“Cohen.”

“Why if it isn’t the Lord Stormcrow again.” Cohen gestured with his one good arm for his friend to sit. “What can I do for you, captain?”

“Ex-captain.” Galvin closed the door behind him as he entered the office.

“Pft. Nobody has ever dared to challenge you for the title of Stormcrow, not even the new leader, Utain.”

“Now, now, Cohen. Utain may not have been a good crow, but he is a fine leader. When I trained him, he had a good moral compass and ethics. Those are good traits for someone in our line of business.”

“Not for a crow.” Cohen shook his head. “Ninety-percent of the things we do never see the light of day, and the last ten percent are the only things that can be considered legal.”

“In terms of intelligence networks, we are only so-so.” Galvin laughed. “The covert agents of the Kingdom of Macha, the Masked Men, are by far the most secretive. Even I only know a few things about them.”

“I personally find the Ghost Corsairs from the Kingdom of Four Winds to be more commendable. They openly declare their intentions of only defending the four main islands, and as a result, those entire islands are off the radar. But... gossip aside, let’s move on to the main topic.” Cohen pulled out a stack of paper and handed it to Galvin.

“About that vial you gave me, apparently the thing inside is a sort of seed.”

“Seed?” Galvin flipped through the pages that detailed the type of magical experiments were conducted on the vial he had snatched off a corpse, out of Farrel’s sight. “I thought the Shadowless were wraith-type creatures… could it be that we were wrong this entire time?”

“That may not be the case, if they were originally plants that would explain their weakness to fire.” Cohen shook his head. “However, before the monster-seed could be studied in detail, it withered and died. There wasn’t even any remains to verify.”

“Does it have any relation to the Shadowless Blight?”

“...No clue. The experiments never got that far. As soon as the vial was shipped eastward, the creature had already grown weak.” Cohen shrugged. “As expected of the Stormcrow, you seem to get your hands on some interesting things.”

“Any details on the ones that attacked the manor?”

“None, whatsoever. However… this is my speculation based on current events, but the attackers have some relation to the Devout Guild.”

“Why do you say that?”

“...They’re too clean, and by far too easy to infiltrate. I hope it’s just my paranoia, but they have almost no connection to any of the current events.”

“Any speculations into motives?”

“Yourself, or one of the individuals living in your home. Do you remember the poison incident? A poison that even you could not detect is not something easily obtained or easily stored. This assassination attempt must have been planned for a long time.”

“In the end, trouble comes looking for me.” Galvin sighed as he stood up to leave. “Thank you Cohen, I should make preparations.”

“...Is it good or bad news that the Stormcrow is coming out of retirement?”

In a large conference hall on the upper floors of the Holy Church of Ecclisa…

“Moving onto the next order of business, we will discuss and address how we will deal with several high-priority individuals within the capital.” A tall, red haired woman dressed in a nun’s outfit announced.

“Our first individual is the former captain of the Harbinger Crows, the Stormcrow, Galvin Dusate. As some of you have already know, he was confirmed to be alive by one of our agents, Farrel from the Harbinger Crows. He is currently serving as a butler for the Justinia family.”

“...We should send an order to him to return. His skills are exceptional.”

“And if he refuses? If the sighting is true, then he has been living under our noses for the past ten years without any of us realizing. Who do you propose to send to persuade such a man?”

“Perhaps Lady Geisla…?”

“You fool! How can you sent the High Priestess for such an endeavor!?”

“Then Utain. Surely he won’t refuse an order from the current leader of the Harbinger Crows.”

“Ex-captain Galvin is not one that pays mind to status and rank.”

“Ex-captain, is it? You seem to address him quite respectfully for a traitor.”

“With all due respect, his abilities surpasses many of us here. If he so wished, he could remain in hiding until all of us are old and gray. There must be a reason for it.”

“We will leave him alone.”

“...As you say, Sister Tivi.” Several more female voices echoed their agreement, but there were muffled annoyed responses as well, mainly from the knights at the table.

“The next individual is Yuelei Alia, the creator of the potion, Light’s Temptation. Thanks to her cooperation, we have saved about 40% of those afflicted.”

“...It would be in our best interest if we can secure her loyalty to the Church. An alchemist with that level of skill is a valuable asset.”

“With all do respect, Knight-Captain Warlin, you must be kidding.”

“Sister Lorrin, why do you say that?”

“Don’t play the fool, Captain of the Black Knights. I know perfectly well of your methods. Do you not recall what happened to the Templar Order headquarters?”

“My, my, you make some rather large accusations, Sister Lorrin. I don’t know what you’re implying. If we can convince the student, then would the teacher go against the student?”

