Wizard: I'm leveling up by AFK in another world

Sunlight pierced through the towering tree canopy and shone on the moss-covered stone path.

A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of flowers and earth.

This is the "Emerald Barrier," located four hundred miles east of the battlefield ruins of the Bridge of Sighs.

A year has passed.

Winter is over, and the Spring Festival is approaching.

Kellan, the vice-commander of the Silvermoon Knights, stood on the newly renovated fortress wall, his newly forged mithril armor gleaming in the sunlight.

Kellan took a deep breath, lowered his head, and looked down at the plains below the fortress.

Fifty thousand fully armed Silver Tree Elf soldiers are conducting drills in orderly formations on the plains.

Sunlight shone on tens of thousands of sharp elven scimitars, making them appear as if a shimmering silver ocean had been spread across the plains.

Eight thousand Silver Moon Knights weaved back and forth along the edge of the square formation, their hooves thundering like rolling thunder, causing the stone bricks of the city wall to tremble slightly.

Immediately afterwards, the group of mages at the center of the formation chanted ancient incantations, causing dark clouds to gather in the sky.

A deafening clap of thunder echoed through the sky, and lightning bolts falling from the dark clouds leveled several distant mountain peaks.

Kelland watched all this, clenching his fists tightly.

The adjutant strode up the stone steps of the city wall, carrying a thick sheepskin map in his hands.

He came up behind Kellan and bowed respectfully.

"Your Excellency Deputy Commander, the morning training of all units has ended, and the soldiers are in excellent condition."

"According to the logistics department's report, the newly replenished magic crystals and mithril weapons have all been distributed to the grassroots squads."

Kelland turned around and strode to a large wooden table in the center of the city gate tower.

The adjutant immediately followed and laid the sheepskin map flat on the table.

The map is marked with a dense array of red and blue flags.

Blue represents elves, and red represents wizards.

Kelland looked at it for a while, then tapped a red cross on the far east side of the map.

That is the Elven Royal Court.

What was once a sacred place is now a desolate ruin.

"About a year ago, we suffered a crushing defeat here." His fingertip slid westward along the red cross. "But now, look at this."

"Leaf Valley, Wind Howling Highlands, and even this Emerald Fortress, are all back in our hands."

The adjutant stared at the vast areas on the map marked by blue flags, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism.

"Your Excellency, in the past few months, you have led us in launching forty-seven consecutive attacks. Those invaders were simply no match for our regrouped army."

"Like frightened rabbits, they kept abandoning their strongholds and fled westward."

Kelland sneered, "The disastrous defeat at the Bridge of Sighs was nothing more than those wizards catching us off guard by relying on the power of the evil god they worshipped."

"Under the protection of the great Father God, the evil gods have vanished without a trace, and they are like headless flies, unable to mount even a proper counterattack."

"At first I thought they were hiding some kind of conspiracy, but now it seems there must be a big problem within their ranks because of the fall of the evil god!"

"They're out of magic!" the adjutant replied confidently. "The latest research results from the mage corps are in."

"They analyzed the data collected over the past year and found that although these wizards possessed powerful magic, their magic replenishment rate was very slow."

"There have been no reports of encountering those metal golems for the past three months. Clearly, these behemoths also require magic to operate, and the wizards don't have much spare capacity. This should also be the reason why they have been shrinking their battle lines."

"Hmm." Kelland was very satisfied with the report. "Go and compile this report into a written form, and bring it to my drawing room in a moment."

His expression became somewhat complicated: "Bring that guy over here, I need to see him."

……

……

When Kelland entered the reception room, the guest he was to be received was already there waiting for him.

After a year apart, this once most trusted captain of the rangers seemed to have completely changed.

His once brilliant golden hair had turned gray and withered, and a terrible burn scar on his left cheek made his handsome face look particularly gloomy.

"I thought you'd perished during the great retreat a year ago." Kelland walked over, a friendly smile on his face. "Did you see our troops doing their morning exercises just now?"

Fran glanced at him but said nothing.

Kelland didn't seem to care, and looked out the window with his hands behind his back.

"Fifty thousand troops, fully equipped and ready to go! A year ago, we were almost destroyed. Now, we have the best opportunity to wash away our shame."

"I told you this when I arrived here yesterday, Vice Commander," Fran's voice was unusually hoarse, "Absolutely do not attack the starship camp. You should immediately go to the Silvermoon Tree Forest to see Prince Elion and seek his opinion."

"Ask for his opinion?" Kelland turned around and stared directly at Fran. "A guy who disappeared after the Battle of the Bridge of Sighs and was presumed dead by everyone?"

"He's been hiding in the shadows, barely surviving for a year, and hasn't accomplished anything. Now that I've raised an army of 50,000, he sends you here to give me orders?"

"Your Highness means no that," Fran said. "But I must point out that your victory is merely a false illusion. The wizards are deliberately tightening their defenses and conserving their strength."

"You're sending these 50,000 men to attack their main base, which they've been preparing for a year. It's like throwing their lives away for nothing."

"Shut up!" Kelland slammed his hand on the table. "You tremble before our great magic and sword!"

"Fran, you used to be my bravest warrior. Where is that ranger who fought his way in and out of orcish encirclements? A few sneak attacks by the wizards and you've been completely scared out of your wits!"

Fran didn't say anything more.

Kelland took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger surging within him.

He softened his tone, trying to persuade the other party in a different way.

"Fran, I have summoned you alone today because you were once my most trusted subordinate." He stepped forward and placed his hand on Fran's shoulder.

"I have not rejected His Highness Elian's resolute cooperation, but I, and the rebuilt elven army, do not need an extra superior to dictate our actions!"

"Go back and tell him to bring his men to the Emerald Barrier. If he is willing to join our ranks and accept my command, I can acknowledge him as the new saint of the Silver Tree Elves."

"Together we will storm the invaders' camp and restore the glory of the Silver Tree Elves!"

"I refuse," Fran replied decisively. "Your Highness would never agree to such a foolish, suicidal attack. You have no idea what kind of monster we are facing."