Wizard: Starting with Dealing with Magical Plants

Chapter 257 Departure

"General, what about you?" Rowling asked.

"Me?" General Hossman straightened his back, his face regaining its soldierly resolve. "I am an Imperial soldier, commander of the Seventh Forward Base."

"As long as the orders remain, I will stay here until the very last moment."

"But—" He paused, his voice lowering, "if one day, orders become incomprehensible, or this base loses its purpose—perhaps, I will make my own choice."

He patted Rowling on the shoulder: "You're still young, you have a long way to go."

"The Holy Tower is large, but the world is even larger."

Sometimes, leaving a crumbling nest isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"The research direction that Master Veranica gave you regarding benign imprinting and synergistic protocols might—allow you to go further in the outside world."

This statement is almost an explicit implication.

General Hossman was urging him to leave.

Looking at the pale white markings on the sand table, and recalling the Purifier's destructive white light, Rolin made his decision.

"I understand, General." Roland nodded. "Once my injuries have stabilized, I will request to return to the Santa headquarters—"

Then, I might leave for a while.

T

"Hmm." General Hossman didn't say much more. "Before you leave, come and say goodbye to me."

"Blake and the others—they should understand."

After resting for two more days, Luo Lin felt that he had almost recovered.

The moonflower has also recovered to about 70-80% of its original size.

He formally submitted his request to General Hossman to return to Santa headquarters.

Blake, Ella, and Liana all came to see him off.

After a few days of rest, they had recovered quite a bit, but there was something new in their eyes that they hadn't seen before: the calm that came from experiencing overwhelming power, and uncertainty about the future.

"Take care." Blake hugged Rolin tightly. The tough guy's movements were a little awkward, but very strong. "No matter where you go, remember the Scorching Flame Patrol Team. There will always be a place for you."

"Contact me anytime if you need help."

Ella handed over a small leather bag containing several signal arrows she had specially made and a simplified map of the outer perimeter of the Scorching Hell.

Liana then presented a small bottle of liquid that emitted a soft golden light: "Essence of Holy Power, with remarkable effects on spiritual restoration."

"It can be used for honeysuckle, or you can use it yourself."

Luo Lin accepted them one by one and thanked them solemnly.

Without any further emotional words, their eyes spoke volumes.

As he stepped into the teleportation array back to the Holy Tower headquarters, Roland took one last look at the somewhat lonely silhouette of the Seventh Forward Base against the dark red sky.

This place holds memories of battle, sacrifice, friendship, and growth.

But now, it's time to leave.

The atmosphere at the Santa headquarters was even more eerie than before I left.

The surface order remained unchanged, but an invisible tension and sense of alienation permeated the air.

The wizards I encountered in the corridor were in a hurry, their conversations were noticeably reduced, and their eyes were full of wariness and probing.

Wizards from different factions even have more obvious distinguishing marks in their clothing.

Rowling went directly to Master Veranica's study.

The master looked a bit older, with deeper wrinkles around his eyes, but his gaze remained sharp.

Besides her, Master Aldrich and Ms. Serena were also in the study, and none of the three looked too good.

"You're back." Master Veranica gestured for Rolin to sit down, without exchanging pleasantries. "I've read the report. You did a good job, although the method—was extremely risky."

"It's a matter of necessity," Rowling replied simply.

"Yes, it's a matter of necessity," Master Veranica sighed. "But now, the situation inside the Holy Tower is even more troublesome than the Scorching Hell."

Master Aldrich scoffed, "Karen and Sores' group are now openly accusing our research faction of colluding too deeply with the unknown Observer's legacy, thus inviting the Purifier's threat, demanding an immediate halt to all related research, destruction of data, and that the leader—us—be handed over to the Supreme Council for review!"

Ms. Serena also looked worried: "Although the isolationists and radicals are hostile to each other, they are surprisingly united in their suppression of us."

"The voices supporting us in the council are getting weaker and weaker."

"The Empire's attitude is ambiguous; they seem to be observing as well."

"So, Master, what's the purpose of summoning me back?" Roland asked directly.

Master Veranica gave him a deep look: "Rolin, you are very smart, and you should have sensed it."

"The Holy Tower can no longer accommodate us."

"At the very least, there is no room for us to continue to study and address the crisis brought about by the observer's legacy in our own way."

7

She took a thick, unmarked leather notebook from the drawer and pushed it in front of Rowling.

"This is the core insight and unpublished speculation of me, Aldrich, Serena, and several like-minded but undisclosed colleagues over the years regarding our research on the Stone of Civilization, the Observer's Legacy, and the nature of rules."

"This also includes a preliminary, in-depth analysis of the positive imprint collaboration protocols you brought back."

Luo Lin was startled.

This is the culmination of Master Veranika's lifelong research!

Are you just going to hand it over to me like this?

"Master, this is too precious, I—"

"Let me finish," Master Veranica interrupted him. "The great ship that is the Santa is already rotten inside; it's only a matter of time before it capsizes."

"We old guys are too big a target, too many ties, and may not be able to get away easily."

"But you are different. You are young, have great potential, and have already reached the core."

""

"Most importantly, you have that moonflower, which is one of the key keys connecting ancient experiments with the future."

1

Her gaze was intense: "Leave the Holy Tower, Roland."

"Take this knowledge, and take the Moon Silver Flower with you, and leave this place."

"Go out there, see with your own eyes, and study, explore, and grow in your own way."

"Perhaps you can find a path different from any faction within the Holy Tower, a path that can truly address future crises."

Master Aldrich also spoke up, saying, "We will provide you with some necessary resources and channels for cover within our capabilities."

"But from now on, you'll have to rely mainly on yourself."

"Remember, the mark of the Holy Tower is both an aid and a constraint; when necessary, it can be discarded."

Ms. Serena looked at Rolin gently: "Moonflower is a good child, take good care of it."

"I have some insights into spiritual studies in my notebook that might be helpful to you."

The three masters' meaning couldn't be clearer:

The Holy Tower is on the verge of internal strife, and they are in dire need of protection. They hope that Rolin, this seed, can leave with the core knowledge, preserve the flame, and find another way out.

Looking at the heavy notebook in front of him, and recalling General Hossman's hint, Blake and the others' farewell, and the destructive white light of the Throat of the Dead—the last trace of hesitation in his heart dissipated.

He reached out and solemnly took the notebook: "I understand! — Thank you for your trust, masters."

"No need to thank us." Master Veranica waved her hand, a rare tired smile appearing on her face. "We should be thanking you for giving us old folks a glimmer of hope."

"Let's go, while the situation hasn't completely deteriorated and the teleportation array is still usable."

17

"Go wherever you want to go."

"I'm going back to Blackrock Town." Rolin had already decided where to go.

It's a relatively remote place, and Ellie is still there, so it can serve as a temporary base and research site.

"Yes, it's relatively peaceful over there." Master Veranica nodded. "The rest of the journey is up to you."

"Remember, safety first."

Without further farewells, Rowling carefully put away his notebook, bowed deeply to the three masters, and turned to leave the study.

As he walked out of the imposing gates of the Santa headquarters, Roland glanced back.

This sacred wizarding land, which he had once longed for, studied, and fought in, still appeared magnificent and spectacular in the afterglow of the setting sun, but he knew that its interior was already filled with cracks and the smell of decay.

Without lingering, Rolin activated the teleportation permission to Blackrock Town.