Cloud Thinking

Chapter 338 Come prepared

After carefully examining the scene, Colin had to admit that although Helia's method of framing him was simple and crude, it was indeed ruthless, precise, and hit the nail on the head.

Since its inception, the Magic Association has been plagued by internal strife, with numerous factions and various forces vying for power, but a delicate balance has been maintained over the years.

But this doesn't mean things are peaceful—the undercurrents of competition never cease, it's just that respectable people hold onto their bottom line to prevent things from escalating to an unmanageable point.

He, Colin, started as a mere ordinary mage and, with the help of Carter's Academy, climbed step by step to the position of elder of the association, becoming a so-called superior person.

But this position is not secure, especially in the unique region of the North.

Unlike other parts of the Empire where powerful families hold sway, the North is dominated by the Antonio family, who represent secular power, while the Catherine Academy remains neutral.

This made the North a battleground for various forces.

He has been able to gain a foothold in this position, and his journey has been fraught with difficulties. How could he not have been stained with blood?

His methods may not be honorable, but the winner takes all, and as long as he can win, what can't he do?

When Morton was running for a seat as a veteran of the Ottoman Empire, he lost because he still had a shred of conscience.

What a laughable display of kindness!

However, the fact that Morton has not been completely defeated over the years proves that he is quite capable.

More importantly, he has the support of powerful families behind him.

Colin didn't rely on any established family; he relied on the support of the association's upper echelons.

From the moment he accepted that person's favor, he was destined to walk a path of enmity with all sides.

Within the association, most of the powerful and influential figures come from established families.

However, to prevent the association from becoming a battleground for power struggles among aristocratic families, there naturally exists a force independent of all aristocratic factions, specifically responsible for coordinating and balancing the relationships between the parties.

The leader of this faction was so powerful that all the powerful families had to give way to him.

This person is elusive, only appearing in important matters.

Therefore, routine matters are handled by the second-in-command, Judge Aurora.

The association’s highest leadership consists of twelve judges, with each of the national alliances’ Grand Elders holding one seat, including Grand Elder Agles.

The remaining seats are controlled by major families, such as the Tanasa, Heris, and Turafa families, each holding one seat.

The Supreme Judge, Berenice, the Chief Judge of the Magic Association, although born into a noble family, does not represent any noble family power.

As a chosen one of the gods, she leads the entire Magic Association and is the representative of the God of Light in the mortal world, a veritable deity walking among humans.

The power struggles within the association are not only a contest between aristocratic families, but also involve the power struggle between secular government and religious forces.

This massive magic association brings together forces from all sides, and its complexity far exceeds what ordinary people can imagine.

What Helia faced and glimpsed was only the tip of the iceberg.

Colin stood amidst the ruins, the moonlight casting a long, slender shadow over him.

He knew that this game was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

Helia, this seemingly impulsive princess, may be far more unfathomable than he thought.

She is no longer the little princess who only used her status and power to oppress others. Her sharpness is more reflected in her as a person than in her status as an imperial princess.

“Interesting.” He stroked his beard, a sharp glint in his eyes. “Let’s see who has the last laugh.”

-

The next day, the streets and alleys of Belman were abuzz with talk of the branch's destruction.

The news that the Meneben branch had left traces at the crime scene was widely publicized, causing quite a stir.

Of course, some voices questioned whether it was Helia's deliberate revenge—after all, the previous conflict between the two sides was intense, her attitude was tough, and her threatening words were still ringing in people's ears. If they didn't suspect her, who would they suspect?

However, these criticisms are ultimately in the minority.

Helia's previous actions had earned her a good reputation, at least among the common people.

The association, however, is quite different.

For a long time, the public has had a very poor impression of them.

Now that an internal power struggle scandal has surfaced, people can't help but worry that it might affect them.

Such a large branch, with numerous mages, was wiped out in an instant.

If they were to target ordinary people, they would be powerless and wouldn't even have a chance to resist.

Panic spread rapidly.

Just then, Carter's Academy formed a student patrol team, led by Professor Mobius.

It not only trained the students but also reassured the public—at least the people knew that someone would protect them.

Even during previous conflicts, the actions of Carter's College had already demonstrated its original intention—to dedicate everything to peace.

People trust the academy, but not the so-called Magic Association or the resident magician.

