Leilin watched the senior warlocks' performance with cold eyes.
In reality, they all knew perfectly well that small organizations like the Hand of Vengeance were nothing but scapegoats pushed forward by the masterminds behind the scenes.
If Gilbert and the others suddenly appeared, these groups would be thrown out to bear all the blame — whether they lived or died didn't matter at all.
And even if they ultimately succeeded, they couldn't swallow much of the resources. The lion's share would go to the hidden powers behind them. This way, the masterminds wouldn't have to get their hands dirty while still reaping the benefits — truly an excellent deal.
Although every warlock here understood this perfectly, they only dared to curse those small organizations that had been driven mad by their thirst for revenge, not daring to touch the existences lurking behind them.
For them, as long as their side lacked Morningstar-level combat power, they absolutely did not have the nerve to provoke the masterminds behind the curtain.
"Never mind all that. Since our headquarters is about to become a battlefield, everyone must shoulder certain responsibilities. Do you agree?"
"Agreed!" "Agreed!" "Agreed!"
The numerous senior warlocks nodded one after another.
"Good. We still have two Comoin Giant Snake golems and the magical arrays left behind by our elders. If we activate everything, we should be able to match a Morningstar Wizard… We just need to hold out for a period of time, and the three lords can return from the other plane!"
The red-haired warlock continued to rally morale desperately, maintaining this illusion.
At these words, everyone immediately turned their gaze to an elderly warlock who was using a white handkerchief to wipe his glasses.
This was the head of the Technical Department — the Crystallization Warlock, Sart.
Sart put on his glasses with a bitter smile: "After our Technical Department's investigation, we can confirm that the lords did indeed activate the Astral Gate and entered another plane. Whether it's the Infernal Plane, we can't say for certain yet, but we're working hard to calculate the coordinates. Give me ten days — no! Five days, and there will be a result…"
Not hearing the hoped-for answer, the faces of the numerous senior warlocks immediately darkened.
The red-haired warlock managed a strained smile, then immediately began assigning tasks in his capacity as leader: "Marquis Sart, continue researching the Astral Gate. You may use any of headquarters' resources. You must find a way to rescue the three lords!"
"I will!" Sart nodded. He had the air of a great scholar about him — even in this life-or-death situation, he appeared completely composed.
"And, Marquis Luci, you…" Hearing him agree, the red-haired warlock's tone carried a hint of smugness.
Although he was the Grand Elder's chief disciple, his authority within headquarters was quite limited, roughly equal to the Marquises present here. But now, under the combined pressure of internal and external crises, with a desperate need for a strong leader, it seemed he could attempt to seize full control of the Ouroboros Circle!
"Good! Next, it's…"
The warlock began assigning tasks, and finally it was Leilin's turn: "Marquis Leilin, you'll be responsible for the defense of the western district. No problem, right?"
"Sorry! I have a problem!" Leilin raised his hand. He had only met the man a few times before, but Luci had mentioned him — his name was Fesaal, and he held great seniority within the Ouroboros Circle. And now it seemed the man even harbored ambitions to seize supreme power amid the chaos.
This immediately made Leilin feel disgusted. In a situation like this, where the entire headquarters might be breached tomorrow and everyone would perish together, they were still thinking about vying for power?
"What is it?" Fesaal's brow furrowed. His authority had only just been established, and now it was already being challenged. This immediately sparked his displeasure, and he resolved to crush the challenge on the spot.
"I have a very important experiment…"
"An experiment? Just for an experiment?" Before Leilin could finish, Fesaal cut him off. "Did I hear you correctly? At this life-and-death moment, you want to abandon your responsibilities for the sake of an experiment?"
After hearing Fesaal's words, the senior warlocks around the round table began whispering among themselves.
"Let me finish first!" Leilin pressed his hand down.
"The experiment I want to conduct is an astral experiment. Moreover, I am confident that within three days, I can locate the coordinates of the world where our teachers are lost! Marquis Sart can attest to this!"
"That's right! Marquis Leilin's proficiency in astral experiments has already surpassed mine. Especially his keenness in locating coordinates — I am truly humbled!"
Sart, who had been like a sculpture until now, also nodded.
"Even so!" Fesaal gritted his teeth. "Then the defense of the western district…"
"I'll cover it." Furi's voice cut in, interrupting what he was about to say.
"You?" Fesaal was somewhat stunned.
"Yes. My assigned area isn't far from Leilin's anyway. Taking both on together shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Furi looked at Fesaal defiantly, while the other warlocks recalled the rumors about Furi and Leilin, and knowing smiles crept across their faces.
"That's fine, but if your area is the first to fall apart…" Fesaal drew out his words. Looking at Furi's determined expression, his annoyance toward Leilin grew even stronger.
"That will still be my responsibility!" Furi bit her lip and said stubbornly.
"Very well. I hope you remember what you said today!" Fesaal nodded and sat back down.
Leilin, the person in question, had been sitting dazed in the distance and only now came back to awareness, glancing at Furi.
She had helped him time and again, even at the cost of her family's foundational resources, which had already drawn the displeasure of her family's elder council.