"Even for a shapeshifting magician, he has his true form. What you see now is my truest form!" Oz said.
Gasps of surprise came from below.
Everyone was surprised that the legendary, terrifying, and powerful Oz was just such an approachable, short old man.
Oz then continued:
"In the past, I disguised myself with an incredibly frightening image, leading many to call me 'the Terrible Oz,' believing I could make someone instantly disappear out of momentary anger.
"In reality, I am not that kind of person. It is not a good thing for citizens to always believe their king is terrifying. Fear cannot rule a kingdom for long.
"Therefore, I want everyone to see my true appearance.
"You see, I am no different from anyone else; I have two eyes, one nose, and two ears!"
After hearing Oz, the dense crowd below sighed with emotion.
"Thank you, Great Oz. He once built such a beautiful city for us, and now he doesn't want people to fear him, humbly telling us that he is just a person like us."
They loved their King more than before. Because "the Great and Terrible Oz" was actually a person just like them, a kind old man, not some monster.
In the crowd below, Maglido could no longer bear to watch.
The voices of reverence for Oz and love for their King sounded incredibly grating to Maglido.
"He's just a fraud, a magician from a circus act."
He deliberately shouted upwards:
"Oh, Great Magician Oz, could you please display your magic and open our eyes?"
He thought, once Oz started performing magic, he, the true magician, would surely see through it!
At that time, he would run directly onto the stage and expose Oz's trickery.
Oz agreed to the request from below, revealing a kind smile:
"No problem."
He gently clapped his hands, and two harps flew up, playing by themselves in the air, allowing beautiful and melodious music to flow forth.
Oz snapped his fingers again, and several flowers on the stage bloomed, emitting a charming fragrance.
The people cheered, and children excitedly jumped up and down, thrilled to have witnessed Oz's magic.
"Praise be to you, Oz, the Great Magician, the kind and righteous King!"
Among the joyful and excited crowd, there was only one unhappy person.
Maglido was so angry that his hair stood on end, and he gritted his teeth, making a creaking sound.
While Oz was performing magic, he opened his eyes as wide as possible, trying to unravel the secret of Oz's magic.
But no matter how he, the true magician, looked, he couldn't discover what magical trick Oz had used!
From all angles, Oz had used real magic.
"How is this possible? How could Oz know magic?"
Maglido remembered the task given by the German Emperor and became increasingly afraid.
If he couldn't complete the task, His Majesty the Emperor would definitely not let him off!
Maglido's mind raced, constantly thinking about what to do next.
"Could it be that Oz has always known magic? Was he deceiving me all along?"
"How high is his magic level? Is it possible for me to challenge him and overthrow him?"
Just then, Oz on the stage, facing the cheering crowd below, solemnly said:
"Everything I have today, being able to open my heart and show my true self to everyone, and possessing miraculous magic, I owe it all to my teacher."
"The Sage of Rose Kingdom in the distant west—the legendary Magician Rhine!"
Ah?
Hearing that familiar name, Maglido was stunned.
No way? Oz's teacher is actually Magician Rhine?
Just then, a silver-bell-like, melodious yet cold laugh came from behind Maglido:
"I found you, Maglido!"
Maglido felt a chill down his spine, an icy sensation rushing up his back, making his hair stand on end.
A bird circled and landed behind Maglido, transforming into a silver-haired youth in the mist.
"Let's settle some old scores!"
Maglido turned and saw Rhine, startled, and quickly rubbed his ring:
"Ring Spirit, help me quickly!"
A humanoid phantom emerged from the ring.
However, as soon as the Ring Spirit saw Rhine, it was like a cat seeing a tiger, showing fear and shrinking back.
"No, my master. As a magical being attuned to magic, I can feel that this Magician is too powerful, more powerful than any Magician you've ever met before! I definitely am not his opponent!"
It was the first time Maglido had heard the Ring Spirit so terrified, and his legs trembled, nearly causing him to fall to the ground.
He struggled desperately, trying to resist with one spell after another, trying to pull out treasured magical items, either to attack Rhine or to hold the surrounding people hostage.
But Rhine's expression was calm; he merely glanced and automatically knew how to break his spells, easily countering the corresponding magic.
The more Maglido resisted, the more despair he felt, his heart growing utterly cold.
He felt that he, the chief Magician of Ender Kingdom, was as helpless as a newborn baby facing an adult in front of Rhine.
In a few swift moves, he was subdued by Rhine—Maglido's collar suddenly came alive, tightening around his neck, making him unable to breathe, and he fainted.
Rhine explained to the terrified people nearby who were almost harmed by Maglido:
"There is an evil Magician here, but don't worry, I have subdued him."
The people wearing green glasses all said:
"Thank you, Great Magician Rhine!"
Aurora appeared from the side at some point, her voice light and joyful:
"Hmph. This wicked scoundrel, he'll finally get the punishment he deserves!"
Looking at the unconscious brown-skinned man on the ground, Rhine waved his hand, and the Soldiers already stationed nearby dragged Maglido away.
He didn't want to kill Maglido now, because he still wanted to ask him:
Had he seen Black Witch Maleficent during this time, and did he know her whereabouts?
…
In a secluded, dark valley within the Munchkins' kingdom, once ruled by the Eastern Witch, a place unknown and undetectable by any diviner.
Here stood a gloomy, dark, Gothic castle emanating an aura of terror.
Many strange and grotesque dark monsters moved about nearby. Some had rat heads and bat wings, while others had the upper bodies of wolves but human legs.
This dark valley and hidden castle were concealed by Maleficent's magic; ordinary people, upon approaching, would immediately recall important matters, voluntarily leave, and would not remember the valley's existence.
Inside the castle, Black Witch Maleficent sat on an obsidian throne, her face pale, her eyes filled with rage.
"Damn Rhine, damn Aurora, I won't let you go. You and everyone in Rose Kingdom, you will all die!"
As a Witch who could concoct potions, her injuries had almost completely recovered!
The dark monsters obeying her command had just informed her of something:
"Rhine has appeared in Emerald City. And it is said that Oz even calls him his teacher!"
Maleficent pondered this information, revealing a malicious grin:
"It seems that even Oz Country and that Oz Country are your allies, Rhine."
"From the Witch of Sea Kingdom to the Queen of White Kingdom, you certainly have many friends, don't you?"
"Last time, you could find allies; this time, I can too!"
This time, Maleficent did not intend to rely solely on her own power.
She muttered incantations to the mirror on the wall.
Ripples spread across the dark mirror's surface, and a figure slowly emerged.
That was the other most powerful member of the Witch Society, besides Maleficent herself and the Witch Society's founder!
Maleficent shouted at the figure gradually appearing in the mirror.
"I need your help now. Please cast your most terrifying magic upon Oz Country…"
As she spoke, the Black Witch's beautiful face was filled with a pathological madness.