Deep within a forest somewhere in Tivian, inside a luxurious office within a towering military fortress, Gregor stares in astonishment at the man in military uniform before him. He never expected that the highest-ranking official of the Pritt Serenity Bureau would be a member of the royal family! And not only that, but this man had personally received him as soon as he arrived in Tivian. What had he done to deserve such treatment?
Facing this scene, Gregor is momentarily stunned. After a long pause, he realizes that the man’s hand is still extended toward him, and he quickly shakes it.
"Ah... so you are Prince Harold?! Greetings, Your Highness! Please forgive my earlier rudeness!"
After shaking hands, Gregor immediately drops to one knee and hurriedly bows to the prince. Seeing this, Harold can’t help but smile slightly.
"Not all members of the royal family are addressed as ’Your Highness.’ Before you bow to someone with the surname Despencer, you should make sure you know who they are, lest you make a fool of yourself, Mr. Mayschoss."
"Uh... so my address to you..."
Hearing Harold’s words, Gregor feels a wave of nervousness, but Harold continues.
"Haha, no need to be nervous. You were correct in addressing me as ’Your Highness.’ I was just giving you a little reminder."
With that, Harold slowly walks back to his large desk and sits down, then looks at Gregor.
"Stand up. And in the future, when you see me in the bureau, there’s no need for such formalities. We’re all here to focus on our work, so no need to keep kneeling.""Yes, Your Highness Harold."
Hearing Harold’s words, Gregor stands up, though he still feels somewhat uneasy as he stands before Harold’s desk. He still doesn’t understand why the director has summoned him, a newcomer, for a private meeting.
After sitting back down, Harold leisurely picks up a teacup, places it in front of himself, and pours himself a cup of black tea. As he pours, he speaks to Gregor.
"Gregorius Mayschoss, born in Hunting Village, Igwynt County. Your mother disappeared when you were seven, and your father died in a hunting accident when you were ten. At sixteen—three years ago—you came to Igwynt to work. After getting involved in a local mystical incident, you joined the Igwynt Serenity Bureau as a Hunter nearly two years ago. Due to your outstanding performance, you were promoted to Apprentice half a year ago and became a squad captain. Recently, you single-handedly captured a Black Earth-rank member of the Nether Coffin Order, which earned you a promotion to the central bureau. Heh... impressive, kid. An Apprentice capturing a Black Earth."
After filling his teacup, Harold recounts Gregor’s resume. Though unsure of the director’s intentions, Gregor nods humbly in response.
"It was nothing, just luck. That cultist had lost his necessary equipment, so I was able to defeat him."
"Luck is part of strength. No need to be modest."
Harold responds, then pulls a small paper packet from his drawer. He tears open a corner and pours a black powder into his teacup. At first, Gregor thinks it’s tea leaves, but it’s not.
"You’re probably wondering why I’ve called you here for a private meeting. The reason is simple: your background is clean."
Harold takes a sip of his tea and continues, "Clean?"
"Yes. Born in a rural village, joined the Serenity Bureau in far-off Igwynt, no connections to Tivian’s factions, yet you have some ability. Your resume is straightforward and clear, and you’re about to be promoted... You’re exactly the kind of person I need right now."
Harold sets down his teacup and fixes Gregor with a sharp gaze. Hearing this, Gregor frowns slightly, sensing something, and asks.
"Your Highness Harold... You need someone like me because something has happened in the central bureau?"
Harold gives Gregor an approving look and nods.
"Yes, I’ll be frank with you. The central bureau... has a mole."
Hearing this, Gregor’s heart tightens. Though he had suspected as much, hearing it confirmed leaves him momentarily stunned. His eyes widen as he speaks.
"What... a mole? Your Highness... you mean... there’s a traitor in the central bureau?"
"Yes. We don’t know when they infiltrated, how many there are, or what positions they hold... But we’ve already lost a lot of important information because of them, and it’s caused significant damage... The mole problem has become my biggest headache."
Harold exhales deeply and leans back in his chair, his tone tinged with frustration. Gregor continues to ask.
