Meanwhile, the two who were following and spying were at the left corner. After Rheyy left, the silence between them broke. Everett spoke with a tone of confirmation, "Oh, that's why."
...
While watching the man at the table, Lucian replied, "What do you mean?"
Everett said, "I meant the emblem at the door. His name is Roland Sigil. He is one of the siblings of the head of the Sigil family."
"Wait, you're the guild master, right?" Lucian asked. "Why didn't you know the General of the East?"
"Apparently, I was supposed to," Everett replied. "I'm part of the council, but I believe I was away when they made the change."
Lucian frowned. "What happened to the previous one?"
"He resigned after the raid on the Altair family. It took five out of seven councilors to agree to the session, but we eventually let him go so he could find some peace. He moved to the outer slope of the great mountain. Since there were no suitable candidates at the time, the city mayor's third sibling was chosen as a temporary replacement—but three years have passed since then, and the position became permanent."
Everett added, "Is he one of those people?"
Lucian smirked and said, "Yes. The General of the East. Based on the information I received, he was an independent member of their group. But in exchange—as the general who has almost a good relationship with anyone—he would be appointed to make sure that the ingredients were delivered safely."
"What kind of ingredients?" Everett asked.
Lucian said, "I don't know. That's why before we move, we need to know what kind of stone it is. And based on his reaction, that ingredient is used on something… weird."
"What about you? Do you have a relationship with him?"
Everett shook his head and replied, "Not really, we only had interactions three times. And those interactions were during the council meetings. As I said, as a guild master, I'm one of the important figures in this city. All I know is that he's a Magic knight, and the third sibling of the mayor."
"Magic Knight?" Lucian asked.
Everett explained in a small but detailed way, "It is a weapon and magic user. They have an affinity for magic but instead use a weapon. They will just imbue or fuse their element with their sword, making their sword have the extra effects of their element. Of course, they can also use their magic in a normal way, but the effect is lower than a pure mage, just as it is for a pure weapon user. There are also users who use their strength in addition to their magic, or strength plus weapon, and more."
"So that means I'm a pure mage?" Lucian said, then continued, "What about you?"
"I use strength with weapons. The box I'm carrying is my weapon, a greatsword," Everett said. He looked at Lucian then continued, "Usually, to use this great sword, you need an insane amount of strength. This means a sword like this relies more on strength than weapon mastery. In exchange, I can't learn any techniques at all. As for my pathway? I'm a Warlord."
Lucian leaned in. "What does that mean, exactly?"
"It's a title from the Continental Councillors," Everett replied. "For mages like you, the path depends on your achievements and, more importantly, the quality of your Golden Core. Actually," he added with a grimace, "every pathway is built on that same foundation."
Lucian nodded, his eyes fixed on the General. Everett watched him back, measuring the boy's potential. "What about the mage pathways?" Lucian asked.
"I'm a warrior, so my knowledge is limited," Everett admitted, searching his memory. "But there are five: Mage, Practitioner, Sorcerer, Thaumaturge, and the peak—the Grand Thaumaturges. There's no limit on how many can reach that height, but you must achieve a Continental Rank core. Right now, only four people in the world can claim it."
Lucian was analyzing everything, though the information he received from Ice and Still was already a few centuries old. Then he asked, "Has anyone reached the Sky Rank yet?"
Everett was confused by the question and asked, "What do you mean by 'Sky Rank'?"
Lucian looked straight at Everett's eyes and replied with a confused tone, "Sky Rank? The highest golden core a man can achieve?"
Everett giggled, "Lucian… The highest rank is Continental rank. There is nothing higher than that."
Lucian couldn't help but think, "Sky Rank of Golden Core was not real? What about what Ice and Still said?—"
Before he could finish his thought, General Roland stood and headed for the training ground just outside his quarters. Lucian and Everett trailed behind in silence.
"Should we fight him now?" Everett whispered.
Lucian didn't look back. "No. Not now. We need something worth jailing him for."
Everett frowned. "What do you mean?"
