novelraw Chapter 120: Meilin, The Next Move Depends on You!
Chapter 120: Meilin, The Next Move Depends on You!
Chapter 120: Meilin, The Next Move Depends on You!
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“Even if our mission fails, we must at least return their bodies.”
“Such compassion, Sir Lin Wei—you truly are a rare man.”
The tumult that engulfed the manor was a world away from Lin Wei; he remained blissfully unaware as events unfolded elsewhere.
Dawn crept softly across the horizon, bathing the sky in a silvery glow. The empty streets filled with the steady footfalls of early risers, the city slowly rousing to life.
Lin Wei walked toward the Imperial Capital’s Magic Academy, his footsteps unhurried. Yet within, his mind was a storm of tangled clues—threads of investigation that still refused to tie themselves neatly into answers.
He hadn’t yet managed to unravel the most burning mysteries, the questions that gnawed at him in the darkness before dawn. But he’d pieced together much about the front-line supply routes, how chain after chain intertwined in covert currents.
More importantly, he had chanced upon an unexpected cache of secrets: years ago, Duke Ous had entrusted Fred with several covert tasks.
Perhaps none of this was immediately useful. But at the right moment, such knowledge could become the tipping point—the decisive blow that brought a house of power crashing down.The true crux, however, was this: after the military provisions were funneled away, sold, and turned into gold, how did those secreted funds find their way back to Duke Ous?
If I get this intelligence to the Secretary, she’ll pass it on to Her Holiness—and then Meilin, now investigating in the Northern Countries, can step in and audit the banks in the City-State of Brook.
If fortune is with us, and the nobles’ attempts to erase their own footprints aren’t thorough enough, we might follow the gold to its true destination. If we can do that, we won’t just bring down Duke Ous; the entire fetid chain of corruption could finally be ripped out by the roots.
Of course, that Church mole remains—the trump card Duke Ous has fostered, with help from some mysterious force lurking in the background.
Lin Wei slowed, brow furrowing in thought.
Duke Ous’s alliances were formidable and far-reaching—almost beyond comprehension.
It didn’t stop at the Cult of the evil gods, or demonkin. Even now, rumor whispered of a traitor hidden within the Holy See itself, secretly pledged to his cause.
If all this was merely a bid for reputation, for preeminence among the nobility, it seemed a reckless extravagance—if not outright madness.
Most unsettling was that Church mole. The speed and precision with which certain secrets leaked begged belief.
Logically, only three people knew the truth of my concealed strength: the Secretary, the Pope, and my Veya. Even with a traitor, how could that particular detail have slipped out?
Would the Secretary deliberately reveal such a crucial thing?
Fortunately, my real trump card is something no one on this continent could suspect. Had it been any ordinary [Concealed Strength] expert in my shoes, they would have walked into that snare without warning—and likely paid with their life. After all, the assassin this time is a supreme transcendent.
I need to confront the Secretary about this. There must be a clear answer.
Lost in these contemplations, Lin Wei nearly missed the looming spires of the Magic Academy. The sight jolted him from his reverie; he’d arrived without realizing it.
It was the weekend, and the academy, usually bustling, had fallen into a strange silence. An unspoken tension weighed on the place—a chill so deep it seemed to freeze sound itself.
Even within the quiet offices of the Alchemy Department, potent energies simmered, hidden just beneath the surface.
On rooftops, in attics, and from every shadowed niche, unseen watchers kept patient vigilance.
…Most likely the Retribution Knights, stationed by the Holy See to oversee this mission.
“I’m Lin Wei, alchemist in service to the Holy See. Is Miss Secretary present?”
To avoid any misunderstanding, he announced himself plainly, striding toward the office.
“Are you Sir Lin Wei?”
A moment later, a figure stepped out from the shadows.
A towering knight, clad head to toe in silver armor, the gilded plates bright even beneath the waning night sky.
Gripped in his hand was a holy spear—nearly two meters of polished steel—that seemed almost insubstantial compared to the sheer presence of its wielder.
