Now, she had at most ten years left to live.
And Angel Remi, who had been attached to her, had disappeared, presumably having returned to the Divine Realm.
"Tutor!" Marian also approached the Grey Robed Wizard, her voice laden with worry, "How are you?"
"I'm fine." Adison waved his hand with some difficulty. "It was a Second Order Divine Art, Life Plunder. It just means losing a few decades of life. I won't die just yet."
"PHEW..." He took a deep breath and turned to Carl. "Young man, I remember you, Pharmacist Adolf's disciple. We meet again."
"Yes." Carl nodded. "I met you three years ago. I didn't expect you to still remember me."
"Heh heh..." Adison chuckled. "The one thing I've always taken pride in on the path of a wizard is my memory. Don't tell anyone about today's events."
"Yes." Carl bowed his head. "I understand."
If the Swamp Alliance were to join the war with Kolon and other kingdoms, it would be a major event with far-reaching implications. No matter how the follow-up negotiations went, it had to be kept secret.
Catherine woke up; it was already the early hours of the next day.
She didn't show much sorrow for the changes in her body; instead, she quickly accepted them with composure.
"To be able to proclaim the divine will with my body is the highest honor for a believer."
Kneeling, Catherine looked up at the sky, her eyes reddening, too moved to speak.
"And about dying... Who wouldn't want to go to the Divine Realm a day earlier?"
Indeed. Becoming a vessel for an angel's descent meant her faith had been tested. Her soul would most likely ascend to the Divine Realm after death.
Death, for Catherine, might not necessarily be a bad thing.
"Hmm..." Stroking his chin, Carl mused, "Will the Grey Robed Wizard agree to the terms of the Master of Dawn, allowing the Swamp Alliance to participate in the war?"
His guess was that it was very likely!
The Master of Dawn's terms were too tempting to refuse.
Without the help of the Master of Dawn, it was uncertain whether the Swamp Alliance could build the Star Gate.
But with an agreement, they'd get a ready-made Star Gate.
Besides, Official Wizards wouldn't intervene, so there was no danger. Even if there were, they'd fight desperately.
The next step should be to discuss terms and details, but an agreement will eventually be reached, and the Alliance's people will join the war.
Prices for various Potions and Demonized Items will surge!
Carl's eyes lit up, and he hastily took his leave.
「The Alliance's Quarters.」
Turn left at the seventh Paulownia tree, the second house.
Carl found Alesya and said directly, "When does the next auction start? I want to sell that ring as soon as possible."
"There's an auction the day after tomorrow." Alesya looked surprised. "I've been working on this for a long time, and the excitement is building. Nearly everyone knows that a damaged Inheritance Witchcraft is going to be sold, but it hasn't reached the peak of attention yet. Are you sure you want to sell now?"
Selling now could mean losing a substantial amount of Magic Stones.
"Yes!" Carl nodded firmly and handed over a piece of paper. "Use the Magic Stones from the sale of the ring to buy these items for me—as many as possible. If there aren't enough Magic Stones, I'll make up the difference."
"You seem in a real hurry!" Alesya smiled, taking the paper and glancing over it. Her expression changed slightly. "These items... They're all essentials for Wizard Apprentices in combat. With such a large quantity, are you planning to go to war with someone?"
"That's none of your business." Carl waved his hand. "I need a large number of supplies as soon as possible, no later than half a month. Can you make it happen?"
"I can indeed..." Alesya hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Leave it to me!"
"Good." Carl's face showed a hint of a smile. "As soon as possible."
Watching Carl hurry off, Alesya looked puzzled, reassessing the purchase list in her hand.
What does he need so many supplies for?
Hibell, clad in figure-hugging attire, arrived at the tavern and waved at the silently waiting figure in the corner. "You wanted to see me."
"Yes." Carl turned around. "Sit."
Her exaggerated figure was highlighted by the snug clothing, and Hibell's large cloak fluttered noisily behind her.
Once seated, Hibell poured herself a drink without ceremony and guzzled it down. "What did you want to talk about?"
Carl sat up straight, gestured with one hand, and cast a zero-level trick, a Muting Spell, to prevent their voices from carrying.
Hibell raised an eyebrow at this precaution.
At this hour, apart from the tavern keeper snoring on the countertop, there were no outsiders.
"I have a deal I want to discuss with you. With a quick turnaround, you could make at least thirty percent profit in a month. Are you interested?"
"Thirty percent?" Hibell laughed. "I wasn't aware you had a talent for business. But if it really can guarantee a thirty percent profit, I'd definitely be in."
"That's good." Carl clapped his hands. "Now we've reached a preliminary consensus. We'll split the profit fifty-fifty after the deal is done."
"Hold on a second." Hibell raised her hand. "Even though you're my junior disciple and I trust you, I still need to know if this business is doable." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel[f]ire.net
"Of course." Carl leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Yesterday, an angel descended upon Catherine."
"Hm? Ah! ..." Hibell blinked, her expression shifting rapidly through surprise, confusion, panic, and finally, utter bewilderment, "What did you say? I didn't catch that. Could you repeat it?"
"Yesterday, an angel descended upon Catherine. You should know, she's now a devotee of the Master of Dawn," Carl spoke softly.