Chapter 193: Encirclement

Although the strongest among these spellcasters were only third-level wizard apprentices, there was no telling what special methods they might possess. Any risk of Base 27 being exposed was significant.

Helag turned to leave, “Let’s report back quickly.”

As they returned to Base 27, they noticed other patrolling wizards had also hurried back, clearly having spotted the adventurers too.

Parker quickly received the news and began formulating a plan.

The primary objective was to prevent these adventurers, especially the spellcasters among them, from approaching Base 27. While they had concealment arrays, Parker, an experienced wizard, knew that many factors were unrelated to raw power.

The simplest way to keep adventurers away was to eliminate them. However, this required ensuring none escaped, as the adventurers were scattered in small groups throughout the mountains.

Parker decided, “Let them come in first. The mountains are vast, and our position is deep enough to avoid immediate detection.”

“Once they’re all in, we’ll secure the mountain pass and all directions, then eliminate them.”

Helag asked, “But Lord Parker, if all these adventurers die here, won’t it draw attention?”

Parker explained, “Every base is destined to be exposed eventually. Our goal is to delay that as long as possible. Once the base is fully operational, exposure won’t matter as much, and we’ll take action ourselves.”

“A group of adventurers dying won’t cause much of a stir. To the elves, it’s just adventurers dying in their pursuits, not enough to warrant their attention.”

“Our main enemy is the elves. There’s no World Tree or elf settlements near Base 27, so conflicts with human kingdoms are manageable.”

As a wizard invasion point, Base 27’s exposure was inevitable. Any significant actions would draw attention, an unavoidable reality.

Adventuring was inherently risky, with countless adventurers dying daily. Mass deaths in a single area were rare but not unheard of, and of little concern to the kingdom or elves.

Killing these adventurers would cause local unrest but be a minor issue for the Norn Kingdom.

Parker quickly organized Base 27’s personnel throughout the Lim Mountains, forming a net to encircle the adventurers. The only exit was the mountain entrance, where the adventurers had come from.

Once enough adventurers were inside, Cain would guard the entrance, ensuring none escaped. To adventurers, even the strongest third-level wizard apprentices, a second-level wizard was insurmountable.

Helag, David, and Reese were assigned to guard an area, tasked with eliminating adventurers on command. If possible, they were to capture spellcasters alive, as their magic principles and spells held research value.

Captured spellcasters were the captor’s spoils, as Bennings had assured them there’d be no bias against those from the Barrens.

Helag had faced no unfair treatment in his four months at Base 27, despite being one of the few from the Barrens.

The rest were Dawn Land wizards, and while there was discrimination, Helag didn’t care about others’ opinions, focusing on his strength.

Helag wore a jade bracelet for communication, suitable for Base 27’s range since the Elven Plane lacked a magic network, and then Helag, David, and Reese hid in the forest, awaiting Parker’s orders.

***

As Asna and her companions entered the mountains, they were surrounded by many adventurers. The vastness of the mountains led the adventurers to spread out.

Asna chose a direction based on instinct and began searching for clues. The team’s warrior led with a shield and sword, clearing a path through the dense forest. Sadi guarded the rear, protecting Asna and the cleric while staying alert.

“So many bugs here!” Sadi flicked a bloodsucking insect off her arm with a dagger.

In the mountains, insects were everywhere. Asna assessed the situation, producing a bag of crushed herbs. Chanting, she gathered energy particles, then scattered the powder over the group.

“This should keep the bugs away.”

The powder, combined with Asna’s spell, repelled insects. They had experience in jungles and were prepared.

The group moved slowly through the forest, encountering only a bear without incident.

“What a waste. That bear pelt could’ve fetched a good price,” Sadi lamented, recalling the bear.

She’d wanted to hunt it, but Asna insisted on focusing on the mission, so Sadi relented.

“We need to hurry and stay in top condition. The Lim Mountains are dangerous, and battles can happen anytime,” Asna reminded Sadi, who was always thinking about money.