Wizard + System

CH217

The caravan was set to depart today, and Helag found them while they were queued for inspection at the city gate.

The travel fee was one gold coin, and Lins could travel with the caravan, with food and drink provided.

The gold coins Helag used were provided by Parker and matched the common currency specifications of this world.

Thus, Helag didn't worry about revealing any information through the coins.

Helag patted Lins on the shoulder, "Work hard, kid. Don't come back until you've become a knight."

Lins nodded excitedly, "Sir, I will become a knight!"

The caravan continued its journey, with Lins waving from the wagon's front.

After sending the kid off, Helag turned and headed towards the southwest city gate.

He planned to check out the border military camp.

Having thoroughly understood the city's situation, Helag had a complete mental map of Oberstein, with every building meticulously recorded.

These details would later be drawn into a map to be handed over to Parker at Base 27.

Exiting through the southwest gate, Helag noticed many adventurers near the border.

They were all looking towards the Lim Mountains, hoping to spot something.

Despite the dangers within the Lim Mountains, these adventurers were undeterred and eager to explore.

Adventurers from afar continued arriving in Oberstein, each wanting to take their chances.

After a brief pause, Helag pretended to stroll leisurely, gradually approaching the military camp.

The camp was surrounded by wooden walls, and adventurers had to stop 200 meters away, unable to get closer.

Helag found this distance sufficient, as Deep Blue's environmental scan could cover most of the camp.

Activating the scan, Helag quickly took in the camp's layout, visualizing it in his mind.

He soon spotted Severus, whose second-level wizard aura was unmistakably strong.

Helag didn't dare focus on him for long, quickly scanning other areas.

Lingering could alert Severus to being watched.

Knowing the second-level wizard was in the camp was enough.

Helag shifted his focus elsewhere.

After a sweep, he found only a few scattered wizard apprentices, with no full-fledged wizards.

There were also some high knights and knights.

Having confirmed Oberstein's strength, Helag returned to the city, heading to the residential area behind Asna's home.

With a glance at the environmental scan, he flipped into the backyard.

The door was locked, but Helag easily unlocked it with a touch of magic.

Entering Asna's room, he opened the wardrobe and stored a pile of clothes in his spatial ring.

Opening a drawer, he found various colored undergarments and decided to store those as well.

After gathering the everyday clothes, Helag noticed a picture on the bedside table of Asna and her brother.

In the picture, Lins looked just a few years old, faintly resembling his current self.

Asna appeared young too, probably around eleven or twelve.

Helag decided to take the picture as well.

After securing the back door, Helag flipped out and left the city, finding a secluded spot in the nearby forest to hide.

Throughout, he kept Deep Blue's environmental scan active, ensuring no one approached.

He took out parchment, a quill, and ink, and began drawing a map of Oberstein and the distribution of the border military's defenses.

He marked the positions of the three elves and the second-level wizard.

Of course, people moved constantly, so these were just references.

Having finished the map, Helag waited for nightfall before returning.

Returning in broad daylight would be too conspicuous and risk detection.

Helag wasn't in a hurry, monitoring his surroundings continuously.

A few hours later, night fell.

Helag remained still, as many people were still active despite the darkness.

In the distance, the sounds of drunken revelry occasionally echoed.

He planned to wait until after midnight, the safest time to move.

Patiently waiting, Helag finally moved in the dead of night, when silence enveloped the area.

"Shadow Corner."

Helag transformed into a shadow, moving towards the Lim Mountains.

The route was similar to his arrival, with no trouble encountered.

On the way back, Helag noticed some changes in the patrol soldiers' positions.

He noted this, though it wasn't crucial.

In wizard-level warfare, ordinary people played no significant role.

***

Returning to Base 27, Helag handed the map to Parker, saying, "Oberstein currently has one second-level wizard and three crystalline-level elven wizards. I didn't see the second-level elven wizard; not sure where they went."

"Besides these, there are three first-level gaseous wizard adventurers, with other forces negligible."

Parker nodded, "Seems there's no hidden power. The second-level elven wizard likely went for reinforcements and won't return soon."

He glanced at Helag, "Well done."

Parker then gathered the base's personnel, "This is our first combat operation. The goal is to eliminate or capture Oberstein's second-level wizard and three crystalline-level elves."

"Mr. Parker, please let me join this operation," a second-level wizard immediately volunteered.

Many others followed, eager to participate.

Everyone knew this was a prime opportunity to earn merit.

Facing three crystalline wizards and one second-level wizard, only the latter posed a challenge; the elves were manageable.

Base 27 had eleven second-level wizards.

Parker raised his hand, signaling for silence.

Once quiet, Parker spoke, "I know everyone wants to participate. This is our first field operation, so it must succeed and be executed flawlessly. All second-level wizards will join me. Ideally, we capture all four alive."

