Chapter 168: Negotiation

“Mr. Brack,” Helag called from atop the castle to Brack in the distance.

Brack approached slowly, accompanied by over ten people from the Terchy family, including two crystallized wizards and several wizard apprentices.

The Terchy family had three crystallized wizards in total, a strong foundation for a wizard family.

Most wizard families had only one or two crystallized wizards.

Wizard organizations had more crystallized wizards and usually a second-level wizard, though they rarely appeared publicly.

Some second-level wizards wandered outside, returning only when needed.

In the Barrens, a first-level crystallized wizard was the pinnacle of combat power.

After these battles, Helag better understood his strength.

In the Barrens, he could protect himself, and though he couldn’t defeat a crystallized wizard, he could escape.

Upon entering Blackrock Valley, Brack’s group checked the wizard array, finding signs of tampering but retaining control.

“You not only killed a liquefied wizard but also drove away the Moss family’s old Carl?” Brack, despite knowing this beforehand, still found it hard to believe.

“Just luck. I didn’t fight him head-on, just hindered his attempt to seize the array core. He left when time ran out, and I couldn’t stop him,” Helag said, omitting details.

Brack didn’t press, knowing Helag likely had secrets, as all wizards did.

Brack said, “It’s impressive. As a gaseous wizard, you managed to stall a crystallized wizard. Even if he was cautious, it’s remarkable.”

“Our losses are significant. Blackrock Valley’s years of cultivated personnel are nearly wiped out.”

“Who were they?” Helag asked.

He didn’t know the enemy’s identity, but the Terchy family surely did by now.

Brack replied gravely, “The Moss family. They’ve coveted our potion business for a long time. Now it’s our turn to retaliate.”

Brack’s eyes burned with anger. Though the Moss family failed to seize Blackrock Valley, they caused immense damage.

The Terchy family wouldn’t let it go, planning their counterattack.

Helag wasn’t needed for battle; he had other tasks.

“We’ll bring in new people, all from within the family. They’ll need your guidance,” Brack said.

Most apprentices and knights in Blackrock Valley were dead, but the potion garden needed management.

The Terchy family brought trusted people, unfamiliar with Blackrock Valley’s processes.

Especially Helag’s management style, which they’d need time to learn, requiring Helag’s teaching.

“No problem, I’ll handle it,” Helag assured.

Cleanup began quickly, with the residential area’s bodies buried on a nearby hill.

Families claimed some bodies, taking them home.

The Terchy family compensated the families, except for the traitors.

***

Days later, the Terchy family sent fifteen newcomers to manage the potion garden.

Helag, as before, explained schedules and data reports.

These internal Terchy family members were quick learners, and Helag had them up to speed quickly.

Meanwhile, the Terchy family’s retaliation began, attacking several Moss family estates.

The Moss family ran trade businesses, dealing goods far and wide.

The Terchy family targeted their caravans, causing significant losses.

Previously, the target was unclear.

Now, knowing it was the Moss family, the Terchy family focused on them.

The Moss family retaliated, and both sides suffered heavy losses.

Such conflict couldn’t last, leading to negotiations.

Augustus Academy mediated, with other wizard families joining the talks.

Augustus Academy maintained Barrens stability, forbidding large-scale wizard family conflicts, which threatened regional peace.

With Augustus Academy mediating, the Terchy and Moss families had to negotiate, despite their animosity.

The result: the Moss family compensated the Terchy family with 100,000 magic stones.

Additionally, the Moss family received fewer slots for this year’s Death Swamp Ruins exploration, with the Terchy family getting more.

The Death Swamp Ruins were one of the Barrens’ few ancient sites, yielding various potion and spellcasting materials.

Most importantly, they might produce materials for first-level crystallized wizards to advance to second-level wizards.

To advance, a first-level crystallized wizard must comprehend a rule.

Upon comprehending a rule, they can access rule power, advancing to a second-level wizard.

This step is elusive, relying on personal insight without external aid.

Some comprehend in a year; others never do.

Such unstable advancement conditions mean most second-level wizards in the Land of Dawn didn’t advance through personal insight.

Most relied on external aids.

These aids vary in form and type but share a common trait.

They contain world rules, helping wizards comprehend them and access rule power for advancement.

In the Land of Dawn, such items are common.

Long-term planar conquests provide many sources for rule-infused items.

In the Barrens, they’re rare.

Without imports from the Land of Dawn, Barrens wizards can’t access them.

The Death Swamp Ruins are the only local source.