Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 190 Play it safe, retreat first!

Chapter 190 Let's play it safe and retreat first!

The third campaign is progressing smoothly.

Whether it's the Second Regiment attacking from the front or the First and Third Regiments flanking from both sides, they are about to capture the fortress.

The special forces team that infiltrated behind enemy lines has also destroyed the "biological factory".

It is not a "disease" that has been bio-modified and enhanced, lacking the ability to spread between fairies. Destroying the "bio-factory" would make it impossible to continue.

The scale of the fairy mutation will not expand indefinitely.

More manpower will be able to be preserved after the war.

The benefits gained, such as human resources, are even greater.

In addition, the special forces team discovered the Fairy King's sleeping place and made a new discovery.

Sage Paro was quite satisfied with the holographic projection of the war situation.

All we need to do is destroy the fairy royal family's resistance, eliminate the fairies with strong will to resist, and then kill the easily defeated fairy king.

This would then signify a major victory in the first phase of the Fairy World Conquest War: the Annihilation War.

In fact, it was never difficult for the Sage Paro to conquer the fairy world.

The difficulty lies in governing the area after it has been captured.

There are too many examples to prove that direct, high-pressure enslavement is no match for the control provided by agents.

Based on the idea that he did not want to get bogged down in a quagmire of counterinsurgency, the Sage of Paro did not choose to confront the enemy head-on from the beginning and take the path of forceful conquest. Instead, he used a strategy of appeasement.

Sending a special envoy at the start was a brilliant move.

If the Fairy King can withstand the will of the Fairy World and is willing to become a vassal and surrender to the Wizarding World.

Sage Paro can save some effort and time, and focus on helping the Wizarding World's World Will reshape the Fairy World's World Will to complete this conquest mission.

The Fairy King, unwilling or unable to surrender, chose to kill the envoy and actively provoked a war, thus falling into the same trap set by the Sage of Paro.

Bustling crowds, people coming and going for profit.

The interests of the Fairy King, the Fairy Royal Family, the Fairy Royal Clan, the other Fairy Races, and the overall interests of the Fairy World all differ.

By exploiting these differences and sending multiple special envoys, we can always find doves who are unwilling to participate in the war, and even more so, we can find traitors who are willing to become collaborators in order to gain greater benefits.

Agents are those good-natured doves and spineless collaborators.

Especially for those nimble but weak-willed guides, they are very adept at using this method.

Often, without any specific instructions, the guides will proactively handle things perfectly.

Saves time, effort, and worry.

With inferior strength and a lack of unity, the Fairy King's chances of winning this asymmetrical war are virtually zero.

The reason why the Sage of Paro did not win decisively in one fell swoop, but instead fought several battles, was not only to train the legion, but also to eliminate as many of the fiercely rebellious fairies as possible.

In this way, the policy of control over the wizarding world can be implemented more smoothly after the war ends.

History is always written by the victors.

When two civilizations clash, the history of the defeated civilization is erased, while the victor writes a history that glorifies himself and denigrates the conquered.

The Wizarding World doesn't need to erase the history of civilization in the fairy world; it only needs to "correct" a tiny bit.

Managing public opinion and conducting large-scale, long-term brainwashing is enough.

Doves and traitors will use "facts" to spread the story of the Fairy King's evil to the common fairies.

They claim that the Fairy King started this war for his own selfish reasons, disregarding the interests of millions of fairies.

Promoting the wizarding world's counterattack is a last resort.

To proclaim that the Fairy King's death was no loss, the royal family's demise was inevitable, and the extinction of the royal family was in the interest of all fairy races.

It proclaims that the wizarding world overthrew the fairy royal family, primarily due to the royal family's cruel and exploitative rule over the fairy world, bringing freedom and democracy to the fairy world...

Promoting the fairy world as a vassal of the wizard world is never a bad thing, but rather a new starting point for a bright future.

This is the second phase of the Sage Paro's conquest of the fairy world: the ideological war.

After the two wars ended, the focus shifted to strengthening control and reaping the rewards of resource development.

