Wizard: Starting with Dealing with Magical Plants

Chapter 324 Departure

Master Evelyn tapped her fingers unconsciously on the table, her gaze sweeping back and forth between the projected map and the faces of the crowd.

"Reinhard is too late, the experiment can't be interrupted, and those two can't be moved." She paused, "I'll go myself."

"Master Evelyn!" Hawke and Otto exclaimed simultaneously.

"You are the pillar of the entire Department of Ancient Relics, you cannot take risks lightly!" Otto said urgently.

"It is precisely because I am a pillar that I must go," Master Evelyn said with an unquestionable tone. "That place is the remnant of the Observer civilization, and may involve the master node of the purification protocol."

"No one here understands their runic logic and energy system better than me."

"Only I have the hope of dealing with that spatial passage without causing a greater disaster."

She looked at Hawke: "Hawk, you stay in the council to oversee the overall situation, coordinate resources, and ensure the northern defense line is secure."

"Otto, you are in charge of internal security and intelligence within the council. Keep a close eye on any movements that may be connected to the Pale Hand."

"Master Colton of the Elemental Department," she said, looking at the old wizard in the dark blue robe, "please prepare immediately all the supplies and magic array blueprints needed for spatial stabilization and interference. I will take them with me."

"In addition, I need at least ten members with rich combat experience and expertise in dealing with energy anomalies and death magic, at the third ring level or above, to form the core action team."

Hawke and Otto exchanged a glance, knowing they couldn't change Master Evelyn's decision.

They knew this scholar's character well; once he decided it was necessary, no one could stop him.

"Regarding the selection," Hawke pondered, "Oleg and Lina have just returned, are familiar with the northern environment, and are capable enough."

"The Tactical Department's Stone Bar and the Purification Priestess Sharna are both skilled fighters."

"Plus Marcus's original teammates, and—Rolin?"

This last name drew everyone's attention back to the young wizard in the corner.

Luo Lin's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up to meet everyone's gaze.

Master Evelyn also looked at him, her gaze deep and scrutinizing.

"With Rolin's strength and experience, facing this level of danger—" Otto frowned, clearly disagreeing.

"His understanding and perception of the Observer Protocol is unparalleled," Master Evelyn said slowly. "That interference amulet, and his analysis of fragments and models, prove that he has a special talent and—adaptability—in this regard."

"The situation inside the ruins is unknown, but it is likely to be filled with the creations and protocol traps of the observer civilization."

"Having someone who can anticipate and even interact with you to a limited extent could potentially prevent a lot of unnecessary trouble and casualties."

She paused, then said in a somber tone, "Of course, the risk is extremely high."

"Rolin, the choice is yours."

"You can refuse and stay in Parliament to continue your research; no one will blame you."

"But if you choose to go, you must understand that this is not a training ground, and there will be no second chance."

"One mistake could mean death, or something even worse."

All eyes were on Rolin's face.

The office was so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat.

My heart was pounding powerfully in my chest, and the sound of blood rushing through my ears was deafening.

Afraid?

Of course afraid.

That was an area that even the experienced Marcus team judged to be extremely dangerous and requiring high-level combat power to seal off.

There were horrific scenes after fierce battles, unstable spatial channels, and a master control node that appeared to still be operational.

but----

The complex patterns on the fragments of the rule base flashed through his mind, as did the chaotic light and shadow attack patterns in the simulator, Oleg's heavy short stick and Lina's tricky arrows, and even the mark on his wrist that had caused him countless troubles, and the amulet in his arms that brought him a sense of security.

The Observer Civilization, the Purification Protocol, the Secret of the Moon Silver Flower—all these are intertwined, like a huge mystery.

That relic, that spatial passage, may be the most crucial link in unraveling the mystery.

Escaping may bring temporary safety, but the problem will not disappear.

The markers are still there, the protocols are still there, and the threats are still there. Only by confronting them can we truly resolve the issue.

Roland took a deep breath, raised his gaze to Master Evelyn, and said in a steady and clear voice, "I'll go."

Master Evelyn gave him a deep look, her eyes filled with approval, solemnity, and a subtle, complex emotion.

"Okay." She didn't say anything more and turned directly to Hawke, "Rorin has joined the core action team and will be under your direct command."

"I will personally lead the action team, with Barr as the deputy captain."

"Immediately notify the relevant personnel to assemble at the third teleportation hall within two hours, bringing all combat equipment and three days' worth of standard supplies."

"Master Colton, the supplies must be ready within one hour."

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, quickly dispersing to their respective tasks.

Soon only Master Evelyn and Rowling remained in the office.

Master Evelyn walked to a bookshelf against the wall, opened a hidden compartment, and took out a small item, no bigger than the palm of her hand.

A square metal box, entirely dark silver, with countless fine runes etched on its surface.

"Here you go." She handed the box to Rowling.

Luo Lin took it; it felt slightly heavy in his hand, the surface of the box was cool, and the runes faintly showed signs of energy flowing within them.

"The Council's highest-level portable integrated protective unit, codenamed [Silent Bulwark]," Master Evelyn explained. "Once activated, it forms an absolute energy barrier around you that lasts for ten minutes, capable of withstanding most energy attacks and penetrations below the fifth ring, including death magic and the aftershocks of spatial rifts."

