A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 303 There's nowhere to welcome you.

"Why can't it be me?" For some reason, Rorschach was somewhat pleased to see Benedict's disheveled appearance, because the guy's effortless movements on the ground were really annoying.

He continued to provoke Benedict: "See, you wanted me to get into the Shadow City, so here I am. You said we'd meet again."

"That's right, but I didn't expect you to find Ms. Caroline's house so easily."

Caroline was still washing up in the attic, and Rorschach, as a guest, couldn't very well let her in without permission. He turned and shouted upstairs, "An elf named Benedict has come to visit. Shall we invite him in?"

"Okay, tell him not to come upstairs, I haven't finished getting ready yet."

"Did you hear that? Would you like some tea?" Rorschach stepped aside to let Benedict in. Before the other could respond, he used [Spellhand] to get the elf a cup and a tea bag.

"Wait a moment." He didn't know where the kettle was, but that didn't matter. Rorschach cast a spell, filled a cup with water, and then tried to heat it.

When the output of the melting rays is limited to a negligible amount, the red light is almost invisible, but it can easily boil a small cup of water.

This scene was witnessed by Caroline, who was coming downstairs: "Compared to when you were in the academy, your spellcasting has really improved a lot. If it were the old Rorschach, he would only use [Fireball] to smash the table and teacups together."

"You and Master Cano have taught us well."

Benedict's expression was strange. Although his mouth was dry, the tea in front of him had just boiled, and he could only smell the aroma of the tea wafting out with the steam.

Time was of the essence, and he needed to interrupt the master and apprentice's reminiscing, saying directly, "Caroline, it's so good to see you! I have some good news to tell you."

Benedict knew about the Restoration Council, but that was a few days ago. Because the kingdom had blocked the ports of El Isle and all news, he could only hear snippets of information from members of the resistance in Storm City.

The detective was skeptical of the news, not because he was pessimistic, but because the other members were too optimistic and habitually exaggerated their achievements. But today's large-scale manhunt made him realize that something major must have happened on El Island, making the Queen and the Knights "anxious."

The Grey Elves have rebelled? Rorschach is thrilled to find himself catching up on this kind of gossip right after arriving!

Caroline looked a little confused: "Oh, congratulations, so you were in such a hurry to find us?"

"You two are mages of the Empire, right? Oh, Mr. Rorschach also studied at the Tower of Stars. We hope you can bring this message to the Empire and the Holy Kingdom so that they can contact our organization and provide moral assistance to the great cause of El Island when necessary."

"We believe that the two great powers will not let this opportunity to weaken Istani pass by. If you can act as a go-between, you will become a friend of El for life."

So they wanted international intervention and aid. Caroline shook her head: "We are mages, we can't represent any country. I'm more concerned about the Earth Order's conspiracy, to find out what kind of deal the kingdom and the order are making."

Rorschach really wanted to separate the teacher and pull Benedict aside to say, "Brother, I have connections."

But now he's more interested in cleaning up the mess in Istani. The investigation into the Order is complete, and Teacher Caroline has been found. What's even better is that she witnessed the transaction between the Order and the Knights. In addition, with the materials collected from the shipwreck, there's plenty of eyewitness testimony and physical evidence. The rest will be a headache for the Church and the authorities.

So Rorschach offered a compromise: "Teacher, our strength is too weak. Why don't we submit your observations and the evidence I've gathered together, and let the guild or other organizations figure something out? That way, the message can get out, instead of being trapped in this shadowy place."

"Actually, I think this place is quite interesting, especially if you see the deeper layers of ruins. I haven't finished exploring the ancient ruins area yet," Caroline didn't insist; she agreed with Rorschach's suggestion.

"Of course, you're right. Since there's no progress underground, we can go back to the Empire first. The problem is that if I go out, I'll be wanted again, and leaving won't be easy."

"We can contact Master Kano. Once he intervenes, we can use the guild's teleportation system to leave." No matter what tricks the mages of Istani are up to, they won't be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant towards the archmage.

"That's a solution."

Just when Benedict and Rorschach thought they had everything under control, there was another knock on the door. This time it was an elf, who was supporting a human, both of them bleeding.

"Connor? And Jeff too."

"Benedict, you're here! Quick, Jeff needs treatment."

Rorschach performed the healing. When the glow appeared, the blood-covered elf looked surprised, but he quickly calmed down and reported to Benedict what had happened.

It turns out that a knightly order failed to speedrun Bellanst, plunging the entire island into chaos. The resistance within Storm City was besieged by the Iron Crown Knights, and many, even those without Benedict's privilege of traversing between worlds, escaped as a last resort.

The two entered the Shadowlands later and learned more details about the battle on El Isle.

However, upon hearing the description of the battle, Rorschach and Caroline's faces darkened. Rorschach immediately questioned, "Why do I seem to hear the power of Mother Earth surging forth on El Island?"

"No, the ancestors of the elves were..." Benedict wanted to say something more, but a spherical orb on Rorschach's chest lit up, and his tongue seemed to be grabbed, leaving him only able to speak the truth:

"Yes, the cult has also contacted us, some claiming to be the Elf King, and others posing as resurrected druids."

Caroline stared in shock, but she didn't just stand by and watch. Instantly, the aether in the room solidified into three emerald green daggers, which were held to the necks of Benedict and the two wounded men.

"Don't move! Even if you dodge the blade, it will explode," she warned, still incredulous at Benedict. "You've been lying to me! I'm waiting, hoping you and your companions will expose the kingdom's conspiracy."

Benedict was frustrated, and he didn't know why. It should have been a great day for the uprising to succeed, but ever since he knocked on this door, he had felt a strong sense of defeat: "Caroline, you have to understand, we are too weak compared to the Kingdom. We need to rely on other forces, other great powers, and the Order."

"The Order uses grey elves as sacrifices to power its ships to and from the Shadowlands. Or are you saying you're not a grey elf, so it doesn't matter?" Rorschach provoked him sharply. Benedict was whiter, taller, and could move freely in Stormwind, proving that he wasn't from El Isle.

"Is this true?" Connor looked at his companion with a questioning and shocked expression.

"No, this is a necessary sacrifice."

Benedict was racking his brains trying to figure out how to defend himself, what kind of explanation would be acceptable to his companions and the two mages. No, it seemed like an impossible task.

Just as this proud elf was overwhelmed by despair and grievance, the house's protective magic array suddenly began to activate.

A rusty spear was thrust into the doorway. It was the Marquis's guard.

(End of this chapter)