Because of this incident, Leilin's return journey was delayed, and he went back to Blood Serpent Castle to recuperate.
"Thank you for what happened this time!"
Freya sat beside Leilin, personally pouring him tea, gratitude written across her face.
The attackers had clearly come for Blood Serpent Castle in the first place; ambushing Leilin had been nothing more than a spur-of-the-moment decision. If Leilin hadn't stepped in, six crystallized wizards attacking simultaneously would have caught Blood Serpent Castle off guard and caused devastating losses.
"It's nothing. As friends, helping each other is only natural!"
Leilin said with a smile.
"Just friends?" A flash of disappointment crossed Freya's face.
This reaction immediately made Leilin a little awkward, and he steered the conversation elsewhere. "Even if other guests had been present, those wanted criminals shouldn't have been allowed to run that rampant…"
In yesterday's battle, every crystallized wizard except Fane—the one Leilin had captured—had been killed. Once word of that terrifying result spread, it silenced a great many voices and even caused a stir at the headquarters of the Ouroboros Circle.
The sole prisoner, Fane, was naturally escorted back to headquarters, and the lion's share of the spoils went to Leilin.
Compared to Freya, who still had to look after her family, he had it much easier—everything he seized was entirely his own. He had made a considerable fortune, and there were quite a few pleasant surprises among the haul.
The only thing that left Leilin somewhat puzzled was why Freya hadn't invited the other visiting guests to help subdue the enemy together.
If she had managed to recruit a few more high-ranking wizards, Leilin himself wouldn't have been forced to reveal his true strength back then.
"Those people…" A bitter smile appeared on Freya's face, and she suddenly looked rather pitiful.
Seeing her expression, Leilin immediately fell silent, having already guessed at the situation.
Freya had always been a wild, untamable sort, and with a powerful, protective teacher backing her, she had certainly made plenty of enemies. Most of them probably would have been happy to watch her fail.
Moreover, the Ouroboros Circle contained numerous factions, and recently it had been facing the shadow of war, with the situation growing increasingly unstable. In such circumstances, Freya couldn't even find a single trustworthy outside ally. The struggle for power was often more terrifying than war itself.
"Has the situation really deteriorated this badly?" Leilin stroked his chin.
"Yes. Right now, the only person I can trust is you!"
Freya's eyes reddened slightly as she leaned against Leilin's shoulder.
"Let's hold on a moment!" Leilin shook his head with a wry smile. "I understand you want to pour your heart out, but what's the meaning of putting mistletoe powder in the candle?"
Mistletoe was a rare plant in the Wizard World, regarded as a symbol of love and fertility. Its powder was commonly used as an aphrodisiac.
For wizards, it even had the miraculous effect of increasing the chances of conception, so it was widely sought after.
Freya puffed out her cheeks and moved to sit to the side, showing not the slightest embarrassment on her face—only the irritation of being caught out.
Since she knew Leilin was a Potion Grandmaster and possessed the technology to preserve life seeds that left even Milanta at a loss, her action clearly wasn't meant to be a forced advance. But the hinting was unmistakable.
Leilin, however, played the fool, leaving her so frustrated she almost didn't want to see him again.
"My Lady! Word has arrived from headquarters!"
At that moment, the door swung open and Julian walked in, defusing the awkward scene.
"There are no outsiders here. Speak," Freya nodded, her stern authority restored in front of others.
Julian glanced at Leilin, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes, but his expression remained serious.
"By order of headquarters, Lord Leilin will serve as an Enforcer of the Ouroboros Circle, responsible for patrolling all territories. He holds the authority to execute any bloodline noble below the rank of Marquis, and even for nobles of Marquis rank and above, he holds the authority to detain and imprison!"
"This…" Freya could hardly believe it.
"They're putting you on the fire to roast!" She saw through the higher-ups' intentions at a glance.
"But for me, there aren't really any other options, are there?" Leilin shrugged.
"According to headquarters' orders, my Lord, you must proceed to headquarters as soon as possible to accept your appointment!"
Julian bowed slightly. The Enforcer of the Ouroboros Circle certainly wielded enormous power, but one wrong move could offend a great many people. He wasn't particularly optimistic about Leilin's prospects.
But the fact that such an appointment had been made meant the internal situation within the Ouroboros Circle had deteriorated badly enough that they had no choice but to use an outsider like Leilin to carry out a purge.
"It looks like I'll have to leave."
Leilin rose to his feet and gave Freya an embrace. "I'm off!"
"Mm. I'll be heading to see my teacher at headquarters later as well. Take care of yourself!" Freya's eyes truly reddened this time.
"Don't worry. Very few people are capable of outmaneuvering me now!" Leilin said with a confident smile.
…
Phosphor Marsh, inside the headquarters of the Ouroboros Circle.