Chapter 486: The Price of Secrecy

"Three groups have departed for Greyfen in the past two days."

Pax placed a folded report on Sage’s desk, his expression suggesting that the information contained within was unlikely to improve the Guildmaster’s mood.

Sage, who had been enjoying a rare moment of peace with a cup of tea, slowly lowered it and looked toward his intelligence officer.

"Three?" Sage repeated, raising an eyebrow. "That’s rather unfortunate. I was hoping the rumors about an ancient dragon would frighten everyone away. Apparently, the people of this kingdom have developed a disturbing disregard for their own survival."

Pax pulled out a chair and unfolded the report. "Two groups consist of experienced mercenaries, while the third appears to be a smaller collection of hired scouts. They departed separately and took different roads, but their destinations suggest they’re investigating the disturbances around Greyfen."

"Do we know who’s paying them?" Sage asked, his amusement fading.

"Not yet, Guildmaster," Pax admitted. "However, their departure coincides with the inquiries concerning the ancient ruins. I doubt that’s entirely accidental."

Sage leaned back, considering the situation. He had expected the rumors to attract attention eventually, but three separate groups moving toward Greyfen suggested that someone was taking the investigation seriously.

Whether they were working together remained uncertain, although Sage had little interest in waiting until they arrived at his doorstep to find out.

"Keep investigating their employers," Sage instructed. "But don’t interfere with them. If we start preventing people from entering Greyfen, they’ll immediately wonder what we’re protecting."

Pax nodded thoughtfully. "I agree. However, there’s a possibility that one of these groups could discover the ruins before the dungeon manifests."

"Then we’ll have to make sure they don’t discover anything useful," Sage replied, tapping the desk. "For now, I want to know where they’re going, how many people they’ve sent, and whether they’ve obtained accurate information about the ruins. Everything else can wait."

Pax folded the report and rose from his chair. "I’ll contact my people and see what they can uncover. But Guildmaster, I wouldn’t assume we have another twenty-five days. If these groups are experienced, they could reach the relevant areas much sooner."

Sage watched him leave before turning toward the map spread across his desk. The eastern approach Rowan had identified remained the most convenient route to the ruins, but it was hardly the only way into Greyfen.

Anyone determined enough could approach through the surrounding wilderness, and even a poorly informed investigation might stumble upon something significant.

That was the difficulty with keeping a secret hidden beneath an entire region.

He couldn’t simply lock the door.

Later that morning, Rowan and Iris arrived at his office after receiving a summons. Mina accompanied them, carrying a small paper parcel from which she was happily retrieving pastries.

Judging by the crumbs on her clothing, she had already consumed several before reaching the Headquarters.

"Uncle Sage, why did you call us so early?" Mina complained as she dropped into a chair. "I was having a perfectly wonderful morning before someone told me you wanted to see us immediately."

Sage glanced toward the pastry in her hand. "Mina, it’s almost midday. And judging by the amount of food you’ve brought, I suspect your wonderful morning involved terrorizing another bakery."

Mina narrowed her eyes indignantly. "Petty Uncle Sage, there’s nothing wrong with supporting hardworking merchants. You should be encouraging me instead of criticizing my generosity."

"Of course," Sage replied dryly. "How foolish of me. The kingdom’s bakers must consider you their greatest benefactor."

Rowan cleared his throat before their exchange could continue. "Guildmaster, you mentioned something concerning Greyfen?"

Sage nodded and pushed Pax’s report toward him. "Several groups of mercenaries have begun investigating the region. We don’t know exactly what they’re searching for, but their movements are becoming troublesome. I want another assessment of the ruins and the surrounding approaches before those people get too close."

Rowan examined the report, his expression growing serious. "If they’re experienced scouts, they could locate some of the older trails. The eastern approach isn’t particularly difficult to identify, especially for someone familiar with wilderness exploration."

"That’s precisely my concern," Sage answered. "Can you conduct another reconnaissance without attracting attention?"

Rowan considered the question before nodding. "Yes, Guildmaster. I wouldn’t recommend approaching directly from the main road, though. We could use the southern woodland route and avoid the settlements where travelers are most likely to notice us."

Iris leaned forward, studying the map. "I’d also like to examine the mana formation again. My previous observations suggest that the accumulation is accelerating, but I need another set of readings to determine whether the change is significant."

Sage frowned. "Isn’t there some way to study it from here?"

"Not accurately," Iris replied, shaking her head. "The disturbances are concentrated beneath the ruins. I can compare my earlier observations, but without returning to the area, I can’t determine how much the formation has changed."

Sage rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Sending them back into Greyfen carried obvious risks, especially now that unknown investigators were moving through the region. However, remaining ignorant of the dungeon’s progress could prove even more dangerous.

"Very well," he decided. "Rowan and Iris will conduct a brief reconnaissance. Mina, you’ll accompany them."

Mina immediately straightened, her earlier complaints forgotten. "Really, Uncle Sage? Are we going hunting again?"

"You’re going to protect them," Sage corrected firmly. "Not hunt every unfortunate creature that happens to cross your path. Your objective is to reach the observation point, gather information, and return without attracting attention."

