Everyone present drew in a sharp breath after hearing the final decision. The reaction was not without reason since the situation was complicated.
Several institutions such as the academy and the public security were not the ordinary establishments. They were under the direct authority of the kingdom itself. The places were meant to embody the order, discipline, and trust.
Every month, the officials were dispatched to inspect them thoroughly, ensuring that no corruption or irregularities could take a root. For several years, that system had functioned without fault. The inspections were strict, the standards were uncompromising, and the results were consistently clean.
At least, that was what everyone believed.
To suddenly conduct an unannounced investigation without formal procedure or approval was no small matter. It was a challenge to the kingdom's own authority. Only a crazy person dared to challenge the kingdom.
If they were wrong, the consequences would be severe.
Few soldiers among the group hesitated and their expressions were tightening as the implications settled inside their heart. The questions formed on their lips but before any could be voiced, the leader had already finalized his decision. His authority left no room for the argument.
In any case, the man would bear the consequences himself.
Those words which were spoken with quiet certainty had already cut off all resistance. No one dared to oppose him further. Whatever doubts remained were swallowed and buried beneath their obedience.
Soon after, the crowd began to disperse.
The groups formed naturally and each of them was assigned to a different destination. Several low murmurs filled the air as they discussed their tasks. Somehow, their voices were laced with unease and curiosity.
Some were eager while the others were reluctant. Nevertheless, none could escape the implication of what they had been ordered to do.
Amidst the shifting movement, Baston slipped away his focus. The man disguised as Herbiens was still around but the mastermind already moved somewhere else.
Inside the inn, he checked on the old book. Even when the quest was unfinished, he still could see the present performance. He opened it briefly, reading the result with a focused gaze.
By then, he closed it while his expression grew thoughtful.
"The result is still bad…" he thought under his breath, "That means I'm only scratching the surface…"
The conclusion was clear. What he had gathered so far was merely a preliminary information. It was insufficient to uncover the truth behind the quest.
His fingers lingered on the cover of the old book, tapping lightly as his thoughts continued to spiral.
A bad result meant he already reached his own limitation on the quest.
The book did not care for his effort or intent. It only reflected the results, stripping away all assumptions and leaving behind a cold and undeniable evaluation. No matter how he justified his actions, the outcome remained the same. Eventually, it meant one thing.
He was looking in the wrong places or perhaps, he was not looking deeply enough.
His gaze lowered slightly as he retraced every step he had taken since the quest began. Every encounter, every decision, and every fragment of information that he had gathered.
After everything he had done, he realized he grasped nothing in the end.
He was busy avoiding the trouble. His focus was to save himself yesterday. Just when he had an access, the information he got came from what that had already been analyzed.
"That's the problem…" Baston muttered softly.
The information was fragmented. Each clue was incomplete as it was pieces from several different puzzles. If he continued like this, he would only gather more fragments but never the full picture.
A faint crease formed between his brows.
The dark wizards would not leave obvious traces. That much was certain. If they were operating within the town, then their actions would be concealed beneath something ordinary or something that no one would question.
Perhaps, an inside system or perhaps, a running institution. A place where the irregularities could be dismissed as the routine.
His thoughts soon sharpened, "I can only make early guess…"
If the surface revealed nothing, then the answer had to be embedded within the building itself. Not in the streets and random houses but within the places that everyone trusted.
There was the academy and the public security. These places that were never meant to be questioned.
His eyes flickered faintly.
If his assumption was correct, then this so-called inspection was the only logical move. By then, he could check the underground where his intuition told him before about the magic circle.
"But how am I supposed to force my guess?"
He was alone and he was the only one person in an unfamiliar place with limited time.
Turning the entire place upside down was not a realistic option. It would consume too much time and worse, it would draw unnecessary attention. Starting blindly from nothing rarely led to efficient results.
Of course, there was another method by mobilizing holy magic.
He could use it to search and to illuminate what was hidden but the risk was too great.
In a crowded environment like this, activating such power would be no different from lighting a beacon in the dark. It would not only reveal his surroundings to him but also expose him to anyone that was lurking in the shadows.
If the dark wizards were nearby, they would notice. And if they chose to flee, the entire quest could collapse in an instant.
"Excuse me, Sir…"
The voice broke through his thoughts and the focus went back on the puppet.
Baston looked up to find a man stood before him with visible nervous. His posture was stiff as if he was unsure whether he had made a mistake by approaching.
"What is it?" he asked calmly, offering no name in return.
"Ah… it's like this…" the man hesitated briefly, "Our group has been assigned to inspect the public security office. We were wondering if you would like to join us or if you have other arrangements."
"I'll go with you," he replied without hesitation, "Lead the way."
"Y-Yes, Sir. And… your name…"
Baston moved past him as if he hadn't heard. The man froze for a moment before he was quickly following behind.
In his mind, the behavior only confirmed his assumption.
This had to be someone from the Herbiens family. After all, they were arrogant, direct, and utterly unconcerned with the others.
He couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to carry oneself with such confidence.
In the meantime, Baston had his own reasons since he had deliberately withheld the identity.
If anyone attempted to verify his background and found nothing, it would raise unnecessary suspicion. Until the quest was complete, it was safer to remain an unknown variable.
For this case, it was better to be a nameless presence. Someone who could disappear without the consequence.
The group then arrived at their destination not long after. There were seven people in total including him in disguise.
As he observed them quietly, Baston began to understand the leader's strategy. Dividing them into small teams and sending them to multiple locations was not merely for efficiency. It might be to lure the opponent.
