Wizard: Starting with Dealing with Magical Plants

Chapter 244 Signs of Battle

"No anomalies at point A. Energy background is stable, and no unreported activity units have been detected. Continuing monitoring."

Another hour passed, and Liana's message arrived.

"A faint, irregular energy disturbance has been detected at point C, suspected to be remnants of a high-level stealth spell. No personnel have been detected."

"Detection has been strengthened. Report from point B: a small-scale, unidentified short-range spatial teleportation fluctuation was detected approximately one incense stick's time ago; coordinates have been recorded."

Spatial teleportation fluctuations?

This is very likely how unauthorized task forces infiltrate the front lines!

As expected, they chose to bypass the usual route and teleport directly to a location closer to the target area.

Rowling immediately relayed the intelligence to General Hossman and Blake.

General Hossman's reply came quickly: "Felix has been temporarily taken into custody. He admitted to involvement in the planning but claimed it was only a backup plan, and handed over part of the operation plan."

"The target has been confirmed as the auxiliary energy focusing device codenamed Prism near point B."

"The action team consists of six people, including two combat wizards under Master Karen, three ruin excavation experts from the Sores Institute, and one Imperial special scout."

"Well-equipped, carrying high-explosive arcane explosives and space jammers."

"The operation is expected to take place around midnight. The objective is to plant the explosives and then quickly evacuate, causing the device to detonate and disrupting the energy balance of the containment area."

"Their teleportation point is about five miles from point B, and they should be stealthily approaching them at the moment."

"Ella, Liana, I order you to move immediately toward point B, attempt to locate the squad, and disrupt them."

"The base will send two high-speed reconnaissance vehicles from the air to assist in drawing any possible attention."

"Remember, avoid direct contact, create an accident, and buy time."

"I will send out formal patrol teams to the area for routine inspections as needed."

The commands are clear.

The key is to disrupt the unauthorized team before they plant the explosives, but without making them realize that it's a deliberate attempt to stop them.

Ella and Liana replied that they had received the message and began moving back towards point B.

Rowling couldn't sit still in the lounge.

He arrived at the base's command and control center, where he could see some real-time footage and energy readings transmitted from the front lines.

On the huge screen, the area of ​​the throat of the dead was covered by a dark red high-risk mark, and several dots representing the purifier device at the edge flickered slowly.

Near point B, the energy readings are relatively stable, but upon closer inspection, some extremely subtle fluctuations that do not belong to the environmental background can be found, which may be the traces of the infiltration team.

Time ticked by, bringing us closer to midnight.

The atmosphere in the monitoring center was so heavy it could drip water.

Several operators stared intently at the screen, occasionally giving reports in hushed tones.

"A faint life signal was detected three kilometers southeast of point B. It does not match the characteristics of known monsters and its movement trajectory is concealed. It is suspected to be the target team."

"The aerial reconnaissance vehicle has arrived at the designated airspace and has begun low-altitude circling, releasing standard reconnaissance waves."

"No abnormal reactions were found in the purifier units to the structure."

"The energy flow in the sealed field is stable."

General Hossman also arrived at the monitoring center, standing next to Rowling with a furrowed brow.

"Where are Ella and the others?"

"We have reached the lava ravine two kilometers west of point B and are approaching covertly using the terrain," an officer reported.

"Tell them to be careful; there are two battle wizards in that squad, and their senses are quite strong," General Hossman said.

On the screen, the signal swatch representing the infiltration team moved very cautiously, pausing and changing direction intermittently, clearly avoiding potential surveillance and patrol routes. Their professionalism was not to be underestimated.

Just as the signal spot moved to a rocky area less than a kilometer away from the prism device, a sudden change occurred!

On the screen, a dense burst of low-intensity energy flashes suddenly erupted in that area without warning, accompanied by a brief reading of energy turbulence!

"What's going on?" General Hossman asked immediately.

The operator quickly adjusted the detection parameters: "Is it a preset trigger-based interference rune?"

"Energy characteristics — leaning towards a mixture of natural energy disturbances and arcane noise, not offensive spells."

"It was likely orchestrated by Captain Ella or Priestess Liana."