Parker's words sparked cheers among the second-level wizards.

With Parker's involvement, success was almost guaranteed.

Parker was the only third-level wizard in the base, the top combat power.

CH218

Helag wasn't sure how powerful a third-level wizard was, as he hadn't seen a second-level wizard in action.

Last time, Cain only dealt with ordinary people, making it impossible to gauge his strength.

But Helag could imagine that since the second-level wizards dared not disrespect Parker, his power must be terrifying.

The strongest being Helag had encountered was a toad from the Abyss Plane, claiming to be around level four or five.

Even with the toad's restraint, Helag felt immense pressure.

Parker, on the other hand, always appeared ordinary, with a simple smile that belied any sense of threat.

"Second-level wizards stay; the rest can go rest," Parker instructed, gathering the second-level wizards in his cabin to plan specifics.

Their collective strength could easily overwhelm Oberstein, but caution dictated a detailed plan.

Returning to the cabin, Helag found Asna still awake.

She wore her maid outfit, her long legs clad in black stockings.

"Why aren't you asleep?" Helag asked.

Seeing Helag return, Asna sighed in relief, rushing into his arms, "I was worried about you… and Lins. I overheard their plans and got scared for him."

Asna had learned to understand Sivir language, realizing Helag's group was heading to Oberstein.

Given their strength, Asna feared no one could stop them.

With Lins in Oberstein, she worried he couldn't protect himself.

Helag patted Asna's smooth back, "I saw Lins today."

"You saw Lins?!" Asna looked at Helag in disbelief.

"Yes, it was a coincidence. I saved his life. Don't worry; I've arranged for him to go to Grey Knight Academy with a caravan, ensuring his safety. He's no longer in Oberstein, so you can relax," Helag reassured.

"Really?" Asna's emotions swung wildly, not doubting Helag but feeling it was surreal.

Helag smiled, producing a pink garment, "Of course, I also brought you some clothes."

Asna blushed, quickly taking the garment and hiding it behind her, "You went to my house?"

Helag nodded, "I thought you needed proper clothes, so I brought them."

With a wave, Helag released a pile of clothes from his spatial ring onto the bed.

Asna looked at the clothes, her expression complex, and after picking up a few, she suddenly cried.

Helag, unsure how to handle this, could only embrace her.

He then took out the picture from Asna's bedside, "I brought this too."

"Thank you!" Asna was stunned by the picture, accepting it silently and crying again.

Soon, Asna composed herself, wiping away tears and organizing the clothes.

She neatly folded them and placed them in the cabinet.

"Will many people die in Oberstein?" Asna asked.

Helag paused, "Possibly. Their targets are the elves and the magician. But ordinary people are fragile; even a slight impact could be catastrophic."

"That's war."

Asna remained silent, realizing those she knew might die, yet she could do nothing.

She didn't blame Helag; these events would happen regardless.

Reflecting, Asna felt fortunate to have met Helag.

Without him, she might have been killed or captured by other wizards.

Other wizards wouldn't be as understanding as Helag.

Moreover, Helag had resolved Lins's situation, preventing unknown dangers.

"Sir, you've had a long day. Let me heat some water for your bath," Asna offered.

"Yes, please," Helag agreed, wanting a bath.

And so, another night passed.

***

The battle in Oberstein ended faster than Helag expected.

Parker's group returned the next morning with four captives.

Severus and the three high-level elven spellcasters were all captured alive.

They wore heavy anti-magic shackles, with black iron rods in their backs to prevent magic use.

Severus looked disheveled, missing his right hand, hair unkempt, face bloodied.

He appeared weak, his robe tattered and bleeding from multiple wounds.

The three elves were in similar condition, though less severely injured than Severus.

Parker's group seemed unscathed, the battle smoother than anticipated.

Helag watched as they took the captives to the basement.

The captives faced endless interrogation until their value was exhausted, then execution.

The elves might survive but would be stripped of magic and turned into slaves.

Crystalline-level elven wizards were highly valuable, fetching high prices.

Though male, these elves were still in demand.

In the Land of Dawn, many nobles were interested in them.

Helag sighed, knowing their fates were sealed, destined for misery.

He now focused on his own safety.

Seven months had passed; he needed to stay at Base 27 for five more months.

But these months would be challenging.

The elves wouldn't let the capture of three high-level spellcasters go unpunished.

Base 27 was now officially at odds with the elves, ensuring future conflicts.

The recent operation excluded wizards below second level, but future missions would likely involve Helag.

The danger level was uncertain.

Even a routine patrol could face a powerful ambush.

Considering this, Helag frowned, anticipating many troubles ahead.

His interests were now tied to Base 27.

He couldn't let the elves breach it, or he'd have nowhere to escape.