"Muji, have you notified Cousin Carl?"

"Miss," a young servant replied, "there's no one at Mr. Karl's place. He may have already left."

"No one?" Iweni's face showed concern. "Could he be unaware of the situation in the city? Or could he be at the patrol hall? Would you run there again?"

"What nonsense!" Jinsley rolled her eyes. "With what's going on outside, how could anyone be found? If you ask me, he's definitely gone."

"With the news even we can get, Carl, as an inspector, how could he not know?"

"But just because you can think of him doesn't mean he's thinking of you. My experience is that men are all unreliable."

"Go! Go!" Gegil called out to them. "You two only know how to leave! When did I agree to that? I said no one is to leave!"

"Father!" Jinsley stood still, staring straight at her own father. "You've really gone mad!"

"Is money more important than life?"

"Who says so?" Gegil's eyes were wide open. "As long as you have money, you can buy slaves and servants. Even if you kill someone, you can pay with Gold Coins for redemption."

"With enough money, even the Master of Dawn can forgive murder. What can't be done?"

"Life is not as important as money!"

"Father," Iweni urged, "but if you lose your life, the money won't belong to you anymore!"

"Who says you'll definitely lose your life?" Gegil snorted. "Even if the Kolong people take over Sigerno City, they still need merchants. They need people to work for them."

"We might even make a fortune!"

"Uncle, you truly broaden my horizons." Carl, who had just jumped down from the roof, couldn't help but look incredulous upon hearing this. He shook his head and said, "Since you're not leaving, why not let Iweni and Jinsley go with me? They can come back when it's safe."

"Carl!"

"Cousin Carl."

Jinsley and Iweni spoke in unison.

"Cousin Carl," Iweni's face was joyful, "are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Carl shook his head. "Thunder Spear Tucker has entered Sigerno City. This city will be taken over by the Kolong people. We must leave as soon as possible."

He had come here specifically to notify them; after all, they were his only 'family,' but he hadn't expected to encounter this situation.

"Father!" Iweni turned around, urging, "Cousin has already come. Let's hurry up and go!"

"If you want to go, go by yourselves. I'm not leaving." Gegil shook his head, his hands continuing to unload things from the carriage. "And I don't allow any of my things to be taken, not even a penny. They're all mine."

"You..." Jinsley trembled with anger. "Fine!"

"We're leaving!"

She stepped forward, grabbed the still-hesitating Iweni, and ran towards the door, asking as she went, "Carl, where to first?"

"Head outside the city," Carl replied. "We'll leave through the north gate. It's already open, and there are no Kolon troops there. First, we'll go to my tutor's manor to meet up with my senior apprentice sister."

「Black Swamp.」

Tim stood before the entrance to a pitch-black cave, his expression gloomy, a white flower in his hand.

A white chrysanthemum.

The favored flower of the departed.

Usually worn only when mourning the dead.

"My condolences."

A man came to his side and nodded in acknowledgment. "Adolf was too hasty. After obtaining the Green Potion, he attempted to break into the Official Wizard Realm without sufficient preparation. Consequently, the Spell construction failed, and not even a fragment of his soul remained."

"Perhaps..." The man sighed. "This is our fate!"

"Mr. Arthur." Tim bowed his head, his voice somber. "Thank you for selecting a tomb for my tutor and arranging his final affairs. I'll always remember what you've done for him, no matter what."

"You're welcome." Arthur was tall and thin with a light beard, resembling a cultured elder. He waved his hand lightly and asked, "According to the customs among wizards, Adolf's inheritance will be passed to his apprentice. Apart from you, did he have any other apprentices?"

Upon hearing this, Tim's fingers trembled slightly.

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