A figure timely ascended the wooden platform in the center of the meeting, drawing the gaze of all in attendance. It was the Dean of Deep Blue Castle—Sieg Adolf.
At this moment, Sieg Adolf was clad in a brand-new, deep blue Flying Fish Wizard Robe, emanating a powerful presence. His eyes swept across the hall and he slowly began to speak, already employing an Amplification Spell.
"Good day to you all—I am Sieg Adolf, Dean of Deep Blue Castle. Here, allow me first to welcome your arrival to participate in this somewhat special Exchange Conference."
The crowd listened quietly, having been to many events . They did not chatter casually, nor did they have a custom of applauding or shouting their approval, so the entire venue was very silent.
So Sieg paused briefly, then continued, "In addition to welcoming you, allow me to offer an apology to everyone. The Exchange Conference was originally scheduled to begin this morning, but due to some neglect on the part of Deep Blue Castle, it was delayed until now, for which I am deeply sorry."
Having said this, Sieg bowed slightly to everyone in attendance.
Now, finally, some responded—all influential individuals from various Wizard Organizations, none of whom were below the level of a Second-level Wizard Peak deigning to speak.
"Dean Sieg is being too polite," said a Green Robed Wizard from Death Valley.
"Dean Sieg need not feel so troubled," said a Red-robed Wizard from Rose City.
"It’s a minor matter, understandable," remarked a Grey Robed Wizard from Rotten Swamp.
"If you ask me, let’s proceed, no need to waste time," stated a White Robe Wizard from White Mist City.
"Very well, let’s continue," Sieg said after hearing the comments, straightening up with a more solemn expression, and he began to narrate, "Although I need not introduce it, as you all are somewhat acquainted with the situation, it is the destruction of the White Stone Tower.
I view this matter as very serious, which is why, upon receiving the news previously, I gave it great importance. Later, the White Stone Tower Wizards sought me out, and after exchanging further information, I understood the situation was even more complex than imagined.
That is why I supported the Wizards of White Stone Tower and did my utmost to make this Exchange Conference happen. Now that you have all arrived here, specifically to discuss this matter, I genuinely hope for a positive outcome."
"Of course," Sieg’s tone rose, "regarding this matter, I am an outsider after all. Much of the information is known best by White Stone Tower Wizards themselves. So, without further misleading everyone, I invite a White Stone Tower Wizard to come and clarify the situation in detail."
As his words fell, Sieg gestured to one side and quietly stepped down from the platform.
Footsteps echoed as a female Wizard from White Stone Tower stepped onto the wooden platform, coming into view of everyone. She appeared tall and shapely with a serious expression and a striking, icy beauty—it was none other than Mephisto.
Mephisto ascended the platform and, without any fuss, glanced at those gathered and said in a clear, cool voice: "I am Mephisto, a Wizard of the White Stone Tower. To not waste the time of the distinguished guests present, I’ll get right to what everyone is most concerned about—the destruction of the White Stone Tower.
Many of you are aware that White Stone City was destroyed, but surely not how it came to be destroyed or why. Even the Wizard Organizations that participated in the East Coast Meeting have mostly speculated until now. But here I will tell you the truth:
A crazy Wizard Organization, using an extremely powerful Spell, created a meteor. This meteor, falling from the high sky at great speed and with the force of impact combined with a special energy attack, devastated much of White Stone City, killing over eighty percent of our Wizards."
Upon reaching this point, Mephisto paused to let the audience digest this information. The varied expressions ranged from shock and derision to disbelief and indifference, requiring a while before calm was restored.
Mephisto swept her gaze across the hall and said: "I know what you all might think upon hearing what I’ve just said, that it’s all fanciful thinking on the part of us from White Stone Tower, denying the existence of any ’crazy Wizard Organization.’ You might believe that it was simply a chance meteor that happened to fall and destroy our city. In other words, a natural disaster, a coincidence. But the reality is far from it!
The crazy Wizard Organization does indeed exist. In the months before the destruction of White Stone City, we detected that they constantly carried out various acts of sabotage within White Stone City. In fact, based on some information we’ve gathered, similar activities have also been found within the territories of other Wizard Organizations along the East Coast, though none as severe as with White Stone City.
Clearly, the crazy Wizard Organization saw us, White Stone Tower, as their first target for destruction, hence their blatant and unrestrained actions. When we confirmed their existence, we repeatedly mustered our forces in attempts to eliminate them.
However, their strength was far beyond our expectations and they even once took the initiative to attack our base directly, causing widespread devastation. The Wizard Organizations that took part in our previous East Coast Exchange should be aware of this.
In the end, we were left with no choice but to consolidate our power, concentrating all the forces we could muster to White Stone City in hopes of a decisive battle.
But the ultimate outcome was entirely unexpected—as I just mentioned, a Spell-created meteor fell, instantly demolishing much of White Stone City.
Within the meteor, there was also a distinct energy wave that could greatly disrupt the Mana within a Wizard’s Magic Origin, thus inflicting harm. The stronger the Wizard, the more severe the damage. As a result, many of our prominent Wizards from White Stone Tower, including Haimen Bast among others, were killed. Only a few of us, myself included, managed to survive in a gravely injured state.
Here, I can assure you all categorically: the catastrophe that befell our White Stone Tower, if placed upon any Wizard Organization along the East Coast, would have been unstoppable. Perhaps you believe that with your incredibly strong Wizards, you might turn the tide. But under the influence of the meteor’s unique energy wave, the stronger you are, the faster you would perish.
Therefore, if you do not heed the lesson of White Stone Tower, our today will be your tomorrow!"
Mephisto spoke with gravitas, her words ringing with severe and unapologetic criticism, reverberating long in the hall. Once she finished, many from the Wizard Organizations found themselves deep in thought. They came intending merely to make an appearance, taking the news of White Stone Tower with skepticism, but now could not help but seriously ponder the situation. Everyone remained wordlessly silent, with the atmosphere turning notably somber.
After a considerable time, Mephisto spoke again, revealing the true intent behind holding this Exchange Conference.