The Legendary Mage (Alavin)
Chapter 181

Three days hence, the Starlit Echoes, the Skyborne Rivers, and the Hidden Essence - three teams from various Orders - departed from Warriors' Vale. The other Orders also began their preparations. Aside from the Stellar Precepts, Bloodlore, and the Earthbound Spirits, the rest of the Orders planned to leave discreetly, concealing their tracks and secretly returning to their strongholds.

This was because a loudmouth prisoner in the dungeons, Marak, was spreading rumors that Lord Viperbane's forces were lurking near Warriors' Vale, ready to teach the Eight Orders a harsh lesson. True or not, caution was the order of the day.

"Alavin, I'll be heading to Cloudveil Woods in a while. Will you entertain me?" Eyla approached Alavin's cottage once more, standing just beyond the fence.

"If I'm still among the living by then, I'll treat you to some wild meat," Alavin replied, causing Adirich, Nikulas, and the others in the neighboring yards to fall silent. What a thing to say. It was as if Cobalt Strike had a vendetta against him.

"Alavin, mind your manners," an Elder chided as he passed by, frowning at the exchange.

Eyla looked at Alavin with a playful smile and batted her eyelashes. "If you die, I'll die of a broken heart."

Alavin gave a thumbs up - she was fierce.

Eyla leaned on the lush green fence, gazing at Alavin with a laugh. "Have you made up your mind?"

"About what?"

"About coming with me to Bloodlore. Grandfather would take you as his Elite Protégé, and I'd have you as my dear consort, complete with a gift of six maidens." Eyla gave Alavin a sidelong glance. Her allure was undeniable. Any ordinary man might have been swayed by her charms.

The Cobalt Strike Protégés in the surrounding yards were astounded. An offer to be a Commander's Elite Protégé? Eyla's consort? Bloodlore was offering Alavin such astonishing terms!

Wait, her consort? Had Eyla fallen for Alavin?

Their gazes turned odd, thinking back on Eyla's ferocity in the grand melee. These two madcaps were indeed a perfect match!

Mariela was in her room, taken aback by the news. She couldn't help but peer outside.

"I'm not interested in being an Elite Protégé."

"What about me?" Eyla shifted slightly, showing Alavin her perfect, sensuous figure through the gaps in the fence. Her body, sculpted to golden proportions, was enough to make many women feel inadequate and turn many a man's soul upside down. That slender waist, it was so tender and soft.

Alavin didn't even glance her way. "You're still young; after a couple more years, we'll see."

Adirich and the rest couldn't bear to listen any longer, each retreating to their rooms and slamming the doors. The brazen flirtation was too much, almost scandalous. Mariela, even more disturbed, closed her window and door to avoid further annoyance.

"You have high standards," Eyla chuckled.

"When does your order plan to leave?" Alavin asked while packing his bags. Cobalt Strike was set to depart at midnight. If Lord Viperbane truly had ambush teams ready, Cobalt Strike was likely to be a target, so the Commander decided to leave as early as possible to hide their movements. It wasn't out of fear - with the Commander's strength, even if the Lord Viperbane himself appeared, they could stand their ground. He was worried about Protégés like Alavin; just a few ripples from an Archmage duel could obliterate them.

Safety came first, so a low profile was the best option.

"Tomorrow morning."

"Aren't you afraid Lord Viperbane will target you?"

"He'd need the guts to try," Eyla wasn't afraid of Lord Viperbane, and neither was Commander Jarad.

"What about Marak? How will the Eight Orders deal with him?"

"He will be detained in Warriors' Vale, and after all the Orders depart, the Doramon family will escort him back to Lord Viperbane. Do you have a grudge against him? I could take care of him for you." "No need, I can handle it." Alavin glanced back at Balder, who nodded in agreement, indicating everything was arranged.

"Sure? No charge, consider it a gift from me."

"Don't overthink it. I'm at peace with the world, and my heart is full of good intent. I make no enemies."

"Same here, I take no lives."

Balder rolled his eyes - these two could really talk.

Eyla gave Alavin a cheeky wink. "Hope we meet soon. I'll miss you."

That very night, Cobalt Strike departed from Warriors' Vale, returning to their holdfast after more than twenty days. They took a secluded route, and despite nonstop travel night and day, they entered the vast expanse of Cloudveil Woods in just eight days.