"We can't arrest a General on an assumption," Lucian replied, keeping his eyes on their target. "We have to find where he stores those strange stones. Let's follow him."
The two followed General Roland. They left the wide expanse of the main room and entered a long, silent, stone hallway—the cold heart of the fortress's underground. Minutes stretched on, yet they continued to march. Lucian, with his slight frame and the brittle physique of a mage, was already flagging, while Everett remained energetic.
"H-How much... further?" Lucian panted, leaning momentarily against the damp wall.
"Want me to carry you?" Everett asked, glancing back with genuine concern. "Based on how far we've come, I'd say we're under the Western wing now."
"W-We walked that far?" Lucian asked, his voice heavy with regret. "Let's continue."
They spent another moment walking while following the general. As it was just an underground, all they saw was another hallway. Then, the general finally stopped at the first door they had seen after the long walk.
General Roland entered the door. Inside, it was a cozy little room about 8 meters wide and 5 meters long. The room had a small bed good for 2 people, a small table near it, and a library. On each side, another door was placed.
Then, the general yelled, "March! I'm here."
Quickly, a figure appeared out of the left door: a man in his forties with obvious wrinkles, deep black circles under his eyes, and his forehead covered by brown hair. His eyes were red, his lips pale, and he had a normal nose and tanned skin. He wore a long tunic made of dark fabric, tied at the waist with a leather belt. Simple stitching ran along the edges, and fitted trousers sat beneath the tunic, tucked into sturdy boots. The outfit looked practical, clean, and suited for duty.
March snapped, his voice tight with irritation. "What are you doing here?"
"What happened to you? You look stressed," the General replied, his tone level.
"Well, I'm glad you asked! It's Shane. She's gone missing, and I'm losing my mind!" March's voice cracked with worry.
"Shane? That blind girl?" The General fixed March with a steady gaze. "How is it possible for her to go missing under your watch? You treat her like a treasure. How did you let this happen?"
March glared at him, his eyes flashing. "Are you blaming me? I never thought she'd disappear—not after her brother died." He clicked his tongue in frustration, pacing the room. "Now! Of all times!?"
"Are you worried he will find you?" Roland asked, his voice filled with calm assurance. "Don't be. You are beneath a city that only a handful of people even know exists. Not even that person knows of this place; he hasn't even managed to claim his father's seat yet."
"Well. Thanks for the assurance. What do you need? I know you're not coming here without a purpose," March said with arms crossed.
General Roland pulled out a chair and sat. "I have something to report. It concerns the stone."
March frowned. "Come. Follow me."
He led the way through the door on the right, the General following close behind. Beyond the threshold, a long staircase spiraled into the depths of the underground.
March raised a hand to his chest. "O Goddess of Fire, grant me your spell: Light!"
A crimson flame ignited in his palm, illuminating the dark and tight passage. As they began their descent, March spoke over his shoulder. "Talk while we walk."
"The delivery of the Stone of Gaia will be delayed for approximately two days," General Roland explained. "There was an unforeseen complication; several massive trees have fallen along the mountain pass, leaving the route completely blocked."
March clicked his tongue and asked, "Are they already moving?"
"Mhm. They've already diverted to the alternate route. However, as I said, it will take almost two days. Do you think you can hold him off until then?"
"I don't know… but I'll do what I can," March said with a heavy sigh. "Just be sure it doesn't take any longer than that."
"We're here. Just wait here."
In front of them stood an ordinary wooden door, decorated with black circular trim at each corner and a simple golden doorknob. March gripped the handle, bracing himself.
"Just pray that I come out alive," he said.
He twisted the knob and stepped inside. The two onlookers caught a fleeting glimpse of the interior—not total darkness, but a swirling void of deep purple and midnight blue. Then, the door clicked shut.
Thud.
The two who had been watching and listening the entire time were paralyzed by the sight behind the door. Nearby, General Roland remained rooted to the spot, his face etched with anxiety. A heavy silence stretched between them.
Everett was the first to break it. "Lucian. Did you feel that?" His voice carried a distinct tremor.