blueteamnovel Chapter 134 Return to Headquarters
Chapter 134 Return to Headquarters
Chapter 134 Return to Headquarters
"The Star Core Embers—you really got them?!"
Ella's voice trembled slightly.
This is one of the core objectives of the mission, and its value is immeasurable!
Without further hesitation, Luo Lin took out the dark gold crystal he kept close to his body and offered it to him.
The warm light instantly filled the tent, and the stable and vast energy fluctuations calmed the minds of the several second-ring wizards.
Horn carefully took it, examined it closely, and then infused it with a trace of magic to investigate. Finally, a rare smile appeared on his face.
"Excellent! Excellent! It really is star core embers! Top quality!"
"Roland, Flame Shield, Nightingale, you've done a great job!"
Horn's voice was filled with undisguised praise.
"This alone is enough to offset the loss of the Anchor Seekers' team from losing contact and gives us a very significant bargaining chip in our negotiations with the Empire!"
He carefully stored the star core embers in a specially made sealed box before looking at Rolin: "Your infiltration this time was bold, meticulous, and adaptable; you did an excellent job."
"Infiltrating enemy territory under a false identity to obtain crucial intelligence and items is more difficult and riskier than simple reconnaissance and sabotage missions."
"You not only completed the mission, but also successfully protected yourselves, which is truly remarkable."
Ella nodded approvingly: "No wonder I felt you were special during the Iron Wasteland mission."
"The ability and mindset to disguise oneself and infiltrate in such an environment and ultimately seize the target far surpasses that of an ordinary first-tier member."
Ironwall patted his muscular chest and grinned, "Good lad! You've got guts! To steal this from right under the noses of a second-ring wizard and a bunch of natives, impressive!"
'
Shadow didn't speak, but looked deeply at Roland again with his eyes hidden in the shadow of his cloak, and nodded slightly.
Receiving affirmation from several second-ring powerhouses, Luo Lin felt a surge of accomplishment.
Although this journey to another world was fraught with danger and brought them to the brink of death many times, they not only survived but also exceeded expectations and earned recognition.
"Now, let's talk about the metal fragments tomorrow."
Rolin composed himself, took out the metal fragment with unknown runes that he had bought from the Burning Scar Market, and placed it on the table.
"We found this by chance at the Obsidian City market."
"The runes above do not belong to the natives, nor to the Ash Ring, nor to us Shadow Ravens; they are extremely ancient and exquisite."
"According to the stall owner, it comes from an ancient ruin buried by quicksand deep in the Ash Plains."
"I suspect that other wizards may have explored this fragmented world before us and left traces."
Horn picked up the metal shard and examined the runes on it closely, his brow furrowing again.
Ella and Shadow also came over to observe.
"This rune—I've never seen it before."
"The style is ancient and the technique is superb, something that the indigenous people could never have done."
The shadow's voice was deep and low.
"The Ash Plains—a desolate and abandoned area of the empire, a harsh environment, but said to hold many secrets from ancient times."
"If there were indeed early wizard explorers, what were their goals?"
What did they leave behind?
Is it related to the legend of meteorites from outer space?
Ella asked a series of questions.
Horn pondered for a moment, then put away the metal fragments as well: "This matter is of utmost importance and requires further investigation. But now is not the time."
"The Empire is being aggressive, and the remnants of the Ash Ring have not been eliminated. The most urgent task is to safely return to headquarters with the Star Core Remnants and the existing intelligence, report to the higher-ups, and determine the next course of action."
He looked at Roland and Nightingale: "Where is the Flame Shield?"
"Provide backup outside."
"Very good! The three of you will temporarily rejoin the team and be assigned to the temporary camp."
"Get some rest and get back into shape."
"Write a detailed report on your disguise and infiltration when you get back."
"As for this metal fragment and the clues about the Ash Plains—"
A glint flashed in Horn's eyes.
"Perhaps this could become another topic we can exchange or explore together when negotiating with the Empire."
""
For the next two days, Rowling and his two companions completely relaxed and rested at Shadow Raven's temporary camp.
Lord Horn personally examined their bodies, cleared away some minor energy erosion hazards, and provided them with high-quality restorative potions.
The atmosphere between the camp and the Imperial garrison remained tense, but no conflict broke out.
