The goddesses attempted to gain my salvation.

"I'll wait for you at the door."

Maggie was a little nervous.

She kept adjusting her clothes, trying to make herself look more formal and dignified.

But when it came time to knock on the door, I hesitated, raising my hand and then lowering it again.

After all, Tracy was once a tutor at the academy and was an old acquaintance of Maggie.

Moreover, Tracy had helped him a lot when he was at the academy.

Maggie felt a sense of closeness to Tracy in addition to respect.

Finally, Maggie knocked on the door, and a familiar voice came from inside.

"Please come in."

Pushing open the door, you are greeted by a clean and tidy office area.

The fireplace on one side crackled and popped, spreading warmth to every corner of the room.

A huge round table and soft chairs were placed in the center, which was where Tracy usually received guests and rested.

The bookcase, as large as an entire wall, displays many magical and local administrative documents.

In front of the bookshelf is a three-meter-long wooden table.

Tracy, dressed in a pale purple robe with a fur hood, sat there, flipping through the documents in front of her.

On the long table, there was a blooming daffodil.

Tracy's eyes lit up when she saw Maggie.

"You finally came."

Tracy stood up, walked around the long table, and went to Maggie.

She is still as beautiful as ever, and her figure is as hot as ever.

The dark black and dark red skirt suit accentuated her unparalleled figure. Her long legs were encased in thick, warm black stockings, paired with over-the-knee boots that made her legs appear even longer.

Even though she was a woman herself, Maggie couldn't help but blush a little.

"Hello, Professor Tracy."

“I’m no longer at the academy, and you’re a general of the duchy, so there’s no need to address me as your mentor anymore.” Tracy kindly took Maggie’s hand and led her to a soft chair.

"Come on, sit down and have a drink of water first, and tell me about the hardships you've endured along the way."

Two maids brought hot tea and dessert, and Tracy held Maggie's hand, acting as a good listener.

------

The conversation lasted for more than an hour.

Under Tracy's guidance, Maggie gradually relaxed and became more talkative, not only talking about Claire's life in the Duchy, but also describing the current development of the Duchy.

Claire was very busy every day, but fortunately, her busyness brought a period of peace to the duchy.

Tracy never imagined that the once energetic little girl would grow into a qualified leader.

Besides the situation in the duchy, Maggie also recounted their arduous journey and the attack by mysterious figures. The Itami town cluster...

It is highly likely that he is one of Alvin's men.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that the other brothers and sisters had made arrangements in advance, thereby provoking his dissatisfaction and thus starting a war with Alvin.

There are many possibilities, and it's too early to generalize.

However, Tracy silently remembered this incident.

"By the way, Lord Tracy."

After a moment's thought, Maggie said, "When I was attacked in the Itami town cluster, someone helped me out. If it weren't for his help, I don't think I would be alive to see you."

"Moreover, this cartload of grain will probably be buried deep under the snow."

Tracy quickly followed up with, "Oh?"

"Who helped me? If I have the chance, I will express my gratitude to him on behalf of the city of Irkutsk."

Maggie looked intently at Tracy, unconsciously increasing the pressure on her hand.

"Yes... Mentor Ryan."

Tracy, who always had a smile on her face, froze upon hearing this name.

The pressure on his hands also loosened.

"You...you mean, Ryan is in the Itami town cluster?!"

Tracy's voice unconsciously rose, and she suddenly exerted force, bringing her face close to Maggie's.

Those big eyes were glistening with tears and filled with endless anticipation.

Maggie nodded emphatically.

“I can’t be mistaken about Mentor Ryan’s voice.”

"Moreover, I think that golden flame, which is as hot as the sun, is something that no one else but Mentor Ryan could possess."

Maggie recalled that day, the dazzling web of light beneath the avalanche.

His eyes were somewhat unfocused.

"That person is definitely Mentor Ryan."

Tracy's lips trembled slightly. Despite her best efforts to control her emotions, a tear eventually slipped from the corner of her eye.

"Ryan..."

During her time away from the academy, Tracy missed Ryan every single moment.

However, she usually suppressed this longing by the fate she was burdened by the Thiele family and deliberately chose to ignore it.

However, these long-suppressed feelings finally burst forth when she heard the name Ryan.

Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, her head bowed, and she sobbed silently.

Even though Maggie was right in front of him.

But she couldn't control herself.

Perhaps, from the day he left, Tracy had been hoping that one day he would hear news of Ryan.

Chapter 227 An Unexpected Choice

Heber Lane.

Antovia had heard of this name before.

A highly renowned dual-attribute mage within the academy, currently second only to Orina and the three high priests in strength. Furthermore, within the empire's secret intelligence network, Ryan was crucial in laying the foundation for Claire's duchy.

As a magician, Antovia was eager to test her skills against such a powerful opponent.

At the same time, as a woman, Antovia also wanted to see what kind of guy this man who had Tracy so infatuated with was.

After Maggie left, Tracy stood by the window.

Antovia was very considerate and didn't approach her, but waited until she had vented her emotions before going up to her.

Two clear tear tracks were visible on her clean, fair cheeks, and her eyes were also somewhat red and swollen.

Upon noticing Antovia approaching, Tracy wiped her eyes and took a deep breath to compose herself.

“Antovia... I have something I'd like to ask you.”

Antovia stroked her cane and said calmly, "You... want to know Ryan's whereabouts. If possible, I hope you can bring Ryan back."

"Sure enough, I can't hide anything from you."

Tracy lowered her eyes, her right hand gently pressed against her chest, feeling her heart pounding: "However, I want to see him in person."

Antovia fell into deep thought.

Tracy, as a member of the Thiele family, is currently in the process of choosing a king.

Every one of Thiel's offspring had spies planted by other forces around him, and Tracy was no exception.

If she leaves Irkutsk at this time, she will be noticed by others immediately, and they will take advantage of the opportunity to leave the main city to kill her.

Therefore, Tracy cannot leave the main city.

Similarly, she couldn't leave Tracy's side, because she was the foundation of Tracy's safety.

It should be noted that each of the other Thiel's offspring is accompanied by a member of the Seven Stars.

Once they learn that Antovia has left the main city, they will also send Seven Stars to assassinate her.

Those people are all madmen born for war, and they won't show any mercy to Tracy just because she's of royal blood.

Antovia's intention was to politely decline.

However, Antovia then thought of Ryan's formidable strength, believing that he would not be at a disadvantage when facing the Seven-Pointed Star.

Furthermore, Ryan and Tracy also have a very close relationship.

Why not go with the flow and bring Ryan to Irkutsk, making him Tracy's ally and helping her secure victory in this royal selection ceremony?

With this in mind, Antovia ultimately chose to agree with Tracy's idea and put it into practice.

late at night.

Tracy was still busy with his work in his office, and it seemed unlikely he'd be able to sleep for a long time. Meanwhile, Antovia, wearing over-the-knee boots, arrived at the castle's second-floor cellar to the sound of her cane tapping the ground.

The air here is very humid, and with poor air circulation, the entire space is filled with a musty and rotten smell.

Upon seeing Antovia, the guards immediately made way for her.

In the deepest part of the prison, in the darkness, a woman with only one arm was imprisoned.

Her remaining hand and feet were bound by extremely hard earth-attribute magic, while her magic circuits were also filled with a large amount of earth-attribute magic power.

These magical powers sealed her circuits, preventing her from casting spells.

And all of this was Antovia's masterpiece.