16.VICTOR NOLAN

Jade sat in his office, his chair creaking faintly as he leaned back and rubbed his temples. Stacks of documents were towered on his desk, each waiting for his approval or scrutiny. His hand moved mechanically, the stamp in his grasp thudding against one paper after another. The monotony of the task weighed heavily on him, but he was a man of discipline.

Suddenly a small sigh escaped his lips as he set the stamp down, his eyes wandering to the two massive double doors at the far end of the room. For a brief moment, there was only silence. 

Then, as if on cue, the doors swung open with a soft creak, and a young man stepped inside with a slight confident smile. His carried a calm demeanor that was rare in young people. It was Seb, the man Arthur had introduced to him a few weeks ago. Jade's brow furrowed slightly as he sat back in a comfortable posture watching the young man's deliberate approach.

Seb halted a few steps from the desk and offered a polite nod before presenting a folded letter. Its edges were crisp, and the seal was unmistakable—Arthur's personal stamp. Jade reached out, his fingers brushing the letter's parchment as he accepted it, his gaze briefly studying Seb. The young man's expression was unreadable, serene yet slightly amused, as though he already knew the contents of the letter.

Jade unfolded the letter and began to read. The contents were brief, yet their implications were profound:

Sir Jade,

I want my subordinate to grow. He has to face life and death and hunt monsters to get stronger. I would like to request you to provide him with a fake identity of a village peasant and some gold coins to start his journey as an adventurer.

Thanks a lot,

Yours,

Arthur

of course it was an excuse made up by Arthur because he couldn't just tell him all his plans that would put Jade in dilemma weather Arthur had lost his mind or he was an entirely different person.

Jade lowered the letter slowly, the contents of the letter slowly setting in. His expression shifted, his normally stoic demeanor giving way to a mixture of confusion and apprehension. He couldn't understand Arthur's intentions, and why he had changed so drastically in a period of these few days.

His piercing gaze locked onto Seb, who remained unmoved, his smile never faltering.

"Are you sure about this?" Jade asked, his voice carrying a note of stern disbelief.

Seb tilted his head slightly, his smile widening. "It's not my place to question his orders, sir,"

he replied, his tone smooth and respectful.

"Lord Arthur believes this is the best path for my growth, and I trust his judgment."

Jade leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepling as he regarded Seb carefully. Looking at Seb, jade was filled with nostalgia as he was reminded of his own old days where he would follow the duke closely and do everything he would be ordered with utmost loyalty and dedication.

"You realize what this entails, don't you? This isn't a simple request. Fake identities are not handed out lightly, and the life of an adventurer is far from glamorous. It's brutal, unpredictable, and unforgiving. You could die out there."

"I'm well aware," Seb responded, his voice unwavering. "But growth doesn't come without risk. If lord Arthur believes I need to face life and death, then I'll do so without hesitation."

Jade let out a slow breath trying to scrutinize Seb and gauge his thoughts . "And you? Do you agree with his reasoning? Do you truly believe this is the path you need to walk?"

Seb's smile softened, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes. "It's not about what I believe, sir. It's about trust. My lord sees potential in me, and I won't let him down. If that means starting from the bottom, facing danger, and risking my life, then so be it."

The room fell silent, the weight of Seb's words hanging heavily in the air. Jade's gaze remained fixed on him, searching for any hint of hesitation or doubt. Finding none, he exhaled deeply and stood, his imposing figure towering over the desk.

"Very well," Jade said, his tone carrying a mix of resignation and approval. "I'll grant your request. But understand this, Seb—this isn't a decision to be taken lightly. If you falter, if you fail to adapt or survive, the consequences will be yours alone to bear."

Seb nodded, his expression firm. "I understand."

Jade moved to a cabinet along the side of the room, unlocking it with a small, intricate key. Inside were several stacks of blank identification documents, each meticulously organized. He pulled out one of the false identities

—a simple parchment bearing the name "Kael," .

"This will be your new identity," Jade said, placing the document on the desk. "You'll be a young man from a remote village, seeking fortune as an adventurer. It's a common enough story that no one will question it."

