Elaphia raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise, listening intently to Li Ang.

The main thing Li Ang told her was that this time it wasn't the usual local turmoil, but involved unknown forces.

He hoped that while she was investigating the empire's intentions, she wouldn't delve too deeply, and that she would communicate with the outside in a timely manner if there were any issues, rather than trying to face some unknown enemy alone.

"You're really worried about me, huh."

A faint smile appeared on the young girl's face.

"Okay, I've heard what you said, now let me say what I need to say."

She raised her delicate finger: "Firstly, matters of this level are already part of my duty, so there's no notion of a personal favor to be returned. Keep that for more crucial matters next time."

"Secondly, as I've mentioned before, I need your help for the legendary trial I have to face. When the time comes, I'll formally send a request through the guild. However, you're still the only one in this world who can help me, so I'll owe you another favor.

"You might as well hold onto this favor, and add it to the one when I'm in trial. Maybe I'll even help you with something a bit over the top.

"So, we... so you don't have to be so formal with me; I'm the one who needs more from you."

Having finished, Elaphia tilted her beautiful chin upwards, seemingly in a good mood.

"I'll leave it to you then," Li Ang nodded solemnly.

"And then, I have some information to provide you."

He called Dorothy to bring out the records taken from the count's room earlier.

A pile of record books was spread out on the deck, and the clerk girl analyzed them, looking for irregularities in the flow of supplies and funds at Spark Port.

After a while, the results came out.

"All flowing to the Makena Island Country?" Lanslow remarked from the side.

"The amount of funds, on the surface, can be justified as buying a magical flying ship for the empire."

Dorothy shook her head: "But from what we heard in their conversation, maybe more than one territory is doing similar things. If so, there's definitely something huge being constructed over there."

Elaphia nodded: "Once the suppression is completed, our Flame Corps will focus on that place. I've heard some rumors about it before; it seems to have a long and complex history."

In this way, tasks for each side were set.

After handing Wendes over to the Order Corps, Lanslow came over to find Li Ang.

"Wendes wants to talk to me?" Li Ang was surprised. At this moment, this guy should utterly hate him; what could he have to say?

Approaching Wendes, who was held in the ship cabin, Li Ang noticed his tattered outfit and disheveled hair. From high spirits to submission in a single day, he was crestfallen and hadn't uttered a word along the way.

"What do you want with me?" Li Ang sat down in front of him.

"I didn't call you here to apologize."

Wendes let out a cold chuckle, then a bitter one: "I didn't stop The Soul Apex from kicking you, but that's not my business. I was just spending money to mix in and gain experience, thinking that once you're gone, it'd just be a different commander and support. Although I didn't realize you have some of your own tricks, even if I did know, I couldn't have stopped it."

"I know this, and I didn't expect you or anyone else to admit any wrongdoing. Is this all you wanted to say?"

"I just want to ask, why here of all places? Said you deliberately sought revenge just to provoke before the battle. But now I'm truly upset, why was it so coincidental? Without you, our family could have successfully boosted the empire's grand cause!"

"I just happened to return home and got caught up in the empire's business."

Li Ang spoke plainly.

Wendes bitterly smiled: "Truly, it's destiny."

He didn't say anything more.

Destiny? Perhaps.

All along, Li Ang felt like he was swept along by some tide within the world.

As Li Ang stepped out, Elaphia was floating not far away, gesturing for him to come over.

"I have something to say to you."

Li Ang followed her to a secluded spot on the deck.

From the other end of the deck, Dorothy noticed this scene. She tilted her head as if a scene flashed in her mind, so she bit her lip and snuck over quietly.

Halfway there, she found that Lanslow had already been hiding, so they both started eavesdropping.

Elaphia's feet stepped on a flying blade as she floated at the edge of the deck, her golden hair and dress waving in the wind, yet her expression was very calm.

"Li Ang, have you found it interesting to come all the way here to play a developing game?"

Uncertain of what she wanted to express, Li Ang remained silent.

Had this Douding not given up trying to persuade him to join their group?

"You showed up here this time, and I heard Lanslow say, you initially intended to lead a group of Imperial soldiers to the Hall of Order? How did you encounter them?"

"Met them attacking innocents on the road."

"I see..." Elaphia pondered softly.

Li Ang felt as if she'd seen through him a bit.

"Have you gotten caught up in something?" the blond-haired girl asked.

Such keen insight. Li Ang silently marveled.

If not for Zoe, he wouldn't have had a run-in with the empire.

The young girl before him, though looking small due to her race, had her strength established through years of training. She had enough experience and wisdom to catch the threads within events.

[Name: Alaphia Alma]

[Race: Douding Family [Blade Mastery Bloodline]]

[Profession: Blade Master, Tier 9]

[Summoned Creatures: Constructed Hundred Soldiers, Tier 8. Blade Scale Flying Dragon, Tier 7]

[Energy Source: Blood of the Weapon Race, Tier 7. Metal Reconfiguration Core, Tier 8. Selected Treasure Weapons Armory.]

[Equipment: Selected Treasure Weapons Armory [Oathbreaker's Vengeance Thornlance, Flame Demon Chain Blade Claw, Dark Gold Demon Mask Warhammer], Tier 9. Hidden Blade Silk Skirt, Tier 7. Demon Stepping Boots, Tier 7.]

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