Chapter 411 - The Undercurrents of Backlund
Backlund, West Borough, Intis Embassy.
Special Envoy Mr. Owen raised his wine glass toward Tand, the "Marionettist" from the Secret Order who had been providing his protection:
"I hear the Storm Church is quite unsettled today. That Mysticism Magister accused of orchestrating Ambassador Backlund's assassination has been under heavy scrutiny. It seems your plan is working, Tand."
However, Tand didn't appear particularly pleased. He frowned and hesitated before responding:
"It feels a little too quick... I had thought that fool of an instigator would play his little 'hero' ga for a month before drawing any attention."
"This is not entirely surprising," Owen replied with a casual smile. "Backlund has been teeming with chaos lately: first the failed assassination attempt on Duke Negan by Vice Admiral Hurricane, then the grueso murders by the Serial Killer.
"Even the night we arrived in Backlund, we encountered a fleeing emissary from the Aurora Order. With all this, it's only natural that the Punishers are on high alert."
Taking a sip of his wine, Owen continued, "And how did the divination go?"
"When it cos to the churches of the true gods, the divination symbols are quite ambiguous. However, I can no longer 'see' the instigator's whereabouts, which likely ans he's been detained in the underground cells of St. Wind Cathedral," Tand replied, recalling his earlier divination.
"If the instigator has indeed been captured, then your sche has succeeded," Owen nodded. After another sip, he smiled and asked, "So, will you finally tell
the next part of your plan?"
"It's quite simple," Tand said, dismissing his earlier concerns. "When I 'hinted' at the instigator, I intentionally left traces. When that Mysticism Magister, Stuart, investigates, he will undoubtedly follow those clues to an Aurora Order hideout..."
Owen imdiately grasped Tand's intentions and laughed heartily:
"So you're planning to let him clash with the Aurora Order before stepping in to reap the benefits?"
Indeed, the plan, while seemingly straightforward, was anything but simple. It required Tand's expertise as a Marionettist to deceive soone as ticulous as Stuart, who could employ various mystic arts and backtracking techniques to uncover truths.
"Considering I'll be staying in Backlund for so ti, it wouldn't be wise to provoke the Storm Church directly. Letting the Aurora Order take the bla is the perfect solution. I'm sure they won't mind," Tand replied, lifting his glass with a reserved smile.
---
A Sanctuary-like Underground Chamber.
Mr. A knelt quietly before an inverted giant statue. Draped in a black robe with a hood, he remained motionless for a long ti.
Another hooded figure, Irene, entered the chamber and respectfully reported:
"Lord Emissary, the Storm Church's Mysticism Magister has co under criticism for 'sowing discord among working-class couples'. Although the accusations were soon refuted, his previous policies have beco a lightning rod for controversy, forcing him to temporarily step down."
"Excellent!" Mr. A nodded in satisfaction. A fleeting smile crossed his face, so radiant that Irene was montarily dazed. She snapped back to attention as his voice rang out with instructions:
"The Storm Church will soon realize your role in 'instigating' those clerics. For now, you should lay low and avoid leaving the sanctuary. Rest assured, they may be foolish, but after losing a Mysticism Magister, they will undoubtedly launch a thorough investigation!"
"Losing the Mysticism Magister... Are you going to act personally?" Irene asked, a mix of excitent and concern. "But your injuries..."
"I'll craft so evidence implicating the Intis Embassy. When the Mysticism Magister and the Marionettist are both exhausted from their conflict, I will step in. Even if they restrain themselves, the tension between the Storm Church and the Intis officials is exactly what we desire," Mr. A said with a raspy laugh.
"Chaos is necessary for the Lord's return."
---
A Luxuriously Carpeted Room.
A feather pen stilled, halting its writing. Beneath it, a notebook displayed newly written and scratched-out sentences:
"Lena felt an unknown danger surrounding Prince Edessak. Childhood bonds couldn't overco her fear, so she decided to leave Backlund as soon as possible. This developnt was logical."
That section had been crossed out.
"Concern for the prince temporarily overshadowed Lena's self-preservation. However, after repeatedly failing to et him, she grew suspicious and decided to approach the prince's subordinates and friends first.
"Alex, a special advisor to Prince Edessak, had obtained his potion from Lena. Thus, she resolved to visit the diviner she had cultivated."
Another section was added, then scratched out:
"On the night Lena visited Alex, he sought aid from an evil entity and lost control, mutating into a monster... Lena, caught off guard, perished at his hands."
Finally, a third attempt:
"Surprisingly, Lena anticipated Alex's potential mishap. Calmly, she killed her forr subordinate and discovered books of devotion to the True Creator in his residence."
A middle-aged man with sculpted features but one blind eye put down the pen. Looking at a woman dressing nearby, he asked:
"What's with this Lena? Why is she more troubleso than the one we sent to Prince Edessak?"
The woman frowned slightly.
"She's just an anomaly. Don't worry; I'll deal with her."
As she tied her hair up, revealing a slender, fair neck, the man beca montarily distracted. But his reverie was cut short when the feather pen began writing of its own accord, as if an invisible hand had seized it.
Hurriedly, the man regained control of the pen, preventing further mishaps.
The woman stretched languidly, letting out a small yawn as she adjusted her belt to emphasize her slender figure. Covering her mouth, she teased:
"You'd better be careful. Last ti, it nearly cost you your manhood."
"That won't happen again!" the man snapped with a dark expression. Watching her prepare to leave, he asked, "Where are you going?"
"To visit a royal advisor... After all, Lena's peculiarities might be his doing," the woman replied with a light laugh, stepping gracefully out the door.
---
A Garden Villa in North Borough.
Lena surveyed the room, now soaked in blood. At its center lay a mangled corpse. Smiling coldly, she muttered,
"Another 'coincidence'?"
Kneeling, she closed the eyes of the monster Alex had beco. Then, using a magical artifact she carried, she ignited a fire, engulfing the entire villa.
"Alex... Be smarter in your next life."
As her words faded, so did Lena, vanishing from the burning villa.
---
Daville Port.
Having watched Lydia turn White Shark into her blood puppet and extract the map's location, Ebner ceased his surveillance.
He had no interest in Roselle's Black Throne. Besides, the opportunity belonged to Gwyn's team; intervening would be inappropriate.
However, considering the ship had once ventured into the Abyss, it might carry unforeseen dangers. Ebner penned a letter to Cullen, informing him of the matter.
With Cullen keeping an eye on things, Lydia, Gwyn, and Terrance shouldn't face significant problems.
As the Misty Sea lay on the opposite side of the continent, the Aarunheim would require months of preparation before setting sail, even with Lydia's connections in Fenepot.
Setting the matter aside, Ebner returned to school to pack his belongings for his journey. Thanks to his newfound privilege of carrying the Dream Door, he stored most of his items in his "Rest Room," needing only a single suitcase.
The following morning, he boarded the White Agate bound for Bayam.
(End of Chapter)
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