Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1519  No Single List

House van Booth, High Ward.

The last few months had been hectic for Henrick van Booth.

When it was found out that high-level secrets of the Brotherhood had been leaked to a third party, and that as a result two Councilors had been killed, every Cult spy, including Henrick, was subjected to intense interrogation.

Some didnʼt survive the suspicions placed on them.

Henrick, however, emerged largely unscathed. There were several reasons for that. First, he was a Warden of the Brotherhood. Second, he served as a close aide to Councilor Bowman.

Lastly, and also most importantly, he was able to prove that the sensitive documents in his possession had not been tampered with. Meaning, if there was a leak, it did not come from him.

Like Henrick, three other Wardens had access to documents detailing the traitorous factions, their illegal businesses, as well as lists of all the compromised Acolytes and Agents. All of them, too, had been cleared as the source.

That was what troubled Henrick van Booth.

There was no clear evidence of a leak, yet sensitive intel had somehow been leaked, and it had led directly to the deaths of Councilors Damon and Vaelor.

Which raised a single, unsettling question:

Where had the leak come from?

Henrick made his way up the stairs, his face calm and composed, but his eyes betraying his inner anxiety.

”Has he arrived?” He asked the old man walking beside him.

”Yes, Master.” Sebastian, the head butler, nodded respectfully.

Henrick took a deep breath, his brows furrowing into a slight knot.

What does he want now? He thought to himself in alarm.

More interrogations? Damn it! Iʼve already proved my loyalty time and time again. And to come to my house unannounced…

The pair arrived before the study door. Henrick glanced at his trusted aide and nodded. ”Wait here.”

He then took another deep breath and entered the study with a polite, respectful smile.

Inside, seated in Henrickʼs chair, was an elderly man. He wore simple robes and looked harmless. He looked so frail that it seemed like heʼd collapse any moment. But Henrick would never let the manʼs appearance fool him.

Inside, seated in Henrickʼs chair, was an elderly man. He wore simple robes and looked harmless. He looked so frail that it seemed like heʼd collapse any moment. But Henrick would never let the manʼs appearance fool him.

Despite how weak the old man looked, Henrick believed that he was the strongest of all the Councilors at the Twilight Brotherhood!

He approached the table and got down on one knee. ”Councilor Bowman, greetings.”

”Rise, Henrick.” Bowman gestured.

”How may I be of assistance to you, my lord?”

Bowman glanced at the Warden through his murky gray eyes. ”Youʼve destroyed all the evidence pertaining to our people, yes?”

”Of course, my lord,” Henrick answered without hesitation. ”I did so the moment you asked me.”

”Good.” Bowman nodded slightly. ”What about the other three?”

”They have too,” said the Warden. ”Iʼve personally confirmed.”

Bowman nodded. He then said in a warm and friendly voice, ”Forgive me if I come across as nagging. But you do understand how this all looks, donʼt you? Only the four of you had the list of all compromised Agents and Acolytes, after all.”

”I understand, my lord.” Henrick nodded. ”And Iʼve been very forthcoming about everything. Besides…”

He hesitated briefly before continuing, ”I still have doubts about any actual leaks. If there really had been one, our Agents and Acolytes would have already been taken care of by the opposition, would they not?”

”Always assume the worst,” Bowman said sternly. ”Just because they havenʼt died doesnʼt mean there hasnʼt been any leak. Donʼt forget, two of our Mana Core Magi have already died. And the other two think I had something to do with their deaths.”

That was the confusing part.

Since the leak — if it even happened in the first place — only Nyle Damon and Vaelor Voris had died. No one else. This led many Cult spies to believe that there had been some internal friction between the two and that there being a leak was just an excuse.

But what the truth was, no one knew.

”I understand, my lord.” Henrick humbly bowed. He then asked in a slightly meek voice, ”Any luck with Councilor Hastings and Yaegar?”

Bowman sneered, a cold light flashing in his eyes. ”Nothing,” he said. ”Fools, the two of them! To think they would propose to bring Berger back to the Brotherhood. They have no idea how difficult theyʼve made things for us!”

Henrick nodded, a solemn look on his face. ”Surely you must have planned something for this. You always have a plan.”

Bowman sighed. ”Once the seed of distrust has been planted, it is difficult to mend relationships. I know this because Iʼve done so myself. But…”

He paused for a moment, then continued, ”I do have a plan. An external intervention.”

Henrick frowned. ”Someone from the Cult? You mean… Lord Benton? Is he returning to the city?”

He really didnʼt like Marden Benton staying at his home. The man gave off a cold, crazed vibe that made Henrick shudder.

”No, not the Blood Lord.” Bowman shook his head. ”Someone else from the Inner Circle.”

Henrickʼs eyes narrowed. ”Are they coming to deal with Councilors Hastings and Yaegar? What about Councilor Glynhorn? And the two cowards whoʼve returned from hiding?”

Bowman coldly chuckled. ”He is coming to remind Hastings and Yaegar where their loyalty truly lies. As for Berger and the other two… he will naturally deal with them.”

”Great!” Henrickʼs eyes flashed. ”This is indeed great news!”

He suddenly thought of something and couldnʼt help but ask, ”My Lord, the documents regarding the compromised Agents and Acolytes have been destroyed, but… what about the list of Wardens?”

Bowman shook his head and said, his tone filled with certainty. ”Whether itʼs the mysterious faction or even Berger and the rest, theyʼll never get their hands on that list.”

He paused, his lips curling into a smirk.

”Because,” he said in a low voice, ”no single list exists.”

***

Twilight Brotherhood Headquarters.

After his meeting with the Faceless Magus, Lebu quickly returned to the headquarters and directly reported to Berger.

Inside the vast chamber filled with smoke and darkness, the gnome sat on the cushion as he ruminated over the ginger-haired Agentʼs words.

”Budget ledgers, mission reports, personnel evaluation records, and medical logs,” he murmured with a slight frown on his face.

”That is correct, my lord.” Lebu sat before the gnome in a kneeling position. ”And that kid also gave keywords to look for across these records.”

”That would be thousands of documents that youʼd have to sift through,” Berger said in a grim voice. ”How long do you think itʼll take?”

”As long as it takes, my lord,” Lebu answered solemnly. ”Iʼll cross-reference the data and find those rats!”

Berger studied the man before him and nodded.

”Do it covertly,” he said. ”Youʼll have my full support.”