<em>Knock, knock, knock.</em>


    The polite sound of knocking echoed from the other side of the door.


    Lauren, ever vignt, opened the door to reveal a stranger with a crow-like face.


    “Who are you looking for?”


    “I’m here to see Lynn. Is Lynn around?” Nocturne inquired.


    Lynn, who had been engrossed in learning the demonnguage, hurried to the door upon receiving the message. Seeing the familiar figure of Nocturne standing outside, Lynn quickly ushered him inside.


    “I didn’t expect to see an official wizard like you here in Demon City,” Lynn remarked.


    “That’s quite normal,” Nocturne replied nonchntly. “The major guilds are based here in Demon City. asionally, other official wizardse out to purchase supplies. It’s just that interactions with wizard apprentices are rare.”


    As Nocturne entered the building, he casually surveyed his surroundings. “This ce of yours is rather intriguing, reminiscent of the style found in the Mechanist City.”“It’s a bit of a hodgepodge,” Lynn said.


    “So, how is your preparation to be an official wizarding along?”


    “Almost there,” Lynn nodded in response.


    “Hm, I also believe it won’t be difficult for you,” Nocturne said casually, as if Lynn bing a wizard was already a certainty.


    “Are those your new followers?” Nocturne’s gaze shifted to the dwarves in the distance.


    “Hm, they didn’t seem too bad, right?” Lynn responded with a smile.


    Nocturne tilted his head proudly. “Just a bunch of greenhorn dwarves. But you’re right; you should indeed prepare to train a follower army.”


    Unlike Lynn, Nocturne was a key member of the ck Crow n, considered a beacon of hope for his people.


    For other matters, the ck Crow n couldn’t assist him; he had to rely on his own efforts. However, when it came to training a follower army, it was a simple task for the ck Crow n.


    He didn’t need to put in the effort himself; there were already people in ce to train his followers.


    This was both a benefit of the tribe and responsibility.


    “If you don’t mind, how about you consider cultivating some ck Crow followers?”


    Nocturne suddenly spoke up.


    Lynn was momentarily taken aback, surprised by Nocturne’s unexpected proposal.


    “Our ck Crow n isn’t arge one,” Nocturne began. “Unlike the dwarves, elves, orcs, and trolls, who are widely distributed and even backed by gods, our n once had a god of our own. Unfortunately, that god was in during the War of Faith. Without a god, our n is considered inferior, so we sought refuge with wizards.”


    “Don’t worry. Once they be your followers, your orders will be supreme. If they disobey, how you choose to discipline them is entirely up to you,” Nocturne frankly exined the reason. “I’ve rmended our ck Crow n to many wizards, not just you.”


    “Our ck Crow nsmen are hardworking, loyal, and reserved. If you’re interested, I can bring a group of ck Crow nsmen for you to select from. Of course, if you prefer, you can visit our territory and choose them yourself.”


    Lynn couldn’t help but liken Nocturne to an arms dealer who promoted their own weapons.


    The ck Crow n was like an arms manufacturer teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. They had voluntarily allied with the wizard civilization, offering a portion of their shares in exchange for protection.


    To boost the poprity of their weapons, they marketed them to various promising mercenary groups and nations. They even went so far as to offer their weapons for free, hoping they would shine in battles. If the weapons proved their worth in war, they would naturally be sought after, reviving the manufacturer’s fortunes.


    Of course, this was merely a metaphor. In reality, the ck Crow n wasn’t weaponry, but it was more fitting to describe them as lifelong mercenaries.


    “That’s fine, but forget about visiting your n’s territory. If you bring a few members here, that will suffice. Just don’t bring too many—I can’t afford to support arge group,” Lynn responded with a touch of humor.


    Upon hearing Lynn’s agreement, Nocturne’s face broke into a genuine smile. His demeanor towards Lynn grew noticeably warmer.


    Why would he refuse if others wanted to invest? It was also a way to draw closer to Nocturne, who was an official wizard after all.


    If it were someone else, they wouldn’t even have the qualifications.


    And Lynn himself genuinelycked followers. The ck Crow nsmen were born with the ability to fly, which could make up for their scouts and aerial capabilities.


    “By the way, there’s another matter. Lady Maybetessa is currently involved in a ne conquest and is seeking coborators. She asked for rmendations, and I’ve put your name forward.”


    “Me? I’m just a wizard apprentice,” Lynn protested, shaking his head. They seemed to have an overinted opinion of him.


    “Just because you’re an apprentice now doesn’t mean you’ll always be one,” Nocturne replied. “Do you have any idea how long it takes to conquer a ne?”


    Lynn fell into silence. He wasn’t sure, but he imagined that a war to conquer a ne would not take too long.


    “Even if it’s a one-sided crush, it would still take at least several decades to fully stabilize the situation. If the bnce of power is even or the situation isplex, it could take hundreds or even thousands of years. If you haven’t be an official wizard within that time, it would only mean I misjudged your potential,” Nocturne said, pointing to his own eyes.


    “However, I’m not suggesting you go immediately. It would be better to wait until you be an official wizard or are about to be one,” Nocturne added, his tone suggesting deeper meaning.


    “Most wizards are research-oriented and belong to the academic side. In fact, the majority of wizards fall into this category. But then there are what are called throne wizards. They are the ones who conquerrge kingdoms or even obliterate entire empires through war and invasion, forging their own wizard’s throne through their destinies.”


    “What’s the difference between a throne wizard and an ordinary wizard?” Lynn asked.


    This throne wizard sounded more impressive than an ordinary wizard.


    “I don’t really know,” Nocturne said, shaking his head. “Because I’m also just an ordinary wizard, hahaha.”


    Lynn didn’t find this particrly amusing. Instead, he sighed in resignation.


    Nocturne spread his ws. “It’s said that throne wizards possess a special destiny blessing rted to the downfall of kingdoms. But destiny is such an elusive concept. I only have a vague understanding. I’ve seen throne wizards, but they seem much like ordinary wizards at a nce. Oh, and Harin is one of them.”


    “Of course, there aren’t many throne wizards around these days. During the period of great expansion of wizard civilization in the past, external wars were frequent, and wizard apprentices were expected to fight on the battlefield. The emergence of throne wizards was moremon then. Now, as the situation stabilizes, opportunities for bing a throne wizard are much rarer.”


    “The main issue is that suitable targets for conquest are fewer and farther between. Many nes have begun to band together, and those entities have be more cautious and intelligent,” Nocturne sighed.


    “Have you heard of the Gods Alliance?” Nocturne asked suddenly.


    Lynn remained silent.


    “Alright, it seems you haven’t. Let me exin. Just as there are alliances among our wizard civilizations, there is also a simr alliance among the gods.”


    “Originally, the gods were in a state of mutual hostility. You should know that the essence of gods is that their status is bestowed upon them by their respective nes.”


    “For example, the Fire Gods who control mes can appear in different nes, and each of them holds a simr divine upation. These gods are generally in a state of hostility towards one another because if one can assimte the Godhead, divine upation, and divine power, it will enhance its own strength. Moreover, the scope of their divine authority will expand from one ne to two, or even three or more nes, thus transforming from a singr god into a multi-dimensional one.”


    Nocturne sighed deeply as he continued. “But because of the appearance of wizards…”


    He paused, as if searching for the right words. “It’s all the fault of those earlier wizards, who plundered the gods so ruthlessly that it forced the remaining gods to band together.”


    ——