Wizard: Starting with Dealing with Magical Plants

Chapter 228 Abnormalities at Headquarters

"Vice Captain Rolin, are you able to get out of bed now?" Ash asked, his voice flat.

"Remote projections of General Hossman and Master Veranika await you in the command center."

"Regarding this mission, and what's to come—there are some decisions I need to inform you of."

Rowling nodded, and with Ella's help, slowly got up and put on his coat.

What's meant to come will come.

They paid a heavy price for this mission, but also achieved crucial results.

And what awaits the Scorching Flame Patrol Team, the Seventh Forward Base, and even the entire Scorching Flame Hell fragment in the future?

The pale hand, though severely injured, was not completely eradicated.

The ancient entity deep within the rift seems to have some unknown connection with the Moon Silver Flower.

The visitor's whereabouts remain a mystery.

And that contract that was interfered with but not completely destroyed —

The storm may only be temporarily over.

A larger undercurrent is brewing in places unseen.

Luo Lin strode towards the command center.

Although his steps were unsteady, his eyes had regained their usual calm and sharpness.

The command center was brightly lit but cold, and the air was filled with the faint hum of efficiently operating instruments and the smell of arcane dust.

On the massive tactical sandbox, the dark red marker in the Throat of the Dead area has turned orange, representing "threat reduced but continued monitoring".

Several blue dots representing patrol and cleanup teams were moving around the perimeter of that area.

General Hossman stood beside the sand table, his back straight as a spear, a hint of weariness still visible on his face.

The image of Master Veronica floated on the other side of the sand table, appearing more solid and clear than when she was in the study, her gaze calmly fixed on Rolin, who had just walked in.

Ella and Liana helped Rolin sit down in a high-backed chair.

Luo Lin's face was still somewhat pale, but his eyes had regained their clarity.

"How are you feeling, Lieutenant Captain Rolin?" General Hossman's voice was steady.

"It's manageable, General," Rowling replied.

Master Veranica nodded slightly: "Your mission report has been reviewed in detail by the base and the research department."

"Your team, especially you personally, demonstrated decisiveness, courage, and masterful use of power in this key-stealing and contract-interference operation, far exceeding expectations."

She paused, then continued, "Although we paid the price of casualties, we successfully stopped the Pale Hand's ultimate ritual at the Throat of the Dead, destroyed the key, severely damaged its high-ranking members, and obtained valuable information about the existence deep within the Rift, ancient contracts, and the plundering and modification of visitor technology."

"Of great strategic significance."

"Based on the evaluation of merits, all participating team members will receive corresponding promotions, resource rewards, and compensation."

"The entire Jiao Yan Patrol Team is awarded a collective first-class merit."

"Roland, you will receive an additional Level 2 Contribution Medal from the Holy Tower, as well as corresponding increases in knowledge base access and resource quotas."

Rowling calmly accepted the award.

While merit and resources are important, he is more concerned about what comes next.

"Captain Blake and the others—" he asked.

"We are on our way back, and the injuries are manageable," General Hossman replied.

"The base is ready to receive and treat the fallen, and compensation for the dead will be provided immediately."

Master Veranica's image drifted closer, her tone becoming serious: "After the commendation, there are more important arrangements."

.

"Rolin, regarding the key fragments you brought back from the Forgotten Graveyard, and—that mutated Moon Silver Flower seedling—the Santa Headquarters Research Department, after combining the latest analysis data from the Civilization Stone Tablet, has come to some—shocking and unsettling speculations."

Rowling sat up straight. Just as expected.

"The research department has made a preliminary judgment," Master Veranica said slowly, "that one of the ancient contracts contained in that key is likely a being slumbering deep within the rift of the Throat of the Dead."

"And the other party to the contract, or rather, the object or medium involved in the contract, may be related to some extremely ancient experiments or phenomena involving the coexistence of the spiritual origin and rules of life."

She looked at Luo Lin: "The spiritual resonance and resistance that your Moon Silver Flower seedlings showed when fighting against the rift's intent, as well as the abnormal increase in their spiritual strength and structural changes after the battle, bear a striking resemblance to some of the vague descriptions in the stone tablet about spiritual grafting, rule carriers, and the infection of contract remnants."

Luo Lin was startled.

There are related descriptions on the stone tablet?

The level of knowledge recorded on the stone tablet of civilization is indeed unfathomable.

"Does the master mean that the Moon Silver Flower, or its deeper essence, may have some kind of relationship with the ancient beings deep in the rift, or even with that ancient contract—that is, a relationship of origin or derivation?" Roland said, expressing his speculation.

