Wizard: Starting with Dealing with Magical Plants

Chapter 242 Divergence

"It seems the master has given new instructions." Roland immediately got out of bed and quickly put on his outer robe.

My body is still a little weak, but I can walk without any problems.

Duden also stood up: "Do you need me to go with you?"

"No need. Go to the research department first and continue analyzing last night's interference data, especially the new characteristics after the Purifiers adjusted their scanning parameters," Rolin said while packing his belongings. "Also, keep an eye on the movements of the other committee members, especially those with ambiguous attitudes."

"Understood." Duden nodded and hurried away.

Roland took a deep breath and walked out of the room, heading quickly toward the core area where Master Veranica was located.

The corridor was quieter than usual, but an invisible tension permeated the air.

The researchers or wizards you occasionally encounter walk in a hurry, rarely speak to each other, and their eyes reveal undisguised worry.

Inside the massive machine that is Santa, a subtle, unsettling friction is emanating from the immense external pressure and internal divisions.

Outside Master Veranica's study, the number of guards had doubled, and they were all high-level combat wizards with a calm demeanor and sharp eyes.

They thoroughly checked Rowling's identity and access before letting him in.

The study was dimly lit.

Master Veranica stood by the window, her back to the door, gazing at the simulated, yet now somewhat artificial, tranquil courtyard scene outside.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around, her face showing obvious fatigue, but her eyes remained clear and sharp.

"Rolin, how is your recovery?"

"I can carry out the mission, Master," Rowling replied.

Master Veranica nodded, gesturing for him to sit down, and then sat down herself behind the desk.

She didn't speak immediately, her fingers tapping lightly on the smooth tabletop, as if carefully choosing her words.

"Duden should have told you about the committee's situation." After a long pause, she spoke slowly, her voice carrying an unusual heaviness. "The disagreements are deeper and more dangerous than expected."

"Brand and Cullen—they're not listening to advice anymore."

Rowling listened quietly.

“What’s more troublesome is that,” Master Veranica looked up at Rolin, “I just received a secret report that they may be going beyond just arguing.”

Luo Lin's heart skipped a beat: "You mean...?"

"There are indications that Master Karen of the Combat Department, in conjunction with Master Sores of the Heart of the Forge Research Institute—you know, that guy who's always been passionate about ancient weapons and the application of dangerous energy—and a few radical young officers in the Imperial military, are secretly planning an operation." Master Veranica's voice turned cold.

"The target is the containment device that the Purifiers deployed around the Throat of the Dead."

"The time will most likely be tonight."

Unauthorized action?!

Rowling's pupils contracted slightly.

This is no longer a disagreement, but an act that borders on betrayal!

Once they actually take action, regardless of success or failure, they are very likely to completely enrage the Purifiers and push the situation towards an irreversible all-out confrontation!

"Master, we must stop them!" Roland said immediately.

"Of course I want to stop it," Master Veranica said with a wry smile, "but the evidence is insufficient."

"Both Karen and Sores are veteran masters with deep roots in their respective fields."

"General Brand is an important general of the Empire."

"Without solid evidence, I cannot forcibly stop them; doing so would only expose the rift between the Holy Tower and the Empire, and could even trigger internal conflict."

She stood up, walked up to Rolin, and stared intently at him: "Therefore, I need you to secretly return to the Seventh Forward Base immediately."

"What are your orders?"

"First, find Captain Blake and General Hossman and tell them the news."

General Hossman is the Empire's supreme commander in the Scorching Hell; he might be able to keep his radical generals in check.

Blake's squad is most familiar with the front lines. I need them to monitor any action teams Karen and the others might send out, and do everything possible to disrupt or delay their operations at critical moments, without directly engaging in conflict.

"Secondly," Master Veranica paused, "the information you brought back about benign imprinted individuals and safe houses, the arbitrator later provided some vague clues."

The clues point to the southern part of the Scorching Hell fragments, an ancient ruin area known as the Silent Corridor.

