Rain, heavy rain. Looking out through the glass wall, you can see that the whole of Oroyosta is covered in a torrential downpour.

This kind of rain is not seen in the arid Inclave Heights. The Archmage of Minsk watched the water flowing from the glass crystal wall, and he felt a pang of boredom. He was still more accustomed to the dry, earthy air of the highlands, and the stone houses made of logs and arcane. As for the current building on the top floor, 100 meters high, enough to overlook most of the Oroyosta, the tea pavilion made almost entirely of crystal and glass, seemed to him to be completely inexplicable.

The servant, dressed in a gown, came silently and brought him a cup of black tea. This is a young man of twenty years old at most, with good facial features and delicate skin, and every demeanor is gentle and measured, and at first sight you know that he has been trained since he was a child, and he has integrated his movements and manners into his instincts, and his steps on the carpet and the teacup he brought over on the table have not made the slightest sound, and they are all as smooth as silk.

The young man's long brown hair was combed back like his gown, and the teacup was as delicate and white as the skin of an eighteen-year-old girl, and the amber black tea in it was scented like a self-flowing gem. Everything fits perfectly with the luxurious and elegant surroundings that are the bearing of the true nobles of the imperial family.

It's just that all this falls in the eyes of the Archmage of Minsk, but it just feels like an eyesore. He prefers to nibble on half-cooked beast meat around a campfire, drink sour sweet wine, listen to the howls of wild beasts in the distance, and ponder where to go for food and mines tomorrow or next. This is the life he's been accustomed to for as long as he can remember.

The life of the highlanders is so rough, some people may think that it is primitive and barbaric, but Minsk feels that it is the real life that can feel the pulse of his life. He later studied the arcane arts, became an archmage, and Inclave went from a vast wasteland to one of the most thriving new places on the continent, but he still loved life and days.

Of course, he didn't fail to see the so-called prosperity and splendor, even in the heyday of the Arcane Empire, he had also seen it with his own eyes, the golems with different functions walking everywhere, the slaves of all races of all kinds, the extravagance that ordinary people could not imagine enjoyment, the floating city floating in the sky, and the arcane magic circle that almost covered the entire sky provided a steady stream of light and energy for all this. But Minsk was not disturbed by these colorful scenes, and with the rugged wildness of the highlanders in his nature, and the simple acumen he had cultivated over many years of living in the wilderness, he was instinctively tired of what he saw in Oroyosta. He always felt that these things were like soap bubbles from washing clothes, and although they looked gorgeous and beautiful, they were actually piled up on some inexplicable dirty things. Those arcanists from big families may not even be able to wear clothes and eat without servants, they have not even killed a chicken, and even if they can use the nine rings and ten rings of arcane arts, they will not survive a day if they are left alone on the high ground, they spend ten high-end golems worth of Ogin to buy a flying car just to be in the limelight, they spend a lot of money to develop a new arcane just to make the illusion drama more immersive, many archmages will only use very little arcane for battle, they are even ashamed of it, never disdain to be with the battle mages in the legion, all their energy is used for pleasure and so-called art, Studying the arcane is just to be more decent and get more honors, I heard that there are people who spend their wealth just to win a certain woman's smile at him, but ignore the delicate woman in front of the person, in fact, she has to serve a few obsessive old men like a prostitute every day...... And these people still feel that they are already standing on the top of the world, the most superior life in the universe of ten thousand stars, and sooner or later they will trample the gods and even the entire universe under their feet.

It's just a bunch of lunatics on the verge of self-destruction, sooner or later. Minsk felt that way then. As for the sneering glances and mocking words cast by the nobles of the empire, he was not very angry, those were just the self-righteous delusions of fools.

No one knew that in the capital of the empire, which was full of flowers and fire, there was once a barbarian mage from the Eastern Highlands who had a premonition of the fall of the empire like the instinct of a beast. Minsk didn't say his hunch, he wasn't a man of words, it was just a beast-like intuition, and even if he did, no one would believe it. It's like a seasoned revenant who always thinks something is not quite right, but no matter how much he observes and analyzes logically, he can't find any reason.

And it turned out that the empire really fell apart like that. The arcane magic circle that obscured the sky, the endless golems, and the floating castle floating in the sky really disappeared in the blink of an eye like soap bubbles. The news of the fall of the floating city, the burning of Oroyusta, and the slaughter of thousands of arcanists, the Duke of Incre at that time, Donnie Sr., Jensen and several other senators were in a trance for most of the day, only Minsk was just stunned, and turned to continue his work. In his opinion, it was simply taken for granted, and the smug art, luxury, and culture of the plains were actually mold on the logs, which looked colorful, but in fact they were a sign before decay.