This laid a solid foundation for the academy to take over the management of the resident mages.

But would Colin sit idly by and wait to die?

These days he's been busy with all sorts of things, investigating the case in a very high-profile manner.

The whole city knows that this elder of the association, originally from Mene, is thoroughly investigating the truth.

That serious look certainly doesn't seem like that of a murderer, does it?

However, Helia was not worried at all.

Even if she doesn't intervene, plenty of people will be willing to add fuel to the fire—she has provided such a good opportunity that those who hate or want to replace Colin will naturally take the opportunity to cause trouble.

In just three days, Colin's scandal spread throughout the city.

Even the shady things his son did at the academy were exposed, and the students who had been bullied stood up to demand justice.

Helia: I really didn't do anything (innocent face)

-

Colin sat upright in the study of his temporary residence, his fingertips lightly tapping the table.

The whispers outside the window could be faintly heard, but he remained calm, as if the scandals about him had nothing to do with him.

"It seems our little princess is more resourceful than we imagined." He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "This public opinion offensive was quite well executed."

The man with the wet hair emerged from the shadows, his long, sticky hair plastered to his cheeks: "You're already at a disadvantage in the media war. If this continues, forget about investigating the case, you won't even be able to protect yourself."

Colin put down his teacup, a cold smile playing on his lips: "What's the rush? This little storm won't capsize my ship."

“You’re quite composed,” the water ghost man’s voice was hoarse and low, “but that lord’s patience is limited.”

"Don't worry." Colin stood up and walked to the window. "I know that man's temper better than anyone else."

"but......"

"Everything must be adapted to the times." He turned around, his gaze sharp: "Since the other side has pressed us so hard, we no longer need to be polite."

A bloodthirsty glint flashed in the water ghost man's eyes: "It should have been done long ago. Solve the problem at its source, and it will be over once and for all."

"Let's test the knife on that delicate little princess first..."

“Helia?” Colin raised an eyebrow. “It’s certainly a tempting option. But…”

He strolled to the bookshelf, his fingertip tracing the outline of an ancient book: "She is heavily guarded, and there's also that mysterious Yuros. Making a move rashly would be too risky."

“Risk and reward are proportional.” The water ghost man stepped forward. “Now that they think they have victory in their grasp and have let their guard down, this is the perfect opportunity.”

Colin paused for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "No, we won't attack Helia directly."

"Her identity is indeed special. Assassinating an imperial princess would likely trigger a political conflict, which would be detrimental to us."

A glint of light flashed in his eyes, "It would be even more effective to deal with the people around her."

The water ghost man's figure swayed: "For example?"

“For example, her teacher Moby Hughes, or that healing magician named Kalzer.” Colin revealed a shrewd smile. “Targeting those she cares about is more effective than dealing with her directly.”

"Isn't she the most sentimental person? Then let her taste the bitterness of loss."

The water ghost man pondered: "Indeed. Although Mobius is quite strong, he is getting old after all. Kalzer is not a threat at all."

“Moreover,” Colin added, “targeting these people is far less risky. Even if it fails, it won’t have the same serious consequences as assassinating the princess directly.”

The water ghost man nodded: "Alright, let's start with... Kalzer. A healing mage who can't even kill a chicken should be the easiest to catch."

Colin smiled with satisfaction: "Go ahead. Remember, make it look like an accident, clean and neat, leave no trace."

"Don't worry." The figure of the water ghost man gradually faded. "Hunting is my old profession."

His figure disappeared into the shadows.

Colin looked out the window and murmured to himself, "Little princess, let's see just how much you value the people around you."

Outside the window, dark clouds gathered again.

An assassination attempt is about to begin.

Meanwhile, Helia was leisurely sipping her black tea, oblivious to the impending danger...

Perhaps they are not completely ignorant.

She put down her teacup, looked out the window at the darkening sky, and smiled slightly.

"Come on, come on... let's see whose knife is sharper..."

-

On the morning of the third day, a deafening roar woke the entire city from its slumber.

People rushed into the streets in a panic, asking each other what had happened.

Seeing the thick smoke rising from the south of the city in the distance, the smell of gunpowder stirred up the deepest fear in my heart.

Fortunately, the patrol team on duty reacted quickly and arrived at the scene less than 15 minutes after the explosion.

They quickly evacuated the crowd, urgently reported the situation to the college, and sealed off the surrounding area.