"But it can only be used once; it will be unusable once the energy is depleted."

"For saving your life in a critical moment."

She then took out three more crystal tubes, each about the thickness of a finger, filled with liquids of different colors. "【Potential Healing Agent】, 【Mental Stabilizer】, and one more—【Burning Star】."

"Burning life force is a backup method to greatly increase mana strength and recovery speed in a short period of time, but it has serious side effects and should not be used unless it is a matter of life and death."

Stuffing all of these into Rolin's hands, Master Evelyn stared into his eyes: "Remember, your primary task is survival, followed by observation and perception, and lastly, combat."

"Stay close to me or Baal, and don't act on your own."

"Report any protocol-related anomalies immediately. Understand?"

"Understood." Roland carefully put the items into the dimensional bag at his waist and nodded emphatically.

"Go back and prepare. Take your magical pet with you; it might come in handy."

"Those two rainbow-feathered birds—leave them in the council; Ellie will take care of them," Master Evelyn waved her hand.

Rowling turned and left the office, his steps more steady than when he arrived.

Back at the stone house, Ellie was already waiting there, her eyes a little red, clearly having heard the news.

"Mr. Rowling—" she said, her voice choked with emotion.

"It's alright." Luo Lin patted her shoulder. "Take good care of Duan Yu and Lan Yu for me."

"Focus on your cultivation and wait for my return."

Ellie nodded vigorously, biting her lip to hold back her tears. "You must be careful!"

Luo Lin nodded and quickly packed his things.

He carefully sheathed the adamantite dagger, checked the spare throwing knives and potions, took the rune tools and notebook, and stuffed in the metal adhesive and duct paste given by Bruno.

Finally, place the milky white pebble and the protocol interference amulet close to your body.

Bach landed silently on his shoulder, his six eyes gleaming with an eerie light.

"I'm leaving," Rowling said to Ellie, turned and went out without looking back.

The third teleportation hall is located on the second basement level of the wooden tower. It is a spacious hall with a huge directional teleportation array engraved on the floor.

At this moment, the magic circle was shining with a steady light, and the air was filled with strong spatial magic fluctuations.

A dozen or so figures were already waiting there.

Master Evelyn changed into a dark gray hunting outfit with silver trim for ease of movement, covered by a seemingly simple but subtly rune-covered short cloak, and held in her hand a silver staff taller than herself, with a multifaceted crystal at the top.

Oleg and Lina stood to her left, both fully armed.

In addition to his short stick, Oleg also had a metal tower shield about half the height of a person on his back.

A faint light flowed along the bowstring of Lina's compound longbow, and her quiver was bulging.

A bald, towering man, nearly two meters tall, stood to Master Evelyn's right. His bare arms were covered in muscle festering sores and various scars. He wore only a sleeveless leather armor and carried a terrifying double-edged battle axe. This must be Solidstone Baal.

Another middle-aged woman, dressed in a pure white priest's robe, with a kind face but firm eyes, stood quietly beside Baal, holding a thick holy book in her hands and a silver holy water bottle hanging from her waist.

Priestess Sharna.

There were also seven or eight unfamiliar faces, men and women, all of whom exuded a sharp and capable aura, clearly seasoned veterans.

Rowling's arrival drew everyone's attention.

Surprise, curiosity, scrutiny, and even a hint of indifference flashed in the eyes of those strangers.

After all, his aura was indeed the weakest here. At the peak of the second ring, he stood out conspicuously among a group of elites who were at least at the middle of the third ring, most of whom were at the peak of the third ring or even close to the fourth ring.

"Roland, rejoin the group," Master Evelyn said simply, pointing to the end of the group.

Luo Lin silently walked over and stood still, ignoring the stares from those eyes.

Soon, Master Colton entered with several apprentices, pushing several heavy metal boxes.

"Master Evelyn, the supplies are ready."

"Three sets of portable space stabilizing anchors, twelve advanced void crystals, two sets of directional space interference arrays, and additional energy barrier generators and purification scrolls."

"Thank you for your hard work." Master Evelyn gestured for Baal to lead the men to receive the supplies and distribute them to the team members.

Luo Lin also received a palm-sized, compass-like spatial anchor, three thumb-sized void crystals that seemed to contain flowing stars, and several purification scrolls emitting a soft white light.

"Check your equipment, one last time." Master Evelyn's voice echoed clearly throughout the hall. "The teleportation coordinates have been set twenty kilometers from Marcus's team's hideout. There may be energy disturbances or extreme weather upon landing, so be prepared."

"Baal will be in charge of outposts and reconnaissance, Lina will provide mid-range support, Oleg will be on the flanks, and Sharna will provide central support."

"Roland, stay close to me."

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

Master Evelyn walked to the center of the magic circle, raised her silver staff, and the crystal at the top of the staff burst forth with dazzling light.

The teleportation array patterns on the ground seemed to come alive, and light shot into the sky, enveloping everyone.

Space is distorted, and light and shadow are stretched.

After a brief feeling of weightlessness and dizziness, my feet felt solid again.

The biting cold wind, like countless ice blades, rushed towards us in an instant!