"It's just speculation at the moment, but the possibility is not low," Master Veranica affirmed.

"This involves many profound areas such as life, spirituality, contracts, and the contamination of rules."

"The Santa headquarters has listed this as a top priority research project and named it Project Origin Pact."

"I need you, Rolin. Once you've mostly recovered from your injuries, immediately take the Moon Silver Flower seedlings and all the data from this mission back to Santa headquarters and participate in the project as one of the core researchers."

Return to Santa headquarters?

Participating in top-secret research?

This means he will temporarily leave the front lines of the scorching hell and enter a deeper field of academic research.

The ability to access the core secrets of the Civilization Stele and explore the truth about the Moon Silver Flower and the ancient contract held immense appeal for him.

But at the same time, it also means leaving the Scorching Flame Patrol Team and leaving this familiar yet perilous land.

"That squad—" Rowling looked at General Hossman.

"Captain Blake will need time to recover from his injuries and rebuild the squad after his return," General Hossman said.

"The Scorching Flame Patrol will not be undertaking high-difficulty missions in the short term."

"You can go without worry."

"Your position and permissions are retained. You may return to the team at any time when the project achieves milestones or when there is a need on the front lines."

This arrangement is reasonable.

"I understand." Roland nodded. "I will set off as soon as my injuries stabilize."

"Very good." Master Veranika's image flickered slightly.

"Researcher Duden will contact you regarding the specific itinerary and handover arrangements."

"Remember, this research involves top-secret information; please exercise extreme caution."

The communication ended, and Master Veranika's image vanished.

General Hossman walked up to Rollin and patted him on the shoulder: "Go back and recover well. We'll keep an eye on things at the base."

"The Pale Hand has been weakened this time, but it's not completely dead yet."

"The visitors' side is unusually quiet, and—" He paused, lowering his voice.

"The reconnaissance report we just received indicates that new traces of energy activity have been discovered in the northwestern part of Ash Plains, near the Boiling Blood Lake."

"It's not the necromancy of the Pale Hand, nor the disorder of the Visitor, nor does it resemble the native monsters of the Scorching Hell."

"The traces are fresh, well-hidden, and the purpose is unclear."

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A fourth force?

Luo Lin frowned slightly.

The waters of the Scorching Hell are getting increasingly murky.

"We've already increased our reconnaissance capabilities," General Hossman said.

"Take care of your own business first. The water at the Santa Monica headquarters might not be any shallower than here."

After leaving the command center, Rolin returned to the medical room to continue his recuperation, accompanied by Ella and Liana.

Over the next few days, he strictly followed the therapist's instructions, taking medication, meditating, and engaging in gentle restorative training.

Under the combined effects of the [Quiet Dust Star] and the medicine, the recovery speed of the mental sea was faster than expected.

The star power gradually increased.

The physical damage requires a longer period of rest and recuperation, but it no longer affects daily activities and low-intensity spellcasting.

The honeysuckle seedlings were temporarily "borrowed" by the research department for several rounds of non-destructive testing before being returned.

The little guy looked to be in good spirits. Its leaves had unfurled again, and the silver light was restrained yet gentle. Its spiritual fluctuations were indeed much stronger than before, and the spiritual connection between it and Rolin had become clearer and — intimate.

It was as if they had gone through a life-or-death ordeal together, forging a deeper bond.

Rowling replanted it in the small terracotta pot and placed it on the windowsill where it could receive simulated sunlight.

The seedlings swayed gently, conveying a sense of joy and peace.

During this time, Blake's team also successfully returned to base.

The deaths of Kruger and another Forge Guardian cast a somber mood, but those who survived needed to look forward.

Blake broke two ribs and suffered internal organ concussion, requiring him to stay in bed.

Lehman's arm recovery is progressing slowly, but at least his left hand is now mobile and his complexion has improved.

Ella and Liana have fully recovered and have begun assisting the base with some patrol and training missions.

Rowling went to visit Blake and Lehman.

Although Blake was lying down, his eyes remained sharp, only now tinged with sorrow.

"The mission is complete, but at a great cost." His voice was a little hoarse.

"Go to the Holy Tower and do your research. We'll take care of things here."

Lehman smirked, "Next time we meet, I hope you'll figure out what that flower is all about."

"7

"Also, don't forget to improve your spells, so you don't end up like this again next time."

, 7

Luo Lin nodded in agreement.