CHAPTER 283: CHAPTER 273: WINDS AND CLOUDS SURGING

Why would an Earth Fire Scholar leave the Scholar’s Fortress, leave the Dragon Stone Tower, and come to the Dragon’s Nest at a time like this?

Naturally, it is because of the Royal Court negotiation.

Gus came to exert pressure on the Warm Fire Commerce Association, representing the Magic Guild, for a victorious negotiation! Although the dual-fire war has ended and the post-war Flame Realm appears to have resumed its calm, it has never actually been truly tranquil; all its tumult has simply shifted beneath the surface.

"Huh." Peter takes a deep breath.

As a War God Level Crimson Knight, not long ago, he fought one against two, facing both the Female Assassin and the Magic Guild’s top Grand Mage Holigar. He repelled one and captured the other. Truly a War God among War Gods, only one step away from the Realm of Magic beyond Tier Nine.

However, at this moment, facing the elderly man across the fortified city wall, Peter does not dare to be careless; his face is heavy with seriousness. In this world, there is only one person who can truly suppress the Earth Fire Scholar of the Magic Guild: Beiru, the holder of the Warm Fire Order. Peter knows well: the old fellow opposite is a full tier stronger!

Yet seriousness does not mean retreat.

On the contrary, the first moment Peter senses the other’s presence, he climbs onto the city wall.

One hand holding the War Spear, the other grasping Holigar, captured from the enemy.

Holigar is a short, stout middle-aged man, seemingly unconscious, dangling in Peter’s hand like a dead dog.

Peter says nothing, only gazes coldly without retreat at Gus opposite, clearly conveying: "Don’t think your tier is higher than mine that you can truly suppress me! Trying to use this kind of pressure, to influence the negotiation on the Royal Court’s side? Think again!"

Beside Peter, the Medicine Elder is equally stern. Unlike Linda, the captain of the Shield of Flowing Fire, the Medicine Elder is not purely medical personnel; his "Fire God Blessing Series" can also provide powerful support to allies in combat. Just like Andrew successfully repelling the king half a step back with Water Magic support at the Northern Royal Court.

Led by Peter and the Medicine Elder, the entire Crimson Battle Lance combat force is mobilized, seemingly transforming into a massive War Spear, aiming directly at the Dragon’s Nest in the west.

In contrast, Gus seems indifferent, always composed.

Behind Gus, the western sky hangs a massive setting sun.

Seeing Peter emerge with the War Spear, Gus raises an eyebrow, and when Holigar is brought out, he narrows his eyes faintly. This veteran, standing at the pinnacle of power in the Flame Realm, then smiles and says: "Not enough."

Two simple words, yet it resounds like a dragon’s roar through the heavens and earth.

This is unlike any human sound.

The Royal Court’s Dragon Taming Lady, in human form, commands a Magic Giant Dragon.

Yet Gus seems no longer fully human, partially transformed into the Dragon Race.

With Gus’s dragon roar, a massive army emerges from the Dragon’s Nest, composed of Earth Fire Mages and Flame Warriors in pairs, advancing to the dividing line between the two super fortresses, stopping at the boundary.

Not only in this place, but simultaneously along the entire dividing line, Magic Guild troops advance to the edge and stop.

These armies do not easily cross the demarcation line.

But it seems that should the Royal Court negotiations result in anything the Magic Guild does not wish to see, these troops would immediately launch an attack, tearing apart the ceasefire agreement!

The Inner Sea Desert also lies on the dividing line.

With Wildfire Territory supporting the Inner Sea Desert plan—yes, as Andrew went to the Royal Court for negotiations, the desert support plan was steadily advancing under An Ya’s coordination. Now the connection between Wildfire Territory and the Inner Sea Desert is much stronger than when Andrew left.

An Ya in the desert center, sensing no Magic Guild troops yet, soon feels the impending storm-like pressure!

"What’s going on?" An Ya quickly becomes alert.

Although working silently from the rear base, providing support to Andrew, she is certainly concerned about the frontline situation.

Attempting to contact Andrew at the Royal Court immediately, she discovers: No connection! Their "Seagull" communication magic signal seems blocked by a stronger interference!

The Second Saint Son, Tiago, is in An Ya’s office, reporting work, looking dubious yet with a fleeting smile. It is he who deployed the "Fire God Space" interference, temporarily cutting off An Ya’s and Andrew’s communication.

An Ya, failing to reach Andrew, grows anxious but remains calm, instead using the Commerce Association’s "Heart Net," contacting Falk in Warm Fire City: "Teacher? Teacher! What’s happening? Did something occur? I... I can’t reach my lord!"

In Warm Fire City, Falk, having recovered from the Shield of Flowing Fire’s clash with the Female Assassin, is in the meeting hall at the top of the Deep Blue Magic Tower, looking solemn.

The whole city echoes with the chiming bell.

