Anyone involved in the field of magic cannot avoid the name "Alzu". He is a recognized ceiling-level warlock and has made countless achievements in his lifetime.

The most famous of these is leading the Warlock Research Group and creating the Demon Hunter Mutation Trial.

The reason why Gray Owl, who did not learn magic, also knew Alzu's name was that Alzu's influence on the political history of the North was too profound.

In that major event that affected the situation in the North, the magic of [Alzu Double Cross Summoning] was once again the protagonist.

Legend has it that in the last century, Prince Maribor and Duke Elland launched a protracted "Endless War" to compete for the throne of Temeria, and the two fought for several generations.

But the war was finally ended under the mediation of the warlock Alzu, and his way of mediation was to use the [Alzu Double Cross Summoning Technique] to summon the saliva demon from another world - a creature that looks like a centipede and is the largest creature in history.

Then he swept through the Duke of Elland's army.

"Have you learned this spell?" The Gray Owl made an incredulous sound. This was a spell that was powerful enough to destroy a city!

If Viggofortz really learned the [Alzu Double Cross Summoning Technique], he would undoubtedly become the strongest warlock in the world and the most strategically valuable warlock!

"If I could, I wouldn't be here to flatter you for so long." Viggofortz smiled sarcastically.

The Tawny Owl was immediately disappointed, but at the same time, heaved a faint sigh of relief.

"But you should know that a new celestial sphere intersection is about to begin... Maybe you don't understand what this means, but for warlocks like us, this is a great opportunity." Viggofortz sneered, "I have been working on several biological alchemy projects for monster research, and I have made a big breakthrough recently."

"If these powerful monsters join forces with the monsters that have been increasing in number recently..."

Vigfortz looked up in the direction of Brokilon Town. "Destroying a city may be difficult, but destroying a town is definitely beyond your reach. The turmoil caused by this can also provide an opportunity for you to bring people in to capture Cirilla."

Tawny Owl accepted Vigfortz's reasoning.

The two discussed the details of the surprise attack on Brokilon Town, and then the Imperial Coroner reunited with his team through the reappearing portal and continued to make preparations to head north.

Until he was the only one left in the study, the calm and composed attitude that Viggofortz had maintained all along finally collapsed bit by bit.

He looked at the battle report handed over by Emperor Emhyr, and his body began to tremble.

"Magic teleportation without spells, area magic that instantly killed hundreds of people, the combat capability of a single person to raid a military camp of tens of thousands of people... It's been less than two years, less than two years!

"The ancient blood actually gave the Lannister such powerful power!"

"Ancient blood can indeed conquer the world!"

Viggofortz became more certain of his interpretation of the prophecy, and his desire for the ancient blood reached a peak at this moment.

"It's almost there, it's almost there..."

Vigfortz took as deep a breath as he could and calmed himself down.

But he immediately became puzzled: "Why didn't the ancient blood burst out with such strong power in such a short time?"

He pulled out a thick tome that contained a densely packed and intricate genealogy. He counted off each of them one by one, recalling the abilities they had demonstrated throughout history.

The most famous one, besides the first generation of Elf Sage Laura Doron, is the "Prophet" Adalia. And Adalia is only at the traditional level of magic source, and she finally gave up magic in order to become the Queen of Cintra.

After a long time, an epiphany suddenly occurred to Vigfortz's mind.

"Is it... because Lannister is a witcher?"

"The real purpose of Alzu's research on demon hunters is not to eliminate monsters and protect humans as advertised by the outside world, but to find a shortcut to activate the power of the ancient blood?!"

…

Not to mention what outrageous conclusions Viggofortz, who had become obsessed with the Ancient Blood, had come to.

On the other side, after parting with Vigfortz, Lydia van Bradwater immediately opened the portal and returned to the magic laboratory in Aretusa.

The place is filled with canvases, showing various completed or half-finished oil paintings.

The doors and windows were wide open, and the cool sea breeze and sunshine came in from outside.

Lydia first looked at the desk in the middle of the room, on which there were several open magic notebooks and textbooks; then she shifted her gaze and did not see any figure in the room.

The magical phantom covered Lydia's face, which was ruined by the failed experiment, but she herself knew that her covered face was now frowning.

“Ding—ding—”

Just at this moment, a heavy bell sound came melodiously from outside the window.

As a former student and short-term faculty member of Aretuza Academy of Magic, Lydia was very familiar with the bell.

This is the "bell" that starts the day's classes at the Magic Academy.

After spending some time together, she had become familiar with the situation: if the female apprentices of Aretuza went to class, a missing person would return.

