Chapter 291: Sudden Change

At the same time, at the Sherwood Manor in the north of the city. After hanging up the phone, Yves Cadvin stood frowning in front of the window, lost in thought.

He quickly snapped out of it and dialed a call: "Clive, get in touch with Lachar and ask him what's going on? That lucky Andre, how did he end up at Serec's place? And that Andre, didn't he bring his men along?"

"Yes, it doesn't look like a war. There's no movement on Eucalyptus Street at all. I'm not far from there, I can even see it. The situation is strange, that's why I'm asking you to contact them."

Then Yves Cadvin made a second call: "Casia, don't go to sleep. From now on, the war has begun. That little fellow has declared war on me—it's arrogant and absurd, but he's already taken out Antonio, hasn't he? So now, mobilize everyone we can. Emm~ I'll apply for authorization from the Magic Tower Committee; it'll be easy."

"Principles? No principles. Except for not harming that much-watched fighting star, there's no one on the other side we can't touch. Throw them into the trash. Damn it, do you only have eyes for money? Tell your men I've prepared the war funds."

Just as Mr. Cadvin was about to make a third call, his mobile phone rang again.

"Clive?" Yves Cadvin's eyes showed a hint of confusion: "Got results?"

"Things don't look good, Chairman."

On the phone, Clive, the chief information officer of Cadvin Corporation, spoke with a strained voice: "I can't reach 'Dark Serpent' Mecklen, 'Poison Sword' Lachar, or the Fox Hunt Mercenary Corps. I've tried every method, boss. Mobile phone, secret sound magic disk—nothing worked."

Cadvin finally had a bad premonition; a chill surged from the soles of his feet straight to his head.

"What about 'Sand Devil Spear' Natasha?"

"I dialed her number, but Natasha didn't answer."

Clive gave a bitter laugh: "But she doesn't carry a mobile phone during operations. It's hard to determine the situation now. I've sent an outlaw-level druid to investigate—yes, Crowe, a level 13 druid. His animal companion is a golden-crested thunder eagle, but it'll take some time—"

"Find out the situation as soon as possible, especially Mecklen and Lachar. I need to confirm their status quickly."

Cadvin frowned, a trace of worry in his eyes.

He didn't care much about 'Sand Devil Spear' Natasha; she was just a mercenary he'd hired temporarily. But 'Dark Serpent' and 'Poison Sword' were the pillars of Cadvin Group's military strength.

Just then, Cadvin suddenly felt a sensation. He looked up and saw a huge thunder eagle with a golden crest plummeting from high altitude.

...

At this moment, in another palace-like manor less than a kilometer away, Randall Wiltonstein put down the phone with an equally grave expression.

Then he unhesitatingly went upstairs and knocked on Margaret Wiltonstein's door.

"Mother, we may have underestimated my cousin."

"Is that so?"

Margaret raised an eyebrow and sat down in the reception room: "Tell me, what happened?"

"Yves Cadvin—you should know him? The owner of Cadvin Group. The men he prepared to ambush Andre's private army tonight were likely wiped out on Eucalyptus Street."

Randall spoke as calmly as possible: "Including three level-17 combatants and an A-rated中型 mercenary corps. The whole process, not a sound, not even an obvious magical surge."

Margaret, who had been leaning back, suddenly straightened up. She frowned and asked: "And the process? How did they manage it? Randall, don't tell me you didn't send observers?"

"Of course I did. I sent a level-15 magic hunter and a level-14 druid, but unfortunately, both lost contact tonight. I suspect they may be dead—"

Randall's eyes flickered, indicating his unease.

"Clearly, they have very strong reconnaissance capabilities."

"And enough power to kill 'Iron Thorn' Emon Bertram, right?"

Margaret seemed a bit dazed: "At least we gained something—we've uncovered some of his foundations."

"I think he has at least five level-17S. I don't know where he recruited so many top-tier experts, but without that strength, it would be impossible to silently eliminate those three level-17s. Besides that, they might have a treasure that suppresses magical surges. Saint Sword 'Demos' in Dainn Stracy's hands has that function, but that's not enough."

Randall speculated: "Mother, your judgment was clearly off. I think his wings are now fully grown."

But Margaret caught a hint of worry in Randall's eyes: "My child, are you concerned? Worried that traces were left and your cousin will find out?"

"No obvious flaws were left, but at last week's Star Flag Bank charity gala, I chatted casually with Cadvin and mentioned the electronics retail industry."

Randall pinched his brow: "That guy, though he's been a bit lost in recent years, used to be quite smart. I think he knows I was instigating. Honestly, I don't think he'll win the war against Andre. Cadvin may have more money, but most of it is fixed assets. The Cadvin Group doesn't have much influence in the magical world; not many outlaws are willing to serve him."

"So Cadvin is doomed to lose? You're worried he'll expose you. But as long as you didn't say anything excessive, there's no need to worry too much. I think someone will warn him about what to say and what not to say."

Margaret smiled lightly, confident in her eldest son.

"As for your cousin, he really surprised me."

She narrowed her eyes, showing a hint of coldness: "Keep watching. I want to know all his current assets and sources of funds, and who those experts under him are, and why they joined him. Pay special attention to that—"

"That old man?"

Randall seemed thoughtful: "You still think that Andre's current power is actually supported by him behind the scenes? But if the old man really made a move, it should be impossible to hide it from the Council, especially Valeria Manor."

"Nothing is absolute, Randall."

Margaret got up and walked to the liquor cabinet, pouring herself a glass of red wine: "Keeping an eye on him can't hurt. Also, find a way to leak this to your two—never mind! If this war starts, they'll notice. If you do too much, your intentions might be seen. It's better not to interfere further. Now, let's just watch what happens."