At that time, as long as sufficient armed forces are left behind, the legion can be recalled to its headquarters for reorganization and training.

Then came the beginning of Sage Paro's formal conquest of the heavens.

This expedition to the fairy world was merely a training exercise arranged by the academy to help Sage Paro adapt to the role transition from a captain of a main force to a legion commander.

The Sage Paro's transformation was quick and precise.

After several maneuvers, the Legion had taken on the shape of the Paro Sage.

Meanwhile, in the Fairy King's Forest.

While the Sage Paro was observing the battlefield situation on the holographic projection, Link and Asander had already rushed to the outskirts of the Fairy King's sleeping place to meet up with Lord Otis and the others.

What's going on?

Having just arrived at the high point where Otis and his group were located, Link couldn't help but feel puzzled when he saw what was happening not far below.

Two groups of demons have actually started fighting amongst themselves, attacking each other relentlessly.

The battle scenes were extremely intense.

Neither side held back, and the fighting became fierce, resulting in heavy casualties, with corpses strewn everywhere and blood flowing all over the ground.

Upon closer inspection, Link discovered that the larger group consisted of fairies in their normal state, while the smaller group, whose members were less attractive, were fairies who had undergone a slight mutation.

The slightly mutated fairy's combat power was significantly higher, overwhelming the fairy in its normal state.

If things continue this way, the ones who will definitely win are these slightly mutated fairies.

"Dude, what's going on here?"

Unlike Link, Asander didn't hesitate to ask directly in the team chat.

Even though the big boss Otis knew that Asander was asking on behalf of Link, this newbie, he wasn't annoyed. Instead, he offered an explanation:

"When we arrived, they were already fighting amongst themselves."

They captured two people, used mind control techniques to learn the whole story.

The fairy who successfully survived the highly unsuccessful biochemical modification and enhancement called herself the "new generation." For some reason, her personality gradually changed, and she began to look down on normal fairies more and more.

The two demons started by arguing, but the conflict escalated and eventually led to them killing each other.

The second prince of the fairy royal family failed to suppress the rebellion and was instead assassinated and seriously injured by a fairy nobleman.

The situation spiraled out of control and developed into what it is now.

Link knew that Asander was asking on his behalf, and he gave Asander a slightly grateful look to express his thanks.

"snort!"

Loken suddenly spoke up, his tone quite displeased.

He captured those two tongues.

After Otis cast the spell of mind control, Loken also conducted the torture.

In short, this intelligence was painstakingly obtained by Loken, but Link found out for nothing.

This made Loken somewhat unhappy.

Very upset.

Ignoring the wizard Loken's displeasure, the great Otis gestured to Link, pointing to the two fairies lying on the ground—one normal and one enhanced—and said, "Link, investigate this and see if you can find the reason for the enhanced fairy's personality change."

"Yes."

Link readily accepted the task.

He first used wood-based witchcraft techniques to build a simple dissection table and placed the enhanced fairy on it.

They then removed their backpacks, took out dissection and biochemical testing equipment, and began a comprehensive examination of the enhanced fairy.

Which of the wizards present has not performed an autopsy?

I had absolutely no interest in the somewhat bloody and brutal dissection process.

I was just a little curious about the test results.

The reason they waited for Link to arrive before starting the inspection was not because they had forgotten the relevant knowledge and skills, but because everyone has their own area of expertise.

The results of their tests may not be as accurate as Link's.

Link worked quickly, completing the inspection and examination of the enhanced fairy in less than 20 minutes and identifying two highly probable causes.

After careful consideration, Link reported to his superior:

"Captain, the enhancement of these fairies is incomplete. The excessive consumption of life force during the enhancement process has already had a certain impact on their willpower."

What they exhibit is that they remain rational, but their emotions have changed, amplifying some of their darker sides, such as becoming more indifferent, arrogant, or selfish.

Furthermore, I sensed a peculiar aura fluctuation nearby, which had a rather strong influence on the enhanced fairies, seemingly igniting their killing intent.

After a pause, Link gave a somewhat uncertain guess: "The source of that peculiar aura fluctuation might be the sleeping Fairy King."

