Chapter 483: Whispers in the Capital [ 2 ]

Despite his relaxed attitude, Sage was already considering the implications of the report. Rowan had identified several approaches to the ruins, while Iris continued examining the underground mana formation.

Garran was handling the expedition’s equipment, and Leon had agreed to accompany them when the time came.

Their preparations were progressing smoothly, but all of those advantages depended upon maintaining a reasonable degree of secrecy.

If a powerful organization discovered the dungeon before it manifested, the entire situation could change.

Sage reached for a clean sheet of parchment and began writing a short instruction. "I’ll have Cassian keep an eye on unusual inquiries at Headquarters. Nothing excessive. If someone comes asking about our expedition, the staff can simply explain that we were investigating the disturbances in Greyfen. Which, conveniently, happens to be true."

Pax nodded approvingly. "And I’ll continue monitoring the rumors through my contacts. I can also find out whether any mercenary groups are actually preparing to travel there."

"Do that," Sage instructed. "But don’t suddenly start paying enormous sums for information about Greyfen. The moment informants realize we’re unusually interested in the region, they’ll begin wondering why. And once they start wondering, someone will inevitably decide that the answer is worth selling."

"Understood, Guildmaster," Pax replied, gathering the first two parchments.

Sage watched him for a moment before adding, "There’s something else you should know. Leon has agreed to accompany our expedition."

Pax’s movements paused.

"Captain Leon?" he asked, looking up sharply. "Personally?"

Sage smiled with obvious satisfaction. "The very same. Although he also spent a considerable amount of time explaining how his involvement might attract some rather unpleasant attention from the Kingdom’s more powerful factions."

Pax’s expression grew serious. "He’s right, Guildmaster. His presence would discourage plenty of lesser organizations from challenging the Guild, but the strongest noble Houses and Knight Orders might interpret his participation as something more significant."

"Which is precisely why I’d prefer everyone to remain unaware of it until the appropriate moment," Sage replied.

"If people discover that the Captain of the Ardent Sun Knight Order is preparing to accompany me into Greyfen, they’ll immediately start asking questions that I’d rather not answer."

Pax nodded firmly. "I’ll make sure nothing about his involvement comes from my side."

"Excellent," Sage replied, leaning back with a satisfied expression. "You see? Everything is perfectly manageable. A few rumors, some curious nobles, and the possibility of several powerful organizations attempting to steal a fortune from beneath my nose. Nothing worth losing sleep over."

Pax stared at him for several seconds before shaking his head. "Guildmaster, sometimes I genuinely can’t tell whether you’re confident or simply refusing to acknowledge how troublesome your situation has become."

Sage smiled pleasantly. "A truly capable Guildmaster must possess both qualities in equal measure."

Pax was about to respond when his gaze fell upon the final parchment still resting on the desk. His expression changed slightly, and he reached forward to retrieve it.

"Actually, there’s one more thing," Pax said, his earlier amusement disappearing. "I wasn’t certain whether it was important when I first received the report, but after hearing everything you’ve told me, I believe you should know."

Sage noticed the change in his expression immediately. "What is it?"

Pax unfolded the parchment and glanced at its contents. "One of my contacts overheard an individual asking about ancient ruins in Greyfen. Not abandoned beast territories or valuable herbs. Specifically, ancient ruins."

Sage’s smile faded.

"Did he mention anything else?" Sage asked quietly.

Pax nodded. "According to my contact, the individual was particularly interested in ruins located near areas with unusual mana disturbances. He wanted to know whether any recent expeditions had discovered such a place."

For several moments, Sage said nothing.

The earlier rumors about beast migrations and valuable resources could easily be dismissed as ordinary speculation.

But someone asking about ancient ruins near unusual mana activity was considerably more concerning.

That description came dangerously close to the location their expedition had investigated.

"Who was he?" Sage asked.

"That’s what I’m trying to determine," Pax replied. "My contact didn’t recognize him, and the man apparently left before anyone could learn much about his background. However, he seemed to know exactly what kind of location he was searching for."

Sage slowly leaned back in his chair, his gaze narrowing.

Someone else was following the same trail.

Whether that person understood what was forming beneath Greyfen remained uncertain, but the questions were far too specific to ignore.

"Find him," Sage instructed after a moment. "Quietly. I want to know who he is, who he’s working for, and how much information he possesses. But don’t confront him, and don’t let him realize we’re interested."

Pax nodded, carefully folding the parchment. "Understood, Guildmaster. I’ll see what I can uncover."

As Pax rose to leave, Sage glanced toward the map of Greyfen spread across his desk. The estimated manifestation date remained several weeks away, yet the first signs of competition were already beginning to appear.

He had hoped to claim the dungeon before anyone else realized what was happening.

Now, that advantage was beginning to narrow.

"One last thing, Pax," Sage called before he reached the door.

Pax turned around. "Yes, Guildmaster?"

Sage rested his finger upon the marked location of the ancient ruins, his expression unusually serious. "If your contacts discover that anyone is preparing an expedition specifically to investigate those ruins, I want to know immediately. Not tomorrow, not after you’ve confirmed every detail. Immediately."

Pax nodded firmly. "I’ll make sure of it, Guildmaster."

Once the door closed, Sage remained seated for several moments, contemplating the situation.

Twenty-five days.

Perhaps fewer.

And somewhere in the Royal Capital, another person had begun asking the right questions.

A faint smile slowly appeared on Sage’s face, although there was considerably less amusement in it than before.

"Well, well," he murmured, tapping his finger against the map. "It seems someone else has developed an interest in my future gold mine."

He had no intention of allowing that interest to become anything more.

Because whoever that mysterious individual might be, Sage intended to reach the Dungeon Core first.

And once he claimed it, everyone else could line up and purchase their Dungeon Passes like respectable, paying customers.