Translator: AnubisTL
Another ten days had passed in the blink of an eye.
On the same floating island, within the resplendent palace, the leaders of various races had gathered once more.
Light and shadow danced across the hall, yet the atmosphere was even heavier than before.
The wizard forces' offensive had grown increasingly aggressive, and the frontline reports piled up like mountains, each one more alarming than the last.
"The northern territory's rune fortresses have already advanced to the Giant's Shoulder!" the human king declared, his voice laced with anxiety. "At this rate, the barrier protecting the Central Plains will be completely breached!"
The elf queen's face also showed concern. "The shadow creatures they've summoned are corrupting our Ancient Tree Forest, severely polluting the natural energy."
After a lengthy and heated discussion about strategies to counter the main wizard offensive, the conversation naturally shifted back to the "Adventurer Strategy" proposed earlier.
"However, the 'bounty on foreign demons' strategy you all suggested last time has proven quite effective," the orc chieftain rumbled, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
"Driven by greed for the rewards, many hidden powerhouses among the adventurers have emerged, hunting down numerous invaders. Even when some wizards weren't completely eliminated at first, the adventurers managed to stall their advance, allowing our elite forces to arrive and finish them off."
A murmur rippled through the hall as the nobles, temporarily setting aside their differences, recognized the practical benefits of the Adventurer Strategy.
However, their satisfaction was short-lived. Soon, a lord clad in opulent robes rose abruptly, his voice ringing with indignation. "Your Majesty!" he declared passionately. "I must point out the severe negative consequences of this policy! These adventurers are nothing but unscrupulous jackals! Driven by the lure of illusory rewards, they slaughter innocent civilians and falsely claim them as foreign demons to collect bounties!"
His voice swelled with righteous fury as he continued, "Such unprecedented atrocities! Several massacres of innocent civilians have already occurred near my estates! They are severely disrupting the peaceful lives of our people!"
The dwarf elder beside him chimed in with his own grievances. "Similar incidents have plagued my mining districts as well. These adventurers storm in, plunder resources at will, and even mistake my dwarven miners for foreign demons in their attempts to deceive us!"
These leaders outwardly championed the cause of "innocent civilians" and "miners," portraying themselves as deeply concerned for their subjects' suffering.
In truth, their real anger stemmed from the adventurers' blatant infringement on the local lords' vested interests!
While the lives of innocent civilians undoubtedly mattered, it was the loss of their estates and tax revenue that truly stung them.
Most of the "wizards" killed for false credit were immediately exposed, as the humans of the wizard civilization looked nothing like those of the Elosia Plane.
After centuries of artificial intervention and aptitude modification, the humans of the wizard world were universally more beautiful, taller, and possessed a transcendent grace in their bearing.
In essence, apart from their lack of pointed ears, the humans of the wizard world resembled elvesโa race renowned for its ethereal beauty.
In contrast, the ordinary humans of Elosia were more rugged and rustic.
Thus, while the occasional unlucky soul might be falsely claimed, most of the time, the greedy adventurers' efforts were futile, like trying to draw water with a bamboo basket.
Yet even so, their actions had severely disrupted order across the land.
"These adventurers are truly despicable! Their behavior is utterly shameful!"
A priest in a magnificent crimson robe rose, his face etched with compassionate concern. "I propose the Temple dispatch holy knight patrol squads to major cities to prevent such incidents."
"Hah! Spare us the pious rhetoric! You just want to sell indulgences again, don't you?" someone sneered.
"What nonsense! I'm doing this for justice and righteousness!"
"Then why don't you go deal with those wizards yourself?"
"That's... impossible. Those wizards are far too powerful..."
After a series of fruitless debates, the leaders finally reached a consensus: since employing adventurers had proven effective, the policy would continue.
However, to curb false claims of merit and maintain stability in the rear, they decided to devise a plan to divert additional military forces. In areas where wizard apprentices were active, they would set traps to lure the wizards deeper into the territory, then concentrate their forces to encircle and annihilate them.
Meanwhile, Jieming, Amy, and Victor's small team were actively operating within the plane, relying on the latest intelligence provided by Viola.
The value of this intelligence network had become abundantly clear over the past ten days.
No longer blindly stumbling around like headless flies, they could now precisely avoid dangerous areas and target only valuable objectives.
Each operation was efficient and highly profitable.
This time, acting on Viola's intel, they had come to a mine deep within the forest.
The intelligence indicated that this mine might contain minerals with unique properties, potentially highly beneficial for alchemy and magic potion research.
However, the mine was located behind enemy lines, and the main forces couldn't advance there yet. For now, the wizard squad had to infiltrate and obtain samples covertly.
The mine entrance was crudely barricaded with rough wooden stakes and simple burlap, clearly the property of some indigenous lord.
After Jieming used his Glimmering Eye to confirm the absence of major guards nearby, the trio swiftly slipped into the mine's interior.
The winding tunnels reeked of damp earth and the metallic tang of minerals.
The deeper they ventured, the more pronounced a scorching heat became.
"It's... getting really hot in here," Amy muttered, wiping sweat from her forehead.
"Be careful," Victor warned. "The minerals here are imbued with energy, and the Earth-Fire Element's qi is particularly strong."
As the trio ventured deeper, the mine tunnel gradually widened until it resembled a vast cavern.
"Is this really a mine?" Amy murmured, gazing in awe at the stalactites overhead.
"The Elosia Plane has an extensive underground world, where most of its mineral veins are located. These 'mine tunnels' are likely direct passages to that subterranean realm..." Jieming trailed off, his brow furrowing.
"What's wrong?"
"Enemies are approaching. Stay alert!"
Proceeding cautiously, the group was nearing the core region of the mineral vein, as indicated in their intelligence reports, when a violent surge of energy erupted from the depths of the tunnel.
A guttural, enraged roar shook the ground beneath their feet:
"Intruders! This is Lava Clan territory!"
A towering figure emerged from the shadows.
It was an Underworld Demon Elder, standing over three meters tall. His skin was rough as lava-cooled rock, crisscrossed with crimson veins.
(End of the Chapter)
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