"Um."

Otis responded, then turned to Asander and asked, "Did you sense it? What do you think of Link's deduction? Is it valid?"

Asander sensed it carefully for a moment, then nodded and said, "I agree with Link's deduction. Furthermore, I think this might be some kind of ritual. It's common for abyssal demons to heal their injuries through killing. The Fairy King made a deal with the abyssal demons and might possess such abilities."

"Report this situation to the command center and request instructions on the next steps."

The big boss, Otis, made the arrangements.

Asander immediately closed his eyes, adjusted his mental state, and entered the ultra-long-distance communication mode, using the unique methods of a true spirit wizard to contact the front-line command.

Shortly afterward, Asander finished his report and received a reply.

He opened his eyes and said, "The frontline command is asking if our team has the capability to eliminate the Fairy King. If so, proceed with the decapitation strike; if not, interrupt the ceremony and await reinforcements."

After a moment of careful consideration, Lord Ortis decided to play it safe: "Reply to the frontline command that our primary objective is to disrupt the ceremony, with decapitation as a secondary objective. Request reinforcements as a precaution."

"Yes."

Asander responded, then closed his eyes again and made a long-distance contact with the frontline command.

Approval for the operation came quickly, and support was dispatched, led by another Level 3 wizard from the intelligence department.

The special forces team checked their own condition and equipment, and after confirming that everything was in order, they began their operation.

The first move is still the stealth and invisibility that Link is very familiar with.

This tactic is arguably the most popular in any world.

While waiting to reunite, Lord Otis, along with Loken, "Black Cat" Betty, the twins Onx, and Marco, captured more than two people and tortured them.

They also explored the terrain of the place where the Fairy King slept.

The special forces team bypassed the two fiercely fighting demons and quickly infiltrated the labyrinthine building deep underground.

A person's nickname is not given for no reason.

Betty, nicknamed "Black Cat," is called that because she has cat-like eyes, a cat-like sensitivity, and a cat-like intuition.

No trap or mechanism in the underground labyrinth could escape her eyes; she found them all.

They may ignore it, destroy it, or bypass it.

For the fairies in the fairy world, the traps and mechanisms in the labyrinthine mazes, which are extremely well hidden and highly lethal, are practically useless against the seven wizards in the special forces team.

The special forces team moved at lightning speed from the top floor of the underground labyrinth to the bottom floor.

Based on his senses from the journey, Link realized that the underground labyrinth had an inverted pyramid-shaped structure.

The bottom layer is also the narrowest layer.

This floor has only one spacious hall, with no other rooms.

The dome, four walls, and floor of the hall are all engraved with strange patterns.

Wisps of emerald green blood energy, after being absorbed, transformed, and purified through the upper layers of the inverted pyramid maze, transformed into a slightly strange life force, merging into these eerie patterns and converging towards the stone platform located in the very center of the hall.

On the stone platform lay the Fairy King, who had lost an arm and whose upper body was swollen, fast asleep.

As expected, Asander's prediction was correct.

The Fairy King is indeed using an evil ritual obtained from the demons of the abyss in an attempt to heal his injuries.

However, the ritual seemed to have gone wrong; instead of healing the Fairy King's injuries, it was actually changing his life form.

The moment Link saw the Fairy King, he instinctively felt that the Fairy King's state was very similar to that of the Insect God.

Caught between life and death, seemingly alive yet dead, seemingly dead yet alive.

The body and soul are now in different states.

Level 4 extraordinary life forms have, after all, undergone a second leap in their life essence.

Even when critically injured and on the verge of death, the Fairy King was not oblivious to the impending danger.

As the special forces team stepped into the hall, the Fairy King, who had been sleeping, suddenly opened his eyes.

The Fairy King first glanced at the seven members of the special forces team, then fixed his gaze on the most threatening one, Lord Otis.

He also kept a watchful eye on the somewhat unfathomable wizard, Loken.

A hazy, blood-red light shot from the Fairy King's eyes, and his body emanated the pressure of a level 4 powerhouse.