The large and luxurious crystal living room in front of him, the walls made of a large piece of crystal glass, and everything around him, the beautiful appearance and gentle manners, and the servant's fragrant cup of tea all made Minsk feel a musty smell, a musty smell left over from the imperial era to the present day, and he hated all this. It's like disgusting the city of Oroyosta.

"Your Excellency Minsk, I've kept you waiting. His Excellency Anthony will be here soon. ”

A bald man walked in from the doorway, ignoring the pure wool blanket under his feet and the portrait on the wall next to him, and turned around like a big dog drenched in water, throwing the rain everywhere on his body. The servant who had just retreated not far away was also thrown by the rain, and the corners of his eyes couldn't help but twitch, but his good upbringing made him still smile at all.

"Hey, it's raining, it's like a bath, but you don't see it in Inclé. The bald man touched his big bald head, pointed his fingers, and used a low-ring arcane technique to gather all the remaining water on his body, forming a water ball on his fingers, and throwing it into a vase by the wall. "But thanks to this heavy rain, I dare to come out with confidence, otherwise I would have a headache when I was kissed by those corpse collectors. ”

"Then remember to be careful when you do things later, Diesel. Minsk glared at the bald mage.

"Yes, yes, Your Excellency. It's also because it's my first time here, and the corpse collectors in Inclave aren't so difficult..."The bald Diesel mage spread his hands and smiled disapprovingly, his round eyes looking like a harmless clay doll. "I just mashed the two women into a pulp, let them ferment and degrade enough, and poured them into the dirt, who knew that they would find out, and they accused me of desecrating the corpses...... Those bastards, what would I be interested in corpses? Corpses are just corpses, what's the difference between them and meat from a meat stand? Well, butchers don't do that meat with arcane arts, haha......"

The face of the servant not far away began to turn slightly blue, obviously this kind of joke was a little too terrifying for this kind of ordinary person who served tea and water between pavilions, and he could only maintain his posture with his strong professionalism.

"We don't need services. Minsk waved his hand and motioned for the frightened servant to leave.

But the young man, who had a bad complexion, bowed very gracefully, and replied politely: "It is my duty, and Your Excellency Anthony has ordered me to wait here." ”

In other places, it only takes one arcane to turn this ignorant creature into a corpse, but since you're in someone else's place, a little patience is also necessary. This was a confidential meeting, and since the other party had specially arranged for this young man to be here, it means that he may not be a simple subordinate, maybe he is your Excellency's personal assistant or something. Minsk no longer paid attention to the musty smell of the young man, turned to Diesel and said: "Anyway, you pay attention in the future, I can't come to you every time to clean up the aftermath." It's a good thing you put the golem away earlier, otherwise you'd have left a clue. It's not Inclave here, it's just that the corpse collector is fine, and if it involves the Arcane Academy, I can only leave you and run away. ”

"Yes, yes. I understand, I understand. It's my fault, my fault. Master Diesel hurriedly raised his hand, but there was a smile on his face. "But you have to be considerate of me, too. Those two women were really nice, especially the blonde girl who was so much to my liking. If it weren't for your orders, I'd say I'd take her back to Inclave. As a result, I had to seize the opportunity to have fun with her in that dark dungeon, and I went out of my way to buy a few bottles of energy potion, but in the end, I almost couldn't even stand on my feet, so I didn't notice being discovered by the deceased, and thanks to your timely arrival......"

"Don't have a next time. Minsk said dryly that his long years and excessive arcane modifications had made him lose interest in women, and he didn't like to hear about them.

The last time I asked Diesel to deal with the two women, I don't know how he did it, and when he was disposing of the corpses, he let the nearby deceased find out. Two high-level Returnees broke directly into their makeshift dungeons, and one of them also performed the Death Transformation, which was a formidable opponent comparable to the Elemental Elder in a short period of time. Mage Diesel was certainly no match and was so frightened that Minsk got the news and rushed to get him out. The temporary dungeon was meant to be destroyed, but there was no loss, and fortunately there was no obvious evidence left, and the Dead should only be regarded as an ordinary Arcanist secretly studying the undead arcane.

"Definitely not. Let's get an end to this Inclave. Master Diesel scratched his big bald head again, and looked left and right at the luxurious glass tea pavilion, his face impatient and uncomfortable, like a bald mole jumping into a crystal vat. "I don't even feel comfortable looking at the stuff here, but it's because of the flaming beef and fiery wine that I'm up to. ”

Minsk nodded and did not speak again. He was quite satisfied with this half-subordinate and half-collaborator Diesel Mage. This is a typical highlander, with the characteristic roughness and treachery of the highlanders, without the pretentiousness and hypocrisy of the new mages, and is not very popular with the new mages, and only defected to his disciples after angering several of the duke's subordinates. He is of course more willing to accept such people than those new mages who yearn for Oroyosta and the so-called 'noble elegance'.