Both sides seem to be waiting for instructions from higher authorities.
On the third day, Horn received an encrypted message from the headquarters of Shadowraven Tower.
A moment later, he summoned Rolin, Flame Shield, Nightingale, as well as Ella, Shadow, and Ironwall to the tent.
"The orders from higher command have arrived."
Horn looked serious.
"Given that the Star Core Ember has been successfully obtained, the Ash Ring has been severely damaged and temporarily retreated, and the Molten Empire's attitude is tough and its local forces should not be underestimated, headquarters has decided to temporarily withdraw from the Scorching Hell Fragment."
"Evacuate?"
Ella was somewhat surprised.
"Those ancient ruins—"
"The Empire has made it clear that it will not allow outsiders to touch the ancient ruins within its territory."
"Forcing an exploration could very well trigger a full-scale war, which would be a losing proposition," Horn explained.
"Moreover, based on the intelligence you brought back and our initial observations of the ruins, the Fiery Hell Observation Tower itself is extremely well protected and deeply bound to the ley lines and otherworldly energy. Forcibly breaking through it would be extremely risky and costly."
"
"At this stage, obtaining the core material, Star Core Ember, and understanding the basic situation and power distribution of the fragment world are already significant gains."
"So, what's next?" Iron Wall asked in a gruff voice.
"Carrying the embers of the star core and all the collected data and samples, we will open a portal through the predetermined coordinates and return to the prime material plane."
Horn looked at Rowling and the other two.
"The three of you will return with the first evacuation team."
"Upon returning to headquarters, immediately report the details to the War Affairs Office and the Research Department, and receive an evaluation and reward."
Finally, I can go back!
Luo Lin breathed a sigh of relief. Although there were still many curiosities and unsolved mysteries surrounding this strange, burning world, the continuous high-pressure infiltration and life-or-death crises had already left him physically and mentally exhausted.
Returning to a familiar environment, reflecting on what we've learned, and improving our skills are what we need most right now.
The evacuation operation was carried out in absolute secrecy.
The Shadow Raven squad used a pre-arranged temporary teleportation array located at an extremely well-hidden energy node deep in the valley to evacuate in batches.
Rolin, Flame Shield, and Nightingale were among the first to stand on the teleportation array, along with Lord Horn, Captain Ella, and several injured apprentices.
Shadow and Ironwall stayed behind with the remaining personnel to cover the rear and destroy any traces of the camp; they would be among the last to evacuate.
The familiar dizziness returned, and bizarre, surreal scenes flashed before my eyes.
When his feet touched solid ground again, and he felt the familiar elemental environment of the Prime Material Plane, as well as the unique air of the Shadowraven Tower's main teleportation hall, a mixture of dust, parchment, and energy crystals, Roland knew that they had truly returned.
The surrounding area was filled with busy officials and wizarding apprentices. When Lord Horn and his party suddenly appeared, especially the three ragged but remarkably composed first-ring wizards, they all cast curious glances at them.
Horn ignored them and said to Rowling and the other two, "Come with me, directly to the Senate Special Hearing Room."
"The higher-ups are already waiting."
Passing through familiar corridors and staircases, we arrived at a heavily guarded black spire deep within headquarters.
In a solemn and dignified hall with thick carpets and ancient star maps hanging on the walls, Rowling and his companions met several high-ranking members of the Shadowraven Tower, including the third-ringed wizard who had issued the mission earlier, as well as two other elders whose auras were unfathomable.
Horn stepped forward and gave a brief report on the overall mission situation, highlighting the loss of contact between the Anchor Seekers and the outstanding contributions of the Ash Squad, especially their successful capture of the Star Core Embers and the acquisition of key intelligence regarding the Molten Empire and the Ash Ring operation.
When Horn presented the box containing the embers of the star core, the elders all showed expressions of satisfaction and importance.
The old wizard of the third ring personally opened the box to check it, and nodded after confirming that everything was correct.
"well done."
The old wizard's gaze swept over Rolin and the other two, his voice calm yet carrying an invisible pressure.
"Horn has reported your detailed operations in the Fragment World."
, 7
"Disguise and infiltrate deep behind enemy lines, remain calm in the face of danger, and ultimately seize the key objective."
"Your courage, wisdom, and adaptability have exceeded the expectations for this mission."