Almost simultaneously, the signal spots representing the infiltration team abruptly stopped, then quickly dispersed, seemingly entering a state of high alert.

Their movements became more unpredictable, and their speed slowed down.

"The interference has taken effect," Rowling whispered.

Ella and her team were indeed experienced, choosing a method that was difficult to trace the source of, yet could effectively warn and delay.

But the infiltration team clearly hadn't given up.

They lingered in the chaos for about fifteen minutes, seemingly reassessing and re-evaluating the risks, before slowly resuming their advance toward their objective, albeit via a more circuitous route.

"How long until the patrol reaches the designated area?" General Hossman asked.

"It will take at least another 15 minutes," the officer replied.

Two quarters of an hour—at the infiltration team's current speed, that's enough time for them to get close enough to plant the explosives.

"Lower the reconnaissance vehicle and conduct a high-intensity, but standard, energy scan of the B area," General Hossman ordered. "The movements can be clumsy, but make some noise."

"yes!"

Soon, the screen showed that the two reconnaissance vehicles had descended and begun a large-scale active energy scan of the area around point B.

Although the intensity of this scan is not high, it is enough to make the infiltrators feel uneasy and worried about being exposed.

Sure enough, the infiltration team's signal became sluggish again, as if they were engaged in intense internal communication and decision-making.

Another quarter of an hour passed in the tense back-and-forth.

Just as the patrol team was about to enter the visible range, the energy reading on the screen suddenly showed a sharp, brief spike!

The location is near the prism device!

"High-intensity arcane energy burst detected!"

"The property—is the ignition signal for arcane explosives!"

The operator exclaimed in surprise.

They still managed to find an opportunity to plant explosives?!

At this critical moment, another completely different golden energy wave, carrying a strong sense of purification and dispelling, rippled out from not far from the side of the device like water, instantly sweeping across that area!

On the screen, the spike representing the arcane explosive ignition signal disappeared abruptly, like a flame that had been extinguished!

"It's Priestess Liana's purification and dispelling!" The officer's voice was filled with surprise.

Almost simultaneously, a loud, muffled explosion was faintly heard from a distance, but it did not come from the direction of the prism device, but from the other side of the rocky area where the infiltration team had been hiding!

A small plume of smoke and turbulent energy rose from there.

"Has Captain Ella's trap been triggered?"

"Or did they trigger something themselves?"

The operator said uncertainly.

On the screen, the signal dots representing the infiltration team became completely chaotic, scattering into several smaller dots that moved rapidly in different directions, clearly in a panicked retreat.

Their operation has been completely exposed and has failed.

"Patrol teams, accelerate forward, block off the main access routes around point B, and conduct routine searches!" General Hossman immediately ordered. "Note: If you encounter any suspicious individuals, prioritize control and avoid firefights as much as possible!"

The order was quickly relayed.

As Rolin watched the energy readings on the screen gradually stabilize and the patrol team begin to move in an orderly manner, he slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

The most dangerous hurdle has been temporarily overcome.

Karen and her group's unauthorized actions were successfully thwarted without any direct conflict, leaving room for maneuver.

But the impact of this event is likely only just beginning. The rift between the Holy Tower and the Imperial high command is already clearly visible.

And how will the factions of Karen and Sores react after this defeat?

General Hossman had clearly thought of this as well; his face showed little joy, but rather a more serious expression.

He turned to look at Rolin and said in a deep voice, "Rolin, get ready."

"The mission to complete the Silent Corridor will probably have to be brought forward."

"This place—will soon become another battlefield."

Rowling nodded.

He understood what the general meant.

Once internal conflicts are brought to the forefront, the Seventh Forward Base will no longer be just a frontline against external enemies, but may also become a focal point of power struggles.

Instead of staying here and getting caught up in unnecessary trouble, it would be better to go and carry out that exploration mission that might bring about a turning point.

He returned to the lounge, began a final inventory of the equipment, and carefully placed the silver flower seedlings into the enhanced constant temperature incubator.

The little creature seemed to sense the journey about to begin, its silvery light shimmering slightly, conveying a hint of anticipation and curiosity.

Baha landed on his shoulder, gently combing his hair with its beak, its six eyes darting around warily.

A moment later, Blake pushed open the door and came in, carrying a package.