Chapter 1569: Temporary Goodbye III

As night draped itself over the capital, a quiet procession gathered beneath Cestine Palace, far below its glittering halls and marble corridors, at the concealed exit known only to a trusted few. The air was cool, tinged with the faint scent of stone and steel.

Lory stood between Fredhardt and Lucas, speaking in low tones. A few steps away, Jay and Clift circled the vehicle with meticulous attention, checking panels and scanning seals. Fargo, Leon, and Zhao Li Xin conversed nearby, their expressions serious, voices measured and restrained.

This was no leisure trip, but meticulous preparation for a dangerous mission; still and all, no one looked nervous. After a final exchange, Lory clapped her hands lightly, the sound crisp against the underground stillness.

"Alright then," she said with an easy smile. "It’s time for me to go."

Lucas stepped forward immediately. "Don’t forget to contact me every day. No excuses. I don’t care what time it is, you have to call me, or I send Fargy to pick you up." Lucas seriously warned her.

"Yeah, yeah, I won’t forget," Lory replied, rolling her eyes in mock annoyance.

Fredhardt stepped forward next, holding out two sleek, encrypted cellphones.

"I’ve mapped all of our safe houses onto your digital system," he said in a composed, strategic tone. "Each location contains a secured stash, documents, currency, weapons, forged identities, and emergency supplies. Access codes are embedded and will activate only under your biometric authentication." He handed Lory two new cellphones.

"You’ll also find the names, ranks, and contact channels of our regional assets and sleeper agents. Some operate within governments, others within guilds, trade networks, or hospitals. Their loyalty is unquestionable, so use them without hesitation."

Lory accepted the cellphones without ceremony, "Thanks, Fred."

Jay stepped out of the driver’s seat, Clift at his side, both wearing expressions that carried the quiet pride of craftsmen presenting their finest work.

"Everything is secured," Jay reported. "The vehicle is installed with our latest surveillance countermeasures, signal scramblers, and adaptive defense systems. It can withstand ballistic impact, magical interference, and tracking attempts."

Clift then added calmly, "I’ve layered multiple protective charms into the frame: deflection, concealment, and emergency shielding. They will activate automatically if hostile intent is detected."

"Anyway, you won’t need a key to use the car," Jay continued. "We put new system that would only respond to your and Zhao Li Xin’s voice and biometric profile. Thus, it won’t recognize anyone else."

Lory’s eyes gleamed with interest.

From the outside, the black sedan appeared utterly mundane: matte finish, modest build, forgettable silhouette. It was the kind of car that blended seamlessly into city traffic, invisible by design.

"Open the door," she ordered lightly.

In an instant, a soft click answered her. The door unlocked and swung open with fluid precision, interior lights glowing faintly like a machine acknowledging its commander.

"Excellent work, Jay," Lory said with a satisfied nod.

Then she turned slightly, her voice carrying through the underground chamber with effortless confidence.

"Li Xin," she called, a playful warmth lacing her tone despite the gravity of the mission, "it’s time."

Zhao Li Xin turned at the sound of her voice. He gave Leon and Fargo a brief nod, silent understanding passing between men accustomed to unspoken words, before striding toward her.

Lory watched him approach and released a soft, resigned sigh.

His long, silky black hair, which once flowed past his waist like ink poured beneath moonlight, was gone.

In its place, it now fell to his shoulders, neatly trimmed in a modern style. The long front strands were tied back, revealing more of his sharp features while still retaining a trace of his former elegance.

However, the refined overlord aura that once enveloped him had shifted into something different. The mystery remained, but it no longer carried the weight of an ancient sovereign.

Instead, it felt sharper, quieter, more lethal. Less emperor of a bygone era, more dangerous operative moving through the modern world with calculated precision.

Lory folded her arms and studied her beautiful husband’s new appearance carefully. For the sake of concealment, Fredhardt and the others had insisted on cutting his long hair.

Since he became famous for painting, Zhao Li Xin’s long hair become too iconic and can be easily recognized. After all There were not many men in this world with waist-length dark hair and such a commanding presence. One glance was enough for recognition.

She folded her arms and tilted her head at him. Well, he still looked gorgeous—annoyingly handsome, as always. Of course he did. He was her husband, after all.

"Yo, Lory," Fargo said, "if you plan to visit the Arwegian, go to Veregio city and find a woman named Abigail Rose at the exclusive social club called the Grand Ivory Club. If something fishy is going on there, she would know."

Lory frowned slightly. "This Abigail Rose... is she your informant?"

"Nah, just a friend." Fargo shrugged nonchalantly.

"Ahhh...~" It must be one of Fargo’s friends-with-benefits.

"I see..." Lory nodded knowingly.

Fredhardt shot Fargo a dagger-like look before turning to Lory. "Be careful if you go to that kind of place, and with that woman. She’s manipulative and opportunistic. You must tread carefully around her. However, she does possess valuable information."

"Yeah, she can be a hassle," Fargo admitted, scratching the back of his neck. Then his tone shifted, turning more serious. "But her client base consists of city officials and influential figures not only in the Arwegian but also in other countries. Therefore, if you need sensitive information, she’s the quickest route."

He paused before adding, "If you want to meet her, send a white rose. She’ll know you’re important to me. And she won’t dare mess with you, she knew the consequences for touching my people...." His casual expression remained, but there was a quiet warning beneath his words.

Lory saw a row of worried faces that seemed reluctant to let her go. Seeing this, Lory didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry. "Okay, guys, don’t look at me like that. This isn’t my first time on a mission, and besides, I’m not alone."

"I know, it just...Just be careful, alright?" Fred blew his cheeks.