And this kind of person has an advantage, that is, unlike those new generation mages who are delusional about art and ideals all day long, you don't have to blow any future ideals to coax them to go with you, they see the interests very clearly, just like Steppenwolf knows very well which kind of prey has more meat and is easier to hunt and safer. As long as you give enough conditions, they will never choose the wrong one.

"Ah, Inclave's friends, I've heard you're not used to the environment here, aren't you? Also, you don't see such heavy rain on the dry highlands. ”

With hearty laughter, a fat old man with a kind face walked into the tea pavilion. It was still pouring rain outside, but the old man's luxurious and flowing mage robe was not stained with water, and there was not even a single mud mark on the pure white calfskin boots under his feet, and his brown curly hair was fluffy like a blooming flower, and the whole person exuded the smell of sunshine.

"Oh, it's Lord Anthony. I'm so sorry, this crystal living room is so transparent. Master Diesel immediately smiled a little flatteringly. Highlanders are certainly not only savage, vulgar and cunning, but also necessary qualities to show goodwill and friendliness to the strong.

"You're late, Lord Anthony. Of course, Minsk didn't need this, he looked coldly at the fat old man, the head of the Anthony family, Archmage Domingo Merrier Anthony.

"Oh yes, I beg your pardon. Archmage Anthony admitted with a smile, his chubby face full of kindness, and his voice full of friendliness, as if a merchant were facing a big buyer. "It's all because of the heavy rain, and some small things have to be handled by me. I'm sorry I forgot about the weather today, and I actually arranged the meeting in this place, I knew that I would have people prepare a few plays in the theater below, and we would enjoy and talk in the theater, which was much better than listening to the sound of the rain here. Our Anthony family's private theatre is very famous. ”

"Don't bother, this is it. No matter how ugly the sound of rain is, it is better than those inexplicable shouts. Minsk refused without hesitation. If this is just a little uncomfortable and uncomfortable for him, those things that are grease and whitewash are torture, and even the beheading ritual of orcs sacrificing ancestral spirits is much more interesting in comparison. "We're here to get down to business, and we don't have to waste time on the details. ”

"Ah, yes, Incre's friends are always so simple and direct, and I love the way we get straight to the point. Then please speak up. Archmage Anthony clapped his hands in a kind manner, and the young servant who had been waiting next to him immediately poured another cup of black tea and sent it to him, and the archmage clapped his hand with a smile, and the young man's face turned slightly red and retreated to the side.

"Then let's get to the point......" The musty smell of this scene made Minsk slightly disgusted. He frowned and resisted his unhappiness, but as soon as he said a few words, a subtle discomfort hit him, and he jerked to his feet.

"What's wrong, Lord Minsk?" Archmage Anthony was stunned, and Master Diesel not far away also looked at him stunned.

"......" Minsk didn't speak, glanced around, and then looked at Archmage Anthony in front of him. If it were anyone else, they might not have cared about it, or thought it was just the nausea that came with witnessing it, but Minks didn't. A highlander from the wasteland would never ignore this premonition, which has saved him countless times in his nearly 100-year fighting career.

It's not a sense of crisis with a strong enemy on the side, it's just just that it's just out of place, out of tune, as if this isn't a good place to discuss this, or maybe it's not the time to talk about it. Just like the smelly pork vendor side is not suitable for tenderness and sweetness.

"Sir Minsk, do you feel something? It may be that the arcane academy's reconnaissance sequence has just been scanned here. Archmage Anthony pointed to the distance beyond the glass wall, and through the rain curtain, he could dimly see the Arcane Academy complex in the distance. "This can't be helped, the academy is also responsible for the defense of Oroyosta, and their reconnaissance sequence covers the entire city. ”

“... Can't you block it?" Minsk thought about it, and really couldn't find any other reason. This private conversation was very important, not only for him, but also for the Anthony family, and he couldn't think of any reason for this fat man with a smile on his face to secretly play tricks.

"Absolutely. Archmage Anthony made a gesture, and the entire glass building became opaque, except for the ceiling above his head, which was still fluorescent. "If you're not sure, check it out, I promise there aren't any arcane circles for reciters. ”

This should have been just a polite remark from the status of the two archmages, but Minsk unceremoniously began to cast the spell, and a few seconds later, an invisible arcane wave spread around him.

This is a reverse detection arcane 'Chaos Concealment' with eight rings, which can not only reveal and destroy all the detection arcane under the eight rings, but also have the effect of breaking invisibility and illusion. This is something that archmages who indulge in comfort and art will never put the effort into learning, and Minsk can live to this age, and this arcane is definitely a lot of credit.

However, nothing unusual happened after the effects of this arcane were fully unfolded, and the glass hall was still the same. Except for the slight displeasure on Archmage Anthony's face.

