Lucian held a white porcelain teacup and nodded slightly. "I know. Anyone who sits in his position must be ruthless and cruel, or they would have long since become nameless bones in the wilderness. It's a pity I don't even know who his guards are, otherwise..."
His tone was mild and even, but Leo felt a chill run through him. This employer of his was the type of mage—calm to a terrifying degree. If he had known exactly how many powerful guards Ivanovsky had, he would immediately analyze their defensive weaknesses, psychological blind spots, the probability of success, and the risks involved, striving to eliminate the threat in the shortest possible time.
"When I worked for Ivanovsky, he publicly had only one Great Knight or mid-rank mage with him, but there were certainly hidden protectors in the shadows. On several occasions, assassins sent by competitors mysteriously died outside his residence before even reaching his side. There was also one time when the assassin was a Second-level Knight skilled at concealing his bloodline ability; he ambushed and severely wounded the Great Knight protecting Ivanovsky. But just as he was about to succeed, after a moment of complete darkness, the assassin was already dead on the ground, his face frozen in an expression of pure terror." Leo recounted everything he knew about Ivanovsky in full detail.
A smile hung on Lucian's face. "I summoned an 'Invisible Servant' earlier to follow him from a distance, but it was nearly discovered. Fortunately, it confirmed that Ivanovsky's room is surrounded by concealment magic effects like 'See Invisibility' and 'Detect Scrying,' making it very hard to probe. Therefore, if we want to eliminate him, we can't assassinate him at his chosen location. We must make him move to our rhythm."
"Master," Leo said hesitantly. "If you gave me a mid-rank magic item... I would find an opportunity to perish together with Ivanovsky."
In his view, the main reason those assassins couldn't kill Ivanovsky was that they valued their own lives too much. If one disregarded their own life entirely, it was entirely possible to take out Ivanovsky before being killed by the Great Knight or the mid-rank mage.
Lucian surveyed the room. "There's no need for that for now. You rest first."
His greatest advantage right now was that Ivanovsky had no idea about his true strength. Whether Ivanovsky sent assassins or used other means, he was very likely to miscalculate. And such miscalculations were Lucian's opportunity to whittle away his subordinates one by one. Of course, if Ivanovsky had no intention of silencing witnesses, that would be the best outcome, so there was no need to send Leo on a suicide mission that would only put Ivanovsky on high alert and force him to focus his full attention on confronting Lucian directly.
Meanwhile, Lucian had secretly set up a unique concealed Magic Circle of the Arcane Council. It didn't block prying eyes; its sole effect was to enhance the sensitivity of the caster's spiritual field, allowing the detection of extremely faint and tightly suppressed magical fluctuations—ones that were normally impossible to perceive at his current level.
The moonlight was soft and serene. Lucian leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, and appeared to drift off to sleep amidst the appreciation of the moon.
Night deepened, and everything was quiet. Suddenly, Lucian felt a faint magical fluctuation.
It had almost merged with the breeze in the darkness. Had he not laid the Magic Circle in advance, he would never have noticed it.
The magical fluctuation slowed, nearly dying down, yet it remained suspended in the air like a mirror, reflecting upon Lucian, observing his every movement.
Lucian occasionally shifted his body, as if sunk in deep slumber.
This "harmonious" scene continued until dawn. Nothing happened.
……
Ural City, "Green Vine" Inn.
Having disposed of most of the goods brought along in this bustling city and restocked a large amount of ironware, Belf appeared quite relaxed.
After breakfast, he sat in a corner of the inn's common room, sipping strong liquor and idly observing the guests coming and going. He quietly exchanged commentary with another drunk, judging their identity, status, hobbies, and personality.
"Father, why are you drinking so early in the morning?" Lena, wearing a white fur coat, had accepted Igor's apology the previous night and made up with him. Today she was planning to tour the Market District and Blacksmith District with him, only to unexpectedly find her father already quite tipsy. She glared at him in mild anger.
Belf let out a belch, the smell of alcohol strong on his breath as he grinned. "My little Lena, tomorrow we leave Ural City to head home. Let me enjoy a full day of drinking! Besides, the more I drink, the more energetic I become." Their next stop was the capital of Kinov Province, the final destination of this caravan.
"Father, you've been drinking for two days already!" Lena frowned. "Then you promise that during the journey from Ural City to home, you won't drink a single drop!"
Belf laughed heartily. "Little Lena, don't think I'll agree to anything just because I'm drunk. I'll still have my morning, lunch, and dinner drinks!"
Just as he finished speaking, he stood up abruptly, swaying slightly. "Mr. Peter, welcome back! I thought you might stay with Baroness Caroline."
His tone was suggestive, utterly unlike an old man.
At that moment, Lucian was entering the inn through the main door with Leo. His golden hair shone brilliantly, and he looked refreshed and alert. After breakfast, the distinctly cooler Baroness Caroline had sent her coachman to return Lucian to Ural City, which suited Lucian perfectly. However, he had not relaxed his vigilance in the slightest.
"Good morning, Mr. Peter." Lena greeted him happily; she had always thought Mr. Peter was a proper gentleman.
Lucian looked at her and Igor with a smile. "Good morning, Miss Lena. You two seem to have made up? That puts my mind at ease."
His teasing remark brought a blush to Lena's cheeks. Igor, the young man who had never much liked Lucian, also scratched the back of his head with a hint of shyness, not knowing how to respond.
Fortunately, a drunk nearby diverted the topic. Belf clapped Lucian on the shoulder in consolation. "Mr. Peter, don't be discouraged! You're actually quite popular with the ladies, hic. Baroness Caroline probably only likes proper Shahran men—that tall, brawny, and rough type."
Even though Lucian's disguise added a few centimeters to his height, he was still a head shorter than most men in the Shahran Empire, and even farther behind in terms of muscular bulk.
Thanks to Belf's interruption, the awkward atmosphere quickly dissipated.
In high spirits after making up with his sweetheart, Igor suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, Mr. Peter, you should go back to your room and check your luggage! I was too excited last night and couldn't fall asleep, and I heard faint noises coming from your room next door that stopped quickly. I don't know if it was my imagination, or if there were mice or thieves or something..."
Lucian turned his head slightly to exchange a look with Leo, seeing the same gravity in his eyes. Then he smiled calmly. "Thank you for the reminder, Igor. I'll go check right away."