At the center of Deep Blue Castle Station stood a towering Stone Building, over ten meters tall, majestic in its presence.
On the top floor of the Stone Building was a grand hall that covered hundreds of square meters; it was exceedingly spacious and decorated to the highest level of opulence with silver candlesticks, crystal chandeliers, and golden frescoes—luxuries beyond expression.
In days past, this place had served as the venue for meetings of the Deep Blue Castle High-level Wizards. However, not long after the chaotic great war at the Deep Blue Castle Exchange Conference, its purpose had shifted to become the new office of the newly appointed Dean—Sieg Adolf.
As for where the high-level wizards of Deep Blue Castle would meet in the future, that was not a concern. Under Sieg’s administration, there was no need for such meetings at all. His word was command, and his desires reflected the will of the entire Deep Blue Castle, beyond debate and unquestionable.
However, Sieg Adolf, who possessed such immense power, was not pleased at the moment.
In his spacious and splendid new office, with numerous candles lit and Crystal Stones sparkling, the room was brightly illuminated. Sieg leaned over, his expression cold as he stared at a map on the table.
The map was naturally of the East Coast, detailing the distribution of various countries. At this moment, many countries, especially those within the rule of Deep Blue Castle, were marked with red arrows. Several thick arrows were already very close to the station at Deep Blue Castle. To Sieg, it seemed like in just a few days, he would be meeting the wizards marked by these arrows.
Thinking of this, Sieg unconsciously clenched his fists, his expression growing fierce.
Suddenly, within the tightly shut office, the air quivered; the candles flickered relentlessly, and the crystal chandelier emitted a creaking sound as it swayed. A figure slowly materialized in a corner.
Sensing something, Sieg abruptly turned his head and lunged toward the corner without moving his feet, his body shifting instantly.
By the time the figure in the corner fully materialized as Bayer, an envoy from the Mysterious Organization, wearing a black cloak, Sieg was already standing right in front of him. Sieg’s nose was almost touching his face, and Bayer could distinctly feel Sieg’s breath on his face.
Bayer stiffened, slightly dazed, embarrassed, and a bit nervous.
"Um... Dean Sieg, what are you doing?" Bayer spoke, gently pushing Sieg’s body away and stepping aside to ask.
Sieg let out a heavy snort from his nostrils, looking highly displeased. He stepped back to the table and slammed his hand on the map, his voice grave as he questioned, "What do you think I’m doing? Just look at the situation now! More than a dozen Wizard Organizations are attacking from all directions, the closest already reaching Nock City, almost right in my face, and the farthest isn’t that far off.
Anyone who isn’t blind or dumb can clearly see that Deep Blue Castle is surrounded. And under these circumstances, where are the people you promised me, the plan you were supposed to execute? Why haven’t I seen any of it?!"
"It’s just that," Bayer faced Sieg’s questioning with a smile, "Dean Sieg, don’t be angry. All of this is within our considerations, truly. You are a smart man and should clearly know what it means to engage in a drawn-out battle with these dozen Wizard Organizations. With the resources of Deep Blue Castle, we simply cannot afford it, nor can we sustain it. Therefore, using the same method as the previous Deep Blue Castle Exchange Conference is best. Lure them here, then solve them all at once—easy for you, easy for us, and thoroughly effective."
As he spoke, Bayer approached the table, glanced at the map, picked up the Quill, and drew a circle on the map.
"Look," Bayer pointed to the circle, explaining to Sieg, "Dean Sieg, this is the battlefield we’ve arranged in our plan, and it’s also the grave we’ve prepared for all the ignorant. When the time comes, we’ll go all out in coordination with your people to eliminate the encirclers. Now, it may seem like you’re surrounded, but in reality, they are the ones who are encircled."
Sieg stared at the circle Bayer had drawn, silent for a long while before he finally said, "What you’re saying... is it true? Can you guarantee there will be no mistakes, not like the last conference?"
"Rest assured, Dean Sieg, we’ve been planning this final battle for a long time, there won’t be any problems. Trust me, after this decisive battle, both you and we will get what we want," Bayer earnestly responded.
"Then... alright," Sieg nodded as if in agreement, then waved his hand at Bayer, "Then you may go."
"Ah?" Bayer was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised, "What, you called me here just to tell me this?"
"What else?" Sieg said coldly, "I just hope that your organization moves faster and cuts the chatter."
"Alright, I’ll convey your opinion." Bayer shrugged, waved goodbye to Sieg, and then gradually became transparent and disappeared into the air.
After Bayer disappeared, Sieg looked up and stared at the place where Bayer had vanished for a long time. Once he was sure Bayer had left, he pondered for a while, walked to the bookshelf in his office, and pulled a thin rope tied there.
Soon, there was a knock on the door.
Sieg walked to the door and opened it, only to see a black-haired young man standing outside. Although young, the young man’s demeanor was sharp like a knife, and looking at him any longer seemed to sting the eyes.
After a glance, Sieg slowly said, "Dulin, I have tasks for you."
"Teacher, please instruct."
"That is..." Sieg began.
The black-haired young man named Dulin listened silently, nodded, turned, and left without saying a word.
Watching the black-haired young man leave, Sieg closed the door and muttered to himself, "One can never fully trust those people, better take extra precautions. Yes, I must take extra precautions."
In the hall, members of the Mysterious Organization were as busy as ever.
Deep inside the hall, Muse sat in his designated seat as usual. To his left and right stood two people—Franklin, polite and respectful, on the left and Casol, whose face looked somewhat horrific as if it had been peeled, on the right.
Both were reporting the latest developments to Muse, who listened with his eyes closed.
Suddenly sensing something, Muse opened his eyes.
The doors to the hall opened, and Bayer walked in and reported truthfully to Muse, "Muse Housekeeper, it seems there’s urgency at Deep Blue Castle, and the rest of the Wizard Organization is indeed approaching our planned battlefield."
"Is that so." Muse nodded, a slight smile curling at his lips, "Then let’s prepare to start the final plan."
As he spoke, Muse turned to Franklin and Casol and instructed, "You two, go execute it together."
"Yes," Franklin and Casol responded in unison, their voices cold and commanding.
Outside, the night was dense, the usually visible stars had strangely dimmed, and the entire sky was in chaos.
Suddenly, a large star fell, drawing a dazzling bright arc across the sky toward the southeast. It was as if an all-knowing and powerful deity, sensing an impending disaster, had issued a warning to the world.
But no one could understand its meaning—at least no one on the East Coast understood.