With deliberate slowness, he approached Lin Wei, his imposing stature radiating silent authority. He studied Lin Wei carefully before finally speaking. His voice was deep, resonant, and iron-clad with discipline.
“I am Guga, Vice Commander of the Retribution Knights.”
“It is an honor, Sir Lin Wei. May the light of the Goddess Alicia ever be upon you.”
“Ah, hello. I’m Lin Wei.” Lin Wei nodded, forcing a polite smile in response.
Now this is what a true knight should look like, he thought.
Sizing Guga up, Lin Wei couldn’t help but admit: broad-shouldered, immovable—the very image of a man who could scatter a mob with a single sweep of his spear. His stare, cold and stern, seemed carved from unyielding stone.
Honestly, this guy could walk straight into a horde of bandits and clear them out alone—each wicked soul skewered before they could even blink.
Now that Grand Commander Alfron was away, tracking down those heretics, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity for the Holy See? Perhaps, with careful guidance, even the Pope could seize the chance to restore some confidence in her office.
Perhaps he and Veya should consider lending a subtle hand—just enough to shift the balance, without drawing notice.
But that was a matter for another day.
For now, Guga offered a formal nod. “Thank you for your dedication escorting the supply convoy.”
“Is the Secretary here? There are things we must discuss.”
This was no time for idle thoughts of politics.
Lin Wei refocused. Guga shook his head, the movement short and crisp.
His eyes lingered a moment on Lin Wei’s face, as if weighing the young man’s mettle—yes, he certainly appeared every inch an alchemist of note.
“These supplies were always intended for the Holy See. We simply performed our duty.”
His tone was precise and ceremonial.
“As for the Secretary, she was not on shift last night. She is—presumably—resting at home now.
If you require her, Mr. Lin Wei, I can send someone to summon her at once.”
Resting at home, now of all times?
Lin Wei shot him a look of surprise. The secretary had her quirks, but when it came to work, her diligence was never in doubt.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Vice Commander Guga, to fetch her for me.”
He needed to deliver his findings to that hopeless Pope as soon as possible.
Then, just as he finished voicing the request, a familiar figure crossed the square, her strides brisk and purposeful.
“Ah… seems there’s no need after all.”
It was her—the Secretary. Her face, cool as always; her step, still sharp and spirited, yet under it, a thread of tension.
Her usually unreadable gaze now flickered with a rare unease.
Lin Wei and Vice Commander Guga stood waiting as she approached. She paused a moment, drew a grounding breath, and bowed her head, voice low and faintly contrite.
“Sorry… I overslept a little.”
Last night, after reminding Vice Commander Guga sometime past ten, she’d run straight home to snatch a bit of rest. As planned, she was to return before five in the morning.
Who would have expected her to drop her guard—and sleep almost until six? The shame alone made her want to kneel right there and beg forgiveness from the Goddess for this lapse.
If Her Holiness learns of this, I’ll never hear the end of it!
“It’s really nothing serious,” Lin Wei replied, waving off her apology. “Things went smoothly. I’m just here to submit my report.”
He studied her more closely. “Secretary Rennie, you look exhausted. Didn’t sleep well?”
Now that he said it, it struck her as true.
Rennie, deep in self-reproach, was snapped to attention by the question.
She blinked. It was odd—nearly seven hours of sleep, and still this bone-deep fatigue lingered.
“Perhaps it’s accumulated overwork. But don’t worry; it won’t affect my efficiency.”
She dismissed it with a quick shake of her head, then straightened and addressed Lin Wei again.
“Adventurer Lin Wei, do you have something for the Holy See?”
“That’s right.” He nodded. “My investigation is concluded. I just need to hand over a written report.”
He noticed the lines of exhaustion on her face as he stepped into his office, then soon returned with a sealed envelope.
“Please ensure this reaches the Holy See as swiftly as possible,” he said, handing it to her. “You know precisely who needs to see it.”
“And if anything urgent comes up, let me know at once. We’ll need to discuss getting supplies to the front lines.”
“In short—Miss Secretary, I’m counting on you.”