."

The words made many knights twitch their mouths, evidently remembering vividly.

Louis was also cautious, yielding without resistance.

He stepped back lightly, shrugging, "That was my carelessness."

Two experienced knights quickly stepped forward.

One knelt slightly, extending his palm to lightly check Lei Xi'er's breath, then examined the wounds and pulse, frowning and softly saying, "Still alive, but severely injured… almost gone."

The other knight tried waking him, voice not loud yet distinctly clear, "Hey, can you hear me? Are you okay?"

No response.

The body collapsed on the ground was like a piece of soulless wood, breath exceedingly chaotic, only a faint sign of life sustaining the last will.

Louis stood at a distance, staring at the wound on that person's chest.

A whole piece of armor had been thoroughly corroded, flesh charred black, blood and remnants mixed into a disgusting mass of stench.

It made one's scalp tingle.

"…If we had arrived a few hours later, he probably wouldn't have made it."

He squinted, vaguely recalling that the last legendary mage, though severely injured, seemed to have suffered different wounds.

Louis pulled out two bottles of green potion from his arms, silver-sealed bottles with a gentle luster.

"Feed him this." He handed the potion to the knight beside him.

"Yes."

These were high purity Life Potions produced by the Calvin Commerce Association.

Since becoming a "Mine Boss," he had stockpiled quite a bit; in the war-torn Northern Territory, such items worked better than gold.

Now to him it wasn't rare, but using it on this "Rare Mage" was quite a worthwhile investment.

The knight carefully fed Lei Xi'er the potion drop by drop; the process was arduous, but it ultimately went smoothly.

The second bottle followed, and after a while, that person's originally pale complexion gradually showed a tint of blood.

"Breathing's stabilized a bit, and body temperature has risen." The knight said softly.

"But still unconscious." Lambert frowned.

"Then let's take him back." Louis stood up, dusted himself off, speaking gently.

He sighed lightly, eyes falling on that battered body, a trace of unease emerging inside.

"What kind of thing could wreak such havoc on a mage team? And this kind of thing… is still near my territory."

He silently prayed for the unknown mage: "You better survive, I want to know what exactly happened to you."

After rescuing the dying mage, Louis did not retrace his steps back to the Red Tide Territory.

Instead, according to the plan, he embarked on the journey towards the Cold Fir Territory.

"Well, it's about time to head there anyway…" He stretched lazily on the horse, "After all, it's one of my territories too."

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