Early in the morning, Theo gathered everyone. He distributed the tasks and the lists of supplies for the upcoming festival.

​Carole checked the list and the funds she had been given, nodding as she confirmed the tasks were manageable. However, curiosity got the better of her.

​"If we work together, two people would be enough for this, Sir. Why can’t the rest of us join you at the VIP’s mansion?" she asked, tilting her head.

​"Absolutely not," Theo replied curtly. "No one is allowed to interfere with the preparations until I call for you. Is that understood?"

​The sternness in his voice took them by surprise. They exchanged confused glances, wondering why Theo was being so unyielding.

​"It’s for your safety, everyone," Tizmilly added, her tone softer but equally serious. "We don’t know the full extent of the situation yet, so please, be patient."

​That seemed to settle the matter, though it sparked a different kind of reaction.

​Karr clicked his tongue and scoffed. "Dangerous? Those despicable nobles... they’re never up to any good, are they?"

​Theo clapped to regain their attention. "As discussed, Tizmilly, my mother, and I will depart with our client, Gyllena Layver. The rest of you are to secure everything on those lists. Everyone clear?"

​"Yes, Sir!" they answered in unison.

Theo nodded pleasedly and told them to leave.

After they could no longer see their back, Theo and the other sat down in front of the restaurant.

They didn’t have to wait long. A grand carriage arrived, driven by a coachman who looked just as pale and restless as his mistress. The heavy wheels came to a halt with a sharp creak, as if the vehicle itself was in a hurry to leave.

Gyllena almost stumbled upon her heels when she stepped out of the carriage. The moment she spotted Theo, she ran toward him.

​"Quick, you have to help me! They were there—right inside my mansion!" Gyllena cried out, her voice laced with panic.

​Tizmilly stood up and caught the noble lady as she nearly lost her balance. "Gyllena, what happened? You look exhausted..."

​Theo and Calary approached them, finally seeing the state of her face. Despite her makeup, the dark circles under her eyes were prominent; it was clear she hadn’t slept a wink.

​Under their worried gazes, Gyllena revealed everything. She described the robed figures in her garden, glowing with a sickly light. The most terrifying part, she whispered, was that her guards had seen absolutely nothing, even though the strangers stood right in plain sight.

​Calary gently pulled Gyllena into an embrace. The noble lady instinctively tried to pull back, but as Calary began to pat her head, she went still, finally allowing herself to lean into the comfort.

​Tizmilly turned to Theo, her brow furrowed. "Mr. Roost..."

​Theo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "A dark purplish energy... standing in a circle..."

​The description was unmistakable. It was the Abyssal New Gate’s territory marking ritual. And if his calculations were right, it was already half-way completed. The situation was far more dire than he had anticipated.

’​We have to move, now!’ Theo thought. He turned to his mother.

​"Mom, stay with Gyllena and Tizmilly inside the restaurant. Lock the doors. I have to go somewhere first!"

​Without waiting for an answer, Theo took off. He had to reach her—the one person who could help him stop this: his favorite witch.

...

The Dungeon City drainage channel.

​Theo entered through a drain cover tucked away in an obscure corner. He stepped onto the damp, mossy stone floor, the constant stream of murky water rushing beside him. The stench was overpowering, forcing Theo to cover his nose and mouth as he moved.

​He navigated the tunnels with practiced ease—turning left, then right, or pushing straight ahead without hesitation. He only stopped when he reached a dead end.

​Instead of turning back, Theo walked straight toward the stone wall. He pressed his palm against the surface, pulsed his mana into it, and knocked three times before sending a final surge of energy.

​The wall shimmered and transformed. It wasn’t stone at all, but a cluster of massive, camouflaged mushrooms. Slowly, they parted, creating a narrow path for him to enter. Once he stepped through, the "door" slid back into place, looking like a solid wall once more.

​The damp air immediately filled his lungs. Mushrooms of varied sizes and species clung to the walls and floor, their faint, bioluminescent glow eliminating the need for lamps. Massive, ear-shaped fungi grew from the ground, serving as makeshift tables for dozens of vials filled with swirling, colorful fluids.

​And then, there was the woman.

​She was crouched under one of the fungal tables, her eyes tracking him with sharp wariness. Her hands clutched the brim of her oversized hat, pulling it down to hide her face.

​Theo offered a calm smile. "Good evening, Lady Dorita," he greeted her with a slight bow. "Or should I call you The Umbrella Witch?"

​The witch’s eyes narrowed into slits. She rose slowly, her piercing green pupils locking onto his. "Who are you?"

​Ten years ago, Dorita had shielded a princess from a lethal explosion with an umbrella made of fungi. Since then, the title had become a legend—and Theo knew it was the only way to get her attention.

​A surge of nostalgia filled Theo’s heart as he looked at her. "I am Theo. I need your help, Lady Dorita. Actually, we need your help. To stop those cultists."

The witch’s eyes widened ever so slightly. "... Cultists?"

Theo nodded in response. "Yes, it’s them. The Abyssal New Gate."

Dorita was silent for a moment. She looked at Theo with her sharp eyes, her glasses reflected the light from the glowing mushrooms, making it harder for Theo to discern her thought.

But Theo didn’t even need to see her eyes to know what she was thinking.

Without saying a word, he placed a bag of 50 Gold coins. And another bag, this time filled with Elemental Gems and some mummified corpse of monsters.

"Of course, I won’t say that It will be free."