"Participate in the ceremony? What’s going on?"

Tajana looked at her friend in shock, grabbed her arm, and said anxiously:

"You’re one of the family’s most elite Dark Elf warriors. How could the family choose you as a sacrifice for the ceremony?"

Viniya shook her head and replied, "This ceremony is different from the past ones. The messenger of the Goddess Queen will descend and save Magic Spider City."

"Only the most devout Dark Elves can participate in this ceremony. We will become part of the Divine Envoy, kill that Wizard, and then return to the Divine Kingdom with the Divine Envoy!"

Looking at her friend’s fanatical eyes, Tajana’s face turned slightly pale, filled with incomprehension.

How could they be so fervent in their belief in a being that disappeared over twelve hundred years ago?

It’s as if they’ve lost their minds!

"Viniya, you’ll die!" Tajana couldn’t bear to watch her friend sacrifice herself.

"It’s okay, Tajana." Viniya showed a genuinely joyful smile, "Death is not scary. As long as I return to the Divine Kingdom, I can be reborn under the might of the Goddess Queen and gain immortality."

Seeing Tajana still wanting to persuade her, Viniya interrupted her with a wave.

"No more words, Tajana!"

"We are the most loyal subjects of the Goddess Queen and should naturally obey her command. It’s my honor!"

After saying this, Viniya turned and walked towards the central temple.

Tajana stood still, her expression filled with confusion and bewilderment.

At the same time, numerous Dark Elf warriors rushed from all over Magic Spider City towards the central temple.

Dark purple Demon Fire burned and roiled among the stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling, illuminating the outline of the temple below.

The enormous temple seemed like a monster lurking in the darkness, opening its bloody mouth, waiting for one prey after another to voluntarily deliver themselves.

...

Bank City.

As the city closest to Magic Spider City, it is also the frontline confronting Magic Spider City.

To slow the advance of the Star Alliance, the Dark Elves not only took all the slaves from the city before evacuating but also demolished the city walls and most of the buildings.

The Star Alliance had no choice but to pause their advance and repair the city.

However, this was exactly what Sherman wanted.

He originally didn’t want to attack Magic Spider City too hastily, so it was a chance to stop and spend a couple of months repairing the city walls and buildings.

Coming out from the Meditation Room, Sherman headed straight for the study.

Though he had to command the battle, he didn’t neglect his training and learning.

This is the foundation for a Wizard Apprentice.

Participating in the war is to earn more Contribution Points, exchange for resources to enhance strength, which is the fundamental goal.

Sherman wouldn’t get his priorities backwards.

Upon entering the study, Attila was inside reading battle reports, so focused that she didn’t realize someone approached until Sherman entered.

Only when Sherman walked in did she snap back to reality and look up, smiling:

"You arrived just in time. There are some documents here for you to sign."

The commander of this army is Sherman, while Attila is just an assistant. Many documents need Sherman’s signature for approval.

Sherman glanced over the documents and promptly signed his name, then asked:

"What about those two Secret Puppets?"

"A new batch of magic stones just arrived, and they’ve gone to ’recharge.’"

What they call ’recharging’ is actually stuffing magic stones into their bodies.

It was only later that Attila learned, although the two Secret Puppets were strong, their energy consumption was incredibly high.

A single battle roughly consumes ten middle-level magic stones, valued close to ten thousand Gold Coins (With the Star Alliance’s magic stones supplied at ’market price.’)!

It’s literally a gold devourer!

"Which Secret Puppet to send in the next battle?" Attila asked.

Sherman pondered a bit and said, "Number 1 just took out a Spider-Elf a couple of days ago and hasn’t fully recovered, next we’ll send Number 2."

To avoid terrifying Magic Spider City and causing the Dark Elves to lose all fighting spirit, Sherman has been intentionally avoiding both Secret Puppets appearing on the battlefield at the same time.

Each time dealing with the Spider-Elves, he only deploys one.

Anyway, both Secret Puppets have the ability to change their appearance, as long as they keep the same appearance, the Dark Elves can’t tell the difference.

"By the way, the teacher has new orders." Attila handed over a scroll of parchment.

Sherman took it and, upon seeing its content, his expression turned very peculiar.

Attila had already seen the document, and asked in confusion, "What exactly are the teacher’s plans? Previously, he told us not to pressure Magic Spider City too closely, and now he wants us to surround without attacking."

Sherman was just as puzzled but still said, "The teacher surely has his plans, we just follow orders. At least we can take more time to train."

"That’s true." Attila agreed with a nod.

Earning Contribution Points while training is a rare opportunity.

"I heard Cole and Ethan are progressing well, having won several major victories."

"Although there are two medium-sized Golem Legions on their side, that so-called Fallen Star Alliance doesn’t stand a chance."

"Perhaps the war in the Northwest Domain will end even faster than ours."

While the two were chatting idly, suddenly a soldier rushed to the study door and bowed to the two.

"Master, the front scouts report that the army of Magic Spider City is heading this way."

Sherman was taken aback and turned to meet Attila’s gaze. The latter’s eyes also revealed surprise.

Magic Spider City previously abandoned its affiliated city-state just to avoid the Star Alliance’s forces, concentrating their forces at Magic Spider City. But now they abandon their defensive advantage, launching an attack; what on earth are those Dark Elves planning?

"Are they coming to surrender?" Attila joked.