So she pulled up a stool, selected a half-finished painting, and began mixing the paint.

When Ace pushed open the door, he saw Ms. Lydia, who was painting in a plain long dress.

She sat closest to the window, so the sunlight could shine on her body, making the circle of small pearls on her collar and the amethyst necklace on her chest flash with a clear texture under the light, casting a hazy halo around the painter.

An indigo corset wrapped around Delia from below her ribs to above her hips. She was not the kind of exaggeratedly plump figure, but rather thin, which was rare among the sorceresses, so she didn't have many curves.

But it is this kind of implicit temperament and lines, combined with her cool temperament, that makes people unable to take their eyes away.

She is painting, but she herself is like the painting.

As expected of Ms. Lydia, Ace sighed in his heart. She is not at the same level as those girls in the magic academy.

Hearing the sound of Ace opening the door and coming in, Lydia didn't turn around, but there was a slight vibration of chaotic energy in the air.

Then a voice came directly into Ace's mind.

"Why don't you practice magic?"

Ace paused after hearing the sorceress's question, with a shy expression on his face: "I have some problems, but you are not here, ma'am."

"I know you've been busy lately, so I can only go and discuss with other apprentices to see if I can get some inspiration..."

Lydia still didn’t turn around: “What’s the problem?”

It seemed like he was trying to fulfill his duties as a teacher.

"About the portal." Ace's eyes suddenly lit up.

Lydia paused and stopped painting with the brush in her hand: "That is not the spell you should master at this stage. Even many graduates of the academy cannot use it freely."

"You should focus on shaping magic, that's what you're good at."

Ace scratched his head, "I see, Ms. Lydia."

Lydia said magically, "This isn't the first time we've talked about this."

"Yes, Ms. Lydia."

The sorceress thought back to their earlier conversation in Vilgefortz's secret laboratory.

After thinking for a while, she finally turned around and stared at Ace with her almost emotionless eyes.

"You were sent here by your Count with high hopes. You are the first warlock apprentice that Cintra has trained on its own in all these years. You shouldn't waste your time like this, and you shouldn't be so ambitious."

It was rare, or perhaps it was the first time, that Lydia spoke such a long string of words in one breath.

"Yes, Ms. Lydia." Ace lowered his head obediently, seeming very embarrassed by Lydia's scolding.

As for what he was thinking, no one could know.

"But." Ace's face suddenly lit up with joy, "Ms. Triss told me some time ago that you are already a duke!"

Lydia didn't respond, just looked at Ace quietly.

Suddenly, a tingling sensation like a needle pricking covered Ace's scalp. At this point, Ace was still unable to cast spells freely, but he was already familiar with the feeling of chaotic energy.

He knew the mind reading had started again.

So, attention began to disperse -

[Ms. Lydia seems to be very busy recently. I don’t know what is bothering her. It’s a pity that so many beautiful paintings have not been completed in time...]

[If I learn how to teleport, will I have the chance to stay with Ms. Lydia in the future? At least when she leaves, I can help her open the door to her destination, so that she can save some energy...]

[Speaking of which, Ms. Triss told me that the Duke has gained new power. He seems to be able to perform miraculous repairs on people from the inside out, and even helped a skinned demon hunter to be reborn...]

[I have heard some rumors about Ms. Lydia recently, despicable rumors... But if they are true, can the Duke's power help Ms. Lydia? ]

[I really should learn how to teleport quickly, and then secretly go back to Cintra to ask...]

The pricking feeling quickly disappeared.

Lydia, Viggofortz's assistant and personal secretary, looked at Ace quietly, looking at this servant of the Cintra Lion and descendant of the Cintra Knight.

Vigfortz's plan was to kill the lion cubs and lions, and even destroy Cintra...

The face shrouded in magical illusion had no expression.

After a long while, Lydia finally spoke slowly using magic:

"Portal is a very advanced and dangerous spell. Don't practice it secretly without my supervision in the future."

"What are your questions?"

Ace was overjoyed.

A new round of magic private lessons has begun.

But only Ace himself knew that his thoughts had now flown to Cintra.

I wonder what Lord Lannister is doing now?

…

"Well done, you are worthy of being Reso!"

Sintra frontline troops, central camp tent.

Ten miles away, Nilfgaardian troops were confronting the Cintra army, but the atmosphere in the tent was already heating up.

It was because the news brought back from Reso was too exciting.

Marshal Visage excitedly rearranged the troop deployment on the sand table.

"The Nilfgaardians' largest granary is gone, so their forces must be reduced."

