"How did they go missing?" Lucian asked, keeping his composure.
Tangpu flipped through the report in his hands one more time for a final check, the rustle of paper reaching Lucian's ears: "They were being watched by a high-ranking combat mage and two mid-ranking mages. Yesterday, after they arrived at a small chapel on the west side of Lentas, they never came out again. The high-ranking mage initially assumed it was just a normal continuation of Saer de's recent marginalization and reassignment of those radical clergy and Night Watch personnel, so he didn't think much of it. But when today came and there was still no sign of either
This was the Holm Kingdom. The number of mages here was many times that of Church personnel, which was why Tangpu could afford to use a high-ranking mage for surveillance.
"Could they have been discovered, and deliberately used this to shake off their tails?" Lucian suggested another possibility.
Tangpu tapped the table. "Can't rule it out, but the odds are slim. The same surveillance has been in place for the past few months, and they showed no unusual behavior suggesting they'd caught on. Yesterday was as calm as always."
"What about the other clergy and Night Watch personnel who've been marginalized by Saer de?" Lucian broadened the scope.
Tangpu chuckled, a note of seriousness in his voice: "If they'd gone missing too, I would've reported directly to the Supreme Council. That would mean Saer de definitely has a problem, and the plan would need to be adjusted. Right now, only those two are confirmed."
Lucian rubbed his brow. "There are twelve days before the operation begins. Try to find them, but don't attract Saer de's attention."
Tangpu took no offense at Lucian's suggestion and reminder. Everyone in the Arcane Council was speculating about when he would become a Grand Archanist and enter the Supreme Council, and his current clearance was already above the Affairs Committee's — on par with Ravendi and several other ninth-circle Grand Mages.
"As for the radicals, aside from some resentment, their emotions are fairly stable. Saer de really is quite skilled at manipulating people's hearts for a great prophet," Tangpu added briefly. As an Affairs Committee member, a student of the Storm Dominion, and a high-ranking mage who had passed the trial of faith, he knew about the cooperation, but he still didn't have the specifics of the operation's arrangements.
Lucian held the Feather Pen in his hand, uncertain what secret this matter truly concealed or what it portended. But regardless, Minsk and Juliana were the Night Watch members who despised him the most — beyond their sense of "justice" lay personal grudges, and they would very likely resort to any means necessary. He therefore requested that Tangpu increase the guard detail on Joel and his family.
After ending the communication, Lucian stared at the copy of Arcane before him, unable for a long while to concentrate. His mind was restless. The impending grand operation was putting far too much pressure on anyone who knew about it. Even someone like himself, who was skilled at maintaining composure, couldn't help but feel that suffocating, oppressive weight before a storm when facing unknown dangers and unforeseen changes. Of course, what mattered more was that he wasn't alone — he didn't need to worry only about himself. He had a lover, a mentor, students, friends, and family. If the operation failed, the consequences would be terrifying.
"I should go remind Master Fernando and tell him about that arrangement," Lucian said to himself. He knew Tangpu would report to Fernando as well, but he still decided to make a trip to "Thunder
Just as he was about to leave his office, Lucian saw Cherry knock and enter, her face carrying a hint of anxiety and melancholy. "Master, do you have a moment?"
"What is it?" Lucian asked gently.
Cherry sat down timidly in the chair in front of Lucian's desk, her hands twisting together: "Master, I have a lover named Jacques — you should know about him, right? The one you signed the magical contract with?"
"I remember. He's coming to collect the bloodline activation potion?" Lucian nodded.
Cherry smiled sheepishly. "He actually had great talent and had a real chance of becoming a knight on his own. But after signing that magical contract, his willpower just couldn't increase significantly no matter what. After years of trying, it still wasn't working. So he decided to use up the contract — not leave himself any fallback."
"Once he uses the contract, he won't just lose his fallback — he'll lose his hope too." Having found a life partner himself, Lucian felt a certain sympathy for Cherry and Jacques as a couple.
Cherry's face flushed red. "So — so I wanted to ask for your help, Master. I've saved up a lot of Arcane points over the years, and my father gave me quite a few Gold Thalers and materials as well. Combined with what Jacques earned through his mercenary work, it should be enough to exchange for a high-ranking vampire's 'Blood Essence.' I just don't have the clearance for it."
"That's a small matter, and a magical contract has already been signed. I'll help you make the exchange as soon as I get back," Lucian said kindly.
Cherry let out a long, deep sigh of relief. She had a gentle temperament and was thin-skinned; this matter had been lingering in her mind for a long time, and she'd been too afraid to speak up. Now that she'd mustered the courage to ask and received a satisfactory answer right away, she couldn't help but feel emotional. "Thank you so much, Master."
Lucian chuckled. "So you've got the Blood Essence — planning to perform the ritual yourself? I have to say, Jacques is rather commendable. He knows to go out and earn money through mercenary work instead of relying on you entirely."
"The ritual isn't that complicated, and I don't want to trouble you, Master. I'll go to the task board and post a request for a mage from the Necromancy or Transmutation school to oversee it." When she mentioned Jacques, a warm, happy smile appeared on her face. "He used to be a rather flashy knight, but he's become much more grounded now."