Chapter 294: The Trap

Max was a first-level liquefied wizard, which meant killing him would be relatively easy for Helag.

However, controlling him without destroying the three-story building and preserving the evidence inside was a much more difficult task.

Helag hadn’t had the chance to closely observe the attic, but given how tightly Max had secured it, there were likely backup measures in place. Helag couldn’t afford to act recklessly.

At this point, Helag realized that with his current abilities, he couldn’t fully control the situation.

It was time to report the information to Pruis.

By handing over the intelligence he had gathered, regardless of how the situation with Max and Luchi unfolded, Helag would still be credited with a major contribution.

But if he acted on his own and something went wrong—whether it was an unexpected development or a mistake on his part—he could turn a good situation into a disaster.

In that case, not only would he miss out on a reward, but he might even face punishment for his failure.

Helag took out his communication stone and informed Pruis of everything he had discovered.

“Are you in the Cavat Commercial District right now?” Pruis asked after reading the message.

“Yes, I’m at a tavern, keeping my distance from them,” Helag replied.

Helag only told Pruis about Luchi’s movements and didn’t go into detail about Max.

After all, under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for someone to infiltrate the three-story building without being detected.

So Helag kept his description vague, stating only that Luchi had entered the building and left after a short while.

He made sure his report aligned with what a typical first-level liquefied wizard would be able to observe.

The information he provided was intentionally broad—no one would expect him to have the kind of detailed surveillance he actually had.

According to Helag’s report, the investigation began when the beggar gave him a wooden sculpture, leading him to follow the trail to Luchi and eventually to the building.

He didn’t mention the specifics of how he had conducted his investigation, only the results.

Pruis wasn’t one to pry—every wizard had their own methods, and it was normal to keep some secrets.

“Good work. Don’t alert them for now. We’ll make our move once we’ve planned everything out. The goal is to take them down with minimal risk. Keep an eye on the building, and let me know immediately if anyone leaves,” Pruis replied.

“Understood,” Helag responded.

It seemed like he wouldn’t be heading home anytime soon. He’d need to stay here and monitor Max’s movements.

Helag sent a message to Reese, “I’ll be on a mission for the next few days, so I won’t be coming home. Take care of yourself.”

“Do you need my help?” Reese asked.

Helag only needed to use Deep Blue’s environment detection to keep watch on Max, and having Reese there would only draw more attention.

“No, I’m better off alone for this one,” he replied.

“Got it. Stay safe,” Reese said, understanding his reasoning.

After putting down the communication stone, Helag prepared to spend the next few days in the area.

The Cavat Commercial District was always bustling with people, so he wouldn’t stand out. Neither Max nor Luchi would suspect that they were being watched.

So far, neither of them had seen Helag face-to-face, completely unaware that they were already exposed to Seranthiel.

After receiving Helag’s report, Pruis immediately stopped what he was doing and called in some of the organization’s members to discuss the next steps.

“Minister Pruis, is the information reliable?” asked Shaquel, one of the members.

Pruis nodded. “The information comes from one of our own, so it should be trustworthy. But we’ll still send someone to confirm the details before making any further plans. Helag is watching the area for now, and nothing unusual has happened yet.”

“I’ll go. I’m good at reconnaissance,” Shaquel volunteered.

He was a first-level crystallized wizard specializing in shadow magic, often tasked with intelligence gathering.

Pruis nodded. “Yes, you’re the right choice. First, investigate the residence. I’ve looked into it, and the owner is a well-known woodcarver named Max. I suspect he’s hiding a lot of his true power and abilities, so be cautious. Don’t let him notice you.”

“We have the advantage of being in the shadows while he’s in the light. We can’t let him realize we’re onto him before we make our move.”

“Understood, Minister,” Shaquel said, known for his careful and meticulous approach.

Pruis trusted him and wasn’t overly concerned.

“Also, we need someone to keep an eye on Luchi. He’s just a second-class wizard apprentice, so there’s no rush to deal with him. Just watch him for now. Naya, you take care of that,” Pruis continued.

Naya, a quiet girl with glasses and the strength of a first-level liquefied wizard, nodded. “Yes, Minister.”

“Now, let’s discuss the plan in detail. Max’s residence is in the heart of the Cavat Commercial District, surrounded by heavy foot traffic. When we make our move, we need to strike quickly and decisively, leaving him no time to react or resist. Otherwise, the nearby civilians could be harmed.”

Pruis spread a map on the table, marking Max’s residence and the surrounding area.

“Should we evacuate the area in advance?” someone suggested.

Pruis shook his head. “That’s not possible. What reason would we give for the evacuation? Max would definitely notice something was off, and we can’t risk tipping him off.”

“So, if we’re not fast enough, the civilians could be caught in the crossfire,” Naya said, frowning.

Pruis nodded. “Exactly. That’s the biggest concern. I’ll personally lead the operation to ensure it goes smoothly.”

After discussing the plan further, Pruis dismissed the group, and everyone went off to prepare for their respective tasks.

An invisible net began to close in around Max, though he remained unaware of it.

Helag spent the rest of the night drinking at the tavern before heading to a nearby inn to rent a room.

The inn was conveniently located right across from Max’s residence, with only a commercial street separating them.