"Yes. Once he became aware of the Ernst Clan’s plan, he did nothing. To him, it didn’t matter whether the nobles or the Council were weakened—either way, it would allow the Dawn Church to increase its influence in the Caster City State."
’I get it.’
’He was just sitting back and watching the tigers fight!’
However,
’I doubt even Bishop Andrews expected things to turn out this way.’
"No wonder Director Ales kept his distance from both sides after he was appointed. Even with the Council, he only kept up appearances..."
"That’s right."
At this, Mitra couldn’t help but glance at Wei’en. "You know more than I thought."
"Go on."
Wei’en smiled and gestured for her to continue.
’The events of seventeen years ago were merely the trigger. What he really wanted to know was what Ales had done *before* that night.’
’Or, more precisely, how he had meticulously lured the Noble Committee into a trap...’
"After that..." Mitra thought for a moment before continuing. "About seven years ago, I came to Nocturnal City. The Glory Society had already contacted us at the Desire Sect. They wanted to use the power of our great Lord of Desire to control a number of people in the Caster City State."
"Old Count Ernst primarily wanted to control some key members of the Council—most of whom were contenders for the position of Governor."
"This continued until one night two years ago, when the sect suddenly contacted me. They told me to get in touch with someone codenamed ’Dark Night’ and cooperate with his plans."
"I only found out later that ’Dark Night’ was Director Ales himself. I have no idea what he offered to get our leader’s consent, but they formed a secret alliance."
’A double agent?’
Wei’en raised an eyebrow. That was a possibility he hadn’t considered.
He’d assumed Mitra was only cooperating with the nobles... but if this was true, it explained how Ales had set a trap that Old Ernst walked right into.
With a key member of the enemy faction as an inside man, he could orchestrate everything with ease, as long as he wasn’t discovered.
Add Old Jack—the man who kidnapped Clelia—as outside support, and Ales had a good chance of success from the very beginning.
’Oh, and I can’t forget Tina and the clown losing control...’
"What about the Black Pearl? And the Abyssal Sect?"
"Old Ernst was the one who summoned the Abyssal Sect. However, once Ales found out, he also struck a deal with someone from their sect. The Abyssal Commander never showed up in the city state that night, so I imagine that was Ales’s doing."
"As for the Black Pearl... I know the Glory Society sent them a message, but no contract was ever signed. Besides, they seemed to have their own agenda."
Mitra shook her head again. "I’m sorry, I’m not very clear on that."
"It’s fine. You’ve told me plenty, and I now understand the whole story from beginning to end. Yes, thank you very much," Wei’en said, a gentle smile on his face.
’He knew it wasn’t Ales who’d dealt with the Abyssal Sect, but the Dawn Church who had intercepted them.’
’And the Black Pearl’s target must have been the forbidden item in Director Nifa’s possession, as well as Little White Fur.’
’But later, when they ran into Black Jack, they didn’t seem particularly interested in Little White Fur...’
’So, Wei’en could only guess: did Black Jack kidnap Tina on someone else’s orders, or was it simply another one of Ales’s schemes?’
"Mr. Wei’en, there’s one last thing I need to tell you."
Mitra’s heart eased slightly. She had been genuinely worried that the young Wizard would take out his anger over Ales on her, but for now, things seemed fine.
"Did you know that Ales might be on this island right now?"
"Hmm?"
Wei’en froze. ’Ales is on the island?’
He turned and glanced at Tina, who was sitting quietly beside him. His gaze fell instinctively on the model sailboat she was holding, and a flicker of killing intent flashed in his crimson eyes.
’That familiar feeling in the Golden Tavern... the crafting materials from the Western Continent ruins at the Himenez Clan’s workshop...’
’Was it all Ales’s doing?’
’It’s possible!’
At this thought, Wei’en turned to Mitra, his tone turning cold. "What else do you know? Tell me!"
"He... he..."
Mitra’s face paled. That same primal, soul-shaking terror from before washed over her again, and a chill seemed to rise from deep within her.
"J-just a week ago, Old Jack, who left with Ales, found me. He said they would be arriving on Aleksey Island soon."
"He told me to come to the island ahead of time to prepare a hideout for them and set up a Rune Array to evade pursuit from the Dawn Church’s Heroic Saintess."
"So, he’s not here yet?"
"I’m not sure... But from what I know of Ales, he’ll definitely scout out the situation on the island before showing himself at the opportune moment..."
’Cautious?’
A faint red glow flickered in Wei’en’s eyes. Killing intent billowed from him, seeming to swallow everything in its path.
"Did they say why they were coming to this island?"
"That..." Mitra raised her eyes slightly, her expression saying it all.
’At first, she hadn’t understood why Ales would take such a huge detour to come to Aleksey Island. But the moment she saw Wei’en, she understood—he must have come to finish what he started back in the Caster City State!’
"To wait for me?"
"P-possibly."
Wei’en stared at her coldly for a long moment. Then, the smile returned to his face—warm and bright.
"This information is very important to me..."
’The danger has passed.’
Mitra’s heart eased. She gave a dry laugh and said, "I’m not entirely sure either... According to the deal between our Desire Sect and... him, our ties were supposed to be cut after the incident in the Caster City State. I thought I’d never see him again... I never expected..."