Undeterred, Lord Otis met the Fairy King's gaze directly, withstanding the Fairy King's oppressive aura without affecting his team members. He then issued a series of orders:

"Betty is scouting the surroundings and monitoring for anomalies."

"Asander and Link, guard the entrance and cut off the fairies' reinforcements. They should be ready to support the battle as needed."

"Onx, Marco, fire on these patterns and disrupt the ritual."

"Loken and I will find the right opportunity to attack, focusing on destroying the stone platform and attacking the Fairy King as a secondary objective."

Everyone immediately obeyed the order.

"Black Cat" Betty, Asander, and Link quickly took a few steps back and left the hall.

One person controls numerous bionic hummingbirds to monitor the entire underground labyrinth of the inverted pyramid.

The two men stood guard at the entrance of the hall, keeping an eye on the reconnaissance footage to guard against reinforcements, while also being prepared to provide support for the battle in the hall at any time.

Link had actually noticed something unusual about the Fairy King.

The color of the Fairy King's eyes changed from the emerald green of the fairy race to a deep blue.

His pupils had become completely swirling.

There must be a reason for this anomaly.

However, the current situation is not suitable for further research, nor is it appropriate to make any rash suggestions that might distract the four main teammates.

Link could only write it down himself and ponder it silently.

The twins, Onx and Marco, made the first move.

The methods were brutal, but the goal was clear.

Both brothers use the powerful first-level fire magic, Exploding Fireball, as their innate magic.

They started directly with their innate witchcraft.

In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen orange fireballs the size of human heads poured out, crashing into the dome, the surrounding walls, and the floor, attempting to destroy the eerie patterns.

Lord Otis and Loken stood ready, prepared to intervene at any moment to stop the Fairy King's obstruction.

However, the Fairy King did not make a sound except to open his eyes and watch.

The sound of explosions continued to ring out.

Flames billowed, sparks flew, and the hall shook violently.

Large sections of brick and stone from the dome and surrounding walls crumbled and fell, and the floor was blasted into large, deep craters.

The eerie patterns in the hall were almost completely destroyed in an instant.

The emerald green blood essence had almost completely evaporated.

Only the stone platform where the Fairy King lay was shielded by an invisible and intangible shield, unaffected by the explosion.

"wrong!"

A flash of blood-red light appeared in Asander's eyes, and he exclaimed, "This is an illusion, not the real place! It might be a trap!"

As a true spirit wizard, Asander is more perceptive in the realm of soul perception than the level three wizard Otis.

He didn't realize it until the exploding fireball damaged the illusion.

From Otis down, including Link whose perception had been constantly increasing since his training, none of the team members noticed anything unusual.

Of course, I choose to believe Asander!

"withdraw!"

Lord Euthys decisively gave the order.

This appears to be a trap; the situation is unclear, so we must not act rashly.

Let's retreat to a safe location first and wait for support before discussing anything else.

Anyway, the ceremony has already been almost completely ruined.

If all else fails, we can try to drive the two groups of demons away from the outside.

The special forces team quickly retreated from the bottom level and moved towards the top of the inverted pyramid, trying to break out of the underground maze as soon as possible.

Surprisingly, the retreat was not hindered in any way.

Not only did the Fairy King, who had already awakened, not interfere, but the two groups of fairies who should have sensed the commotion at the bottom also did not interfere.

This situation is very suspicious and illogical.

Link couldn't help but recall the Fairy King's deep blue eyes and swirling pupils.

The more I thought about it, the more suspicious I became.

"Multi-threaded thinking," activate!

Without hesitation, Link unleashed his full power, transforming into a humanoid supercomputer equipped with top-tier AI.

Combined with "brain shut-in" and memory palace techniques, it allows for rapid memory retrieval.

Scenes after the reunion flashed rapidly through Link's mind.

He quickly noticed the glint of bloodlust in Asander's eyes before he spoke up to warn him.

Looking back, everyone in the special forces team, including Otis, reacted immediately upon hearing Asander's warning, which was to retreat.

They retreated without even trying!

Does this make sense?

Does this match the status of Otis, a level three wizard?