The collapse of the frontline could not be kept secret, especially as more and more people fled back from the front. The news had begun to spread. "Yes!" The guard ’Jie’ nodded. "With the Capet family around, Leipzig Market will be fine. I experienced the last beast tide, which was much stronger than this one, with many Legendary Creatures and mutated followers breaking through the defense line, but didn’t it end up without issue?" His words slightly relaxed everyone’s expression, and they all nodded in agreement. Even if the frontline collapsed, it might just be a breach at one position on the defense line, and overall safety could still be assured. Moreover, even if the frontline collapsed, it would first endanger the residential areas outside the market, and they would still be safe. If the market were truly threatened... that would be a matter of life and death. In such a grave situation, they, the ordinary people and Wizard Apprentices, could only resign themselves to fate. The saleswoman, Trish, spoke in a low voice, "After closing tonight, could you let me stay to look after the shop? I... I can pay for it." Offering to pay to help watch the shop seemed like a joke, but the others were clearly tempted. They didn’t worry about safety during the day at the market, but after work, they had to return to the residential areas. By that time, the residential areas were no longer safe, and the walk home was fraught with anxiety. Carl opened his eyes, deep in thought, then summoned the guard ’Jie’. "Go and buy some Demonized Items that solidify the ground and some things that can mask scents." "Later, when it’s not busy, you guys dig a cellar in the backyard. Dig it deep to ensure safety." "After closing at night, if there are any who do not wish to go back, they can temporarily stay inside." Several people’s eyes lit up. Only ’Jie’ and Mod frowned, detecting a dangerous omen in Carl’s words. Has the situation on the frontlines become so dire? Rumors outside grew more abundant, and the atmosphere in the market became increasingly tense. Trish and the others stopped going back at night. ’Jie’ came in from outside, even forgetting to shake off the snow on his clothes, and said frantically, "Everyone is talking about it, Jefferson from the Capet family, a Second Circle Wizard, has been poisoned with a special toxin and is about to die!" "Another Second Circle Wizard is also in trouble, and there are even rumors that he’s already dead." Carl, who was mixing Potions, shook his wrist in surprise. He was not surprised by the news ’Jie’ mentioned but shocked that such information had been leaked. There had been no news from the high tower, and yet it was already spreading in the market. Could it be false? No! Carl’s expression darkened. If it were false, the Capet family’s patrols wouldn’t be so tense. There must be some problem. Poison? The crux of the problem wasn’t the poison, but why it had been leaked. Was it the Capet family’s lax message lockdown, or had someone intentionally spread the news? "Don’t worry." As thoughts whirled in his head, he could only offer comfort, "These are just rumors and might not be true. Even if they are, with so many Doctors and poison experts in the market, what kind of poison can’t be cured?" "Just like Mike Donna across the street..." Mid-sentence, Carl suddenly frowned. He hadn’t forgotten that Mike Donna was an Official Wizard who, for some unknown reason, had hidden his cultivation. The low-profile Mike Donna specialized in treating poisons! A Second Circle Wizard of the Capet family poisoned? Such a coincidence? ’Jie’ spoke up softly, "Mike Donna has been taken away by someone from the Capet family. I suspect it’s highly likely to treat the Second Circle Wizard." He was now somewhat unsettled. The last beast tide had come to nothing because there had been a Second Circle Wizard. If something happened to the Second Circle Wizard... The frontline must have truly collapsed! Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁 Carl took a deep breath, set down the Potion in his hand, and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. His expression grew increasingly grim, and at last, he stopped in his tracks. "For the next few days, shorten the store’s operating hours by two hours. Keep an eye on the situation over at the Capet family’s side, and after closing, you’d better hide in the underground space in the backyard." Carl instructed, "Everything else can wait until the situation becomes clear." His words caused everyone’s expressions to change dramatically, and for a moment, they didn’t know what to do. "Won’t this severely affect our business?" "Sir," ’Jie’ voiced his concern, "Is something wrong?" "It’s still unclear at the moment." Carl shook his head. "But better safe than sorry. The loss from closing the shop early is still bearable." "Go!" He waved his hand. "Pack up the things. Starting today, close early. If something seems off, we’ll temporarily close the shop." The others hurried to comply. The Capet family estate. A stone tower more than ten meters high stood at the center of the estate. This was a conduit between the Star Realm and the mortal world and could even be considered one of the greatest existences in the Wizard World. It was also the core of Leipzig Market and the foundation that had kept the Capet family standing for hundreds of years. Within the Wizard Tower, a First Circle Wizard’s strength, with the right augmentation, could contend with a Second Circle Wizard. Inside, spiritual power could be tremendously bolstered. Witchcraft that was normally strenuous to cast could be executed with ease. And a five-story building signified that the Wizard Tower was inscribed with at least five types of powerful witchcraft that could be activated at any time. By consuming Magic Crystals, the Wizard Tower could continuously attack.