He retrieved a small pouch of gold coins from a drawer and placed it beside the document. "This should be enough to get you started. Food, lodging, basic gear for a few years. Spend it wisely."

Seb stepped forward, taking the items with both hands. "Thank you, sir," he said, bowing slightly. "I won't let you or lord Arthur down."

Jade watched him for a moment before sitting back down, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. "One last thing," he said, his voice grave. "If you're caught with a fake identity, you'll face severe consequences and we won't be able to help you"

"I understand," Seb replied, his voice steady. "I'll be careful."

Jade nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Then may fortune favor you on your journey. You'll need it."

Seb turned and left the room, the heavy doors closing behind him with a soft thud. Jade leaned back in his chair, the faint creak of the wood breaking the silence.

Jade looked at the closing doors with a smile, but it was soon interrupted by the sound of knocking that came from the side window. Jade stood up and walked to the window and opened it allowing a feathered owl-like creature - a Lumivarn to enter the room.

The Lumivarn was an owl-like creature native to the cold north of the continent, known for efficiently delivering messages between noble houses. Though communication crystals existed, these owls were a symbol of tradition in the empire, often used to summon individuals for significant events. Their majestic presence and role in ceremonial duties made them a revered part of the empire's history and culture.

Jade quickly untied the medium-sized scroll from the leg of the Lumivarn, which flapped its wings and flew off the same way it had come. With purposeful steps, Jade returned to his seat, unrolling the scroll as his expression grew tense. His brows knitted as he read the contents, his demeanor serious.

Wasting no time, he reached into a side drawer, retrieving a communication crystal much larger than the standard ones, at least five times the size of Melinda's. He placed the crystal on its stand and channeled his mana into it. The crystal began to glow, its color shifting as the connection established.

The image of a man appeared in the crystal, his long, dark hair falling past his shoulders in soft waves. A neatly groomed beard framed his sharp, commanding features. This was Arthur's father, Duke Victor Nolan—the supreme authority of the Nolan fief. 

His piercing eyes carried the weight of leadership and responsibility, while his ornate armor, adorned with gold details, emphasized his status and strength. A cape draped over his broad shoulders, and his tall, powerful build spoke of years of experience in both battle and governance. His entire presence exuded authority and confidence befitting a man of his rank. 

Jade bowed his head respectfully. "I hope you are well, my lord." 

Victor's deep, commanding voice cut through. "There's no need for formalities, Jade. But tell me—why do i see sweat on your forehead?" 

Jade wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, clearly nervous. "Apologies, my lord. i just received a letter that you've been summoned to the imperial capital." 

Victor raised an eyebrow. "The capital? And so suddenly? What's the reason?" 

"The third imperial prince, Reynar, has been assassinated, my lord. The summons is likely a call for every noble in the empire to gather," Jade explained, his voice steady despite his unease. 

A brief silence followed, then Victor let out a low chuckle. "So that brat is finally dead. About time—he was nothing but trouble." 

Jade's nervousness only increased, beads of sweat forming faster. "My lord, please… You mustn't say such things when we're in the capital," he pleaded. 

Victor laughed heartily. "Relax, Jade! When have I ever stirred up trouble for you?" 

Jade sighed heavily, resignation written all over his face. "Far too often, my lord." 

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Author's Note: Trivia Time

In the Empire of Konark and many neighboring empires and kingdoms, identity documentation follows a strict protocol regulated by local noble houses. These documents feature mana-infused stamps unique to each lord, encoding their mana signature to identify the region of origin.

At birth, individuals must register at their local administration to receive these stamped documents. However, these documents are region-specific and cannot be used for operations in other territories, a measure aimed at curbing smuggling and trafficking. Although slave trading of other races is completely legal.

The sole exception is the Adventurer's Guild Card, a universal pass that allows free movement and operations across all regions. The Adventurer's Guild is a mysterious, autonomous entity that even emperors cannot challenge. Its origins remain shrouded in secrecy nobody knows how old it is and who controls it.