Dark Wizard: Rise! My undead army!

Lynn looked at the familiar and unfamiliar faces, nodded, and wondered why these "businessmen" had come to him.

Harold took a step closer and lowered his voice.

"My lord, these people have a request."

His voice was very low, and only Lynn could hear it.

"They want to register the shop under your name and use your stigmata as a signboard. They will give you a 'stigmata usage fee' every year, so it won't be free."

Lynn suddenly realized why all the bosses and managers had come to him.

What mark usage fee? To put it bluntly, it's just protection money.

With his reputation established, no one dares to cause trouble.

but...

He frowned.

"Using my name? What if they need my help? They'll all come knocking on my door. I don't have the time to deal with these trivial matters."

Harold waved his hands repeatedly.

"No, no, we usually don't bother you. Using your name is just for intimidation. We can handle ordinary minor problems ourselves."

"If we encounter any major issues that we cannot resolve, please take action. We will also pay additional fees, which are absolutely worthy of your status as a Saintly Wizard."

Lynn thought for a few moments.

Money aside, what he dislikes are the trivial matters.

If it's really as Harold says, just a figurehead who doesn't actually come to him, then this business deal is worthwhile.

He glanced at Harold.

"Register first, then give me the list later, and we'll discuss the specific amount."

Harold's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely get it done."

Old Curry, Master Todd, Cross, and the others were delighted when Lynn agreed.

They all bowed and thanked him, offering polite wishes for Lord Lynn's bright future.

Lynn nodded in response, without saying anything more.

Thomas stood behind Harold, keeping his head down as the others talked to Lynn.

His robe was new, but the material was average, similar to what the shopkeepers around him were wearing.

Over the years, thanks to Harold's patronage, he barely managed to become a third-class apprentice, but his talent was limited, and it was difficult for him to advance any further.

Thomas also knew that Harold invested in him because of his relationship with Lynn.

Without Lynn, he might have died somewhere like his fellow countrymen.

After Thomas and the others had all paid their respects, they stepped forward and bowed deeply to Lynn.

"Lord Lynn, congratulations on your advancement to the Saint Mark."

Lynn glanced at him.

Thomas's face looked much older than it had been back then; there were fine lines around his eyes, and a few strands of his hair were gray.

She's only thirty years old.

He bowed very low, his attitude was very respectful.

Lynn nodded without saying anything more.

His current status makes it inappropriate for him to have too much to talk to Thomas; saying too much would only bring unnecessary pressure and trouble to Thomas.

Thomas straightened up and, seeing that Lynn didn't intend to continue speaking, his expression darkened.

He tactfully stepped aside.

Harold and the shopkeepers continued to talk to Lynn for a few more minutes, but seeing that Lynn wasn't very interested, they wisely dispersed.

They took their wine glasses and walked to the other side of the hall, where they chatted with people they knew.

Lynn stood at the entrance of the hall, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

He saw several familiar faces, but not Gregor.

The tutor hasn't arrived yet; he's probably waiting for someone.

He turned to look at Wayne beside him, who was holding a glass of wine and talking to a wizard in a blue robe next to him.

That wizard was the fourth-ring wind and lightning type who attacked him outside the hall earlier.

Wayne said a few words to him, then turned to Lynn and raised his glass to him.

Just as Lynn was about to walk over, a commotion came from the entrance of the hall.

Gregor walked in.

He was wearing a dark gold robe, the patterns on which were faintly visible under the light.

His hair was combed meticulously, his beard was shaved clean, and his jawline was sharply defined.

He was accompanied by Field and a young girl; it seemed this was the person he was waiting for.

After all, this banquet only invited wizards of the formal wizarding level or above, and they wouldn't have been able to get in without Gregor leading the way.

Field was wearing a dark blue robe, which wasn't new, but it was ironed flat and wrinkle-free.

He had a short, neatly trimmed beard on his chin, which made him look mature and composed.

The girl followed beside him, wearing a light pink dress with a long hem that reached her ankles.

Her hair was braided into two plaits that hung down in front of her chest.

She had large eyes, thin lips, and a straight nose, and looked somewhat like Field.

Field led the girl through the crowd to Lynn.

"Junior Brother Lynn." Field's voice was a little lower than it had been back then.

Lynn looked at him.

The playboy of yesteryear now has a more composed demeanor and has lost some of his frivolity.

There are fine lines around her eyes and calluses on her hands, which must be from years of hard work and travel.

Lynn's gaze shifted to the girl.

"Who is this?"

Field patted the girl on the shoulder.

"Anli, call her 'Shishu' (a term of respect for one's martial arts master).

Anli glanced at Lynn, then lowered her head again.

"Uncle-Master."

Her voice was very soft; if Lynn hadn't had such amazing senses, she probably wouldn't have been able to hear it.

Field seemed somewhat surprised that his usually outgoing daughter was so reserved.

Anri wasn't in a good mood, and Lynn could tell.

The girl, around thirteen or fourteen years old, still had a childish face, but her eyes held an inexplicable resentment.

There was no trace of magical power emanating from her.

With a father like Field, someone who hasn't started practicing at this age probably doesn't have the talent to become a wizard.

Being mortals, they were unable to adapt to the environment of the Eternal Night Graveyard.

Field cast a protective layer around her, a rough death energy enveloping her body and blocking the deathly aura of the Eternal Night Graveyard.

However, this protection was very rudimentary, and some faint traces of death still managed to seep in through the gaps.

Anli's face was somewhat pale, and she frowned from time to time, appearing extremely uncomfortable.

Lynn couldn't bear to see her "niece" suffer, so she raised her right hand and gently placed it on Anli's shoulder.

A gentle holy light emanated from his palm and entered Anli's body.

The holy light replaced Field's rough protection, forming a thin film of light on Anri's body.

The light film is golden, very faint, and almost invisible unless you look closely.

The aura of death, upon touching the membrane of light, was like water droplets falling on a hot pan, making a faint sizzling sound before dissipating.

Anli's body warmed up, and the chill that had been enveloping her disappeared.

Her complexion changed from pale to rosy, her brows relaxed, and she looked as comfortable as if she were soaking in a hot spring.

"Thank you, Uncle-Master." This time, the voice was much louder than before.

Lynn withdrew her hand and looked at Field. "How have you been these past few years?"

Field gave a wry smile.

"To take care of my wife and daughter, I've been traveling around all these years, doing garrison and field missions, and my cultivation has fallen behind quite a bit."

He looked at his hands.

"I'm still a third-class apprentice, and becoming a full-fledged wizard... seems a long way off."

Lynn nodded without comment.

Field had a fling with women back then, which led to a daughter. In recent years, he has devoted himself to his family, which has slowed down his cultivation progress.

However, everyone has their own path, and Field has chosen this path, so he must bear the consequences.

"Your daughter looks a lot like you," Lynn said.

Field smiled, a smile that held both bitterness and satisfaction.

"She takes after her mother."

During their conversation, Anli kept staring at Lynn, her gaze scanning Lynn's face before shifting away.

Her face flushed slightly, whether from the holy light or something else, it was hard to tell.