"..."

Barbara looked at Andrew with a peculiar expression.

That's it?

Is that the entirety of your self-introduction?

After everything I said, you just respond with "I'm called Andrew"?

Don't you think I already know you're called Andrew?!

Barbara's pretty face darkened, almost suffocating from Andrew's response!

She thought to herself, this guy... perhaps it's not that he avoids boasting, but rather he doesn't know how to properly talk to girls!

She didn't know that Andrew was also helpless.

He couldn't possibly reveal that he's a Water Mage.

Andrew felt quite exasperated inside as well.

Without exposing his core identity, all Andrew could do for an introduction was indeed just say, "I'm called Andrew".

Of course, self-introductions aren't important at all.

The important thing is information, information!

"I didn't expect you were the third lady of the Warm Fire Commerce Association, my apologies."

Andrew coughed to alleviate the awkwardness.

Then he seriously asked, "Is your identity the reason why Humboldt is hunting you?"

"Yes, but that's not all."

Barbara tried to calm herself and slowly started speaking.

Andrew listened carefully.

Finally, in his mind, he started to outline a clearer picture of this world—

In this Flame Realm, the Magic Guild is the dominant force, occupying the West.

The primary control area of the Warm Fire Commerce Association is in the East.

The Royal Court is located in the North.

The South is mostly vast primeval forests, rarely visited by people. But deep within the forest, there are many retired mage veterans, hence it's also called the "Retirement Land".

The Inner Sea Desert holds a central position in this world. Although centrally located, it's actually seldom valued by any force due to its extremely harsh living conditions.

"On the surface, our Warm Fire Commerce Association and the Magic Guild maintained a rather decent relationship."

Barbara said slowly, "Until more than half a year ago, my second sister married the king of the Royal Court."

"A political marriage?"

"Yes."

Barbara nodded, "That King of the Royal Court is truly smitten with my second sister. Historically, the Royal Court always wavered between two major forces, reluctant to truly choose sides, let alone openly ally through marriage."

The implication, naturally, is that the Royal Court shifted into the Warm Fire Commerce Association's camp with this marriage.

Andrew, however, was skeptical about this.

He thought to himself, there's just been a Frost Guard from the Royal Court who nearly cut down the guardian spirit of our Wildfire Town.

The Royal Court represents secular power. At least in name, they manage this world, assigning officials to every city and town. The Wildfire Town Chief is considered the lowest level manager.

Andrew thought, "Regardless of anything, the Wildfire Town Chief from the Royal Court supports the Magic Guild, that's undeniably a fact."

Barbara observed Andrew's expression, seemingly guessing his thoughts.

She explained, "The previous town chief was likely bought out by the Magic Guild personally. Overall, the Royal Court has indeed joined our side. Actually, since my sister and the King's wedding, the Magic Guild's attitude has been exceptionally friendly."

Andrew acknowledged, "That would be pretentious, done intentionally to make others drop their guard. Only a fool would truly believe it."

Barbara: "..."

Suppressing the urge to spit blood, Barbara continued, "While the Magic Guild put on a friendly front, they secretly prepared for six months. Yesterday, Humboldt wasn't trying to kill me but capture me. I imagine it was to hold me hostage and threaten my father."

Andrew nodded.

Understood why Barbara previously said "Humboldt's reasoning for capturing her is due to her identity, but not entirely because of it."

Because this is fundamentally a struggle between two major forces.

The focus wasn't actually on Barbara's identity.

It's that the Flame Realm's largest force and the second-largest force have reached a breaking point! Barbara is just a part of the entire struggle.

"Given this perspective, the Royal Court did likely shift towards the Warm Fire Commerce Association. The Magic Guild sensed the threat and pressure, thus secretly planning for six months. The choice made by the Wildfire Town Chief should indeed be an exception."

Andrew finally accepted Barbara's explanation.

He silently processed the information, then suddenly asked, "With six months of preparation, shouldn't it extend beyond the pursuit of you? There must be actions in many other areas, right?"

Having watched so much film and television before crossing over, this little deduction is hardly challenging.

But for Barbara, Andrew's insight truly surprised her.

Considering the lack of rich entertainment activities in this Flame Realm, to immediately think of the broader picture from a partial change, it seems unlike the knowledge a boy from such a remote town would possess.

She looked at Andrew, watching him for a while longer.

She answered, "You're correct."

Her tone became solemn: "After waking up, I contacted my family immediately, only to find out that the Magic Guild's suppression and assault on our Warm Fire Commerce Association is comprehensive and multifaceted! So you're right, it's indeed not just a pursuit action against me. In fact, the chase after me is just a small part of the entire operation!"

Listening to Barbara's words, Andrew could almost envision the recent turmoil or upheaval in the Flame Realm.

He asked in a low voice, "Specifically? What's the situation in detail?"

Barbara shook her head, "I'm not sure. I only know the Magic Guild took action, and it's quite crazy."

Andrew frowned, "Didn't you say you contacted your family?"

Thinking to himself, the Wildfire Town he crossed over to is indeed very remote and backward.

But in actuality, the Flame Realm is extremely advanced in magical civilization. This Andrew learned a little from many collections in Humboldt's laboratory.

Products like "Magical Communication Device," for instance, don't exist in Wildfire Town but are quite common in big cities like Warm Fire City and Scholar's Fortress.

This is also why Andrew had to wait for Barbara to wake up, and talk to her immediately!

Through Barbara, he could learn the real situation beyond Wildfire Town, and the Inner Sea Desert, about the Flame Realm, especially the current situation!

He asked again, "Didn't you get in touch with your family? Didn't they give specifics?"

Barbara slowly said, "They tried to tell me the specifics, but... the communication was cut off. They haven't been able to reconnect since."

"What?" Andrew was startled.

No need to ask, it's definitely the Magic Guild cutting it off.

So at least confirmed one point: part of the Magic Guild's full-scale assault on the Warm Fire Commerce Association involves targeting communications!

Shaking his head, Andrew thought it was initially hoped there'd be aid from the Warm Fire Commerce Association.

Now it seems, the Warm Fire Commerce Association is barely managing itself!

He made sure to ask again, "So we're not getting reinforcements, are we?"

Barbara nodded, "I'm afraid not."

Pausing for a moment, she added, "But the Magic Guild won't have any spare forces either."

Andrew thought about it, agreeing with this statement.

Otherwise, if a Grand Mage-level—such as before Humboldt was injured—stronger came over—there wouldn't be any need for probing or demonstrating, it would be outright crushing.

Neither Andrew nor Barbara would have any resistance against such a level of opponent.

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