Crossing the cordon formed by a human wall, the scene before one's eyes was horrifying—the suspended tower that once stood there had vanished into thin air, leaving only ruins and a huge pit three meters deep.

Centered on the giant crater, all houses within a ten-meter radius collapsed, and buildings more than twenty meters away were also affected to varying degrees.

The air was filled with the smell of burning, and rubble was scattered all over the ground.

Fortunately, nearby residents had been evacuated before the explosion, and no one was injured.

When Angett and Grinton arrived at the scene, they found Helia, barely alive, at the bottom of the pit.

This was the second time they had "picked up" a corpse, and their practiced movements were so skillful that it was heartbreaking, and even gave rise to a strange sense of "commonplaceness".

Without a doubt, this explosion was probably Helia's doing again.

After all, she was known as a "demolition genius" when she was in college, and now she's even more so.

But when they discovered the other bodies, especially after recognizing that familiar face, they immediately realized that things were not so simple.

Elder Colin of the Magic Association is dead, and almost all of his followers have been wiped out.

There was also a mangled body at the scene, covered in bite marks, with limbs scattered everywhere.

After piecing things together, it was initially determined that the person was from the association, but their specific identity needs to be verified.

Strong traces of magic remained at the scene, with fire elements unusually active, indicating that a fierce battle had taken place.

Judging from the magical characteristics, it should be Helia's doing.

Surprisingly, traces of dark magic were also detected at the scene—a rather rare attribute that is usually only awakened by black magic users.

Could this explosion also involve a dark magician?

Angert crouched down, his fingertips lightly touching the scorched earth: "The remnants of fire magic are very strong, but..." He frowned as he sensed it, "the traces of dark magic are also very strong, like the remnants of a violent collision between two forces."

Grinton examined Colin's body: "The fatal wound was a ruptured throat, but there were also burns and signs of corrosion on the body. This doesn't seem like the kind of damage a single person could cause."

In the distance, onlookers whispered among themselves.

The smoke of battle has not yet cleared, and the truth behind this explosion is far more complex than it appears on the surface.

The comatose Helia becomes the key to solving the mystery.

I just wonder what kind of explanation she will give when she wakes up.

Rewinding to the night before, when Helia sensed unusual magical fluctuations around the mansion, she knew that the fish she had been waiting for had finally taken the bait.

She was now all alone in the mansion, and she was already prepared for battle.

She knew that Colin, that old bastard, would definitely target the people around her, so she simply had Yuros lead Kalzer and the others to evacuate first, making sure they were away from danger.

This was both to protect them and to prevent the association from tracking down Yuros through Zhou Ranyi's scent.

She never underestimated the power of the association, nor did she belittle the potential of humanity.

The idea of ​​mortals killing gods is not just a legend, but a real possibility.

The heavy rains of the past few days have temporarily subsided tonight, but the air is thick with moisture, and the overcast sky foreshadows another downpour.

Such weather was hardly advantageous for Helia, a fire-attribute mage.

She lacks the right timing, location, and people; she might have the advantage of location within the mansion, but as for people...

She doesn't need it; one person is enough.

Colin couldn't gauge Helia's true strength, but someone capable of slaying dragons and killing gods was no ordinary person.

Before the henchmen could set up a complete magic circle around the mansion, Helia struck with lightning speed, her giant scythe flashing coldly in the night, annihilating all the ambushers.

Colin never showed himself, but instead used human lives as bait to try to lure Helia into a pre-set trap.

Helia knew perfectly well what was going on, yet she still walked right into the trap—

That old bastard Colin actually set up an explosive magic circle near the houses along the way, which would automatically trigger when the time came.

If Helia doesn't intervene, the worst news for the city of Bellman will likely arrive at dawn.

She was led all the way to the vicinity of the suspended tower in the south of the city.

Sure enough, the moment they stepped in, a blinding light burst forth from beneath their feet, and the magic circle was activated.

She clearly felt the flow of magic blocked, and her connection with the elements in the outside world severed.

Is this a war of attrition, meant to wear her down until she dies?

Helia sneered, twirling the scythe in her hand: "Is that all you've got?"

In response, dozens of dark figures appeared around her, surrounding Helia completely.

The torrential rain finally poured down.

And so this life-or-death struggle officially began.