Chapter 189-1: After the Storm, a Graceful Departure (Part 1)

After Emi personally brought Witherbone back to Dawn City, the chaos stirred up by the Dark Pact finally came to an end.

From outbreak to resolution, the entire incident took only a few days, yet it delivered a profound shock to Li De.

At the same time, it was also the most grueling battle Dawn City had ever faced. Although the final clash never occurred due to Viscount Berna's unexpected change in plans, the impact on Li De was far-reaching.

For the first time, he had directly experienced how much a high-tier combatant like Grote or Betty could influence the outcome of a war.

This gave him significant insight and a shift in his thinking about warfare, and it also sparked new ideas for the future development of Dawn City.

It wasn't a glorious war, but it was one that would shape the future.

After the others left, Li De returned alone to the Crimson Mage Tower. Although the tower had not suffered much damage, there was still cleanup work to be done.

As for Grote, Betty, and the still-unseen Kosso, they returned to Dawn City along with Emi.

Grote needed to return because 23 Northern warriors were still imprisoned in Dawn City's secret dungeon. He had to go back to handle that, and Li De also arranged for him to study the "true history" of the vampires, just in case he made any embarrassing mistakes in the future.

As for Betty, the immensely powerful Valkyrie from the North, she stayed because Isha was still in Dawn City. Besides, this wild-hearted warrior woman also loved the atmosphere of the city and couldn't wait to return and immerse herself in its unique charm.

Crimson Mage Tower, third floor study.

Li De, tall and strikingly handsome, sat composed behind the desk.

"Good day, Lord Li De."

The small figure in a black mage robe; Karu stood before Li De, respectfully placing a hand over his chest in salute.

"Karu, how much damage did the Crimson Mage Tower take yesterday?"

To ensure safety, he had already sent Vina out earlier to procure magical materials.

So for now, Karu, the first director of the magic factory, held the highest position here and was temporarily responsible for the tower's operations.

The Crimson Mage Tower was already running smoothly. Vina had previously established a management team, so even if both she and Li De were absent, the tower could still operate as usual.

Karu's role now was merely to oversee the proper functioning of that team.

This was part of the system Li De had instructed Vina to implement. A strong organization couldn't rely solely on one individual's management. It should be supported by a complete and efficient system where the leaders only needed to handle the big picture.

The girl had absolute trust in Li De's words and had decisively followed through with the plan.

"Lord Li De, the Crimson Mage Tower didn't suffer much damage since the Bone Dragon never breached our Magic Shield.

However, due to the suddenness of the event, over thirty mage apprentices suffered mana backlash from the fright, with five of them dying on the spot because of it."

Li De was a bit speechless upon hearing this. The enemy hadn't even broken through, yet people died of fright.

Now that was darkly humorous.

Still, he didn't comment further. While the Bone Dragon was an undead creature, its draconic might was very real.

For ordinary Level 1 mage apprentices, facing the aura of an 18th-level dragon would induce an unimaginable terror, a soul-deep oppression, pure instinctual suppression.

To be quietly carving magic arrays in the factory one moment and then suddenly be enveloped by such aura, no wonder they panicked.

"In addition, the Magic Shield required a huge amount of magic crystals to maintain. To withstand the Bone Dragon's assault, we spent at least ten thousand Gold Pucks worth of magic crystals this time."

Li De nodded slightly. War was ultimately a matter of economics. When the Crimson Mage Tower lacked top-tier fighters, the only way to defend was by spending money.

Fortunately, the tower wasn't short on funds at the moment.

After all, Witherbone had attacked the tower for a full two minutes earlier.

Being able to withstand an 18th-level Bone Dragon's breath for two minutes meant that those ten thousand Gold Pucks had been well spent, possibly even a bargain.

"When was this Magic Shield completed?"

Karu's expression turned a bit odd upon hearing this.

"Lord Li De, it was Lord Spark's work. The final phase was completed just four days ago. We even spent twenty thousand Gold Pucks on magical materials for it.

At the time, you were not at the Crimson Mage Tower."

Twenty thousand Gold Pucks, just thinking about it still made Karu's heart ache. Setting up a magic array was just too expensive.

Li De nodded in understanding, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

Judging by its effectiveness, Spark hadn't exaggerated the array's capabilities. That money had been well invested.

It also raised his interest in the ancient alchemical magic arrays Spark had mentioned.

If not for Spark's meticulously arranged array that cost over a hundred thousand Gold Pucks, the Bone Dragon might have broken through the Crimson Mage Tower, and his losses would have been much worse.

Perhaps it was time to increase investment in constructing ancient alchemical arrays, he couldn't afford trouble in his own stronghold.

"Make sure to properly console the families of the fallen apprentices. Compensate their relatives with three times the usual amount in Gold Pucks.

Also, don't stop the factory's production. There won't be any more attacks from now on."

"Yes, Lord Li De."