"Okay, so let's get back to the point. Minsk then relieved himself and sat down again to Archmage Anthony. "Now there is an opportunity for the Anthony family to obtain a five-year franchise of Inclave Elemental Crystals in Oroyosta, I wonder if Your Excellency Anthony is interested?"

"Of course I'm interested. Archmage Anthony's gloom vanished immediately, and his face almost burst into laughter, a thing like a franchise that any noble family would have a very strong interest in, especially Incley's. The total amount of various arcane materials and alchemy items sold by Incre in Oroyusta now exceeds a billion dollars of gold every year, and the trend is rising, even if the elemental crystals are only a part of it, it is also extremely impressive.

However, no matter how interested the interest is, those who can participate in this kind of transaction will not be fools who can be coaxed by just empty words, and Archmage Anthony showed a puzzled look on his face: "But forgive me for taking the liberty of it... Do you have the right to decide what the franchise will be? I remember that the commercial representative sent by Increy this time should be ...... Lord Adler, right?"

"He's gone. Minsk replied coldly.

"By this absence, I mean ......"

"It's just gone, gone, gone from this world. "Minsk is as cold and hard as a term for explaining anatomy to an apprentice.

The smile on Archmage Anthony's face began to stiffen slightly. It is clear that the focus of this confidential meeting is not purely on business dealings.

"I really don't have the authority to decide on the ownership of the franchise, not yet. Minsk also nodded in acknowledgment. "But there will definitely be in the future, as long as we succeed in this cooperation, even if the business representative is not me, he will definitely obey my command. ”

Archmage Anthony stopped talking, and his expression became very subtle.

"You can ask two more archmages to witness and we can sign a contract. Although Minsk's words were active, his tone was still cold and hard, but he was not afraid that the other party would not agree, the temptation of this piece of fat was too great, and there were few people who could refuse even the entire Oroyusta. What's more, he deliberately chose the Anthony family, also because this family is not the most powerful and powerful, but the most stressed and ambitious, just like a strong beast is not necessarily terrible, but the hungry is the most terrible.

Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but flush a rare smile: "Don't worry, although we highlanders are a little rude, we are still very trustworthy." If we still want to do business with Oroyosta, we will never ignore the faces of the three archmages. ”

"Hmm......" Archmage Anthony groaned, as if considering the details. After a while, he asked: "So, what do you want to cooperate with us, Your Excellency Minsk?"

"You know the envoys of the 'Qian' Empire from the Western Continent, they are the murderers of my dear colleague, Archmage Adler. They are now stationed not far south of Oroyosta, and we must unite to wipe them all out in one fell swoop and avenge Archmage Adler. ”

"What, those Westerners?" said Archmage Anthony, looking a little surprised. "I've heard a little bit about them...... Did they really kill His Excellency Archmage Adler?"

"Of course. I saw it with my own eyes. ”

“... I remind you, Your Excellency Minsk. After a moment's hesitation, Archmage Anthony said. "The Arcane Academy's reconnaissance sequence is recorded, and under special circumstances, their detection range will cover as far as a hundred miles outside of Oroyosta... What happened to His Excellency Adler, perhaps someone has noticed it a long time ago. If they confront those Westerners......"

"I know best what happened to him. Minsk's answer was categorical. "You can rest assured, there won't be anything suspicious in the Arcane Academy's records. As for those Westerners, there is no need to worry, how can the dead confront each other. I am the only witness, the only evidence. ”

"Well... With all due respect, your plan is so so... Simple and brutal......" Archmage Anthony squeezed out a wry smile. "Haven't you thought of being tactful, being a little more skillful and perfect? at least a little more ...... cover-up."

"It's enough to be effective. Minsk frowned, he could feel that the fat old man must be a little timid. This is inevitable, and these guys, who are accustomed to solving problems with petty clever conspiracy methods, will subconsciously avoid such tough methods that will directly bayonet at the first glance. "Too many details are easy to make mistakes, and when the general direction is determined, simple is the best. ”

After a little more hesitation, Archmage Anthony finally nodded, "Okay, but there is one last question...... If you do this, how can the Duke of Inclere explain the past?"

"Of course. It's a question that Minsk is a little disgusted with, but he still has to explain. "When little Robert met me, he was a bare-bottomed kid playing in the mud. His first arcane was taught by me, and I saved him four times. If it weren't for me, he would have been eaten whole by an ogre when he was fourteen years old, and he would have been a black poop surrounded by flies, and he would not have been able to inherit the dukedom again. So I can account for the past no matter what I say, and I can account for the past without saying anything. ”

"Ah, is that so? That's great. Archmage Anthony smiled, smiling happily and relaxedly, his chubby face full of peace and lightness. He turned his head to the young servant with the teapot behind him and asked, "What do you think?"