Northern and Bairan seemed to be the only ones who didn't understand why everyone was freaking out.
Ascendant Zion and Sage Mock stood rigid, their hands slamming onto the table.
"That can't be possible. You're Ilitis?! How can Ilitis be right here before our very eyes?"
The shopkeeper, however, remained calm. He smiled, bowing slightly.
"Indeed, I am Ilitis. But please, do not place too much meaning on it. Right now, I am merely a servant of the Void Lord."
The genuine ease in his voice contrasted sharply with the stunned reactions around the room.
Yet, amidst the tension, Northern could hear Revant muttering under his breath.
'…he's been done numbers on.'
Trying to imagine how the shopkeeper had been revolutionized felt impossible. Whatever Revant had done—however fearsome—it was nothing short of impressive.
However…
Who is Ilitis?
Northern's curiosity burned. Who was this man for Paragon Raizel to lose even a semblance of composure like that?
He wasn't willing to just let it pass.
His gaze shifted between Paragon Raizel, Ascendant Zion, Sage Mock, and the shopkeeper—Ilitis. Then, he asked,
"Is anyone going to explain to me who Ilitis is?"
Paragon Raizel froze, then turned to look at Northern. His expression tightened before he winced.
"No way. You're telling me he's serving you, and you don't even know how great of a servant you have?!"
Northern felt a twinge of embarrassment. He scratched his cheek subtly, looking away.
"I… didn't think to ask. He did mention he had contacts in the Northern Continent…"
Paragon Raizel shook his head powerfully.
"No, no, no, kid, you've got it wrong. He is the contact in the Northern Continent! Ilitis isn't just some informant—he is an entire information network. Every piece of intelligence that circulates through the Central Plains eventually passes through him. It's like saying he's a walking library, holding limitless knowledge about almost everything."
Paragon Raizel exhaled sharply before adding,
"This guy… is the only Drifter as valuable as a Paragon!"
Northern looked at him, eyes slightly widened.
'He's that impressive? So, I guess he wasn't lying when he said he has a friend everywhere.'
Apparently, he was the friend everywhere.
Now that Northern understood the man's value, a strange feeling crept up on him—like a criminal remembering his crimes. He recalled the things he had done to the man, let alone the crueler things Revant must have done to reshape him into this respectful, uptight, and fiercely loyal servant.
'I'm just going to keep that a secret. He probably won't talk… or should I threaten him?'
The dark thought flickered briefly in his mind, but Northern quickly pushed it away. It almost surfaced on his face—almost. But he was too skilled at looking utterly blank while thinking the most vicious things.
Ultimately, the revelation only reinforced one fact—he had fetched himself a treasure.
Paragon Raizel seemed to settle down, exhaling deeply. His confidence and composure, shaken for a moment, returned in full force.
"If you are who you say you are, then I have no reason to worry about anything."
The Paragon sighed again, nodding assuredly.
Ilitis, however, didn't share his ease. He observed the Paragon for a long moment, his expression subtly tense.
Then, cautiously, he spoke.
"I think there might be a reason for you to."
Paragon Raizel froze mid-motion as he was about to sit back in his chair. Instead, he turned to Ilitis with a grave expression, leaning on the table and folding his arms.
"For you to say that… it must be serious."
The shopkeeper nodded, and glanced at Northern before turning back to the Paragon.
"It is…"
Northern understood immediately from the look in his eyes.
Ilitis—or whatever he was really called—couldn't remember the identity of the person who had approached him. Which meant they were back to square one. Unfortunately.
The shopkeeper leveled an even gaze at the Paragon as he began his explanation.
"I was approached by a man who spoke to me about the state of Lithia. Not that I wasn't already aware, but he offered insider information—things even I wouldn't normally have access to. Details like why you're being held here… and what's happening within the inner cadre of the government."
He paused, then continued, his voice even but edged with something unreadable.
"He gave me the stimulants and told me to send them to Lithia at all costs. He paid a lot of money for it. And he said that if I happened to come across someone particularly interested in the blockade, I should send them there too."
At that moment, Ilitis glanced at Northern before quickly shifting his gaze away again, resuming his explanation.
"But right now, I cannot remember anything about this person—not their face, their voice, or even the smallest hint of their identity."
A heavy silence followed.
Paragon Raizel's expression darkened, the weight of the situation settling visibly on him.
"For someone like you, that must spell doom." His voice was grim. "Which also means… the person who did this is no slouch. They knew exactly what they were doing when they approached you."
Ilitis nodded. "You are right, Paragon Raizel."
The Paragon's brow arched sharply.
"I don't remember ever telling you my name, though…"
Ilitis let out a short chuckle, inclining his head politely.
"Please, sir, let's not beat around the bush. As someone who claims to be the heart of intelligence, knowing the names of every Paragon—not just in the Central Plains but across the world—is the bare minimum."
Paragon Raizel laughed—abrupt and amused—before cutting himself off just a second later.
"You've really stepped into your persona, I see."
He paused, his smile lingering, though his eyes seemed distant—focused on something inside rather than anything in the room.
After a moment, he exhaled and said,
"No problem, then. But someone like you must already know what to do. I refuse to believe you're entirely defenseless—clueless on how to handle a client who made you forget who they are."
His tone hardened, sharp as a blade.
"And given the nature of your work… and the ridiculous reputation your intelligence has, I also refuse to believe that you hadn't considered the possibility of something like this happening and prepared contingencies in advance."
Northern watched Paragon Raizel, a flicker of admiration crossing his mind. The man was thorough—he liked that.
Then, slowly, his gaze shifted to the shopkeeper.
The entire room waited for Ilitis's response.