Herag, from a nameless Junior Wizard in the Barren Land, quickly grew into a Level 2 Wizard after entering Serlandir through plane wars.

Such achievements certainly drew attention; many envied his rapid promotion.

Moreover, Herag hailed from Base 27, making him a frequent topic of conversation among these wizards during idle chats.

Yet, despite the frequent talks, few truly knew Herag.

Thus, when Herag arrived at Base 27, nobody knew who he was, nor did anyone pay him any mind.

It wasn't until Herag started chatting with Iztoke by the Teleportation Altar that Iztoke realized the young man before him was Herag.

The Teleportation Altar slightly trembled, and after a flash of light, Herag disappeared from the altar.

...

No one knew of Herag's return; he merely informed Reese.

After leaving Augustus Academy, he headed to Black Rock Valley.

Herag didn't plan to return to the Cheqi Family's residence as he had some tasks to complete.

These tasks were more suitable to be handled in Black Rock Valley—the castle would be undisturbed and empty at this time.

"Herag, why have you returned?"

At the entrance to Black Rock Valley, Booker was somewhat surprised.

After Herag went to the Elf Plane, Booker went back to Black Rock Valley to continue his guard duties as usual.

Asuna and Reese continued to stay at Wisteria Ridge, where there was someone to care for them, and the security force was much stronger there.

Booker was originally in his vegetable garden, sipping some liquor when someone below reported Herag's arrival.

Having received no prior notice, Booker was somewhat puzzled, and his surprise grew when he actually saw Herag at the entrance.

Herag said, "The war on the Elf Plane is nearing its end; with nothing left for me to do there, I returned early."

"Not going to Wisteria Ridge?" Booker asked.

"It's too far; I'll rest here for a few days first," Herag replied.

Booker responded, "That's fine, the castle is untouched, and people are responsible for cleaning it regularly."

Herag nodded and returned to the castle, where everything was as before.

Not a speck of dust on the table, clearly indicating regular cleaning.

Herag set up a Witch Array in his room, summoned the Toad, and asked, "How's the space channel construction going?"

"No issues, I've gathered the coordinate information for the space channel, and it's mostly excavated now," Toad replied.

"Excavate?" Herag was puzzled.

The space channel isn't a layer of soil—why use the word excavate?

Toad said, "You can understand it as excavation; though I got the position of the space channel, I need to excavate a small path from elsewhere to reach it. Besides, with the Expedition Team's Teleportation Altar still active, I can't proceed lest I alarm them…"

After Toad's explanation, Herag understood.

Indeed, the space channel is akin to a tunnel within the soil layer, connecting the Witch Plane and Elf Plane.

After finding the space channel's location, the Toad didn't enter from the Witch Plane end directly. Instead, it excavated a small path some distance below the entrance to get inside.

Then, another small path is excavated near the Elf Plane entrance.

Directly entering and exiting via both ends would easily alert those on the Witch Plane.

This method allows discreet use of the space channel between the two planes, avoiding detection.

Currently, since the Expedition Team from the Witch Plane has not withdrawn, the space channel is frequently used.

Toad, being cautious, has only excavated the small path outside the space channel—not entered it for fear of detection.

Once the Expedition Team fully retreats from the Elf Plane, Toad will breach the space channel, crawl near the Elf Plane entrance, and excavate a path into the Elf Plane.

"Is the space channel you excavated stable?" Herag asked.

Toad cast an aside glance and said, "I'm a Level 6 creature, a laborer to excavate your space channel, yet you doubt my skills?"

"Haha, it's my folly! The level is too high beyond my knowledge, so I seem ignorant; Toad boss, please forgive," Herag chuckled.

Half of the space channel task is completed as of now; the remaining half awaits the Witch Plane withdrawal.

Herag wasn't anxious; anyway, this isn't something that needs immediate execution, just waiting for the right opportunity.

...

During dinner, Booker came holding a letter, saying, "By the way, a letter came for you a month ago. It arrived at Black Rock Valley, but since you went to the Elf Plane, I kept it safe."

Herag had just returned shortly; Booker remembered this matter.

But Herag was inside the castle at the time, having said not to disturb him before dinner.

Thus, Booker waited until Herag came out to deliver the letter.

Herag took the letter and found it was sent by Erza.

"I'll come back for dinner later," Herag said upon seeing the letter.

Booker nodded; seeing the sender's name was a woman, he dared not entrust Reese with it nor speak of it.

Looking back, it seemed wise, as Herag didn't even want dinner upon seeing the letter, suggesting something was amiss.

Booker scratched his head—it wasn't his concern, he's merely the messenger.

Upon opening the letter, Herag first smelled the familiar perfume scent.

The scent was light yet alluring, evoking many memories for Herag.

Recalling past events stirred Herag's inner spirit slightly.

However, with high spiritual power now, he suppressed those feelings easily.

He began reading the letter.

"You heartless man, finally back in the Barren Land and not visiting me, forgetting old flames upon finding new ones…"

Seeing the first sentence, Herag inexplicably began to sweat upon his brow.

Clearly, Erza knew Herag had returned to the Barren Land. Being part of Dream Island's forces, she surely had channels for news about the Barren Land.

But Herag's return was a secret back then, only known by the Cheqi Family and Nightingale Commerce Association.

By the time word reached Erza, Herag had already entered the Elf Plane.

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