Chapter 12: Shadows of Secrets  

Step!  

Gaon halted, a smile spreading across his face as he gazed ahead. 

The sprawling cityscape of Rabes unfolded before him.  

It’s surprising enough that a city exists here, but it’s massive.  

Fifty years ago, this area had been barren—no village, let alone a city. Now, it rivaled a metropolis.  

From the hilltop, Gaon took in the view before heading toward the northern gate, where a long line of people waited to enter. 

Not everyone needed to queue, though, and Gaon was no exception.  

Good thing I got the silver badge.  

A bronze badge would’ve meant waiting, but a silver badge, backed by the mercenary guild’s authority, granted priority. 

The 200 gold cost was well justified.  

Gaon approached the gate.  

“May I see your identification?” the guard asked cautiously, hesitating at Gaon’s youthful appearance.  

Gaon handed over his silver badge.  

The guard’s eyes widened. Returning it, he said, “Welcome to the city.”  

Passing through the gate, Gaon thought, Not an ordinary guard.  

The guard exuded an aura comparable to a knight from fifty years ago. 

Was he truly a guard, or a knight in disguise? 

Gaon was curious but dismissed the thought—probing would be unwise given the circumstances.  

He pressed forward into the city.  

Step!  

Soon, he reached his destination and stopped—a grand three-story library.  

Gaon’s purpose was information, specifically the history of the past fifty years. 

While a library wouldn’t hold every detail, it would cover major events, which was enough for now. 

Any remaining questions could be answered at an information guild.  

At the entrance, Gaon checked a noticeboard: 1 gold for 2 hours, 5 gold for 24 hours.  

He pulled 5 gold from his pouch and handed it to the librarian at the counter.  

The librarian flinched upon seeing him but quickly recovered, offering a red wristband. 

“After 24 hours, it’s 1 gold per 2 hours. Enjoy your time.”  

Gaon took the wristband and entered, thinking, What’s with this guy?  

Like the gate guard, the librarian was no ordinary figure, radiating sorcery stronger than Garga, the Slayers Tren branch leader. Yet, it was concealed meticulously.  

Someone from an organization in disguise?  

Why would someone with branch-leader-level sorcery work as a librarian? Likely a cover.  

It didn’t concern Gaon, though. He shifted focus, searching for the history section.  

Soon, he found a shelf packed with historical texts.  

Been a while since I’ve seen these.  

Some books were familiar, chronicling events from over fifty years ago—useless to him now. Scanning titles, he selected six volumes about the demonic invasion and settled at a nearby table.  

Flip… flip…  

The sound of turning pages filled the air. After finishing the first book, Gaon closed it, staring at it silently.  

Remarkably, it had answered many of his questions: why the demonic invasion hadn’t ended, why the Varta Empire weakened, and why Gardion Tower’s prestige had fallen.  

It wasn’t just the nations.  

He’d thought the seven traitorous kingdoms were the sole betrayers, but they weren’t alone. Major organizations like the Galion and Levrik Towers, both top ten, and the continent’s strongest mercenary corps, the Max Corps, had defected to the Demon Realm. Even within loyal organizations, countless betrayers emerged.  

Even Seionia had traitors…  

Shockingly, the Holy Empire Seionia—knights, monks, priests—had defectors.  

That explains it.  

The sheer number of betrayers clarified why the invasion persisted.  

Still, so many traitors in the empire and Gardion…  

Gaon frowned. The Varta Empire and Gardion Tower, both unrivaled, had suffered massive betrayals. While these weakened them, they remained the continent’s strongest.  

What happened?  

Setting the first book aside, Gaon opened the second, written forty years ago. It wouldn’t cover the last four decades, so he continued reading.  

Flip… flip…  

***

Alion Family Estate, Oris’s Study  

Oris, Blanc, and Knight Abel were present.  

“Is that true?” Oris asked Abel.  

“Yes. No mana was detected, but he’s a young teen with a silver badge. His presence was… extraordinary,” Abel replied.  

Oris turned to Blanc. “Your thoughts?”  

“It’s definitely Gaon,” Blanc said.  

Yesterday, shocking news arrived: Rapir Sailer, third son of the Sailer family, died four days ago in Tren. The culprits? Gardion Tower mages, including one named Gaon with a silver badge.  

To cause such a stir and come here…  

Gardion Tower had sent a letter promising a visit to Rabes. Oris had expected discretion, not a high-profile incident.  

“Where is he now?” Oris asked Abel.  

“The library.”  

“Alone?”  

“For now, yes.”  

“What’s he planning? Waiting for others? Why not come directly?” Oris muttered, puzzled.  

Blanc offered, “He might be gauging how surrounding forces react after his actions. Or…” He paused. “It could be a signal to us, asking if it’s safe to visit.”  

“That makes sense,” Oris nodded. “What should we do?”  

“Invite him,” Blanc advised. “Delaying benefits neither us nor the tower.”  

“Abel,” Oris called.  

“Yes, my lord.”  

“Bring him.”  

***

Hoo…  

Gaon sighed, closing the book and reflecting.  

The six volumes detailed the past fifty years. 

While not all questions were answered—such as the exact reason the Varta Empire became a kingdom or Gardion’s full decline—he’d learned enough. The rest could come from an information guild.  

Rising, he returned the books and headed for the exit.  

Then, he paused.  

A man entered the library—familiar. The “guard” from the northern gate.  

Their eyes met, and Gaon thought, He’s here for me.  

The timing was too perfect for a casual visit. The man approached, locking eyes.  

“Greetings, Gaon,” he said. “I’m Abel, a knight of the Alion family.”  

As expected, the guard was a knight in disguise. But that wasn’t the issue.  

Why me? How do they know?  

The Alion family ruled Rabes. Why was their knight seeking him, and how did they know his identity?  

Did word of Rapir’s death spread?  

That would explain it.  

When Gaon didn’t respond, Abel glanced around and whispered, “No need to worry about leaks. 

Only Lord Oris, Blanc, and I know of Gardion Tower’s visit.”  

What?  

Gaon was stunned. Gardion’s visiting?  

Gardion Tower was far from Glaco Kingdom, a region dominated by their rivals, the Fire and Rud Towers. 

Why would they come here?  

What do I do?  

The Alion family mistook him for a Gardion mage sent for a visit. 

Following Abel would mean meeting the real Gardion mages—something he’d planned to do eventually, but not now.  

No, meeting them sooner might be better.  

“Alright,” Gaon said.  

Relieved, Abel’s expression eased. “This way.”  

Gaon followed him out of the library. 

After a long walk, they reached the Alion estate—grand, with eight visible buildings, a vast garden, and even a small lake.  

Step!  

Gaon stopped, turning to a two-story building on his right.  

Sorcery?  

A subtle, malevolent sorcery emanated from it, detectable only at this distance. Most wouldn’t sense it.  

The issue was its target—one person.  

Could it be…  

On the way, Abel had mentioned Gardion mages were coming to heal Gron, the Alion heir. If that building was Gron’s residence, with its heightened security, it was likely.  

“Is something wrong?” Abel asked cautiously.  

Gaon, eyes on the building, asked, “Is the heir in there?”