The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family-Chapter 220: The Spy Among Us

Dawn painted the imperial archives in muted gold as Soren organized the latest dispatches from across the continent. His desk, positioned in the archives' eastern corner—a location chosen precisely because no one desired the early morning sun in their eyes—afforded him an unobstructed view of everyone who entered the cavernous chamber.

"Still here from yesterday, Recordkeeper Seren?" asked Archivist Lowell, using the wrong name as always.

"Soren," he corrected mildly. "And yes, the latest reports from the northern territories required immediate cataloging."

Lowell nodded, already forgetting both his face and their exchange. Such was Soren's existence—deliberately unremarkable, a human backdrop against which others lived their significant lives. The energy pattern of his core had been carefully modified to emit frequencies that human perception naturally filtered out, like a sound pitched too perfectly to background noise. The energy alteration ritual he had undergone during his fifteenth year—drawing on the cult's ancient knowledge of essence manipulation—ensured that even those who saw him daily would struggle to recall specific details. Not invisibility, but rather profound forgettability—the perfect cover for a High Chosen of the Icarus Cult.

He affixed the imperial seal to a completed catalog, carefully maintaining the precise movements of a diligent but unambitious recordkeeper. For seven years, he had maintained this cover, advancing just quickly enough to access increasingly sensitive information yet never so rapidly as to draw attention.

"The Beast Emperor's researchers have requested these texts from the restricted archive," Archivist Lowell announced, placing a requisition form on Soren's desk. "The Patriarch has approved access, but all materials must remain within the palace grounds."

Soren examined the form, struggling to control the excitement that threatened to disrupt his carefully constructed facade. The texts requested concerned ancient preservation runes and consciousness transference methodology—precisely the information he needed to understand the upcoming ritual at the Frost Chamber.

"I'll deliver them personally," he offered. "My quarterly inventory of the eastern wing is due, and this saves a redundant journey."

Lowell waved a dismissive hand, already turning away. "Just have them sign the requisition confirmation."

Alone once more, Soren allowed himself five seconds of genuine emotion—a controlled release of the zealot's fervor that defined his true self. Five seconds only, for even the most mundane spaces in the imperial palace possessed subtle monitoring arrays—crystalline sensors tuned to detect unusual energy fluctuations.

The restricted archive occupied the palace's deepest level, accessible only through a spiral staircase whose steps were carved with verification runes that would immobilize unauthorized visitors. Soren descended deliberately, each step resonating with the energy signature encoded in his imperial recordkeeper's badge. The air grew noticeably cooler as he reached the archive's entrance—a consequence of the preservation arrays that had maintained the ancient texts for centuries, powered by carefully arranged cyan-core crystals embedded in the walls.

Within, shelves of dark wood stretched in perfect rows, each volume secured by individualized containment fields generated by runic arrays that drew power from the Lionhart's specialized energy circulation system. Soren navigated directly to section seventeen, where texts concerning preservation methodology were stored. The requisition form had requested four specific volumes, each addressing different aspects of consciousness stabilization.

As he collected the requested texts, Soren's trained eye scanned their contents with practiced efficiency. The Beast Emperor's researchers were exploring theories of consciousness fracturing and reassembly—particularly focusing on methods to strengthen the connection between a fragmented mind and its physical vessel.

The implications were clear. In two days, they would attempt another restoration procedure on Klaus Lionhart.

Perfect timing, Soren thought, suppressing a smile. Exactly as High Priest Valen foresaw.

He secured the volumes in a specially designed carrying case, then completed his checklist with meticulous precision. No detail could seem out of place, especially now, with the extraction so close at hand.

The laboratory where the Beast Emperor's researchers worked occupied the east wing of the palace, adjacent to the Frost Chamber but separated by multiple security checkpoints. Soren approached the first of these, presenting his credentials with practiced humility.

"Texts from the restricted archive," he explained to the Lionhart sentinel. "Requisitioned by Head Researcher Thale."

The sentinel examined his documentation carefully, then passed a runed verification rod over Soren's imperial badge. The artifact glowed blue, confirming his registered energy signature matched imperial records. Had the sentinel used one of the more advanced detection artifacts, it might have detected the subtle layering of Soren's true energy signature beneath the fabricated one. But such measures were reserved for those entering the Frost Chamber itself, where the distinction between surface energy patterns and core essence would be scrutinized by the Lionhart family's specialized instruments.

"Proceed," the sentinel instructed, applying the necessary clearance mark to Soren's documentation.