“Enough Warlin. That girl is under Lady Geisla’s protection. You will refrain from meddling with her affairs, lest you bring a war to our footsteps.”

“As you say then, Knight Captain Howard, since you speak for Lady Geisla.”

“Our next individual is June Dusate, our Shepherd in residence. We have recently lost contact with the Shepherds. Should we notify her of this?”

“We believe it best to do so. Our Devout Guild has meaningful trade with the Shepherds as well as the Wuuther Warlocks.”

“I am in disagreement. Events like these are commonplace as the Shepherds move from place to place.”

“Still… with the Shadowless being more and more aggressive lately...”

The conference continues.

“Welcome back, Liur.”

Lady Lumnieve.

“Have you and Yuelei been well?”

Relatively. Yuelei’s training with magic has slowed greatly. As you had guessed, that girl also has access to Primal Wind and Primal Water magic.

“It’s a good thing the Great Spirits of Water and Wind are no longer in this plane then. Ha... Otherwise I would have to fight them for Yuelei.”

...Do you not get along?

“Of course not. Old Windy is relatively pleasant, but he’s as stubborn as a bull. Old Watery on the other hand, you can never tell what she’s thinking.”

In that case, do you know where someone that can be found to teach Yuelei Primal Wind and Water magic?

“...Your best bet would be the ruins of the Sea Monastery that the Great Spirit of Water once resided, and the ruins of the Storm Palace that the Great Spirit of Wind resided in. However their locations have been lost to me.”

“There’s also likely some old rogue spirits, or at least relics of them that can provide some insight- you can ask Lin to see if he can find any for Yuelei.”

That man is gone… so it seems we have quite the journey ahead of us.

“Well~, it’s not like you two ‘have’ to go. You can always take Yuelei and stay here with me!”

I will respectfully decline. That child has things she needs to do.

“Tch. Now you’re reminding me of your grandmother. Boohoo, you and Yuelei get to on adventures around the world while I’m stuck here in this horrible cold palace.”

This one brings you souvenirs, does she not?

“It’s not enough!” Lumi started throwing a tantrum. “I. Wanna. See. Yuli!”

I almost feel bad for Yuelei, having a stalker like you.

“Oho! That’s right! If she doesn’t come to see me, I can just go and see her! It’s been a while since I last traveled!”

Please don’t. You will only cause trouble. Liur shook her head.

“It’s fine. Lin sent me a new batch of pills and I have been interested in testing them out!”

With all due respect, please restrain yourself and think of Yuelei.

“....Fine.” Lumnieve pouted like a small child before returning to conversing with Liur.

“Cordelia. Where is that man? I thought I told you to introduce him to me after his business was concluded.” Lord Hermann looked disgruntled as he tapped his feet. He had been waiting outside the underground storage vaults for quite some time and his servants had set up a chair and a table of refreshments while he had waited.

“He has already left.” Cordelia replied curtly.

“How useless, daughter of mine. I thought I have given you strict directions so I can meet with this man.” Lord Hermann was not happy as he took another swig of wine.

“I have relayed the message but he was not pleased about the affair with the painting.”

“Why did you tell him about the painting?” Hermann’s hands stopped mid air as his face twisted in anger. “Are you trying to sabotage me, Cordellia?”

“Because he entrusted me with it, and you interfered. I will relay to you his words.” Cordelia grinned, her grin a much more devilish and sadistic then the fake smiles she wore. Gone was the charming seductress and in its place was a vengeful elder sister.

“Neair said that if you insist on interfering and meddling with his business, he will show you the meaning of letting sleeping dragons lie. Furthermore, when I informed him of your personality, he stated that if he hears a ‘whisper’ of a word of plotting against any of his contacts, whether that be me, Airen, or anyone else related, then father should pray to whatever god he believes in to protect him to descend and buy him a few more seconds of life.”

Cordelia’s tone and words caused both Hermann and his servants to go quiet and in shock. The maid that was pouring wine into Hermann’s cup did not notice as it overflowed onto the floor.

“He has some guts, trying to go against the one that holds both his storage and balance.” Hermann snickered. “Does he truly have the audacity to challenge both the Irona Auction house and it’s patrons?”

“Regarding that, all of his items in the storage room has already been taken, and his current balance is at zero.” Cordelia had taken the initiative to transfer all of his funds to her name.

“Impossible, last time I checked the logs, there was at least fifty tons of material inside that storage facility!”

“So you admit to peeking into my customer’s inventory.” Cordelia clicked her tongue. “But don’t take my word for it, and by all means check.”

Without a word, Hermann descended the stairs while his servants and guards trailed behind him. Cordelia laughed to herself before following.

