na turned to Anfey and said, "Dear, did you hear that? I am so proud of you!" It was natural for a woman to be giving her lover compliments after receiving such good news, but Suzanna’s heart was pounding because it was the first time she had referred to Anfey as "dear" in front of others. It was what was expected of her, however, and she needed to play the part of a loving fiancée.

Anfey was smiling and trying to disguise his true feelings. No one could read anything from his face if he did not want them to. Judging from Black Eleven’s expression, however, Anfey already knew how important this honor was.

This honor, however, had too much underlying information. So much that Anfey was slightly panicking. Most importantly, Yolanthe expressed his grat.i.tude towards Anfey and his companions with this honor. Anfey and the master swordsman Philip had a turbulent relations.h.i.+p, and this award would make Anfey a hero. Philip would have to be more careful.

If a master swordsman and some archmages attacked and destroyed a Griffin Aerial Squadron, they may succeed, and it would to be a surprise. If a small mercenary band attacked and destroyed the squadron, it would be considered a miracle. Anfey used this as a message to Yolanthe, showing that he was willing to work for Maho Empire.

Yolanthe clearly understood what he was trying to convey. This was a huge award, but Anfey knew that he was not completely safe yet.

"Tell me the second one," Anfey said.

Seeing that there was no change in his expression, Apa shook his head disappointingly. He quickly changed his att.i.tude, however, and said with a smile, "We won."

"We won?"

"Yes. We’ve won the war," Apa said. "Newyoheim, the leader of the Dark Moon Magic Legion, used a forbidden spell. However, Archmage Saul took the opportunity and used the Great Dimensional Sweep, disrupting the elements and rendering the spell useless. Lord Baery seized the chance and attacked the legion, forcing them into a surrender."

"Master defeated Newyoheim? Does that mean he is more powerful, then?"

"No, it is purely because of luck. I am not doubting Archmage Saul’s power, of course," Apa said with a smile. "As far as I know, Lord Baery, Philip, and Ernest were all involved in the battle. Newyoheim is the most powerful archmage, but there is no fairness in war."

"Was Newyoheim captured?"

"No, unfortunately. They had a temporary transmission portal, and everyone over the rank of captain was transported elsewhere," Apa said with a sigh. "As you know, people like Newyoheim have thousands of ways to save themselves. It is almost impossible to capture them alive."

"They have surrendered. Did you accept the surrender?"

"Of course."

"His Majesty had given up those lands to defeat that legion. If it was me, I would not have accepted that."

Apa and Black Eleven glanced at each other. "There are people you cannot kill, you know," Apa said. "No one would want to destroy a treasure trove."

"What do you mean?"

"Take Lord Baery’s Roaring Death Legion, for example. There are hundreds of noncombatant workers, mostly scribes. They are scions of n.o.bles houses sent to the army."

"To gain experience."

"Yes," Apa said with a smile. "There are hundreds of people like that in Dark Moon Magic Legion. They can trade for a fortune. As for the real mages, they will be sent to quarries as workers after their magic has been banished. Our diplomats will prolong the process of negotiation. The mages won’t last long in places like quarries. As you know, mages are typically not physically fit. The other slaves will try to make their lives as difficult as possible, as well. They are doomed."

"Which means, Dark Moon Magic Legion is practically nonexistent," Black Eleven said with a smile.