One-Eyed Monster

Basto finally tasted the flavor of the mission, and he immediately put away his previous doubts and pricked up his ears to listen carefully.

”What happened yesterday, we’re still unclear about the specifics. Xinbal has stayed too long, and he’s just useless now. Chris was on the scene but didn’t find out anything substantial, just confirmed that the Alchemy Workshop is an adversarial unit, which is truly ridiculous.” Piers dropped the remaining few drops of wine into his mouth as he spoke, his tone tinged with anger.

Basto naturally knew what happened yesterday. It was too unconventional and too magical. No one had expected the cemetery would hold secrets, nor could anyone have imagined the Kangen Family would guard this secret alongside the Soul Guardian crew.

As for what this secret is, no one knows. Many have tried to uncover it, but to this day, no other explanation has emerged.

Everyone was surprised at this claim because it was never really a secret, just something that needed verification. But of course, this claim wasn’t the cemetery’s hidden secret. They also knew the Soul Guardian was unwilling to disclose the secret; even if all tricks were tried, they couldn’t extract a single word from them.

”Confirming the Alchemy Workshop as an enemy is saying more than necessary. We proved our adversarial relationship when we fought Black Crow. Relying on yesterday’s events for confirmation is simply absurd!”

”Maybe Chris believes there’s still...” Basto tried to explain, but Piers gave him no chance.

”Under Kuyi Tulan’s rule, the Alchemy Workshop has no good birds; there’s no need to guess these things. Chris is just dazed being here; he can no longer be counted as a Hunter—he’s a Politician!”

Basto said nothing, feeling relieved. As long as he executed the orders, troublesome matters of the mind were not suited for them.

”The Cabinet Elder is smart and wasn’t affected by yesterday’s incident, continuing to let us proceed according to the original plan.”

The original plan was what Basto most wanted to know, having just been promoted to the Cabinet, unable to access many details yet.

”The Cabinet Elder won’t be swayed by other matters!” Piers grew noticeably excited when mentioning the Cabinet Elder, much to Basto’s amazement.

”How should we proceed now...” Basto couldn’t resist asking, despite knowing such a question might seem impolite.

”Standby—that’s the mission, we wait for orders!” Piers continued rummaging for bottles, oblivious to Basto’s astonishment.

”You brought me here...” Basto persisted in questioning, sensing things were not as he imagined.

”Just to get you out of that tavern. Change of scene, change of venue.” Piers found another bottle with some leftover fruit beer.

Staying in one place too long—it struck Basto as amusing. Studying the layout, Piers had stayed here for at least ten days. Was this not considered staying long in one place?

Basto found it too incredible; Piers seemed downright unreasonable, staying so long while forbidding others. Was his mind not right?

Yet seeing him continuously rummaging through old bottles made Basto think Piers really was a guy with a problematic mind.

”You’re called Basto, right?” Piers frowned suddenly as if something had just struck him.

”Yes, senior!” Basto’s mood was off, feeling completely played. But in the Dark Cabinet, seniors pulling pranks on juniors was considered normal.

”Didn’t you see the Cabinet Elder some time ago?” Piers suddenly approached with a wine bottle, moving quickly and catching Basto off guard.

”Yes, yes.” Basto cleverly dodged Piers’ attempt to surprise him while answering the question.

”You’re lucky, kid.” Piers chuckled insidiously.

”Just fortunate, just lucky.”

”Hehe, how is the old Cabinet Elder—still younger than us?”

”Not old, not old.” Basto evasively blocked Piers’ advance, calmly answering his query.

”Well yes, ’Cabinet Elder’ is just a title, meant to mislead.” Piers tossed aside the bottle he held, standing in place, considering the test on Basto over.

”Senior,” Basto still uncertain of the situation, those exchanges sudden, glad he reacted swiftly, countering them.

”Kid, you must know being my partner requires passing tests; those moves just proved you passed. Your concealment skills are too rudimentary; you need plenty of practice.”

”Thank you for your guidance, senior.” Only now did Basto fully grasp what the previous encounter was about, never expecting Piers to be this quirky.

”Alright, enough with the chit-chat, we’re aware of yesterday’s events; it’s time for action. But not against the Alchemy Workshop—we need to clear out potential enemies.”

This was when Basto felt excited, having endured these days, finally able to get to work.

The Dark Cabinet has many such setups, reflecting the Cabinet Elder’s intentions—old Cabinet hands leading new ones, ensuring Cabinet newcomers develop swiftly. It’s a lengthy process, but the Dark Cabinet hopes practical action will accelerate growth.

”What’s our next step; are there specific instructions?” Basto asked, still feeling bewildered, unsure of how to proceed.

”No need to ask much; it won’t do you good. Just follow me!” Piers picked up another half-drunken bottle and strolled out.

Basto kept quiet, tagging along outside. He was still grasping the current situation but felt confident in following Piers, the Dark Cabinet’s second-in-command.

While Piers and Basto set out for their mission, across Xinbal on Bayes Avenue, Princess Juliette’s garden welcomed a rare visitor.

The visitor, hunched over with a hat, appeared elderly, obscuring his features, looking from afar like an old gardener.

Without invitation, he found the garden entrance, walking straight inside. Once inside, he straightened up, tossing his tattered hat away.

Princess Juliette remained in her usual spot, deep within the garden’s pavilion. She rested her hands on her waist, pacing about.

”Are you alright, my dear sister?”

Princess Juliette turned, smiling brightly. The mystery man in the garden was none other than her brother.

”My dear brother, you’ve finally arrived!”