If the dark wizards were hiding within these institutions, the sudden inspections would force them to react. Even the smallest disturbance might expose their presence.
Rather than waiting defensively, the leader had chosen to strike first. It was truly a bold decision regarding their own authority.
Anyway, he agreed with the approach.
Though, in his case, the earlier performance had been nothing more than an act. There was no real evidence behind his claims. Still, since things had progressed this far, he had no choice but to follow through.
At the very least, he might uncover something useful.
"We're here…" one of the men announced.
Baston lifted his gaze. Before them, a medium-sized building which was the public security office stood mightily around the commoner houses.
The name alone suggested the authority and order yet, as he stared at it, a faint sense of irony surfaced in his mind.
If this place had truly been effective, the town would not descend into chaos. There would be no need for him to intervene Levan's business personally.
There would be no need for him to kill people.
Baston stepped forward. For a brief moment, he considered knocking but he dismissed the thought entirely.
"Why bother?" he muttered inwardly, "I'm supposed to be arrogant, aren't I?"
Without hesitation, he raised his foot and gave the door the strongest kick he could deploy.
"BAM!!!"
The door burst open under the force of his kick and the sound echoed sharply through the building.
Behind him, the others stood frozen and their expressions were stunned. This was truly beyond bold.
Inside, several men turned toward the entrance and their initial confusion was quickly giving way to their anger.
"Kill him!"
"How dare you barge in here?! Do you want to die?!"
They grabbed whatever they could from the chairs, bottles, and anything within reach before they rushed forward.
He remained calm. With a casual flick of his hand, a small fireball formed. He tossed it forward and it just simply made a small explosion.
"BOOOM!"
The explosion was controlled to minimum yet, the spell was more than enough to halt their advance. The men staggered back, coughing and disoriented.
The flare magic was used only to announce his presence.
Baston stepped inside before he stopped.
For the first time, the genuine surprise crossed his face.
The food was scattered across the tables. The bottles of alcohol lay open with half-empty content. The women lingered in the corners and their expressions were uneasy.
This was not an office anymore because it was more like a den of indulgence.
Behind him, the kingdom soldiers entered and their expressions darkened instantly. Their face was full of shame, anger, and disgust.
Everything became clear after barging through. It was no wonder the leader had chosen this place as a target.
"You…" one of the watchmen coughed, struggling to stand, "Who do you think you are? You dare to attack us? The kingdom will…"
"Enough!"
A sharp slap cut him off and a soldier stepped forward with his cold expression.
"We are here under the official orders to inspect this facility," he declared, "And what we've found here is beyond disgraceful…"
The watchmen's faces turned pale, "We… we didn't know…"
"No need for the explanation," the officer interrupted, "There will be no mercy for you alike."
His voice carried the authority, "Seize them!"
"Yes, Sir!"
The others moved immediately, subduing the watchmen with much efficiency.
Baston watched from the side before quietly taking a seat. To this outcome, even he hadn't expected it.
What had begun as a simple display of arrogance had turned into a legitimate crackdown.
The frustration from earlier events had clearly been building among the soldiers. This discovery had simply given them an outlet.
Soon, the entire building was under control.
The reports would be filed and the punishments would follow. As for himself, he was free to explore.
He wandered through the building at his own pace. The contrast between several rooms was striking.
Some were immaculately clean and clearly used often while the others were covered in dust, neglected for who knew how long. Such behavior was obvious since they only cared about what benefited them.
Eventually, Baston entered a big and nearly empty room.
Perhaps, it was a warehouse since there were only a few boxes remained in one corner.
He approached slowly and opened one before he froze. Inside, there were only bottles and the content was a strange-colored liquid swirled within them.
His breath halted for a moment, "This…"
Just from the color, he recognized it instantly.
The memories quickly surged forward about a little girl, a banquet, and a drink. In the end, all of the events led to death.
The past resurfaced with unsettling clarity and a quiet guilt stirred within him.
Could the things have been different if he had been stronger, faster, and more aware?
Would she still be alive if he push thoroughly?
The thought lingered but only briefly. In the end, the answer remained the same. It had been too late from the beginning since everything had been orchestrated.
Several choices born from his regret had been nothing more than an illusion.
"Dark wizards…" he muttered.
"Sir…?"
The voice snapped him back.
The man who had guided him earlier stood nearby with concern evident on his face, "Is something wrong?"
Baston exhaled slowly, "Find the records for these things…"
"Yes, Sir!"
The man hurried off and the time soon passed. When he returned, his expression was grim.
"These things are undocumented," he reported, "Apparently, it was bought cheaply but never used. The watchmen claimed the smell made them dizzy so they left them here."
Baston's gaze sharpened, "And the rest of the equipment?"
"It was already sold," the man replied bitterly, "They've been pocketing funds. If we hadn't come today, they likely would've requested more only to sell it again."
It was the case of corruption which was plain and simple.
Baston let out a quiet scoff, "Then… killing them would solve everything, wouldn't it?"
The man stiffened, "I… would advise against that, Sir. The kingdom will decide their fate."
"I see..."
He said no more before he gave his order, "Report everything to your leader then."
"Yes, Sir!"
The man left quickly and once again, he was alone.
Back at the place, he opened the old book and the result had changed from bad to good. His eyes narrowed slightly toward such development.
"So, this is one of the clues…"
Based on its performance, there were two more remained.
One more clue to reach excellence and another one to reach perfection.
However, his time was running out.
There was only one day remained before the academy began and such perfection seemed just out of reach.