Mina looked disappointed. "What if something attacks us?"

"Then you may defend yourselves," Sage replied. "But please try to remember that avoiding unnecessary fights is generally preferable to announcing your location to every monster in the forest."

Rowan nodded in agreement, while Iris began gathering the documents she would need. Sage gave them additional instructions concerning the mercenary groups, emphasizing that they were not to confront suspicious individuals or investigate their identities.

"If you encounter other scouts, withdraw," Sage instructed. "I don’t care whether they look suspicious or whether you think you can defeat them. We’re not going there to start a conflict."

"Understood, Guildmaster," Rowan replied seriously.

Mina folded her arms. "Fine, Uncle Sage. But if someone tries to hurt Rowan or Iris, I’m not going to stand around politely asking them to reconsider."

Sage sighed. "Mina, I would be considerably more surprised if you did."

The three departed the following morning, carrying only the supplies necessary for a short journey. Rowan led them away from the busier roads, choosing narrow woodland trails that allowed them to avoid most travelers.

Although Greyfen remained dangerous, the recent beast migrations had left several stretches of wilderness unusually quiet.

By the second day, they had reached the southern approaches to the ancient ruins.

Rowan crouched beside a narrow trail, examining several impressions in the damp earth. The markings were faint, partially disturbed by wind and passing animals, but their arrangement was unmistakable.

"Someone came through here recently," Rowan murmured, brushing aside a fallen leaf. "At least four people, possibly more. They’re wearing proper traveling boots, and judging by the depth of these impressions, they weren’t carrying particularly heavy supplies."

Mina approached and glanced down at the ground. "Could they be hunters?"

"Possibly," Rowan admitted. "But this trail doesn’t lead toward the usual hunting grounds. It continues in the direction of the ruins."

Iris looked toward the surrounding trees, her expression tightening. "Then we should be careful. If they’re still nearby, I don’t want them discovering us while I’m examining the mana currents."

Rowan rose and studied the trail ahead. "We’ll avoid following their tracks directly. There’s another approach through the higher ground. It’ll take longer, but we should be able to reach the observation point without crossing their path."

Mina adjusted the weapon at her side and nodded. "Then lead the way. I’ll keep watch behind us."

They continued cautiously, eventually reaching a concealed position overlooking the ancient ruins. The surrounding wilderness appeared peaceful, although the unusual stillness did little to reassure them.

Iris settled beside a weathered stone and closed her eyes, concentrating on the mana flowing beneath the earth. Rowan remained nearby, studying the surrounding approaches, while Mina watched the forest with unusual patience.

Several minutes passed before Iris opened her eyes.

Her expression had changed.

"Rowan," she said quietly, "the mana accumulation is much stronger than it was during our previous visit."

Rowan turned toward her. "How much stronger?"

"I can’t give you an exact measure," Iris admitted, her brows drawing together. "But the currents are converging more rapidly, and the disturbances are becoming increasingly concentrated beneath the ruins. Whatever is forming down there is progressing faster than I expected."

Mina glanced between them. "Does that mean the dungeon is going to appear soon?"

"Possibly," Iris replied. "I wouldn’t claim to know the precise date, but I no longer feel comfortable relying on our original estimate. It could manifest earlier."

Rowan looked toward the ruins, his expression grim. "Then we need to return and inform the Guildmaster."

They withdrew without approaching the structures themselves. Before leaving the area, Rowan discovered another set of disturbed vegetation near the northern approach, confirming that someone had recently explored the surrounding trails.

Fortunately, they encountered no other travelers during their return.

When the three arrived at Headquarters two days later, Sage listened carefully as Rowan described the footprints and Iris explained the changes in the mana formation.

"So," Sage summarized, resting his elbows upon the desk, "we have unknown investigators approaching the ruins, and the dungeon might appear earlier than expected."

"That’s correct, Guildmaster," Rowan confirmed.

Iris nodded reluctantly. "I can’t determine how much earlier, but I strongly recommend that we prepare for the possibility of manifestation within the next two weeks."

Sage remained silent for several moments.

Two weeks.

That was considerably less time than he had originally expected.

Mina, apparently unconcerned by the tension, reached for another pastry. "Well, Uncle Sage, at least we know where we’re going. We just need to get there before those suspicious fellows."

Sage looked toward her before slowly smiling.

"You’re absolutely right, Mina," he replied. "Although I would have preferred a little more time to enjoy my peaceful life before everything became troublesome."

He turned toward Rowan and Iris, his expression becoming serious again.

"Get some rest. I’ll speak with Leon and Lucan about adjusting our preparations. We may need to depart sooner than planned."

As his companions left, Sage remained seated before the map of Greyfen, contemplating the narrowing window of opportunity.

Keeping the dungeon secret had bought the Guild valuable time.

But secrecy couldn’t stop curious mercenaries from exploring the wilderness, nor could it delay the formation beneath the ruins.

And now, both problems were approaching faster than expected.

Sage placed his finger upon the marked location of the ruins, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Two weeks, huh?" he murmured. "Well, I suppose the heavens have decided I’ve been taking things a little too comfortably."

Whatever happened next, he couldn’t afford to let someone else reach the Dungeon Core first.