Chapter 485: Three Suspicious Men [ 2 ]

Edmund leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Each of us contributes what he can. You and Roderick possess experienced mercenaries capable of navigating dangerous territory. I can provide information concerning the region’s known ruins, local contacts, and financial support for the investigation. We send separate groups into Greyfen, compare their findings, and determine whether there’s anything worth pursuing."

Roderick frowned. "Why separate groups?"

"Because sending a large force would attract attention," Edmund explained patiently. "The Guild might notice, and so might every other organization interested in Greyfen. A few mercenaries traveling through the region can easily be explained as ordinary hunters investigating the beast disturbances."

Gideon nodded slowly. "That makes sense. Besides, separate groups can cover more territory without wasting time moving together."

Roderick remained silent for several moments before asking, "And what happens if one of our groups discovers something valuable?"

Edmund’s smile widened slightly. "Then we discuss how best to proceed."

"That’s not an answer," Roderick replied bluntly.

"It’s the only sensible answer until we know what we’re dealing with," Edmund countered. "There’s little point arguing over the division of treasure when we haven’t even confirmed that treasure exists."

Gideon gave a low chuckle. "For once, I agree with him. Let’s find out whether Sage is hiding something before we start fighting over it."

Roderick looked between the two men before reluctantly nodding.

"Very well," he said. "I’ll send a small group of experienced scouts. They know how to investigate dangerous territory without drawing unnecessary attention. But I want regular reports, and if the situation becomes more dangerous than expected, they’ll withdraw."

"Agreed," Gideon replied. "I’ll send my own men through a different approach. If there’s anything unusual happening around those ruins, they’ll find evidence of it."

Edmund nodded approvingly. "Excellent. I’ll provide whatever information my contacts uncover, including the older records concerning the ruins. However, there’s one condition I insist upon."

Both mercenary leaders looked toward him.

"Nobody approaches the Adventurer Guild directly," Edmund continued. "We don’t question its employees, confront its adventurers, or make accusations against Sage. If he has discovered something valuable, the last thing we want is to alert him that we’re investigating."

Roderick nodded. "Agreed. There’s no reason to announce our intentions."

Gideon smiled coldly. "Besides, I’d rather see the look on that Guildmaster’s face if we discover whatever he’s hiding before he can secure it."

Edmund returned the smile, although his thoughts were considerably more cautious.

He didn’t particularly underestimate Sage.

The Adventurer Guild had expanded far too quickly for its success to be dismissed as mere luck, and its Guildmaster had repeatedly demonstrated an irritating ability to turn seemingly insignificant opportunities into profitable enterprises.

Whatever Sage had discovered in Greyfen, Edmund suspected it was worth considerably more than the information currently available suggested.

However, suspicion alone wasn’t enough.

He needed proof.

The discussion continued for another half hour as the three men examined maps, compared reports, and agreed upon the general areas their investigators would search.

Gideon preferred approaching Greyfen from the north, where several old hunting trails remained accessible.

Roderick intended to use experienced scouts familiar with the eastern wilderness, while Edmund would continue gathering information concerning the ancient ruins and unusual mana disturbances.

By the time their arrangements were complete, the atmosphere inside the chamber had become noticeably more cooperative.

Nevertheless, none of the three men had forgotten their individual interests.

Gideon wanted to prevent the Adventurer Guild from gaining another advantage that could weaken the influence of established mercenary organizations.

Roderick was interested in whatever valuable resources might be discovered, particularly if securing them could strengthen his own position. Edmund, meanwhile, viewed the entire situation as a commercial opportunity that might become extraordinarily profitable if handled correctly.

Their objectives overlapped.

That didn’t mean they trusted one another.

As the meeting approached its conclusion, Roderick gathered his documents and rose from his chair.

"One thing still bothers me," he remarked, looking toward Edmund. "If Sage really discovered something valuable, why hasn’t he begun moving supplies or organizing a larger expedition? From what we’ve heard, the Guild’s activities remain perfectly ordinary."

Edmund considered the question before answering. "Perhaps whatever he discovered isn’t ready to be exploited. Perhaps he’s still investigating its value. Or perhaps he’s deliberately avoiding preparations that would attract attention."

Gideon snorted. "You’re giving him an extraordinary amount of credit."

"Would you prefer I underestimate a man who has repeatedly profited from opportunities other people overlooked?" Edmund asked calmly.

Gideon didn’t answer.

Edmund rose from his chair and began gathering the remaining parchments.

"Whatever Sage discovered, there’s one thing we can establish with certainty. He personally traveled to Greyfen, investigated the disturbances, and returned without making any significant announcement. That doesn’t prove he’s hiding something, but it gives us sufficient reason to investigate."

Roderick nodded slowly. "Then we’ll see what our men uncover."

The three exchanged brief farewells before departing separately, careful not to attract unnecessary attention to their gathering.

Edmund remained behind for several minutes, studying the map of Greyfen spread across the table.

His gaze lingered upon the areas marked with reports of unusual mana activity, particularly those associated with ancient ruins.

He still didn’t know what Sage had discovered.

Perhaps it was nothing more than an abandoned structure containing a few valuable artifacts. Perhaps some rare magical resource had begun attracting powerful beasts.

Or perhaps the entire matter would prove to be an expensive misunderstanding.

Nevertheless, Edmund couldn’t shake the feeling that something important was happening beneath the seemingly ordinary wilderness.

And if there was one thing he had learned from observing Sage, it was that the Guildmaster rarely involved himself personally in matters without expecting some benefit.

A quiet knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter," Edmund instructed, turning toward the door as a plainly dressed man stepped inside.

The newcomer bowed respectfully. "Sir, the inquiries you requested have been completed. Unfortunately, nobody could provide the precise location of the ruins. However, several travelers confirmed that unusual mana disturbances have been reported near the older sections of Greyfen."

Edmund nodded thoughtfully. "And the Adventurer Guild? Have you discovered anything concerning the route its expedition followed?"

"Only fragments, sir," the man answered. "A few travelers remember seeing the Guildmaster’s party, but their accounts are inconsistent. We haven’t identified their destination."

"Then continue investigating," Edmund instructed, folding the map. "However, avoid asking too many questions in the same places. If anyone begins wondering why you’re interested in those ruins, withdraw and report to me."

The man bowed again. "Understood, sir."

After dismissing him, Edmund approached the window and looked down at the crowded streets below.

Somewhere in the capital, Sage was undoubtedly continuing his preparations, whatever those preparations might involve.

Edmund had no intention of allowing him to operate completely undisturbed.

"Let’s see what you’ve found this time, Guildmaster," he murmured, a calculating smile appearing on his face.

Meanwhile, the first arrangements were already being made to send experienced mercenaries toward Greyfen.

They weren’t searching for a dungeon.

They didn’t even know one was forming.

But their investigation was gradually bringing them closer to the ancient ruins where an extraordinary opportunity lay hidden.

And when that opportunity finally revealed itself, the three men intended to be ready to seize whatever advantage they could.

Unfortunately for them, they had no idea just how dangerous the discovery might become.