"And don’t forget to call me," Lucas reminds her, "Everyday" he emphasizes.

" and if you’re in trouble or you need anything..." Fargo opened his arms and gave her an obvious look.

"Watch your back, Princess," Clift said.

"And don’t do anything crazy," Jay chimed in.

"Guyyys!" Lory protested, throwing up her hands in surrender. "Oh my God, nothing is going to happen, if something did happened I would just hide inside Zhao Li Xin’s ring!"

Leon watched Lory’s helpless expression and let out a boisterous laugh. "Just come home soon, Princess."

Even Zhao Li Xin couldn’t help but laugh as he watched her being nagged from left and right.

Lory then got into the car. After she closed the door completely, she rolled down the window. "I’m leaving now. You guys also need to be careful, keep me updated, okay."

She waved her hand as the car began to move, "Bye-bye!" She drove away just as the secret gate slowly opened.

Suddenly, Fredhardt shouted, "Li Xin! Watch Lory’s cake intake! Make her eat more vegetables!"

The engine roared in response. The car accelerated at once, speeding down the hidden passage until it disappeared beyond the closing gate.

Fredhardt stared after it, his expression troubled. "Do you think he heard it?"

"He did." Fargo gave a firm nod. "But whether he can control Lory’s sweet cravings... that’s another matter."

"...Yeah." Fredhardt sighed, reluctantly agreeing.

___________________________________

___Somewhere else__

In a familiar upscale district, where manicured hedges lined wide, silent streets and marble fountains gleamed beneath the afternoon sun, a row of luxurious villas stood in quiet elegance. It was the same neighborhood where Lory and Zhao Li Xin’s villa was located.

But now, the villa stood empty.

Not far from Lory and Zhao Li Xin’s residence, a villa once known for its wild, youthful parties had fallen into strange silence.

It used to thrum with loud music and reckless laughter, young elites crowding the poolside until morning light crept over the marble balconies.

Now, the gates stood closed. No music. No flashing lights. No guests stumbling out at dawn.The sudden quiet felt... unnatural, and it had been a week since the last party was held.

For the neighbors, the silence was welcome. Peace returned to their evenings, and the air no longer trembled with music that lasted until dawn.

A few of them wondered about it, though only briefly. It was just a passing thought over breakfast. A mild curiosity mentioned in an idle conversation. But the interest was fleeting.

Soon enough, they dismissed it as a change in fashion, a shift in trends, or simply boredom finally catching up with youth. No one lingered on the question long enough to notice that the noise had vanished the very moment Lory and Zhao Li Xin left.

Behind tinted glass and partially drawn curtains on the second floor, a different atmosphere settled. A man with wavy black hair leaned back in a lounge chair near the window.

Sunlight traced the sharp planes of his olive-toned face, catching in his lashes and along the curve of his jaw. His posture appeared relaxed, one ankle resting over his knee, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed him.

That man was Enzo. The charming man who had once dared to flirt with Lory, only to be dismissed so thoroughly it bordered on humiliation. However, there was no trace of flirtation in him now, as if he turned into a different person.

He held the phone to his ear, his look outside the giant window while answering in a heavy tone, "Yes, they’ve left, I think it’s about two days ago."

The voice on the other end responded in an even, unhurried tone. Enzo listened with furrowed brows as his expression gradually tightened. His jaw clenched, and his lips twisted into a faint, irritated grimace. He shifted in his seat, tapping his fingers once against the armrest.

The calm voice continued speaking, and Enzo’s face grew more serious by the second. After a moment, he let out a deep sigh.

"...I know. Yes... I thought I had more time. I didn’t want to push it," he said, his tone tinged with regret.

The man on the other end replied again. Enzo massaged his forehead, eyes closing briefly as tension settled behind them.

"Yes, I’ve already seen the news," he said quietly. "I still don’t know how they managed it... Has Harland issued any response yet?"

The reply came swiftly this time. Enzo exhaled through his nose and ran his long fingers through his dark hair, brushing it away from his face.

A low, sarcastic chuckle escaped him. "You think they’d just take it lying down?" His voice sharpened.

"Then you’ve underestimated King Lucas and his Archknights, especially that man, Fredhardt Knoxville."

He turned toward the window, gaze distant but calculating.

"No. They won’t stay silent while their King is criticized in public. You know how fiercely Harland protects their King, how fanatically loyal they are, even more so, the Archknights."

His eyes darkened slightly. "They must be preparing something right now. I don’t know what, but I have a feeling we’ll find out soon."

The voice on the other end continued, quieter now. Enzo’s expression tightened, before he speak "You still haven’t uncovered their backgrounds?" His voice sounds irritated.

"I understand that after the Dark Age War, many records vanished. Entire identities were erased," Enzo said quietly. "But this couple... they had no friends, no family, not even a single confirmed acquaintance before they appeared in Eagle Rock City."

He shook his head slowly, unease flickering across his features.

"It’s as if they stepped out of thin air."

He leaned back against the glass, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

I can only suspect Harland is behind the cover-up. But why?" he murmured. "Why go to such lengths? Why shield them so completely?"

His jaw tightened, a faint pulse ticking near his temple. "What do they have... that makes them so valuable?"

His jaw tightened, a faint pulse ticking near his temple. "What do they have... that makes them so valuable?"

The voice on the other end responded in a firmer tone this time, no longer speculative, but decisive. Enzo listened without interrupting.

He then let out a heavy sigh, "...Yeah. I came to the same conclusion, as well," he said at last, giving a slow nod, though the man on the other end could not see it.

His fingers tightened slightly around the phone. "We need to find them."