Ruins

Lights? There's someone else in the library at this hour? Is it the administrator, or… someone who came here to "borrow" books like me?

Ebner was slightly surprised. He thought for a moment, then maintained his "invisibility" and quietly approached the light on the second floor.

He needed to find out who was here and when they were planning to leave… If the people in the library did not leave, then he should consider forcing them to sleep for the night.

However, he had only taken a few steps before he was forced to stop. This was because there were many hidden warning runes placed on the stairway.

Is it a Beyonder who lit a lamp on the second floor and read a book? Ebner frowned as he became even more vigilant. He carefully bypassed the "obvious" traps in his eyes and stepped onto the wooden steps as though he had no weight.

Unexpectedly, just as he quietly ascended to the second floor, he heard a girl's excited exclamation:

"Fanni, I found the records of the ruins…"

Before she could finish speaking, she stopped abruptly as though someone had covered her mouth. Following that, a deep female voice sounded. "Lower your voice. Do you want to call everyone from Backlund University? Also, don't say my name."

"Don't worry. Not only did I set up many traps on the first floor, but I also set up some small tricks to confuse senses. The sound and light here can't be heard or seen from five meters away," the girl from before said proudly.

At these words, Ebner seriously estimated the distance between himself and them.

About ten meters… Was that girl talking nonsense?

No, it should be because I'm rather special… Yes, I've always activated the Eye of Pure White, so her so-called trick didn't work at all. It's just like Detective Zreal's "diversionary tactic."

With that thought in mind, Ebner moved a little closer. He stopped when he was almost within five meters of the so-called area.

The "invisibility" ability of the witch he had simulated was not perfect. At least, being unable to hide his shadow was a huge flaw, so he did not get too close.

At this distance, however, Ebner could not only make out the faces of the two girls, but also the words on the books in their hands.

The two ladies didn't look old. The one named Fanni was around 20 years old. She had beautiful chestnut-colored hair that reached her shoulders, and her facial features could only be described as very elegant. However, her figure was extremely outstanding, and even the loose black robe she wore couldn't hide it.

The other, more vivacious girl looked to be about Ebner's age. She had long black hair that fell to her waist, and her eyebrows were long and straight. Her blue eyes were extremely bright, and her lips were slightly curved as if she had been maintaining a teasing smile.

The books in their hands were ancient and looked very dated. However, from Ebner's point of view, he could only see a small portion of the content, as well as the book's name, "Saint Augustine—The Battle of the Violated Oath".

Before Ebner could criticize the name, he heard the lady named Fanni ask in a puzzled tone, "You are clearly a student of Backlund University. You could have come to the library in broad daylight. Why did you have to drag me here in the middle of the night?"

"I borrowed a book during the day to record it. This will definitely leave a trace. If someone tracks it down, wouldn't I be exposed?" The girl with long black hair answered seriously as she flipped through the book.

"Is this what you learned when you were a Swindler?" Miss Fanni put down the book in her hand and deliberately teased.

"It wasn't so troublesome when I was a Swindler. Didn't those men send themselves up to deceive me?" the girl who was reading the book said without raising her head.

"That's why you gave me a 'weird personality' evaluation… Hehe, if it weren't for your family background, I'm afraid the label on your head would be even worse." Fanni stretched her back and then leaned on the table in front of her as she joked.

"A label… I don't like Emperor Roselle's words, nor do I like people like him. I hope you can use more Loenese words. Thank you." The girl wrinkled her nose unhappily before opening the bookstall in her hand on the table. She pointed at a record on it and said to Fanni,

"Look, there are detailed records here. After the Battle of the Violated Oath, a baron once built a manor there. However, due to the natural disaster, a mudslide drowned the manor and the surrounding villages…"

"I'm from Intis to begin with. Why do I need to use the Loenese way of phrasing it?" Miss Fanni muttered softly before leaning over to take a closer look. She pinched her chin and said, "So you think that the ruin I accidentally discovered was left behind by this baron?"

"That's right. There's a high chance that a military noble of the 'Battle of the Violated Oath' is a Beyonder! Also, due to the sudden descent of the Cosmic Disaster, the Beyonder items and other valuable items he has collected will definitely not be taken away in time. They might still be inside." The girl was beaming with joy and appeared very excited.

"But it's also very likely to be dangerous… After all, we don't know the baron's strength. Furthermore, the sudden arrival of a natural disaster… This is too suspicious." Fanni frowned.

"Isn't it better if there's danger, or even a mysterious incident? As a Cryptologist, it would be disappointing if it's really just an ordinary person's house." Speaking up to this point, the girl flipped the book a few pages forward and said meaningfully, "Besides, look here. It simply recounts the battles that the baron participated in… Did you notice? His opponents seem to be all arrogant and conceited people with low minds!"

"You mean… Briber?" Fanni's eyes immediately lit up with joy.

"That's right. Perhaps the Barbarian formula you need will fall into this expedition," said the girl who called herself a decryption scholar with a smile.

"I'll go make preparations now." Fanni stood up in a hurry.

"There's no need to be in such a hurry. The remains haven't been discovered by others yet… Also, you know that it's not easy for me to go out. Even if I'm staying in a university dormitory… I have to find a suitable reason," said the black-haired girl helplessly as she pulled her companion, who seemed to want to leave immediately.

Since they found the necessary information, the two ladies did not stay for long. They picked up the book that they found, "Saint Augustine—The Battle of the Violated Oath", and quickly left the library.

As for the black-haired girl who claimed to be a Cryptologist, she had also cleared the rune traps she had set up when she went down to the first floor.

They did not notice Ebner who was watching from the side.

A Cryptologist and a lawyer?

And that "lawyer" named Fanni gives me a very familiar feeling. She looks very much like the Artisan's representative at the teacher's gathering.

He did not know where they found the remains…

After thinking for a while, Ebner put this matter to the back of his mind and began to seriously search for information about the Lamud Family in the library.

Although he was actually quite interested in the ruins mentioned by the two ladies, firstly, they did not mention the location of the ruins, and secondly, he had business to attend to. He did not have the time to follow and investigate the identities of the two ladies, so he could only give up.

…

Tingen City, Blackthorn Security Company.

Dunn Smith sat in his office, sipping his coffee and looking down at his documents.

It was already late at night. At that moment, other than Leonard, who was on duty at Chanis Gate, he was the only one in the company who was still lighting up.

At that moment, Dunn's deep gray eyes widened, and the document in his hand fell to the ground… This was because he felt a body filled with heat hugging him from behind.

The fragrance in his nose allowed him to identify the person behind him.

Moments later, Leonard, who was outside Chanis Gate, frowned. He seemed to hear a faint sound.

Just as he was hesitating whether to ring the bell, an old voice sounded in his ear.

"I advise you not to be nosy."