Two additional checkpoints later, Soren reached the laboratory—a chamber filled with complex equipment brought from the Beast Emperor's domain. Glass cylinders containing swirling energies lined the walls, and a central table displayed what appeared to be a scaled model of the Frost Chamber, complete with miniature runes that pulsed in patterns matching the actual preservation field.

Head Researcher Thale looked up from her workstation, her features betraying her mixed Lionhart-Raikra heritage—golden eyes set in a face bearing the distinctive bone structure of the Ice Monarch's lineage. Soren knew from his intelligence gathering that she was Elisabeth's cousin, selected specifically because her mixed bloodline allowed her to bridge the methodologies of both imperial houses.

"The texts you requested, Researcher Thale," Soren announced, placing the case on a designated surface.

"Finally," she muttered, clearly impatient. "We're already behind schedule." She approached the case, ignoring Soren completely as she examined the volumes. "Have you been cleared to wait for the return, or should I summon a regular messenger when we're finished?"

"I'm authorized to wait," Soren replied, seizing the opportunity. "Archivist Lowell prefers restricted texts remain under continuous monitoring."

Thale made a dismissive gesture. "Then make yourself useful. Those need transcribing." She pointed to a stack of notes on a side table.

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Soren bowed slightly and moved to the indicated position—one that provided an excellent view of both the laboratory's main workspace and the researchers' conversation. As he began the mundane task of transcription, his trained ears—enhanced by subtle core energy manipulation techniques practiced by the Icarus cult for centuries—focused on their discussion.

"The modified Kalathian sequence still shows instability at junction seven," reported a younger researcher, indicating a section of the miniature model. "The energy resonance cascade fails when we introduce the Beast Emperor's core essence catalyst."

"Because you're applying Ice Monarch energy circulation methods to Beast Emperor beast essence components," Thale responded with evident frustration. "They represent fundamentally different approaches to consciousness stabilization. We need to create an interface layer to harmonize the energy frequencies."

"That's why I requested these," she continued, opening one of the volumes Soren had delivered. "The Third Age consciousness transference protocols used specialized runic arrays that might provide the bridging mechanism we need. If we can adapt the Frost Chamber's preservation matrix to accept external essence catalysts without disrupting the stabilization field, we create a pathway for the fragmented consciousness to reintegrate."

Soren's fingers continued their transcription work automatically while his mind processed this intelligence. They were indeed planning another restoration attempt—one that would temporarily reconfigure the Frost Chamber's protective barriers to allow external influences to reach Klaus's consciousness.

A perfect vulnerability, he realized. When they create that pathway, our extraction team can utilize the same opening.

"Run a full simulation using these parameters," Thale instructed, pointing to complex notations on the text. "I want results before evening briefing with both imperial representatives."

"The Beast Emperor remains confident this will succeed?" asked the younger researcher.

Thale's expression hardened. "The Beast Emperor has invested significant resources into this effort. Failure is not an option he entertains."

As the conversation shifted to technical details, Soren focused on memorizing the specific rune configurations displayed on the miniature model. With practiced technique—developed through cult energy meditation rituals—he captured mental images of each section, storing them for later transmission to the extraction team. The pattern modifications would allow Sister Myrith to precisely target their nullification devices to disrupt the Lionhart's energy-based security systems.

Two hours passed before Thale approached his table. "We've finished with the volumes. They need to be returned immediately." She studied him briefly. "I don't recognize you from the regular archive staff."

"I primarily manage northern territory documentation," Soren replied, the practiced lie flowing effortlessly. "Rotation to restricted archives is quarterly."

She nodded, already losing interest. "Ensure these are secured properly. They contain methodology the Beast Emperor considers particularly valuable."

"Of course, Researcher Thale."

Soren gathered the volumes, carefully securing them in the carrying case. He had obtained precisely the intelligence the extraction team needed—confirmation of the upcoming procedure, its timing, and the specific vulnerability it would create in the Frost Chamber's defenses.

As he navigated back through the security checkpoints, his mind composed the encoded message he would deliver to his contact later that night. The Icarus cult would have less than forty-eight hours to finalize their extraction plan based on this new information.

The thought brought a momentary flush of excitement that he quickly suppressed. Seven years of deep cover work, countless minor sacrifices and major deceptions, all culminating in this moment—when he would help deliver the Worthy One to Icarus's embrace.

Destruction brings salvation, he recited silently, the mantra calming his heart rate as he ascended the stairs to the main archive.

In two days, the eternal cycle would begin its final revolution. After three thousand years of patient preparation, Icarus would finally rise to cleanse creation through divine fire.

And Soren—unremarkable, forgettable Soren—would be remembered for eternity as the one who made it possible.