CHAPTER 485: CHAPTER 392: MAGES_2

Even as City Lord, Anderson struggled to obtain fresh food. The servants of the Lord’s Mansion did their utmost to prepare ingredients for the Mages, yet they were still criticized, scolded, and even beaten.

"I understand. I will go to see Grand Mage Moflin right now," Anderson said.

After dismissing the guard, Anderson tidied the documents on his desk and walked out.

The Mages from Cloud Tower all resided in the West Tower of the Lord’s Mansion.

When Anderson arrived to visit, six Tower Mages were gathered in the hall, drinking tea and discussing alchemy.

"Greetings, Grand Mage Moflin. Greetings to all of you Mages. I heard my people angered Grand Mage Moflin, so I’ve come specifically to apologize. Please forgive their rudeness," Anderson said.

Due to elemental transformation, Mage Moflin’s skin had turned dark blue and shimmered with faint starlight. She wore a gray magic robe and a pointed mage hat.

In response to Anderson’s apology, Moflin tilted her pointed chin up and said in an exceedingly arrogant tone, "I can sense your dissatisfaction. You think I am being harsh and unreasonable. But you must understand that Mages, after elementalizing their bodies, have extremely high requirements for what they use and consume. Any contamination can trigger a rejection from their bodies. In Cloud Tower, one hundred servants attended to my daily needs. But here... your people actually served me rotten food. If they were my servants, I would have turned them to stone by now."

Mage Miler, seated nearby, spoke in Anderson’s defense, "Grand Mage Moflin, the secular world is very different from our Cloud Tower. Especially Storm City, which is constantly at war; resources are extremely scarce. Duke Anderson has already done very well."

Moflin scoffed. "This is precisely why I am reluctant to leave Cloud Tower. If not for your incompetence in dealing with a single Eternal Domain, I wouldn’t have been dispatched here. This place... this place is as filthy as a pigsty!"

Miler hadn’t expected Moflin to turn on him.

"Grand Mage Moflin, you must be aware that everything I do has been approved and permitted by the Council of Elders. If you question my abilities, you can report it to the Council of Elders. If you do not wish to be in Storm City, you can report that as well."

Hearing Miler dare to retort, Grand Mage Moflin said angrily, "Miler, if your brain were as sharp as your tongue, your achievements in alchemy would be far greater than they are now. Don’t try to use the Council of Elders to pressure me. I will soon be a member of the Council myself."

Moflin and Miler began to argue, their voices growing louder and more vehement. They even rolled up their sleeves, preparing for a magical duel.

Anderson hurriedly interjected, "Grand Mage Moflin, Mage Miler, our enemy is the Thunderous Swamp! Please, calm yourselves. Let’s discuss the upcoming war instead. The rainy season is almost over, and the decisive battle is upon us."

Miler, who had stood up, was persuaded to sit back down; he knew he was no match for Moflin in a fight.

Moflin also realized she had overstepped, as mishandling matters here would undoubtedly affect her chances of joining the Council of Elders.

The other Mages seemed indifferent, looking as if it was none of their business. Cloud Tower wasn’t known for strong internal unity. Apart from the Council of Elders, Mages were independent and equal individuals. They usually kept to themselves, conducting research or participating in academic discussions, and didn’t cultivate close personal ties, unwilling to offend one Mage for another.

Seeing that Moflin and Miler had both calmed down, Anderson said, "Once the Alchemy Factory in Storm City delivers the Floating Warships, my army will immediately launch an attack on the Eternal Domain. Yan Xing, the Lord of the Eternal Domain, will appear on the front lines. At that time, I will organize an assault team to breach the Eternal Domain’s defenses, luring Yan Xing to intercept them. Once Yan Xing reveals himself, you will all have the opportunity to kill him in one decisive blow. If he dies, the Eternal Domain’s defenders will collapse. My army will then march directly into Eternal City. After we subjugate those Werewolves and Lizardmen, Thunderous Swamp will effectively be open to us."

"Alright, we understand," Moflin said dismissively. "Just inform us when it’s time to kill Yan Xing. You may leave now, and in the future, do not casually interrupt our academic discussions. An Alchemist’s time is extremely precious."

Anderson felt quite helpless when it came to these Mages.

Moflin’s tone made it sound as if going to war to kill Yan Xing was as simple as a leisurely rabbit hunt.

Shouldn’t we discuss a plan beforehand and prepare contingencies for various scenarios?

Anderson looked at Miler.

Miler also wanted to resume the academic discussion that had just begun. Although Moflin was difficult to get along with, her achievements in alchemy were undeniable. Not every Mage dared to elementalize their own body, and not every Mage who attempted it succeeded. Listening to her discuss her alchemical research would undoubtedly be highly beneficial.

Therefore, Miler also told Anderson, "With so many Mages involved in the hunt for Yan Xing, his death is all but assured. Please return, Duke, and do not disturb us further."

Anderson sighed.

These Mages, having lived in comfort for so long, have no concept of war. I must dispatch another team to ensure Yan Xing is successfully hunted down and killed.

Just as Anderson was about to return to his office, a guard ran up hastily. "My Lord, My Lord... there’s been an accident at the Alchemy Factory! An explosion occurred inside a Floating Warship..."

What!

Anderson was greatly alarmed. The Floating Warships were weapons critical to the war effort, and no mishaps could be afforded.

Anderson asked, "What exploded? How did it happen?"

"My Lord, we don’t know yet. The Goblins are clearing the site to find the source of the explosion. Some alchemical equipment might have been installed incorrectly."

Confirming the Alchemy Factory hadn’t been attacked, Anderson immediately turned and re-entered the hall.

Seeing Anderson return, Moflin, who was halfway through explaining an alchemical formula, snapped, "Didn’t you hear what I just said? We are—"

Before Moflin could finish, Anderson quickly said, "There’s been an explosion inside a Floating Warship at the Alchemy Factory. It might have been caused by the Goblins installing some alchemical equipment incorrectly."

"Those Goblins!" Moflin redirected her anger. "We’ve been too good to them in the past. Now, when we ask them to do a little more work, they shirk their duties and even try to escape... They can’t even install alchemical equipment correctly! They deserve to be punished!"

Anderson said anxiously, "Grand Mage Moflin, the punishment for the Goblins who erred can be discussed later. Please, all Mages, accompany me to the Alchemy Factory to assess the damage to the Floating Warship and determine how it can be repaired for timely deployment."

The Mages were reluctant to go, but their orders from the Council of Elders were to help Anderson win the war against the Eternal Domain. The Floating Warships were a crucial project Cloud Tower supported for Storm City; errors were unacceptable.

Miler stood up and said, "The matter of the Floating Warships is more important. Our discussion will have to pause for now. Besides, this might not be entirely a bad thing. Perhaps we can gain some alchemical insights from this accident."

Moflin and the other Mages finally rose. The Floating Warships incorporated Cloud Tower’s most advanced alchemy. Some of the alchemical devices within were even creations of the Elders themselves, undoubtedly offering much to learn from and study, particularly alchemical accidents. By observing and reflecting on them, they might avoid making similar mistakes in their own alchemical research.

"Yes, the Floating Warships are more important," Moflin conceded. "The sooner this war ends, the sooner we can return to Cloud Tower. Let’s go to the Alchemy Factory. I hope those lazy and foolish Goblins haven’t caused too much trouble for us."

Anxious to reach the Alchemy Factory, Anderson immediately led the Mages out. They ascended through the tower. A skybridge there connected to an airship berth, where a small transport airship was currently docking.