Chapter 239: Return

One month later.

Helag, Reese, and David stood in the mountains, gazing at the familiar mountain range in the distance. They all felt a sense of relief, as if they had returned home.

They had intentionally slowed their pace on the way back, taking their time like they were slacking off at work.

What could have been a ten-day journey was stretched into a month.

After all, they only needed to survive the full year. Returning too early would mean more missions.

With the escalating war, most missions now carried significant risks.

If something went wrong right before the year was up, they’d lose everything.

Not only would they face danger, but they might also lose their chance to enter the Land of Dawn for failing to complete their mission.

Helag, with his experience in slacking off, had thought it through.

Under normal circumstances, they would have returned around this time anyway, but Helag had completed the mission far too quickly and easily.

The three of them had spent the journey leisurely exploring, camping for a day or two whenever they felt tired.

With plenty of supplies in their space rings, they had no shortage of food or drink.

David didn’t know it, but Helag and Reese had been having the time of their lives.

Recently, they had discovered a natural hot spring at the top of a mountain, where they enjoyed a long, relaxing soak.

Of course, David didn’t get to enjoy it. He had voluntarily stayed at the foot of the mountain to keep watch.

Helag and Reese spent the entire night in the hot spring, and with no one around, they indulged themselves freely.

***

When they returned to the Lim Mountain Range, they noticed that the number of altars had increased significantly—there were now about 40 or 50.

When they had left, there had only been 20 altars. In the three months they were gone, the number had more than doubled.

The number of magical creatures in the Lim Mountain Range had also increased dramatically, with monsters everywhere.

Upon returning to Base 27, Parker immediately summoned Helag.

“Parker, I’ve placed all three teleportation markers. Here’s the map of the area,” Helag said, handing over a map he had drawn.

The map detailed the area around the fence, the wooden gate, and the forest. It didn’t include the deeper parts, as it would have been unrealistic for him to venture that far.

The map also marked the locations of the three teleportation markers.

Parker glanced at the map and nodded. “Very good! Helag, you’ve done an excellent job. I didn’t expect you to place the markers so deep without alerting the elves. That’s impressive.”

Helag had placed the markers deeper than Parker had anticipated.

Parker had expected the markers to be placed on the outskirts, but Helag had managed to bypass two layers of defenses and place them further inside.

For a gaseous wizard, this was quite an achievement.

Parker didn’t ask how Helag had managed to infiltrate the area—he didn’t care about the details.

Parker only cared about results. As long as the mission was completed, nothing else mattered.

Of course, Parker couldn’t have imagined that Helag had been escorted inside by the elves themselves, disguised as a royal elf prince.

“You three have passed the assessment with flying colors. I’m very satisfied. When the time comes, the teleportation array will be activated again, and I’ll send you back,” Parker said with a grin, putting away the map.

“Thank you, Lord Parker!” Helag said respectfully.

Parker looked at Helag and said, “For the next month, I won’t assign you any more missions. Strictly speaking, Helag, you’re already one of us. Before you took on this mission, I promised that if you completed it, I’d let you join the wizard organization I’m part of.”

“I always keep my word. From now on, you’re a member of Seranthiel. I’ll make the necessary arrangements, and when you enter the Land of Dawn, someone will be there to meet you.”

“As for your two companions, it’ll depend on their own abilities once they enter the Land of Dawn. To be honest, I only had my eye on you. Normally, they wouldn’t pass the assessment for the War of Conquest.”

“But for me, it’s just a matter of saying the word.”

Helag expressed his gratitude, “Thank you for your support, Lord Parker!”

Helag hadn’t heard of Seranthiel and didn’t know much about it.

But there was no need to ask—any wizard organization in the Land of Dawn would be powerful.

Since Parker was a third-level wizard, it was clear that Seranthiel was no small organization.

Helag wasn’t in a position to be picky. Being accepted into a wizard organization in the Land of Dawn ahead of time was already a huge opportunity.

Though Helag had many questions, some were better left unasked.

For example, the Six-Ring Tower.

Helag hadn’t found any information about the Six-Ring Tower in the Barrens.

He figured that once he reached the Land of Dawn, he might be able to find some clues.

But since he didn’t know what kind of organization the Six-Ring Tower was, he didn’t dare ask about it openly.

He’d have to wait until he reached the Land of Dawn to gather more information and make further plans.

Parker smiled, “No worries. Base 27 is actually fully controlled by Seranthiel. Some of the people here belong to other organizations, but that’s just the result of mutual interests.”

“Take this time to rest. I have the authority to grant you that privilege,” Parker added with a chuckle.

Helag nodded and asked, “Will we be able to return here in the future?”

“Of course. For us, the War of Conquest has only just begun. Conquering a plane takes a long time—sometimes thousands of years. We’ve only just arrived.”

“During the conquest, if you ever want to return, just let the organization know, and someone will arrange it for you. But I wouldn’t recommend coming back before you reach the second-level wizard rank. It’s still dangerous here, and first-level wizards are too fragile in a plane war.”

Parker offered his advice. Since Helag was now part of the organization, Parker was willing to share some truths.

Helag, Reese, and David had been lucky to be assigned to Base 27.

They had experienced a long period of relative peace, with minimal danger.

Just as the conflict with the native elves of the Elven Plane had begun, their year was almost up.

Overall, the three of them hadn’t faced any life-threatening situations. Most of the dangers they encountered were manageable.

However, without Helag, it would have been difficult for David and Reese to survive until now.

At the very least, passing Parker’s assessment on their own would have been nearly impossible for them.

***