Necromancer – “Invasion” [Campaign 3, Mission 3]

Which week was it?

I don't pay attention to the weeks. I replayed this mission, starting from capturing the 3rd Castle. I immediately cursed it. Narhiz, who used to come earlier, died. He was probably hired in the Knight's Castle tavern by an elf. So, instead of Narhiz with 18 Titans, a dull, grief-stricken level 3 hero arrived, unable to even remove Berserk (Narhiz used to remove it). I have advanced Dark Magic - Berserk lasts for 2 turns. Markel couldn't catch up to him before he reached the Castle. So, I hired a hero in the Castle, bought all the available units, and headed north to the nearest neutral creatures (it was too late to board a ship - he would have caught up). I left because I had 5 dragons in the Castle earlier, and I didn't want to lose them. But the mage didn't capture the Castle; he went after this hero. Markel approached, cursed the Castle, and stayed there. The next turn, the mage didn't attack my hero but returned. Markel then ambushed and killed him. The mage fought to the death. The next one also died (he appeared when Markel sailed to curse the third Castle). I think the next one will die too (he appeared when Markel went to catch the elf).

Now, I will check the tavern every week. If a high-level mage appears, I will buy him immediately so that the enemy doesn't get him.

Added after 17 hours 19 minutes
The mages recovered after their city was cursed. They captured the northern city on the mainland. There are already two of them running around the mainland. I'm not paying attention to them yet; I want to visit the arena and the knowledge-boosting location on the islands. Markel will destroy them with one volley (level 26, over 3000 archers). Moreover, the southern city is almost rebuilt and produces good troops. I'm just afraid that while Markel is traveling around the islands, a high-level mage with a large army might appear.