Chapter 89: The Mastermind (24)

"Wang Cheng Imperial Guard, the Northern Witch... hehe."

“You really won’t let me go, will you?”

Herbert recalled the details he’d just received from Blake and couldn’t help smiling inwardly.

Things were getting interesting.

Someone had bitten the hook.

Herbert had long known his fishing letter would draw the attention of those who had been watching him.

But he hadn’t expected their patience to be so thin, so impatient.

So much so that they were willing to reach into the Mist Monastery.

Who had the authority to plant eyes within the Wang Cheng Imperial Guard—and had arranged for him to be sent into the Duke’s household as an inside agent?

The Frost Crystal Royal Family’s internal affairs were probably even more chaotic than he’d thought.

As for that talisman, it was even more intriguing.

The Northern Witch, full name “Northern Witch Mutual Aid Alliance,” was also called by some the Witch Covenant.

The North was a vast, ice-covered, treacherous region, home to snow-capped peaks piercing the clouds, deep frigid ice valleys, and mysterious glacial lakes.

Once, the North had been one of the most advanced regions of ancient magical civilization, but after a great Divine War long ago, its magical kingdoms were mostly destroyed, leaving only shattered ruins turned into uninhabited forbidden zones.

Due to its harsh environment, ordinary humans rarely ventured there, making it an ideal refuge for persecuted witches.

Unlike ordinary sorceresses, witches were mostly wild mages and sorcerers with inhuman traits, persecuted after their innate talents awakened.

Later, under the advocacy of several legendary witches, wandering witches gradually united and formed the Witch Covenant.

The alliance’s original purpose was to protect themselves from outside persecution and to share magical resources and exchange magical techniques across the North.

But as the Mutual Aid Alliance grew, it gradually evolved into a powerful magical organization.

Though its name remained unchanged, it eventually absorbed male mages and sorcerers beyond witches, making its faction even more complex.

If Herbert remembered correctly, Phylia’s mother had once been a member of the Northern Witch Alliance.

And she had been one of its twelve Chief Elders, voluntarily stepping down after giving birth to Phylia and passing her duties to others.

If this was true, then the identity of the mastermind behind Herbert’s framing seemed to be growing clearer.

Someone connected to the Frost Crystal Royal Family, someone connected to the Northern Witches—such candidates… were few indeed.

“Then, my dear friend Phylia, what role did you and those behind you play in all this?”

Herbert did not rashly assume Phylia was the true mastermind; the clues were still too few, more evidence was needed.

But no matter what, her suspicion was very high.

"...hehe."

But Herbert wasn’t in a hurry. Once he returned to Frost Crystal Wang Cheng, everything would naturally come to light.

What he needed to consider now was how to handle the immediate crisis.

The two bishops had not asked about Blake’s affairs; such trivial matters were beneath their notice.

After Herbert returned, they continued forward, silently leading him toward the sealed sanctuary where the Grand Bishop resided.

Bishop Rust Nail was naturally cold and taciturn, while Bishop Thorn was inexplicably silent.

Had a relative come?

Herbert followed the two bishops through the monastery for half an hour, finally passing through a massive gate and descending a long staircase into the monastery’s underground.

The underground space was unexpectedly vast, like a giant bunker carved out of stone, yet not cold—everywhere bore traces of power beyond human capability.

At the end of the stairs, Herbert saw a massive stone door standing suspended in midair.

The door had no physical frame on any side—it looked like nothing more than an ordinary door left uninstalled.

Before that door, he saw a third bishop clad in red robes.

“Keeper.”

Herbert bowed with the other two bishops, curious about this mysterious bishop.

For instance—what exactly did the Keeper guard in the monastery?

“Is this the young man?” The Keeper’s gaze passed over the others and settled directly on Herbert, studying him with faint curiosity.

“Yes.”

Bishop Rust Nail nodded and stepped aside, revealing Herbert behind him.

“Young man, come forward to me.”

The Keeper chuckled, speaking with a touch of nostalgia: “That old thing hasn’t shown interest in a young person in many years.”

Old thing?

That old thing you’re referring to—could it be the Grand Bishop?

Herbert blinked, dared not dwell further, and obediently stepped before the Keeper, bowing slightly in humility.

This one was far stronger and older than the other two bishops—he’d better behave.

Obedient.JPG

“Heh.”

The Keeper seemed amused by his demeanor, chuckling twice and shaking his head gently: “Young man, don’t be tense. Relax. Do you know why he wants to see you?”

“I have a rough idea.” Herbert nodded, answering matter-of-factly: “Because I did something slightly over the line.”

“Only ‘slightly’ over the line? What you did surprised even me.”

The Keeper smiled, teasing: “If that’s only ‘slightly’ over the line, then what counts as truly crossing it?”

“Uh…” Herbert said uncertainly: “Freeing all the prisoners?”

?

The Keeper’s shadowed face stared at Herbert for a long moment, then burst into uncontrolled laughter.

“Hahahaha! Hahahaha… Interesting! You’re a delightfully interesting little thing!”

The Keeper laughed until his robe shook, nodding with delight: “Now I’m curious—what will you say to him when you meet him?”

“The Rage can be controlled.”

Herbert answered honestly, then added: “Though only I can control her.”

She’s mine.

“So you think you can successfully control her?”

“Complete control… I still can’t manage that yet.”

Herbert hesitated, then chose honesty over exaggeration: “But my presence imposes some restraint on her. As long as neither her life nor mine is threatened, she obeys my words.”

“Only that?”

“For now.”

Herbert looked the Keeper in the eye and said seriously: “After all, I’ve only been with her for a little over a week.”

(End of Chapter)