Chapter 187-1: On the Cultivation of Old Coins (Part 1)

Li De felt a familiar aura coming from the direction of the City Lord's Mansion, and his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Especially when he sensed the Magic Shield above the City Lord's Mansion shatter within just a few seconds, the ominous feeling in his chest grew even stronger.

"Is that Viscount Berna's aura?" He asked Emi and Grote, somewhat uncertain.

"Yes, Lord Progenitor, it's Viscount Berna's aura. No one knows him better than we do," Emi nodded. Having spent twenty years within the Dark Pact, although he hadn't gained Berna's absolute trust, it wasn't hard to identify him.

Grote confirmed as well.

"Yes, Your Majesty, it's definitely Viscount Berna."

Li De glanced at the two of them, his expression growing oddly complicated.

Viscount Berna's true target likely wasn't the Crimson Mage Tower at all, but the City Lord's Mansion.

All the previous doubts now connected like pieces of a puzzle.

No wonder Viscount Berna, despite having overwhelming power over the Crimson Mage Tower, had still gone to so much trouble preparing.

First, he used the Evening Bell Church's power to create a mysterious weapon that could suppress Artifacts.

Then he spent months plotting to open a portal to the Abyss, drawing the high-level professionals of Green City away.

At first, Li De had thought Berna was just being cautious, but now it seemed that the Crimson Mage Tower had been nothing more than a smokescreen from the start.

The true goal was singular: the City Lord's Mansion.

But why didn't Berna just target the City Lord's Mansion directly? Why make such a huge detour?

Then Li De seemed to sense something, and he suddenly turned his head. Through the half-open window, he saw five powerful professionals with levels over 15 appear around the Crimson Mage Tower.

The five high-level professionals had completely surrounded Witherbone, who was commanding his Bone Dragon to attack the Crimson Mage Tower.

This scene made Li De instantly understand.

"This misdirection tactic is flawless."

Li De's eyes gleamed with deep admiration. Viscount Berna truly deserved his title as the mastermind behind the massive Dark Pact.

If he hadn't had Emi as an insider and hadn't infiltrated the Dark Pact to capture those three top-tier combatants above level 15, everyone in the Dark Pact would have been used as pawns by Viscount Berna right now.

With Witherbone the Necromancer, Emi, Grote, Stanley, and the late Cologne; those five top-tier combatants launching an assault on the Crimson Mage Tower, it would have absolutely drawn out most of the high-level professionals still in Green City during such a sensitive period when the Abyss Demons were emerging.

At that moment, Viscount Berna would have achieved his goal perfectly.

Li De stared deeply at the Bone Dragon still soaring in the sky, shaking his head.

First, the Abyss Gate, then the assault on the Crimson Mage Tower, after these two waves of diversion, no matter how tightly guarded the City Lord's Mansion was, it would have had to deploy most of its defense forces.

From this, it was clear that the real purpose behind Berna's order to the Dark Pact to plunder the Crimson Mage Tower was to draw away the defenders, creating an opportunity for himself.

The more people attacked the Crimson Mage Tower, the more high-level combatants would be drawn out of Green City.

And once battle broke out, those engaged in the fight would hardly be able to disengage and rush back to defend the City Lord's Mansion. Once it started, few would have the energy to keep an eye on Berna at the City Lord's Mansion.

So sneaky. Damn sneaky.

Li De spat fiercely at this near-transcendent boss.

A person having strength wasn't frightening, but having strength and also being an old schemer, that was truly disgusting.

Viscount Berna had schemed for so long, crafted such a complex plan, and even tricked most people, all except for a few within the Dark Pact into his game.

What was his true goal? What was in the City Lord's Mansion that had attracted this boss?

A flicker of deep thought crossed Li De's eyes. Whatever it was, for a near-transcendent being to go to such lengths, it must be a treasure of unimaginable value.

What a pity. Li De gazed long and hard at the distant City Lord's Mansion.

No matter how priceless that treasure was, it wasn't something he could touch at the moment.

Because the City Lord's Mansion was the residence of the only transcendent being in Green City. Although that transcendent mage was likely lured away by the Abyss's aura, no one could guarantee when he might return.

Li De's power was formidable, but compared to a transcendent, it was still far from enough.

He had originally thought today would see a brutal battle, but now it was clear that no such clash would happen.

Turning his head, he looked up at the Bone Dragon swaggering in the sky, locked in a standoff with the five level-15 professionals clad in Green City's military garb. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Keep your eyes on that damned Necromancer. I don't believe he'll be killed so easily."

Facing five top-tier level-15 professionals, even Grote, a son of the North, would have to be cautious. But Witherbone the Necromancer showed no fear at all; instead, he let out a piercing screech in midair.

"Gahaha~ Foolish mortals! The great Witherbone is not something you can resist!"

"Meeting the God of Death will be your best ending!"

"Rage, my darling! Let them taste the wrath of the Undead Breath~!"

Among the five high-level professionals hunting Witherbone at the Crimson Mage Tower were two Warriors, a Rogue, a Priest, and an Archer.

A classic warrior-mage-priest trio, fully balanced. Facing Witherbone, who hadn't yet reached level 15, they naturally had no intention of retreating.

Not even with an 18th-level Bone Dragon on his side.