"Their troops have already been stretched thin after passing through the guerrillas. According to our intelligence, their troops are now moving as far south as possible to surround Joachim de Witt."

"The only problem is that the guy, as the western commander, has been hiding in the Otaga Fortress. It will be difficult for us to attack it with our forces..."

"No, Marshal." Lann smiled, "With our 'troop strength', it is actually easiest to attack the city now."

The Ortaga Fortress is the largest fortress in southern Sintra. When Sintra was not so large, this fortress played the role of a border guard and guarded against multiple neighboring countries.

A small town was built around this fortress, which can accommodate tens of thousands of people at the same time, including civilians, soldiers, merchants, etc.

Now the fortress is full of Nilfgaardians. Cintra's once strongest barrier has become Nilfgaard's defense. This is now a thorn in the hearts of Cintra officers - even Calanthe, with a force of 20,000 at his peak, may not be able to capture the Ortaga Fortress occupied by the Nilfgaardians.

But at this moment, listening to Lann's words, Marshal Vissekid's eyes sparkled.

"Could it be that... the armor that Mahakam has made for the Frost Giant is ready? Can our Cintra's war beasts go and roar at the black sun?"

The marshal was very excited, but Lan denied his guess.

"It's almost done." Lan nodded, "But I don't plan to use Yoden here."

"The Ice Giant's height is still a bit disadvantageous against the city wall, and the city defense equipment is still a bit tricky for him. I plan to put him in the final battle with the Central Army Group. That will be his stage."

"So what do you mean?"

Facing the marshal's question, Lann turned his attention to Sakia who was staring at the sand table intently.

Xiaolongnu seems to be very interested in military knowledge and has been studying it eagerly during this period.

"Faced with high walls and strong cities, many people would think of more powerful and advanced siege equipment." Lan En smiled, "But isn't the best way to just fly in?"

"It would be better if they all stayed in the city..."

The marshal listened to Lan's plan and looked at the Black Sun chess on the sand table. His expression kept changing, and finally he no longer had any doubts.

"Lane, do you have a way to replicate the tactics you used in the Eastern Army?"

The marshal suddenly came up with an idea: "That's the one you proposed...kill the general and seize the flag?"

"In this kind of city defense battle, if the commander and senior officers are suddenly assassinated, the blow to morale will be far greater than in a field battle."

The marshal's eyes brightened. He was greedy, a greed that all Cintra people share.

But Lann unexpectedly shook his head.

"No, Marshal. I am not going to do that this time. Quite the opposite. I am going to let this Duke Witte escape and return to Nilfgaard."

The marshal was stunned, but soon reacted: "You want to extend the war to politics?"

Lann nodded and said, "There is one thing that I have always felt is wrong. When I was in the Eastern Army Group, they had more abundant arms and equipment, and even a whole army of warlocks led by senior warlocks. But our Western Army Group -"

Lann spread out his palms: "Nothing. Everything seems to have returned to the most primitive state of war."

"This is normal for the countries in the north, but it is abnormal for Nilfgaard."

The marshal's breath choked, and the "country in the north" seemed to include the former Cintra.

Wars at that time were still very traditional and simple. The battlefield was a place to gain honor, and officers and nobles generally believed that allowing warlocks to participate was a very weak act.

"So it's not that I want to extend the war to politics. I suspect that Emperor Emhyr of the Empire has already used the war to continue his own politics."

"His main force is in Marshal Menno's Central Army Group, and Duke Witte is just cannon fodder. He hopes to eliminate Duke Witte through us, the people of Cintria, and the Western Army Group is our gift to complete this 'commission'; and while we accept this gift that we cannot refuse, we will also consume a large amount of manpower..."

Marshal Visegid showed an incredible expression: "Using tens of thousands of troops as cannon fodder, this is too..."

"It's not just them. We are cannon fodder too." Lann said leisurely, "It's just that we have hidden too much power, too much power beyond the emperor's expectation. This gives us the confidence to accept this 'gift'."

"So many Nilfgaardians, so much Black Sun blood... It's enough to wash away the shame of the people of Cintra." Lan narrowed his eyes, "And as a return gift, I plan to send his duke back."

"Is it because Witt is dissatisfied with Enhyr? It's better to keep such a person than to kill him. Is that what you think?" The marshal also had a rich political mind and easily followed Lann.

“But from what I understand, Emhyr’s attitude is very tough. What if he directly executes Witte after he returns from the defeat?”

Lann chuckled: "That's good, isn't it? We won't lose anything anyway."