Chapter 207: Magic Prohibition Decree and Prison Blues

The sudden news cast a shadow over the entire magic lab.

Ansu and the cult's intelligence department confirmed repeatedly that Count Alston was indeed actively pushing to enact a Magic Prohibition Decree in Norvigel, which ran completely contrary to the city's previously relaxed atmosphere.

"Is this Alston... out of his mind?" Professor Duncan had been immersed in his unfinished data verification and hadn't even joined the small celebration earlier. Hearing that the lab was under threat of closure, he immediately couldn't sit still.

He frowned and said, "I remember Norvigel used to be quite lenient toward magic. Why the sudden shift... it makes no sense!"

His two students nodded in agreement. Eddie scratched his head, muttering in confusion, "Everyone says the Northern environment is relaxed. Norvigel only gained the momentum to catch up with Benalu City because it gathered a large number of mages and magitech scholars..."

"The Alston family used to tacitly approve of or even encourage this. Why the sudden 180-degree turn?"

Leon added in a low voice, "And... joining forces with the Church of Holy Light? The relationship between the Church and Northern nobles has always been delicate. Why have they suddenly teamed up?"

"Speaking of the Church..." Ansu looked at David. "What's the background of the Archbishop of this Norvigel parish?"

David immediately replied, "That would be Bishop Gordon East. He was originally a supporter of Archbishop Leonard from the Holy Light Purification Department. After the new Pope Leo IX took office last month, he wasn't marginalized or transferred. Instead, he continued to lead the important Norvigel parish. It seems... he has gained the trust of the new Pope."

As David spoke, he subconsciously looked toward Freya. "In this regard, the Holy Maiden should know more about the internal situation of the Church than we do..."

Seeing everyone looking at her, Freya was slightly startled, then quickly said, "Oh... Bishop Gordon. He has always been good at judging the situation. I'm not surprised he gained the trust and favor of the new Pope..."

Ansu nodded thoughtfully...

Understood. A fence-sitter.

"As for the current new Pope, Leo IX," Freya continued, thinking it over, "he used to belong to the conservative faction within the Church. He frequently opposed Archbishop Paul and is extremely anti-magic. He called for a boycott of the magitech industrial system a long time ago..."

Ansu nodded again. Although Count Alston's motives remained unclear, Bishop Gordon clearly wanted to climb the ranks...

He desperately needed a 'major achievement' to gain his new superior's approval and solidify his position. This was political sycophancy and flattery.

"Why bother with all that?" Celia's figure quietly drifted close to Ansu, her gaze fierce. "Do you want me to kill the Bishop and the Count for you? Don't worry, I won't leave a single trace..."

Ansu shook his head and silently looked at the witch, whose expression had turned icy. She was truly angry that their magic research might be halted...

"We've clearly succeeded in the most important first step! If we're just given a little more time, there will surely be more and more breakthroughs! Solving the entire subject is only a matter of time..." The more Celia thought about it, the angrier she became, her eyes filled with undisguised killing intent.

"But these two guys... they just had to jump out and get in the way at this time!"

"Calm down, calm down..." Ansu tried his best to soothe the witch, his tone turning gentle. "Things aren't that serious yet. Let me think of something."

If this were the upcoming era of chaos in the plot, he wouldn't stop her, because those two were truly digging their own graves...

But not now. Many of his plans had only just begun to unfold in the North, and the transformation of the Echoes of Truth had only just seen a glimmer of hope. It was far from the time to be reckless or show their full strength.

"Go get some rest first," Ansu said jokingly. "Maybe by the time you wake up, I'll have investigated everything and solved it?"

Under his gentle gaze, the gloom in Celia's eyes slowly dissipated.

"Don't joke, Ansu," she said helplessly. "How could you investigate and solve everything in such a short time? Unless your time... is different from mine, or if I sleep for several days..."

"Just go, don't worry about how I investigate," Ansu smiled and continued to urge her. "In short, just trust me."

"Mhm, okay." Celia nodded, her voice returning to its usual calm, carrying a hint of subtle reliance.

"I'll trust you..."

With that, her magic projection began to fade.

Before completely dissipating, she raised her eyes and looked at Ansu quietly one last time before her figure vanished into the lab's air.

