The first warm breeze of spring finally reached the Five Realms Fortress, bringing with it moist air and the breath of life from the south. The rivers on the Pate Plain started to thaw, and a mountain spring flowed down from the high mountains beside the fortress, becoming a watering place for the merchants gathered here.

Fresh green began to appear within the scouts' line of sight; from afar, the scorched land of the battlefield could not stop the resurgence of life. Throughout the entire winter, the Snake-men lay low, which not only gave the Alliance a chance to catch their breath but also granted temporary peace to the whole world. However, with the change of seasons, how long could such a situation last?

Wislin seized this rare respite to recruit and train many soldiers. Although they had not yet been to the battlefield and had not fought face-to-face with the enemy, all their skills had fully earned them the title of "warrior." However, as the recruits grew younger and younger, Wislin gradually felt the approaching limits of the fight. If the enemy could not be quickly dealt with, even if they eventually won, the entire Pate would lose the ability to recover itself.

Lynch held the same thought, along with an additional urgent pressure. Members of the Mage Association had been closely monitoring the changes in the Magic God's relics, and they reported the situation at any time. Recently, the barrier in the relics had become increasingly unstable, and no one knew how long it could hold.

Originally, Lynch thought that after controlling the Mage Association, he might be able to sway the Dark Elves to his side. Although he couldn't fully trust those dark-skinned fellows, under the premise of shared interests and enemies, obtaining powerful allies like the Drow would be a great advantage to his side.

However, on the day he became the Great Mage, the Drow disappeared from the Mage Association's sight, without a trace. They seemed to be deliberately avoiding this newly appointed Head of Mages, unwilling to engage in any further contact.

But at this time, Regula's unexpected "visit" gave Lynch new hope. Perhaps through this acquaintance, he could gain some intelligence from the Underdark.

When the mage and Zilvra arrived at the dungeon, Regula was leisurely leaning in a corner of the cell, resting with his eyes closed, oblivious to the cold stone walls and the penetrating dampness. Soka, Eruiyes, and Yilinrui were playing a card game on a nearby table, with a pile of gemstones used as chips at one corner. Clearly, these items were sourced from the treasury of the All-Knowing Tower, and the little angel was unable to stop herself from losing her chips to the Desire Demon.

Lynch didn't know how to explain it to them, especially since he "once again" didn't invite them to join him in action. However, the three ladies seemed not to notice him at all, instead inviting Zilvra to join their card game, leaving the mage completely aside.

"Rare leisure," Lynch murmured to himself quietly as he skirted around the four of them.

Regula lifted his eyelids, sized Lynch up, then stood up: "Why are you only coming now?"

"Oh?" The mage was taken aback. "Ever since you left the Underdark, you've vanished from the world without a trace. And now, as soon as you show up, you've planned an assassination attempt against my friend. Now you're blaming me for being late?"

"Hey! Lynch, I didn't kill your friend; a promise made remains a promise," Regula said lightly, rubbing his shoulder. "You never gave me a list and wrote all your friends' names on it. When I discovered Wislin was your partner, didn't I immediately abandon that mission? You ought to know that I gave up a very considerable bounty for that."

"Who offered you this bounty? Those Snake-men?"

"I can't disclose the client's information unless you want to pay a hefty sum to buy it," Regula replied with a straight face. "This time, your friends wiped out all my subordinates; I have to start from scratch. Lynch, you should at least compensate me a bit for that."

Lynch scratched his head, thought for a while, then replied, "I have a very dangerous mission, but the reward is correspondingly high. It's just right for two people to carry out."

"Two people?" Regula spread his hands. "You're coming along too, aren't you? You're not planning to use me as a shield, are you?"