I find it very sacred to pick someone up and make them a saint.

"The Severn Empire?" Lucia asked, puzzled.

Mien said:

"This is a country that borders the Cassil Empire. It is very small, less than one-tenth the size of the Cassil Empire."

The entire history of the continent was suppressed by the Cassirer Empire, and it was completely defeated in the war hundreds of years ago, becoming a vassal state that obeyed the Cassirer Emperor without question, and never saw another ripple again.

How did you suddenly end up here?

Lucia knew she knew nothing, so she simply listened quietly to Mien's thoughts.

After a moment's thought, Mien made a decision.

With a wave of his hand, he gently stored the energy core into his energy storage ring, and as expected, there was no resistance.

There was no rush to inform the other high-ranking officials of the empire.

On the one hand, even if we tell them that ultimately only the Academy of Scholars can conduct the research, and that others do not have the ability, it would only increase interference.

On the other hand, in the increasingly fierce struggle, having more information means having more advantages; it's just a matter of how to use it.

Thinking of this, Mien sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

The two of them were inside the domain, but there were two other "big shots" standing outside it.

They were probably keeping a close eye on the area, waiting for them to show up so they could immediately figure out what was going on.

The feeling of being watched made Mien instinctively uncomfortable.

This is a physical condition resulting from decades of political career.

"Now, I and the Academy can no longer hide away in oblivious exchanges forever. Even if there's still room to maneuver, I don't have much time left to prepare."

He glanced at Lucia.

The Academy of Scholars cannot let Lucia go, and will certainly invest heavily in nurturing her; therefore, it is even less likely that they will remain behind the scenes forever.

The most urgent task is to give myself enough breathing room to develop.

Mien thought for a moment and said, "Luya."

"Teacher," Ru said, waiting for the order to be given to her.

"You'll need to carry me out in a bit."

Lucia's eyes widened in surprise, and she said in astonishment:

"Wh...what?"

Mien shook his head helplessly: "I need to keep playing dead for now."

He gestured towards the outside: "Because of the people outside."

Lucia roughly understood what Mien meant.

Without further explanation, Mien gave the order:

"I need to pretend to be seriously injured for a while, and so do you, but I will lose consciousness due to my severe injuries, and then you will carry me out of the domain."

If people outside ask you what happened inside, just answer that you don't know anything.

After thinking for a moment, Lucia nodded solemnly.

Mien thought to himself:

If Phil and Rachel saw themselves and Lucia walking out so easily, they would inevitably become suspicious.

Should he ask himself about everything that happened, about Lucia, and about his own secrets, or should he not tell her?

Furthermore, the fact that they could so easily and effortlessly resolve the issue of a powerful evil god that even they couldn't handle demonstrates the immense power they wield. It's impossible for them not to be wary.

Mien had no intention of helping them unite and work together to study the Academy of Scholars from outside.

More importantly, we must not steal their thunder right now. This place has long become their stage for competition. What would it look like if we stole the credit in front of everyone?

Being severely injured and unconscious is the best outcome; how the Mother Goddess of Contractual Truth was defeated remains unknown to anyone outside the factory.

Phil and Rachel are at the mercy of them, and even the unconscious Mien might not know it.

This way, they won't feel out of control or challenged. What's so impressive about looking like they're on their last legs?

Afterwards, you can use a thousand reasons to explain everything that happened here; that's the easiest part.

This is the only way to handle it at the moment and minimize any adverse consequences.

With time of the essence, Mien collapsed to the ground. A burst of magic surged through him, and he was back to his near-death state, covered in blood.

Lucia, too, tore her brand-new scholar's robes apart under the flash of magic.

After saying that, he handed Lucia a new lining for a scholar's gown.

"Because of the teacher-student relationship, I couldn't help you just now. You can put it on yourself inside."

Lucia blushed and snatched the inner lining away.

"I see……"

After saying that, he walked to the side, and from a distance, busied himself in his scholar's robes, getting dressed.

Mien also aged it.

"Are you ready?"

Lucia knelt down in front of Mien again, cradling his head in one hand and wrapping her other arm around his waist.

He took a deep breath and nodded: "Ready."

Her eyes trembled slightly, gathering emotion.

"cry."

Lucia's pent-up emotions suddenly burst forth, and two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks. The excitement she hadn't had time to release before surged up again, and she sobbed.

"Very good," Mien praised.

I thought to myself, "She's truly a woman..."

With a slight thought, the tranquil domain slowly disappeared.

In a quiet, abandoned factory, the smoke and dust left by the rampant energy fell like rain.

Rachel and Phil's eyes immediately darkened as they looked at the situation within the domain.

But Lucia remained motionless, cradling Mien's head in her lap, quietly watching him.

Mien was covered in blood, pale, and breathing weakly, while Lucia's tears fell on his face.

The two were shocked and immediately used their magic to check on Mien. They found that Mien still had a faint breath and heartbeat, and breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the injuries were indeed too severe, with only a faint and barely perceptible flow of energy remaining.

They exchanged a glance and immediately ordered their men to send their most powerful sorcerers to provide immediate medical assistance.

The two quickly stepped forward, just about to ask Lucia something.

But then he saw Lucia's lifeless expression.

Her tearful eyes held a cold despair, as if she had lost all hope because of Mien's injuries.

Only by holding him tightly in my arms can I feel a trace of warmth.

"Luya..." Rachel called softly.

Lucia remained unmoved, and a sorrowful atmosphere permeated the surroundings, blending into the desolation of the dilapidated factory.

Rachel shook her head helplessly at Phil.

Phil could only sigh; he was afraid he wouldn't be able to get anything out of him now.

However, the current situation actually made the two of them feel fortunate.

Even their subordinates didn't know the whole story.

"Your Highness, it seems the matter here has been successfully resolved. Let's head back to the Ascension Ceremony Center together. Prince Phoenix must be very anxious after seeing what happened. We need to give him a detailed report."

In the past, Rachel would have retorted with a few sarcastic remarks, but this time she nodded in tacit agreement and said to herself:

"The city-state of Vargan has suffered such a great calamity, and there are still many people to be dealt with. We cannot stay here indefinitely."

The two looked away, straightened their clothes, and together ordered their personal guards to prepare for a triumphant return from the front lines of the war.

Phil gazed at the empty space and said softly:

"Chief Mien's injuries are too severe; we must arrange for the most powerful warlock to heal him with Holy Light."

Rachel also left behind her own healers among her personal guards.

"That's natural."

The two men rode side by side, heads held high, as the two groups of people slowly walked out of the abandoned factory.

Sunlight streamed down from the sky.

Outside, countless pairs of silent eyes gazed upon them.

Hidden in the middle were a pair of icy eyes, who brandished a dagger in the crowd.