"Has the bureau... been unable to find the mole?"
"I’ve tried many methods, but none have worked. The mole is deeply embedded and very cunning. Conventional methods have turned up nothing, and our usual internal investigations have been useless. So, I want to try something different."
Harold explains, and Gregor tentatively asks.
"So... Your Highness, you called me here... because of the mole investigation?"
"Exactly. I’ll be straight with you... Since our previous investigations have yielded no results, I suspect the mole has infiltrated some key positions. This has made me lose confidence in the people within the central bureau, so I thought of bringing in someone with no ties to the central bureau or Tivian’s mysticism world to investigate this matter."
Harold speaks calmly, and though Gregor had suspected this, hearing it confirmed still shocks him. He blurts out.
"Me? Investigate the mole in the central bureau? But, Your Highness, I’m just a newly transferred Apprentice! And I have no experience with this kind of thing!"
"Don’t worry, you’ll soon be a Black Earth. And you won’t be alone. Besides you, there are others being transferred from remote branches. I’ll also assign someone absolutely trustworthy to lead you. In the near future, you’ll form a team directly under my command. One of your main tasks will be to secretly investigate the leaks within the central bureau."
Harold waves his hand dismissively as he speaks. Hearing this, Gregor is at a loss for how to respond. His mind is racing with all sorts of thoughts.
Gregor hadn’t expected that the director of the central bureau was already aware of the mole problem and that the mole might be deeply embedded, with far-reaching connections. Harold plans to form a team with no ties to the central bureau or Tivian to investigate, and Gregor is to be part of it.
What shocks Gregor even more is that if he had been successfully replaced on the train, this secret investigation team would inevitably include a mole! A mole within the anti-mole team!
Thinking of this, Gregor feels a chill run down his spine. If the plan of those on the train had succeeded, this team, not yet formed, would likely be rendered completely ineffective due to the mole posing as him. The central bureau might never be able to root out the mole. And if his replacement was part of their plan, does that mean Harold’s plan to form this team has already been exposed? Just how deeply has the Eight-Spired Nest infiltrated the central bureau?
Gregor stands frozen, thinking of the consequences if he had truly been replaced. After a long moment of fear, he finally speaks with relief.
"Your Highness, I will do my utmost to complete the task you’ve entrusted to me."
"Good, very enthusiastic. But this task isn’t urgent just yet. On one hand, your teammates haven’t all arrived. On the other, you still need to be promoted. For a task like this, an Apprentice is far from sufficient."
Harold takes another sip of his tea, savoring it for a moment before looking at Gregor again.
"Since your review is complete, you should start preparing for your advancement. By the way, have you decided which path you want to take?"
"Uh... I can choose? I thought I could only advance as an Aeromancer?"
Hearing Harold’s words, Gregor is taken aback. He had assumed that upon arriving at the central bureau, he would have to advance as Aeromancer of the Storm Path, like his old director, James. He hadn’t expected there to be other options.
"Heh, indeed, the Storm Path is the signature of our Pritt Serenity Bureau, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only path we control. You do have some choices."
Harold chuckles, then begins to list the options for Gregor.
"The Storm Path, which focuses on Shadow with Stone as an auxiliary spirituality, has been the ancestral inheritance of the Despencer royal family for generations. Thanks to our gift, many in our nation’s Serenity Bureau and military are Beyonders of this path. It is through this powerful control over the winds that our nation has dominated naval battles and secured our maritime supremacy. The complete Storm Path is a symbol of Pritt.”
"Because of this, the Storm Path is the most common path in our bureau. For you, it would be the safest choice with the most potential for future growth."
Harold pauses, allowing Gregor to digest the information, then continues.
"Aside from the Storm Path, our bureau has recently gained control of a new path that focuses on Shadow with Chalice as an auxiliary spirituality. It’s called the Blood Shade Path. We acquired it after dismantling a hideout of an evil organization. This path allows you to change your appearance easily. At the White Ash rank, you can even hypnotize humans, transform into a bat, and rapidly heal by consuming blood.”
