The Keepers had chosen to accelerate by stealing Origin Core fragments openly. They had abandoned patience because patience had stopped protecting them. They had abandoned caution because caution had begun asking for records.
So Lucien chose the simplest counterattack.
Catch the thieves.
Before noon, a shadow stationed near a neutral eastern sect sent a warning through the relay.
[Target confirmed.]
[Three black-robed Eternals entered inner treasury barrier.]
[Thieves preparing immediate withdrawal.]
Lucien read the report.
His expression did not change.
"Finally."
Seran looked up.
"That sounded like relief."
"It is always easier when thieves enter a house with witnesses."
The next Grace Quest appeared quietly in the region around the neutral sect.
Then a second command went through the shadows.
[Allow one witness line to remain open.]
The witness was already in place.
