Wizard: My magic facility can be upgraded!

Chapter 101 Blank Portrait

Upon entering the room, Commander Negan's calm vanished instantly, replaced by utter solemnity. He quickly gave orders to the team members on the first floor:

"Everyone, take turns resting, maintain the highest level of alert, and do not leave without orders!" At the same time, he gave Captain Eric a look.

Eric understood and immediately walked to the window. He tapped his wand lightly, and a barely perceptible airflow barrier quietly formed, isolating the sounds from inside and outside.

Commander Negan, along with three captains, quickly went up to the second floor. After confirming that the environment was relatively safe, he immediately used the badge on his chest to establish emergency communication with the Wizard Tower at the highest encryption level.

"Headquarters, this is Negan. We've located the 12th Squad and all the villagers... but they're in extremely abnormal condition, seemingly completely controlled by some force, and... perhaps no longer even alive. We're currently trapped in the underground replica village; their intentions are unclear, but they pose a significant threat. Requesting immediate support, repeat, requesting immediate support!"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the communicator, followed by a calm voice: "Situation received. Deacon Seronster has led three teams to provide support. You remain where you are and conduct your investigation."

Upon hearing the news from headquarters, Commander Negan and the three captains breathed a slight sigh of relief. Deacon Celonst was renowned within the enforcement team, second only to the faction leader and the elusive Professor Diana in strength. His presence leading the support team was undoubtedly a major boost to morale.

Inside the room on the second floor, Commander-in-Chief Negan lowered his voice and discussed the matter with the three captains.

"The reinforcements are on their way, but we need to clarify the current situation," Commander Negan said, his gaze sweeping over the three men.

"The other side has not shown any intention to attack directly so far; I think they are stalling for time."

Captain Eric nodded and continued:

"I agree. They want to keep us trapped here, either to complete some kind of ritual, or they're waiting for something."

Captain Natasha of the Sixth Squad suggested another possibility:

"Perhaps they are also trying to lull us into a false sense of security, so that we can lower our guard before making their move. The villagers and members of the 12th squad are like puppets being manipulated. The mastermind behind this may be trying to use this illusion of peace to lower our guard."

Captain Martin of the Fourth Squad stroked his chin and pondered:

"There's another possibility...do they have some kind of 'rules' that restrict them? For example, can't they attack us first within the area of ​​this replicated village? Or do they need to maintain some kind of balance before the ritual is complete?"

Negan carefully considered the three captains' deductions, and finally said in a deep voice:

"But whichever the possibility, we also need time to wait for support."

Next, without immediately escalating conflict, we must complete our mission and investigate the truth as thoroughly as possible.

Commander Negan pondered for a moment and formulated the subsequent action plan:

"Tomorrow, we will conduct reconnaissance in small groups within the village, focusing on observing the villagers' behavior patterns and searching for traces of rituals or sources of magic. If we encounter combat, we should not linger. We should immediately signal to assemble and retreat to the vicinity of the passage leading to the mine. That area is relatively close to the surface and we might be able to obtain fire support from the Hunter. Our current location is too deep, and artillery fire will have difficulty penetrating effectively. Even if it does penetrate, its power will be greatly reduced."

With the strategy set, the three team leaders went downstairs to relay instructions to their team members.

When Captain Eric informed the members of the Eighth Squad of the current situation and the plan, suppressed gasps and gasps could be faintly heard from the next room.

In contrast, the members of the Eighth Squad, though their expressions were solemn, appeared unusually calm. The gloom that had accompanied them on their journey had vanished, and they seemed to have made some kind of resolution as they prepared themselves.

The following morning, to avoid arousing suspicion from the other side, Commander Negan assembled his troops as usual and opened the door of the small building.

Outside the door, the old village chief and Ronald and others from the twelfth squad were already standing quietly waiting, as if they hadn't slept all night.

This made Li Ang frown; it was clearly surveillance to prevent them from escaping.

Commander Negan, seemingly oblivious to anything amiss, put on a warm smile and stepped forward to embrace the old village chief.

"Grandpa, thank you so much for letting us rest here for the night. We feel much better now and are preparing to return to the tower to report today."

His move was a test; if the other party allowed them to pass, they would find another excuse to turn back; if they were blocked, it would confirm their suspicions.

Sure enough, as soon as the village chief heard that they were leaving, he immediately responded in his flat voice:

"Unfortunately... there was a heavy rain last night... the mine shaft outside was washed away."

He paused, his empty eyes sweeping over the crowd. "However... the villagers have already started clearing... in a few more days, they'll be able to clear a path."

"Torrential rain?" Negan feigned a perfectly timed expression of surprise. "Torrential rain and landslide? Do you need our help? We have members who are skilled in earth magic."

At this moment, Ronald awkwardly interjected:

"We... will help. We... have spent many days with the villagers... and will be able to cooperate with them better."

Negan nodded and said, "Alright then. Thank you for your trouble." Then, changing his tone to a more relaxed one, he said to the village chief:

"Sir, since we can't leave for the time being, and our team members live inside the tower year-round and rarely come out, they are very interested in the outside world. I wonder if we could let them tour the village? As for me, I would like to discuss the delivery volume of Wind Essence Stones for next year with you."

The village chief was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay..."

So, Commander Negan followed the village chief to his residence, while the three teams dispersed to begin their investigations.

Li Ang's eighth squad arrived at the village tavern first. Inside, several villagers were silently drinking dark green liquid, showing no reaction to Li Ang and his group's arrival.

The bartender glanced at them blankly and asked:

"Would you like some...absinthe?"

Captain Eric tentatively asked, "Is there anything else?"

The bartender remained silent for a moment, then repeated, "Would you like some... absinthe?"

Eric nodded. "Five drinks, please." He led his team to a corner by the window in the tavern, a spot that would block the bartender's and other patrons' view.

The bartender quickly brought over five glasses of dark green liquid, placed them down, and then returned to the bar.

Eric looked at Leon, who understood. Leon picked up the glass, fanned the air with his hand to smell the aroma, then carefully observed the color and suspended matter in the liquid, and whispered:

"It does smell and look like absinthe. The ingredients... don't seem unusual at the moment, but it's best not to drink it."