"This path is relatively new to us. Compared to the Storm Path, it’s incomplete, and we only have knowledge up to the White Ash rank. However, since the Blood Shade Path is just starting in our bureau, we’re willing to invest more resources into training the first batch of newcomers. If you choose this path, you’ll be a key focus of our training, with ample resources provided. As long as you show even a bit of promise, you’ll have a good chance of reaching White Ash rank.”
"However, beyond White Ash rank, we lack the rituals for this path. But for an ordinary Hunter, reaching Black Earth rank in their lifetime is already a blessing, and reaching White Ash rank requires extraordinary luck. So, generally, anything beyond White Ash rank is not worth worrying about. For you, this is an opportunity.”
"Now, I’ve laid out your options. Think it over and let me know your decision."
Harold finishes speaking, and Gregor is once again stunned. A question that had been bothering him is suddenly answered.
Gregor had been wondering how Adelin, who was clearly a Black Earth-rank Beyonder, would handle his advancement after arriving at the central bureau. A Black Earth can’t promote to another Black Earth, right? If he couldn’t use wind spells after his advancement, wouldn’t that expose him?
Now, it seems... Adelin knew that the Serenity Bureau had a new advancement path, and this path would align with his original abilities. So, he wouldn’t have to worry. After pretending to complete his advancement, he would only need to demonstrate his abilities. Could it be that the information about this new path was deliberately leaked to him?
“It seems... the infiltration of the central bureau is far worse than I imagined. Even this step has been anticipated…”
(T/N: Miss Fox was right once again~ Miss Fox 1 - 0 Black Dog)
Hearing Harold’s words, Gregor thinks to himself, realizing that the task of uncovering the mole will be far more difficult than he thought.
Despite his concerns, Gregor still needs to make a choice. But in reality, he has no choice. If he truly wants to help the central bureau uncover the mole, he must maintain his identity as Adelin in the eyes of the Eight-Spired Nest. To avoid raising suspicions among the moles in the bureau, he must follow the script and choose the Blood Shade Path. Moreover, the Blood Shade Path comes with additional resources, which is a great advantage...
“After all, reaching White Ash rank in this lifetime would already be a great achievement. Being a key focus of training and having an easier path to White Ash rank is definitely worth it…”
Gregor thinks to himself, silently deciding to choose the Blood Shade Path, both for the better advancement opportunities and to play his undercover role more convincingly.
…
Tivian North Suburbs, outside King’s Campus of Royal Crown University, Green Shade Town.
In the afternoon, Dorothy, wearing a small hat, a beige long-sleeved coat, and a pleated skirt, walks along the streets of Green Shade Town, carrying a bag. She had taken advantage of the clear weather to go shopping in the city, stocking up on snacks, tea, and coffee to prepare for the increasingly unpredictable and chilly weather.
Humming a tune, Dorothy walks briskly and soon arrives at her doorstep. However, as she prepares to enter, she notices that her mailbox is open, with something stuffed inside.
“A letter? At this time, it couldn’t be from Gregor, could it? He should have arrived in Tivian by now, but he’s probably still undergoing review. It’s too soon for him to be able to contact family…”
Dorothy wonders as she pulls the item from the mailbox. She realizes it’s not a letter but a small rectangular package. The package has no writing on it, but it carries a faint smell of machine oil. Recognizing the scent, Dorothy immediately knows what it is.
“This is from Beverly... She’s really acting as my personal courier.”
Thinking this, Dorothy quickly takes the small package, opens the door, and enters her home. After putting her things away, she hurries to her study and opens the package. In truth... Dorothy already has a good idea of who sent it. Only Adèle frequently sends her items through the White Stone Craftsmen’s Guild, and the only thing Adèle would send now is information about her teacher.
Opening the package, sure enough, Dorothy finds a yellowed old notebook. The handwriting on the cover is unmistakably Darlene’s.
Flipping through the notebook, Dorothy quickly skims its contents, and her heart skips a beat. The notebook contains none other than Darlene’s research on the Star Numerology Scriptorium ruins!
Dorothy finally has a lead on the Star Numerology Scriptorium!