After seeing Celia leave, Ansu turned his gaze toward David, who looked solemn.

"David, how is the task of tracking the Squirrel Party progressing?"

David lowered his head, his tone full of shame, his face darkening further. "I apologize, Lord Hermit! We still have nothing on the Squirrel Party, but I will continue to increase the search efforts..."

"No need," Ansu interrupted him.

A feeling of being enveloped by a conspiracy quietly emerged in his heart. He thought of the Squirrel Party, which remained hidden, and the Northern Magic Mutual Aid Association...

All these things were clashing together now, forcing him to be extremely vigilant.

Fortunately, all risks and variables could be handled by his simulation...

The mist hanging over Norvigel in the North might require a long and deep enough simulation to be uncovered...

He looked up and waved to everyone.

"Let's dismiss for now. That's all for today's research. Everyone, go back and get some good rest."

...

Back in his room, Ansu closed the door and called up the system interface in his mind.

Glowing text he hadn't seen in a while silently unfolded before his eyes.

【The following times can be simulated】

【10 minutes later (July 13, 23:16), consumes 10 points】

【10 hours later (July 14, 09:06), consumes 50 points】

【100 hours later (July 18, 03:06), consumes 100 points】

【Remaining Points: 178】

【Start simulation?】

After a long time, Ansu decided to choose the expensive 【Simulate 100 hours】 again.

With a span of four days and four hours, plus the 48 hours he could stay in the future, he would obtain nearly a week's worth of future intelligence.

For every long simulation, Ansu would use his 《Future Diary》. He walked to his desk, took out the notebook, and began to write quickly:

【If you learn any key intelligence, find a way to record it.】

【Understand as much as possible what the upper echelons of Norvigel are doing, and the reasons Count Alston and Bishop Gordon are pushing the Magic Prohibition Decree.】

【Continue to observe the Northern Magic Mutual Aid Association, especially the abnormalities of Valger and related personnel.】

【Be sure to find traces of the Squirrel Party. Dig three feet deep if you have to, but find them!】

After finishing, Ansu put the diary back into the warehouse and decisively started the simulation.

【Future: 100 hours later】

【Starting simulation...】

【Remaining Points: 78】

When Ansu opened his eyes again, the bright room had disappeared, replaced by an oppressive darkness, and the air was filled with an unpleasant, stagnant smell.

Using the flickering light of a distant torch, Ansu quickly scanned his surroundings.

Stone brick walls, thick rusted bars, a damp floor... this was clearly a prison cell.

A prison?

Ansu continued to observe and found that this spacious cell was actually packed with no fewer than twenty or thirty people.

Most had heavy, crude metal shackles on their hands and feet, making slight clinking sounds. Through the dim light, he could see many figures with fuzzy ears or tails, as well as some exceptionally small dwarves.

Most were demihumans, while a few were...

Ansu narrowed his eyes and carefully identified a few familiar faces. They were all low-tier mages he had seen a few times at the Mutual Aid Tavern.

The Magic Prohibition Decree... had it actually been implemented?

Heavy, rhythmic footsteps came from the passage in the distance. Several fully armed soldiers, carrying large-caliber alchemical rifles that had clearly been modified, were patrolling with sharp gazes.

In addition to these Norvigel soldiers, there were many high-ranking clergy in white robes among the patrollers. They emitted a faint, shimmering power of holy light, occasionally scanning the prisoners in the cell to detect any possible mana fluctuations.

Ansu silently lowered his head, staring at the cold, heavy shackles on his hands, thinking that with so many people watching and being shackled, he didn't even have the chance to take out his diary.

"Lord Ansu..."

Suddenly, Freya's voice came from behind him.

Ansu felt his sleeve being gently tugged. He turned his head and, in the dim light, met a pair of beautiful pale gold eyes.

Freya first took a cautious glance at the distant patrolling guards, then lowered her voice and asked, "I heard they're going to transfer everyone they've caught to a certain place... time is running out! Lord Ansu, have you finished your investigation and found the person you're looking for?"

She paused, her eyes widening slightly with curiosity.

"Lord Ansu, when are we breaking out?"