CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 62: BANNER OF THE MORNING

The sun rises.

It’s daylight.

Except for a young mage heading towards Wildfire Town, the Inner Sea Desert remains as usual, with vitality hidden within desolation.

"Hmm..."

Andrew stretched lazily and sat up from the bed inside the tent.

Suddenly, he paused and looked down.

He found that the usual morning flag-raising ceremony had never been as spirited as it was at this moment!

"Could this be due to the ’Water Soul Constitution’?"

Andrew recalled some knowledge from his past life, "The kidney governs water, and now that I’m a Water Mage, does this mean my kidney has become more vigorous, too? I didn’t expect becoming a Water Mage to come with such perks!"

His mood improved involuntarily.

Thinking back to last night, after the "Rain of Enlightenment," Andrew didn’t say much more and turned to begin treating Ivan and others.

Enlightenment is not brainwashing.

After planting the seeds of hope for everyone, it doesn’t mean forcing the townspeople to join his ranks.

Those willing to join are, of course, welcome.

Those unwilling can continue living their own lives, and Andrew is happy for them too.

The key is not to be so afraid of the Magic Guild that people lose their sanity.

As long as this can be achieved, it is enough.

After the townspeople calmed down last night, some chose to leave after a moment of silence. Like that middle-aged aunt.

But some joined in, asking Andrew, "Is there anything I can help with?"

Andrew then asked a part of them to help Alpha sort out the matter of detaining the magic apprentices. Meanwhile, he asked others to help clear the battlefield, tidy up the aftermath, and prepare some water and food for the wounded—he can heal, but he can’t create food and drink from nothing.

They were busy until midnight, finally healing all the wounded.

Although very tired, when Andrew lay down to sleep in the tent, he was in a really good mood.

On one hand, he finally no longer had to live under the threat and shadow of Hubert.

On the other hand, being able to get help from everyone and use his Water Magic to help others is truly a very satisfying thing.

The Flame of Fear is indeed the greatest fire in this Wildfire Town. After dousing the excessive fear in the townspeople’s hearts with the Rain of Enlightenment, Andrew was very sure of this.

"Because the ’Fire Extinguishing Value’ doesn’t lie."

Andrew himself felt incredible: a single Rain of Enlightenment, the Fire Extinguishing Value it brought was nearly ten times that obtained from killing Hubert!

Ten times!

"I feel that if I can eliminate everyone’s fear of the Magic Guild in this world and use the Fire Extinguishing Value to unlock magic to enhance myself, then no one can ever hurt me or those under my protection!"

This was Andrew’s muddled thought as he fell asleep.

By now, the morning was bright.

The townspeople rose early, each busy with their tasks, starting a new day of production and life.

On the surface, who would think that Wildfire Town had just undergone a great change last night?

The original Chief Mage, magic apprentices, and sheriff were all wiped out! Those who were killed were killed, and those who were captured were captured.

This level of turmoil could have easily plunged Wildfire Town into chaos.

And now? If residents from neighboring Baal Town were to see it, they might even think Wildfire Town had gained a sort of vitality it didn’t have before!

Andrew got dressed, washed his face.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he grinned: "Starting today, I’ll embark on a brand new life in the Otherworld as the new Chief Mage of Wildfire Town!"

As for what specifically to do, Andrew had a vague plan in mind:

First, within, he needed to further extinguish the remnants of the Magic Guild’s power in Wildfire Town. Completely eliminate the negative influences of the Magic Guild from Wildfire Town!

This is "internal fire extinguishing."

Secondly, externally, using Wildfire Town as a forward base, he felt it was time to start researching what exactly this Flame Realm is.

For example, the nearby Baal Town must have people who need help and fires that need extinguishing, right?

How many people in the scattered towns throughout the Inner Sea Desert need help, and how many fires must be extinguished?

If possible, Andrew even wanted to wield some divine level Water Magic to directly transform this arid desert into an oasis. The Fire Extinguishing Value from that, tsk tsk, would definitely be enough to let him immediately head to the Magic Guild headquarters at Scholar’s Fortress and root out the world’s greatest source of evil fire! Hmm, if he could wield divine level Water Magic now.

In short, this is "external fire extinguishing."

Once both internal and external tasks are completed, the Fire Extinguishing Value will surely not be lacking.

Then he can focus on further enhancing his own strength.

"I killed Hubert, surely revenge from the Magic Guild is coming, it’s just a matter of time."

Andrew understood in his heart, "Before that happens, I’ll make every possible preparation. Speaking of which, when will Barbara, the third Miss of the Warm Fire Commerce Association, wake up?"

If possible, Andrew wanted to wait for Barbara to wake up and have a good chat with her.

If he could secure support and assistance from the Warm Fire Commerce Association, that would be wonderful.

"But, ultimately, one’s own strength is the most reliable!"

Andrew reminded himself, "One must uphold the mindset of having enough strength to protect Wildfire Town even without the help of the Warm Fire Commerce Association."

—That’s what needs to be done next!

Internal fire extinguishing, external fire extinguishing, strength enhancement, Association alliance.

That’s about it.

Andrew lifted the tent flap and stepped out.

Outside the tent was the temporary camp.

Andrew hadn’t moved into Hubert’s Magic Laboratory after defeating him.

He simply owned a tent of his own in this temporary camp.

No sooner had he stepped out than he felt a figure throw itself towards... no, should say collide into his embrace!

"An—drew—bro—ther!!"

No need to ask, it was undoubtedly little Sophie.

This little girl practically charged head-on.

Coincidentally colliding with Andrew’s diaphragm area between his chest and belly!

Completely unprepared, Andrew almost got the wind knocked out of him.

Unsure if it was just his imagination, Andrew felt little Sophie’s rush and bump had quite some force.

Not quite typical for a girl of her age.

At the same time, Andrew sensed: strands of Fire Extinguishing Value, like fine streams, were emerging from little Sophie.

Then, these unobtrusive yet enduringly trickling Fire Extinguishing Values automatically merged into his forehead’s "Water God Mark."

Andrew couldn’t help but frown slightly, feeling puzzled.

What was going on?

Receiving Fire Extinguishing Value is always a good thing.

This should qualify as "internal fire extinguishing," removing the residual evil flames within Wildfire Town to earn Fire Extinguishing Value.

The problem was, there was no evil fire on little Sophie.

So, where was this trickle of Fire Extinguishing Value coming from?