The war that broke out in the Ouroboros Ring was like a stone cast into the tranquil lake of the Central Continent, sending ripples spreading outward in all directions.
Conflicts on such a widespread scale had become exceedingly rare, held in check by the delicate balance of power among the Morning Star Wizards.
News of the events within the Ouroboros Ring swept across the entire Central Continent in an instant. Countless spies, investigators from various factions, and even independent wandering Wizards all flocked toward the Phosphorescent Marshlands.
They were desperate to uncover the cause and outcome of the conflict, information that would serve as crucial intelligence for the powers they represented.
"A storm is brewing!"
In the Phosphorescent Marshlands, within the headquarters of the Ouroboros Ring, Fruity stood clad in form-fitting leather attire atop a floating platform, gazing down upon the sprawling city of warlocks below.
"Will this prosperous and peaceful city soon have to bear the flames of war?"
Her gaze drifted toward the darkening horizon, and an unavoidable shadow clouded her features.
That shadow deepened further when she spotted Ulyan approaching, accompanied by several elders.
"How are the personnel deployments going?"
Ignoring the elders trailing behind, Fruity addressed Ulyan directly.
"Everything has been assigned, however..."
Ulyan's face held a hint of hesitation.
"Allow me to speak! Last time, your arbitrary deployment of the Blood Serpent Warlock Corps cost our family a grievous loss. And now, you've taken over the Western Sector defense that Raylin was responsible for, placing an unbearable burden upon our clan!"
An elder with blood-red eyebrows spoke, his voice cold, his expression one of undisguised dissatisfaction. He was not alone; the other elders wore similarly stern looks.
"Consider this: our family's strength was already stretched thin merely defending our own sector. To suddenly take on an additional area will inevitably weaken our manpower. Should any trouble arise, our entire clan could face utter ruin!"
Another elder, an old woman, chimed in.
"Aunt... I understand all of that, but..." These old men and women were elders of Fruity's clan, many of whom had watched her grow up. Even though Fruity had already advanced to the Crystal Stage, it was still difficult for her to speak frankly.
"I know. You have your eye on that boy, don't you?"
Another elder, a man with a fleshy growth on his face, suddenly sneered.
"And what if I do, Uncle Ivanov?" Fruity took a deep breath, her eyes locking directly onto Ivanov. A dangerous aura immediately descended upon the area.
The growth on Ivanov's face trembled as he stumbled back several steps, yet his mouth remained sharp: "You treat others that way, but that Raylin fellow is a notorious playboy. Not only does he have an affair with his own senior sister, but even that harlot, Melanta..."
"Enough!" Fruity's face flushed crimson as she shouted him down. The other elders also furrowed their brows.
In truth, romantic entanglements among warlocks were often chaotic. They themselves had been no different in their youth, so they did not consider Raylin's promiscuity to be a major issue.
But the way Ivanov brought it up so openly had a rather distasteful ring to it.
Still, if she thought about it carefully, there was some truth to what Ivanov said. If that Raylin truly had feelings for Fruity, wouldn't the two of them already be together by now? It was probably just the clan head's wishful thinking!
At this thought, Fruity's aunt spoke up with some concern: "Little Fruity, you..."
"Viscount Lucie has arrived!" Just then, another voice rang out. The elders exchanged glances and immediately fell silent.
This was all family business, and they had no intention of letting outsiders hear a word of it.
"Then we shall take our leave for now. Give it some more thought..." The elderly woman gazed at Fruity with tender affection before leading the other elders away.
Once they had all vanished from sight, Fruity finally let out a breath of relief and went to greet Lucie.
"Heh heh... Troubled, are we?" Lucie said with a smile. Behind him followed two more wizards.
"Just a small nuisance!" Fruity tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and studied the two wizards behind Lucie. One of them she knew well — it was Parker, one of Raylin's subordinates. The other was a veiled female wizard she didn't recognize, yet from her emanated a terrifying crystallization fluctuation.
Someone with that level of strength shouldn't be so unknown. Even within the Ouroboros Ring, crystallization-rank wizards were few in number — the dozen or so from last time had been enough to form the supreme governing body that ruled over everything.
"Allow me to introduce you. This is Parker, whom I'm sure you've already met!" Lucie chuckled, prompting Parker to bow respectfully to Fruity. He then gestured toward the female wizard and continued:
"This is 'Shadow,' a crystallization-rank wizard that Raylin subdued out in the world. Due to her sensitive identity, she cannot reveal her true face. As for the reason they've come here — Parker, why don't you explain?"
"Respected Viscount Fruity!" Parker bowed with deep respect.
"My master, knowing that you are short-handed here, has specifically ordered me and Shadow to bring the fiefdom guard here to await your command!"
"That is wonderful news!" A smile broke across Fruity's face, and inwardly she breathed a sigh of relief.
Back when she had agreed to take over the defense of the western district as well, she truly hadn't had enough warlocks to go around. But with the addition of Parker and his group, the shortage of manpower could be largely made up.