"I’ve discovered a huge secret. Want to hear it?"

A huge secret?

Wei’en looked at her suspiciously. "What secret has anything to do with me?"

"Of course it does. Well? Are you interested now?"

"No."

Clelia pouted. "You’re already an Extraordinary, and a Wizard from the Ghost Soul School who supposedly pursues the truth of knowledge without fearing even death. And you’re this timid?"

"This isn’t being timid, it’s being cautious," Wei’en said seriously. "This world is dangerous. You have to be cautious to live a long life."

’If you hadn’t targeted me, I’d be much safer right now.’

"...You’re really not interested?"

"Not interested."

"Then I’m going to tell you anyway."

Wei’en: "..."

’So you were just looking for someone to share this with, huh?’

Clelia said excitedly, "Today, I discovered that Director Ales of your Secret Investigation Department was having a secret meeting with Bishop Andrews of the Dawn Church, and they looked quite familiar with each other."

"Impossible. I heard he hates people from the church, especially the Dawn Church. Why would they meet in private?"

’Director Ales and Andrews?’

Wei’en’s first reaction was disbelief.

After all, during that ceremony, Director Ales had interrupted the Lord of Dawn’s gaze in front of half the Caster City State. How could he possibly be familiar with Bishop Andrews?

"Believe it or not," Clelia didn’t argue, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. "You should be careful of your Director. He’s not what he seems..."

Wei’en was skeptical, but he didn’t rule out the possibility that Director Ales and Bishop Andrews were indeed acquainted.

After all, Director Ales had been in the Caster City State for many years, so it was plausible that he knew people from the Dawn Church.

It was just like how he and Melbel couldn’t stand each other, yet they still had dinner together yesterday.

’Besides, what does the Director and the Bishop being acquainted have to do with me?’

’Such important figures are too far removed from my world.’

"So, was it the Director who injured you tonight?"

"Of course not. It was another eccentric old geezer." Clelia’s smile froze, and she added, annoyed, "I’ll kill him sooner or later."

"Right, right. But looking at your injuries, you obviously can’t beat him."

"Oh? Mr. Apprentice, I may not be able to beat him, but you’re weaker than me, aren’t you?"

Wei’en pretended not to hear—staying silent was the best way to avoid a beating. "Is there anything else? I need to get busy."

Clelia’s eyes narrowed. She took a deep breath, her chest rising prominently, and then slowly exhaled. "Have you run into any cases these last two days?"

Wei’en’s expression flickered as he remembered this was part of their previous deal.

’The price for one case was... 5 gold pounds, right?’

"Of course. I handled a case just today. At the Snow Tavern in the Basil District, a visitor from out of town underwent a mutation."

Wei’en held out his hand. "That’ll be 5 gold pounds."

"That’s it?"

"That’s it. The mutant was dealt with."

Clelia’s face fell. She reluctantly pulled out a 5-gold-pound banknote and placed it on the table. "Anything else?"

"Hmm, well, there is one other thing."

Wei’en thought of the case at Ceres Manor. Looking at the 5 gold pounds, he mused, ’Only an idiot would turn down free money. It’s just some noble’s dirty laundry anyway.’

"It was a commission from a noble..."

"The Ceres Clan, the *Black Pearl*... this case sounds more like it." This time, Clelia was quick to act, tossing a 5-gold-pound banknote onto the table. "Pleasure doing business with you."

"A pleasure, a pleasure."

Wei’en took the two banknotes and counted them. ’This is way more generous than the Ghost Soul School. It almost makes me want to seriously consider Clelia’s invitation.’

’Join the Eternal Life Association... Forget it. It’s an organization where you can earn money but have no chance to spend it. It’s safer with the Ghost Soul School.’

’Besides, aside from that arrogant and rude Liaison Officer, the school’s rules are all pretty sound. And every time I get promoted, the apprentice management office even sends me a reward...’

Seeing there was nothing else, Clelia sank into the shadows in the corner, slowly descending. As she disappeared, she casually added, "That necklace I entrusted to you... take good care of it..."

"Don’t worry. It’s perfectly safe."

Wei’en always treated his patrons’ requests as if they were his own.

Especially a major patron like her, who would pay for two completely unrelated cases...

Staring at the spot where Clelia had vanished, he took out the treasured book she had given him. It had a dark red cover, a black gemstone set within a hexagram rune, and a faint, ghostly light shimmering on its surface.

"Now, let’s see what’s actually written in here."

Wei’en channeled his Spiritual Power into his hands and carefully opened the cover—

"DU’A!"

"DU’A!!"

"DU’A!!!"

Accompanied by a shrill, desperate shriek, a mouth full of sharp teeth grew from the book’s edge. It gaped open, roaring madly as an overwhelming hatred radiated outwards.

Wei’en watched this scene thoughtfully. The word "Du’a" meant "Flower in the Darkness" in the Gonzalez language...

’Flower in the Darkness... Is that a person’s name?’

With that in mind, he reached out and patted the mouth. A wave of his Spiritual Power passed over it, causing the book to return to normal.

Wei’en looked at the book’s first page—only half a page?

"Huh, I don’t even recognize the first word?"

’My "Proficient" level in Gonzalez seems a little low.’

"...Night... silence... and the rest is torn off? This translation job is off to a bad start."

Wei’en turned the half-page, somewhat dejected. But as he looked at the contents of the next page, his spirit jolted.

"Year 88 of the Third Era, the Turing Empire is founded. The Primordial Continent is about to begin a new Chapter. Turing I is wise and great, and standing behind him are several... gods?"