Hate me, Miss Witch!

This region was imperceptible to ordinary people; even for High Order powerhouses of the 5th or 6th Ring, it was difficult to detect.

However, in the eyes of Shiayar, who had absorbed dozens of Sands of Time and possessed a frighteningly high affinity with time, it was exceptionally conspicuous.

The next moment, the distorted time merged into Shiayar's palm and disappeared without a trace. A series of messages then emerged in Shiayar's mind.

[Mission Phase One: Trigger the Echo of History—"Escarnia" (Completed)]

[Current Echo of History has been archived. Please proceed to the second phase of the mission by entering the Echo of History.]

[Phase One Mission Reward Issued: "Sands of Time" x5]

In an instant, Shiayar felt that the originally dim stars in his Spiritual World grew somewhat brighter, with five tiny new stars added.

His spiritual power had also been significantly boosted, and he detected a slight sense of blockage and stagnation, as if he had reached some kind of bottleneck or pass, only a final step away from breaking through that illusory and hazy barrier.

Shiayar had a premonition. If he were to take some spiritual power-enhancing or barrier-breaking elixir right now, he could completely shatter the barrier between the 3rd and 4th Orders, officially advancing to 4-Ring and becoming a true Master Rank Beastmaster.

A Master of 4-Ring was not considered weak even across the entire Western Continent and could easily obtain a noble title in any country, becoming a prestigious aristocrat.

Moreover, Shiayar was only just over seventeen years old, vastly different from those Master Rank Beastmasters who had broken through to 4-Ring only through the accumulation of years and long periods of time.

But after some thought, Shiayar ultimately abandoned the idea of exchanging items from the Sands of Time Mall to advance directly to 4-Ring. His recent pace of advancement was already somewhat too rapid. Although the Sands of Time could directly stabilize the Spiritual World and enhance the Soul's potential—avoiding the problem found in cultivation novels where consuming potions leads to an unstable foundation, and in fact, having the opposite effect of solidifying his foundation—a 4-Ring breakthrough forced by external aids was still not as natural and complete as one achieved through gradual self-advancement. He felt that his spirit and emotions were still somewhat constricted, perhaps requiring a certain catalyst to achieve a thorough and exhilarating transformation and sublimation of his spiritual power.

"My task is done."

Shiayar turned back, looking at the Swordbearer's subordinates.

This was different from the mere superficial respect shown when they had met earlier in the Military Department's rest area.

Now, Shiayar could feel that the gazes Dark Raven and Nightingale directed at him were several degrees warmer.

Clearly, they had acknowledged Shiayar as the leader of the Swordbearer from the bottom of their hearts, not merely obeying his commands due to the Second Princess's instructions.

"The rest is up to you: comforting the victims, disbursing compensation, and the like.

"Including how to gather and record evidence from the basement of the City of Eternal Night, this source of sin...

"And how to use the newspapers controlled by the Royal Family and officials to manipulate public opinion in the Empire Capital, to put pressure on the nobles, and secure more prestige and benefits for us...

"I suppose, as the elite handpicked by the Second Princess, you should be able to handle these matters."

"Of course, we are professionals in this area," Dark Raven replied in her hoarse voice. She promptly stepped forward, directing the Military Department soldiers who were filing in to seal off the City of Eternal Night.

But for some reason, Shiayar clearly saw a flicker of avoidance in Dark Raven's eyes.

"Then I'll leave this to you. Oh, and don't forget to share the profit you squeeze out of this place with me," Shiayar reminded them, then strode out of the dark passage.

"Come on, Ennie, let's go home."

...

The setting sun dyed the streets of the Black Lily District red.

Shiayar walked on his way home. The young girl beside him clung tightly to his arm, her light golden hair draping over Shiayar's shoulder. The shampoo Ennie used that day was a new sandalwood-scented one.

From what Shiayar knew about Enola, she was the classic tsundere type—cold on the outside, warm on the inside. Even if she occasionally offered Shiayar some "benefits" or engaged in the playful intimacy of an old married couple, it would only be in the privacy of their bedroom.

In front of others, Enola usually maintained the demeanor of an ice queen. Her uncharacteristic behavior now, proactively closing the distance with Shiayar, was naturally because they weren't a duo at the moment, but a trio.

Enola swept her beautiful, deep blue eyes coldly toward their rear. "We're almost home. Why aren't you going back to the Military Department and instead following us?"

"Because I'm not actually from the Military Department, Classmate Enola," Dyres blinked her innocent eyes.

She had been following demurely behind them, neither too close nor too far, much like a young woman in love watching her beloved with another, silently offering her blessings from a distance.

"I'm a student from the civic faction, just like you. I used to live in the St. Roland Academy dormitories. But after that attack, the abandoned dormitory area still hasn't been repaired, so I also rented a place in the Black Lily District. It's just one street behind your house, so it's naturally on my way."

Dyres's explanation seemed quite logical and convincing.

For a moment, Enola was rendered speechless, unsure how to refute. She could only assert her claim by pressing herself even closer to Shiayar.

Shiayar, meanwhile, inwardly cheered Dyres on for the assist. No wonder she was from the Succubus Royal Family, so adept at manipulating people's hearts. Ennie wouldn't normally be this affectionate with him in public.

Just then, Shiayar noticed Enola's soft, delicate body suddenly tense up.

He stopped in his tracks and looked ahead.

In front of them, a carriage was parked on the street outside Shiayar's residence.

The carriage was matte black, meticulously polished to a dull shine, radiating an air of understated luxury. A vividly carved scarlet rose in the center signaled its extraordinary and distinguished status.

The carriage's owner was a middle-aged to elderly man, draped in a greatcoat and leaning on a silver-inlaid redwood cane.

His salt-and-pepper hair was meticulously combed back. His entire being exuded an air of nobility and dignity, appearing strikingly out of place amidst the modern atmosphere of the Black Lily District.

He stood by the carriage in an elegant pose, seemingly waiting for something.

Dyres whispered into Shiayar's ear, "The Scarlet Rose... that's the Borgia family's head butler. 'Silver Fox' Riel, Titled Rank. I didn't expect them to react so quickly. Should I use a secret channel to contact the Princess?"

"No need," Shiayar shook his head, gently taking Enola's soft hand to stop the golden-haired girl from preparing to arm herself.

Given their stance, they clearly don't intend to drop all pretenses and resort to violence. I'm rather interested to see what tricks the Borgia family has up its sleeve...

Shiayar had just finished his thought when he saw the elegant old man turn his gaze in their direction.

The next moment, Riel's otherwise sternly composed face revealed a mixture of joy, relief, and various other complex emotions.

Before Shiayar could approach, he swiftly came forward.

Then, with a slight bow, he greeted Shiayar.

This was an Attendant's salute, exclusive to the Great Nobles within the Empire, used only by retainers towards their master.

"Young Master Shiayar, it is an honor to meet you again."

His voice was respectful and gentle, elegant and proper, like a spring breeze to the listener, utterly devoid of the arrogance typical of a superior.

"This old servant has taken the liberty of this sudden visit regarding a matter concerning you, Young Master Shiayar, and our family's young mistress—

"Histanlia Borgia's engagement."