"..."

"Warner Son?"

The morning light cast itself perfectly, illuminating the ground through the gaps in the woods.

Supported by Lama, Darman was escaping, and upon hearing the speaker at this moment, he incredulously uttered the name - Warner Son, the teleportation mage of Hamono.

Immediately, Darman turned his head around to look.

Previously, he was the one who introduced Warner Son to Ronald and Catherine, so upon seeing him now, the first thing that flashed through his mind was those two inexplicable monsters.

Fortunately, he didn't spot those two people nearby.

Darman breathed a sigh of relief, as long as it's not Ronald and Catherine being here.

Meanwhile, Lama leaned closer to Darman's ear and whispered, only audible to the two of them:

"Should we deal with Warner Son too?"

"Don't be hasty." Darman immediately shook his head. Dealing with someone like Warner Son should naturally be different from others.

The city councilor was about to say something.

However, before he could speak, Warner Son became alert, retreating several steps away from them.

After a half-day of fighting, this teleportation mage had become extremely wary.

Even though Darman showed no hostility, Warner Son still felt something was off and assumed a defensive posture:

"Aren't you supposed to be commanding the main force over there?"

"Why are you here? And what about that summoned creature? Darman, clarify yourself!"

"..."

Questioned with several questions, Darman's already pale face looked even grimmer.

He was silent for a few seconds, then opted for the most time-efficient response:

"Warner Son, Hamono is finished."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Warner Son shouted loudly.

Unlike Darman, who always maintained a congenial and friendly demeanor but chose realism now; Warner Son, usually stern and authoritative, still held onto hope for Hamono.

At this moment, just hearing Warner Son's words, he couldn't control his emotions:

"Hamono is not just a complex of buildings residing on the land; she is the bonds formed between people, a great city made by everyone. Even if we've lost our home now, as long as the people are still here, there will definitely be a day when Hamono is rebuilt!"

This time, Darman was rather shocked.

He didn't expect this elderly teleportation mage would say such... somewhat ridiculous words?

Regardless of age or experience in the mystical realms.

In Darman's view, a senior like Warner Son shouldn't exhibit such traits usually seen in the young.

Of course, the city councilor didn't dwell on it further.

After Warner Son spoke, he promptly changed his words to align with the other's emotions:

"Warner Son, don't misunderstand my meaning."

"I was only saying that Hamono here is gone, not the concept itself disappearing. The reason I am here now is to ensure the continuation of Hamono's spirit. After all, you know as well - preserving life's strength is most important in the current situation."

Having found an excuse, Darman started portraying the expression he should have now, then continued persuading:

"So, Warner Son, come with me."

"As casters like us, we shouldn't throw our lives away here." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"If everyone gets killed by the villains from Lin Yin City, then Hamono is truly hopeless!"

Darman spoke passionately, but unfortunately, Warner Son didn't respond to his persuasion.

This elderly caster wouldn't be deceived by the councilor's pretense.

He continued to back away, distancing himself from the man in front of him, and decisively asserted:

"Darman, you're running away, betraying Hamono!"

"At this critical moment of the battle, you abandoned your responsibility as a commander and fled on your own! What kind of person are you!"

Seeing Warner Son's reaction, Darman realized persuasion was no longer possible.

Frankly, he should now command Lama to kill Warner Son and continue their escape.

Yet, stirred by Warner Son's words.

The emotions of losing Hamono as a city, and losing his power, surged within him.

Thus, Darman lost his composure.

As the former city councilor's emotions spiraled out of control, the malicious magic fluctuations from him began to manifest uncontrollably.

"Warner Son, you think I want to slip away like this!"

"But what can I do? Even with those migrators who could be casually dealt with, I'm restrained by that damned 'kindness.' Now facing Lin Yin City's army, you want me to resist with false confidence?"

By now, Warner Son was no longer as agitated, speaking coldly:

"Don't confuse concepts, your current actions are betrayal."

"I'm not the only city councilor." Darman's anger burned, his emotions becoming more uncontrollable, with his magic fluctuations continuing to rise. "I'm just saving myself, won't others command people? Ultimately, it's self-destruction, let those fools die on their own!"

Darman was a bit hysterical, but Warner Son had calmed down completely.

Thus, this elderly caster's attention shifted from the conversation to Darman's undeniable magic.

"The magic on you isn't Salamancan..."

At this moment, seeing the briefcase in Darman's hand, Warner Son suddenly realized:

"Wait! This is the magic aura from those evil practitioners a year ago! You killed them, took the original tome from the ruins?"

Warner Son realized something from approximately a year ago, following the spatial anomaly.

At that time, Hamono connected to the location of an ancient war ruin and encountered evil casters developing those ruins, triggering an intense confrontation.

Towards the end, an unknown explosion destroyed everything.

The ruins and cult sorcerers perished together in that disaster, leaving Hamono with no further results, and eventually abandoned investigation there.

Now, Warner Son had discovered the exact same magic aura as those evil casters on Darman. Having experienced that catastrophe together, he naturally thought of many things.

Especially during that explosion.

Hamono deployed the loyal casters for the task, yet none survived.

Reflecting on this now, the man before him probably couldn't escape responsibility!

On the other side.

Darman gave no response to Warner Son's speculation.

He merely lost the warmth in his expression, and his restless magic fluctuations calmed down.

Ultimately, he pointed a finger forward and said concisely:

"Step aside obediently, and I'll spare your life."

Warner Son was unfazed, keeping his eyes fixed on the former Hamono councilor:

"Traitor, if you wish to leave today, then you must step over my corpse!"