Not only Falk, but all top figures including Jin, Lawrence, and others are gathered atop the Deep Blue Tower.

Ivan is present too.

Expressions vary, eager to discuss, yet feeling a lack of leadership.

Because the host, Lady Yi Lian, has not arrived.

Lady Yi Lian is traversing an underwater passage from the Deep Blue Magic Tower’s bottom to Beiru’s secluded chamber: "The Magic Guild has new major moves! Gus silently made his way to the Dragon’s Nest! Peter and the Medicine Elder likely can’t withstand it alone; you may need to step in—" Lady Yi Lian pushes open the underwater residence door and stops speaking.

Inside, the furnishings are unusually simple, just a regular single room, though called a residence.

The room was empty.

President Beiru, who had been in seclusion here since the end of the Twin Fire War, was somehow no longer here.

...

...

The whole world was in turmoil.

The Eternal Frost Hall at the Royal Court, the site of the negotiations, was even more restless.

Charlie and the Dragon Tamer Lady had already gotten into a fight.

The others each pulled back.

The Flame Turtle, Capella, and Yorkshire sat on the west side of the hall.

Susan, Barbara, Havier, and Sabye sat on the east side.

The King and Catherine sat high on the northern side of the hall on side-by-side thrones. A large number of Frost Guards occupied important positions throughout the hall.

Andrew sat down with Barbara on the surface.

In reality, he was watching the battle between the leaders currently unfolding in the courtyard, with a peculiar glint in his eyes.

This competition between the leaders was the first of the three negotiation trials, and naturally, it was also a crucial one.

Originally, Andrew’s plan was to focus on healing and supporting Catherine, and secretly tampering with Yorkshire to launch in the last two negotiation trials.

The plan did not cover this first duel in front of him.

But having just gained experience supporting and assisting Catherine, Andrew was actually observing the battle intently, always looking for an opportunity to provide support.

"Don’t act rashly!"

Catherine’s voice came through, "This negotiation trial is somewhat different from my recent confrontation with Dedman. If you’re found to have intervened in the trial, according to tradition and rules, Dean Charlie would be directly declared the loser!"

Andrew was taken aback, turning his head to look. Catherine appeared calm on the surface, only quietly transmitting her voice.

The King beside Catherine on the throne, however, was looking over at him with a half-smile expression.

Andrew couldn’t help but feel a chill: "The Invisible Enchantment, ultimately can’t completely deceive a War God level powerhouse, or is there some other reason that made Dedman aware of my underhand support for Catherine just now?"

Inwardly solemn, yet somewhat unwilling.

The transformation ability of Water is excellent, ever-changing, and naturally suitable for assistance, compatible with almost any assisting target. But this was not the only reason why Andrew was adamant about wanting to assist and support Dean Charlie.

Andrew also recalled the past: "Back when the Female Assassin attacked the Shield of Flowing Fire, if I had the understanding I do now and supported Grandpa Falk with my Water Magic, perhaps Grandpa Falk wouldn’t have been seriously injured and the Female Assassin wouldn’t have escaped!"

As the Water Magic Lord, Andrew felt as if there was a fire burning inside him at this moment. He felt he hadn’t done enough and could do even more.

"Andrew, don’t be anxious."

Barbara was right beside Andrew, and although she didn’t know what Andrew was thinking, nor did she know about his recent support for Catherine, she sensed Andrew’s unusualness and gently said, "Don’t stress, be patient, we will win."

Andrew took a deep breath and nodded. Only then did he temporarily put aside the intention to secretly support Dean Charlie.

In fact, at that moment, Dean Charlie was very apparently taking the lead in the battle.

Ever since arriving at the Royal Court, Dean Charlie’s performance as a leader could only be described as satisfactory.

Outside the Royal Court, he withstood the Dragon Tamer Lady’s surprise attack, but the crucial variable was when Andrew defeated Yorkshire, and Catherine’s appearance further suppressed everyone from the Magic Guild.

Later when Catherine vomited blood and fainted, it was Andrew who used the Healing Class water magic from the Water Priestess Series to stabilize the situation.

But Charlie, after all, was Dean Charlie.

The power he was able to bring out in battle seemed to be the kind that continuously accumulates and grows stronger over time.

Slow to warm up, but able to get stronger with each battle.

Andrew temporarily set aside his intention to support, observing Dean Charlie’s spellcasting with a more peaceful mindset, quickly realizing: Even though Dean Charlie was a Fire Mage, the spells he cast one after another had the feeling of a wave following another wave, seemingly endless.

The magic was like a tide, layer upon layer, thus in unceasing continuity, getting stronger and retaining composure.

After watching for a while, Andrew’s mind also calmed down.

After watching a bit longer, a realization suddenly surfaced in his mind: "Could this be the ’Counterattack Technique,’ a step further than the basic Counterattack Technique, known as ’Continuous Counterattack’? How does this ’Continuous Counterattack’ seem better suited to complement Water Magic?"