“This is the enormity of the man you have tried to skim money from by your greed.” Cordelia’s wicked laugh echoed around the empty storage room as Hermann held his head in shock. Her words shook Hermann out of his stupor, and he gnashed his teeth as he turned to Cordelia.

“Cordelia. Are you plotting against the family? You are just the daughter of a slave-whore!”

“My only family are my half brothers and sisters that you have abandoned. Why would I not goad a powerful customer into crushing the Irona House? Do not forget, father of mine, that you were the one that broke the rules first.”

“Hmph. Since you have bared your fangs against me, you are useless to me. There are several men who won’t mind paying a large price to have their way with you, and even more who would gladly buy you as a slave. Know that you brought this on yourself.”

As Hermann raised a hand, several guards stepped up from behind him and approached Cordelia. In response, Cordelia raised her hand in the air, a crystal clutched in her hand.

“He gave me this in case something like this happened.” Cordelia’s face betrayed none of her rampaging emotions. “One more step, and this entire auction house will be bathed in flames. Take this magical artifact away from my being, and we can all die here together.”

At her words, the guards halted. None of them were afraid of Cordelia, but instead were cautious of the mysterious man called Neair. They turned and waited for Hermann’s instructions.

“Of course, if you stay out of my and my employer’s business, as well as refund the price of the painting, we can drop this matter. After all father, you were the one who tried to steal his money.”

“Cordelia. What are you plotting?” Hermann too, was afraid of a man who could use magic to instantly teleport away thousands of units of materials. The vaults themselves were built in a way to seal both might and magic, even most elemental spells are useless here.

“Why. I am simply attending and serving my benefactor.” Cordelia turned around and walked towards the door. “Now if you excuse me, I have other matters to attend to as Head Auctioneer.”

As Cordelia left, Hermann grabbed a guard’s spear and tossed it against the wall in a rage. After a few minutes of rampaging he calmed down before calling for a messenger.

“Send a letter addressed to all members of the Council as an invitation to the next Grand Auction. We will display some of our most valuable items and sign it under my name. If my foolish daughter wants a war, then she will have it. Steel and gold may win battles, but gold wins wars."

“Ruri.”

“What is it?”

“I’m hungry...”

“...Shall I make something? Airen did say he was going to be late on his return.”

“Tch, you don’t know him well enough, Ruri. For all we know, he may disappear without warning and come back after a few months.”

“...Does he do that often?”

“It’s happened twice now. And knowing how secretive he tries to be, only the gods would know the reason why he vanishes.”

“Hehe, you sound like as if you worry a lot for him.”

“Who would worry about that idiot? He used to be cute until Loys got his claws on him.”

“Loys?”

“A playboy that toys with woman. If you ever see him, Rureya, you need to put as much distance as you can away from him.”

“...That bad?”

“It’s that bad. At least you have Rowan, Rureya. Ahhh, I’m a bit jealous.”

“Rowan and I aren’t like that.”

“I can see your face becoming red. Anyway, shall we take a bath before Airen gets back?”

“That would be a good idea.”

“...And if he doesn’t come back, we’ll just ditch him and eat at the mess hall.”

“That’s a bit-”

“Eh. Who cares about that guy.” Eullina pulled Rureya by the arm and they moved to the bathroom.

“Wow. They’re quite big.”

“Please don’t stare, it’s embarrassing.”

“Seriously what do you eat?”

“It-it’s a racial trait. I think.”

“Must be nice~, your hair is silky smooth as well. My hair is all curly and it’s a pain to maintain. The color is nice too. I can see the reason ‘Young Master’ Rowan fell for you.”

“...” Rureya did not respond, but instead stared at her reflection at the mirror.

“What’s the matter, Ruri?”

“Eullina, do you think that Rowan and I have any chance of getting together?”

“Of course, the two of you simply have to leave this country. Back in my homeland, mixed races were quite common and were highly sought after.”

“I would like to visit there someday.”

“Haha, When I return and reestablish my house, you can be an honored guest.”

“Reestablishing your house?”

“It’s a common story of fallen nobles. Don’t worry about it.”

“...If you say so.”

“On the other hand, Ruri. What are you planning to do from now on? You know, back in my country, it’s common for strong beast-women to kidnap the men they are in love with.”

“Such a thing-”

“Don’t worry. If you have any plans of doing so, I’ll help. Airen too as well. From what I can see of Rowan, he’s a huge coward, so you will have to play as the initiative.”

“...”

Before Rureya could respond, the sound of a door slamming can be heard.

“Ah, we’d best get out now. It seems we need to give Airen a good scolding.” Eullina dragged Rureya around.