The energy environment there is extremely unique, capable of shielding most detection methods; it may be a backup site or data storage point left behind from ancient experiments.

"If Karen and his group's actions cannot be stopped, or even if they are stopped, the risk of a full-scale conflict with the Purifiers still exists, then we must have more leverage and a way out."

"The silent corridors may hold more complete information about ancient experiments, or even—other uncontaminated samples of benign imprints or technological prototypes."

"That might help us truly understand the Purifiers' logic and find a non-violent solution."

"Your task is to work on two parallel tracks."

"Deal with Karen's unauthorized actions first, and then, depending on the situation, investigate the Silent Corridor."

"The seedlings of the moonflower are sensitive to homologous imprints; they are your best guide."

The mission was arduous and dangerous.

Not only will they be drawn into the covert power struggle between the Holy Tower and the Empire's high command, but they will also venture deep into unknown and dangerous territories.

But Rowling didn't hesitate. "I'll set off immediately."

"Take this with you." Master Veronica took an inconspicuous, dusty leather bag from the drawer and handed it to Rolin.

"There are several one-time-use high-level concealment and interference amulets, as well as an encrypted crystal that allows for brief emergency communication with the Arbitrator."

"While it may not be able to intervene directly, it may be able to provide some real-time intelligence."

"Use with caution."

"Also," she gave Rowling a deep look, "be careful, and—be observant."

"The Holy Tower is now rife with undercurrents, and many things are no longer as simple as they seem on the surface."

"Perhaps you need to start thinking about where you should stand in the future, or—where you should go."

The implication behind those words is quite profound.

Luo Lin took the leather bag and nodded solemnly.

"I understand, Master."

Without saying goodbye, Rowling turned and left the study.

He didn't return to his residence, but went directly to the hidden teleportation area at the headquarters of the Holy Tower.

Master Veranica had already made all the necessary arrangements, and the guards silently let them through, activating a magic array that directly connected to a secure teleportation point inside the Seventh Forward Base.

As the light flashed, the familiar scorching heat, sulfur, and ash of the Scorching Hell enveloped him once again.

The Seventh Forward Base, the Secret Teleportation Room.

As soon as Rolin's figure solidified, two fully armed Forge Guards, their faces hidden under their helmets, came forward. Although they did not raise their weapons, they were alert.

"identity."

The guard on the left said in a deep voice, which sounded somewhat muffled through his visor.

Rowling revealed the special pass granted by Master Veranica and his own identification mark.

After carefully inspecting the body, the guard stepped aside.

"General Hossman and Captain Blake are waiting for you in Tactical Briefing Room Three."

"Another guard said, and gestured for Rowling to follow."

The atmosphere inside the base was even more somber than at the Santa headquarters.

People were coming and going frequently in the passageway, most of them walking hurriedly with solemn expressions.

The defensive array glowed brighter than usual, and the humming sound of energy flow was clearly audible.

The threat from the direction of the Throat of the Dead, and the possible disagreements among the higher-ups of the Holy Tower, have clearly already affected this area.

Tactical Briefing Room No. 3 is a windowless room with walls covered in soundproofing and anti-reconnaissance runes.

General Hossman and Blake were already waiting inside, along with Ella and Liana.

Upon seeing Luo Lin enter, the group showed a hint of surprise, but this was quickly replaced by a deeper sense of solemnity.

"Roland? Weren't you involved in research at the Santa headquarters? Why are you suddenly back?"

Blake asked first. He looked much better after recovering from his injury, but a deep worry was still etched on his face.

General Hossman, however, keenly sensed something and waved for the guards to close the gate and activate the highest-level shielding array.

"Does Master Veranika have urgent news?"

Without wasting any words, Rolin quickly repeated what Master Veranica had told him:

The committee's radical faction's planned unauthorized actions, the possible timing, and Master Veranica's concerns and instructions.

After listening, the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.