Land of Starlight, Starshine Castle.

This grand castle, built with dedication after the withdrawal of the Wizard Family, relying on the perilous terrain in the south of the Ancient Forest, has become their most important stronghold in the south. The castle's reception room retains the Wizard Family's characteristic luxury and mystery, with heavy obsidian walls adorned with ancient Magic Tapestry, and the air is filled with Calming Incense and a faint magical aura.

Avery Karina Tavendish sat in the main seat, dressed today in a more formal deep purple robe symbolizing the authority of the Tavendish family. Her expression was calm, her gaze steady as she watched the two visitors opposite her.

Sitting across from her were emissaries from the Jade Land. One was a young woman wearing a simple but well-crafted linen robe, fresh young leaves adorning her hair, exuding a refreshing natural aura.

She was one of Lynch's early apprentices, who had been working in the Magic Farm and had already earned the title of the Bountiful Witch, Flora.

The other, also one of Lynch's apprentices, was an elder clad in a crimson robe embroidered with gold-lined sun patterns, his expression solemn, his eyes radiating wisdom and devoutness—Saul, the Red-clothed Archbishop of the Light Church.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and customary compliments on each other's Witch Master's wisdom, the atmosphere quickly turned serious, and they got straight to the point.

Avery did not beat around the bush. She knew time was pressing and spoke directly, her clear and resolute voice echoing in the room:

"Lady Flora, Archbishop Saul, we thank Lord Saphiro for sending emissaries at such a difficult time. We urgently hope that Jade Land can provide substantial assistance, not just in resources, but also with strong military support, to help us recover the northern territories occupied by the Freemasonry Church."

The Red-clothed Archbishop Saul nodded slightly, his voice gentle yet cautious: "Lady Avery, we understand your urgency. Lord Saphiro is also deeply concerned about the situation in the Ancient Ruins."

"However, if I may be frank, discussing specific military intervention and territorial recovery before a formal alliance is signed might be premature."

He paused, his aged yet sharp gaze locked on Avery, and his tone deepened a bit as he said: "Moreover, you should be aware of the iron rules of the Supreme Council: The internal affairs of each Witch Domain must not be openly interfered with by external forces."

"If Jade Land were to hastily send an army into the Ancient Ruins, the political risk and potential chain reactions it would bear are enormous. We need a sufficiently legitimate and visible reason."

Avery seemed to have anticipated this excuse. She leaned slightly forward, her tone decisive and firm: "Archbishop Saul, this one thing we must clarify:"

"We, the Starlight Council and its ancient families, are the rightful rulers of the Ancient Ruins, acknowledged by the history of the Supreme Council! The so-called Freemasonry Church is nothing more than a group of rebels seizing power, spreading heretical doctrines, with actions as brutal as those of Black Wizards!"

Her words carried a dignified momentum: "Eradicating the Black Wizard Powers that threaten the order of the Wizard World is the shared responsibility of all orthodox wizards!"

"Inviting allies to help quell internal rebellions and remove malignant forces is entirely within the rules and does not constitute interference in the internal affairs of another domain. Would the Supreme Council really stand by and watch a Wizard Domain controlled by Black Wizards appear without taking action?"

Flora listened quietly, her fingertips unconsciously playing with a tender green shoot that appeared out of nowhere, not interrupting. Saul pondered for a moment before slowly speaking: "Your words, Lady, have a certain validity. But the definition of 'Black Wizards' and the extent of intervention still require careful consideration. Jade Land needs to ensure that our actions stand firm both legally and morally."

Seeing a slight softening in their stance, Avery knew it was time to show her substantial cards. She stopped dwelling on rhetorical debates, signaling to the attendant beside her. The attendant immediately unfurled a meticulously drawn Magic Map on the table.

The map clearly marked the mountains, rivers, city strongholds, and densely packed resource points of the Ancient Ruins.

Avery stood up, picked up a pointer, and directed it towards the northern section of the map, her voice clear and calm, carrying a decisive willingness to concede benefits: "Since we are discussing substantial assistance, then naturally Jade Land should receive corresponding compensation for assuming the risks."

"Please look, from the northern 'Iron Spine Mountain Range' to the south of the 'Sighing Gorge,' the mining rights for all identified and unidentified Magic Stone Mines, Elemental Crystal deposits, and three large Magic Forests can serve as the initial reward."

Her pointer continued to move, grazing over several important cities and ports: "After recovering these areas, fifty percent of their tax revenue will be sent to Jade Land for thirty years."

Finally, she put down the pointer, looking intently at Saul and Flora, throwing out the most important promise:

"And, upon the successful recovery of all lost territories and the complete elimination of the Freemasonry Church, the Ancient Ruins will recognize Lord Saphiro, the Lord of Emerald, as the sovereign. The entire Starlight Council and all its families will pledge allegiance to Jade Land for one hundred and fifty years! During this period, we will obey commands, providing manpower, resources, and all necessary support."

The reception room fell into silence. Only the gentle glow flowing on the Magic Map illuminated their faces.

A flash of surprise crossed Flora's eyes; she seemingly hadn't expected Avery to offer such extravagant terms. The Red-clothed Archbishop Saul slightly squinted, fingers gently tapping on the chair's armrest, evidently weighing the pros and cons of the proposal swiftly.

This was a negotiation wagering the future. Avery, representing the Wizard Family, put forth nearly her last card to gain an opportunity to turn the tide. Meanwhile, the emissaries of Jade Land needed to decide whether this investment was worth the challenge to the unwritten rules of the Supreme Council to intervene in a war with uncertain outcomes.

...

The heavy oak doors slowly closed behind Saul and Flora, isolating their faint footsteps and the attendants' guiding voices as they departed. The bustle subsided, and the spacious and luxurious reception room plunged into silence, with only the occasional cracking of wood burning in the fireplace and the lingering magical aura in the air.

Avery still stood before the huge Magic Map, but the sharpness and decisiveness from the negotiation had faded from her face, replaced by a deep-seated weariness and complex emotions beyond expression. She did not turn around, her gaze seemingly unfocused, resting on the symbols representing mountains, rivers, and resources, as though penetrating the map to glimpse that distant and familiar land.

Only one other person remained in the room, the Old Wizard Blair, standing quietly in the shadowed corner—his hair and beard entirely white, with a face etched with marks of wind and wisdom. He was Avery's trusted emissary, secretly sent to Jade Land years ago to establish connections and probe into the situation.

Silence enveloped the air momentarily, as if weighted by a thousand pounds.

Finally, Avery softly exhaled, still without turning, her voice much lower than before, trembling slightly and heavily suppressed by anticipation, breaking the silence:

"Blair…" she called, her tone no longer that of a commanding leader but more like a lost seeker searching for affirmation in the mist.

Old Wizard Blair stepped slowly from the shadows, coming to a position slightly behind Avery at her side, bowing slightly, his attitude respectful.

Time had flown by, creating a gap between the two former geniuses of the Ancient Ruins.

Avery slowly turned around, her bright eyes now filled with complex emotions: confusion, hope, worry, and a trace of vulnerability fearing disappointment. She looked directly into Blair's world-weary eyes, lowering her voice further, almost a whisper:

"Are you sure?" She paused, as though uttering the name required enormous courage, finally asking the question that had haunted her heart for a long time:

"The so-called Lord of Emerald… the mysterious 'Saphiro'… is he truly… truly…"

Her breath seemed to halt for a moment before she finally spoke the name buried deep in her heart, carrying countless memories and weight:

"Lynch?"

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