Chapter 58: Is this a public place where you can just come and go as you please?

Having disposed of the corpse, the mysterious figure produced a specially crafted micro-communicator equipped with an independent signal jammer and a built-in secure communication line.

Upon detecting any unauthorized activation or any attempt to breach the secure line, the device would instantly self-destruct.

This completely eliminated any possibility of reverse-tracing or interception.

"The task you assigned has been completed," the mysterious figure spoke into the device.

"This is just the beginning. Do not forget your promise to me," Toland's voice came from the other end of the communicator.

"Roland is a prized student of mine, and he must not be harmed. Do you understand!"

"Fulfill your commitment; that is all I ask."

"If you still remember the favor from back then, protect Roland well until the turmoil within the royal capital subsides."

The mysterious figure replied indifferently, "I will keep my promise."

"Very well, that is all for now."

The mysterious figure actively disconnected the call.

"Although it is a troublesome errand, judging by the current situation, I suppose I do not need to worry overly much."

"That imperial princess seems to value the boy's safety quite a bit."

"To actually spare a hatter who has already stepped into the transcendental realm to protect him personally."

"And if one includes that elf... Tsk tsk, what a formidable network of connections he has."

"What on earth is so special about this kid that makes so many big figures favor him?"

"Never mind, I should find a place to stay first. Damn old man Toland, dragging me to the royal capital and not even arranging lodging for me."

...

Late at night, after making sure that all activity around the house had completely ceased, Roland pushed open his door and stepped onto the lawn directly beneath his bedroom window.

A crossbow and a stray arrow lying nearby instantly came into view.

Clearly, an assassination attempt targeting him had just taken place.

Moreover, the eerie green glow flickering on the arrowhead was painfully familiar.

Roland retrieved from his storage ring the dagger he had confiscated after killing the assassin who had targeted Iluvia.

It gleamed with the exact same hue.

"The same poison?"

"Just as Iluvia said."

"I was still too careless."

By the moonlight, Roland inspected his roof, where a grappling hook that had not yet been retrieved was still anchored.

Only a severed length of rope remained attached to the hook. It seemed its original owner had intended to hang outside the window and use a crossbow to assassinate him.

A very decisive plan.

The entire process would not release even a sliver of magical fluctuation, avoiding the magic-sensing alarms Roland had set up around the house.

Furthermore, close-range shooting, poisoned arrows, and a sleeping target—if someone hadn't intervened and halted the assassination, this would have been a flawless plot.

Although that arrow would most likely have been blocked by the Moon Spirit Fluid that Roland wore at all times, being ambushed at such close range was still not good news.

History had proven that the security of the Royal Capital Magic Academy was practically nonexistent.

How many people were coming here to cause trouble day after day?!

If he truly wanted to preserve his life and protect himself, he still had to rely on his own devices.

"It seems I still need to heighten my vigilance and set up a few more alarm devices... I'll plant a couple of landmines as well. I just happen to have some leftovers from before."

"Though before burying them, I can optimize them further. Simple magical disturbances are no longer enough to deal with these people in the royal capital."

"I'll have to incorporate spell interference..."

"I might as well modify them into tripwire mines or booby traps for more flexibility."

"Lethality doesn't matter much, as long as the basic alarm function works properly."

"The roof, the lawn, the front door... I'll put a couple by the window as well."

"It seems I still need to craft some little gadgets myself."

"No, no, staying in the dorms is simply too unsafe."

"There is no logic to playing defense a thousand days against a thief; tightening security is the key."

"Looks like I'll have to ask my good teacher and Ms. Fram to pressure the academy administration."

"This is the academy's residential area, not some public venue."

"Coming and going as they please! It shouldn't be that easy!"

...

"Lord Prelate, the assassination failed."

"Understood, as expected. I never really anticipated success anyway."

Inside the Grand Duke of Wellington's mansion, the mysterious figure who had previously shared a carriage with the Grand Duke had now removed the cloak that concealed his form.

He now sported short white hair, with a pair of black-rimmed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, exuding an air of refinement and composure.

Hearing the news of the failed mission from his subordinate, he remained exceptionally calm.

"In addition, do not address me as Lord Prelate here. Call me Butler Slocum, and do not blow my cover."

"Understood, Lord Prelate!"

"Bang!"

The subordinate, utterly incapable of grasping human speech, instantly dissolved into a bloody mist, vanishing completely from the room.

Only a lingering scent of blood bore witness to the fact that this person had ever existed.

The others in the room showed no surprise at the sight.

"Butler Slocum, that fool Parker's operation in Rescan failed. Should we still proceed with the original plan?"

"Of course, my dear Orian. Although your avatar was destroyed in Rescan, you are still my most reliable assistant, aren't you?"

The Prelate of the Brotherhood of Chaos, who called himself Slocum, looked toward the tall, thin man beside him.

Had Roland and Kalia laid eyes on this man's face, they would undoubtedly have been utterly shocked.

Was this not the Tier 4 mage they had eliminated in the forest outside Rescan?

"Of course, of course, everything proceeds according to the original plan."

"Let us not forget that our goal from start to finish has only been that witch lady."

Slocum stood up, his excitement rising slightly: "That idiot Parker messed up a grand sacrifice."

"But since that witch has come to the royal capital just as planned, it proves that our scheme still has a chance of succeeding."

"It simply means the loss of one grand sacrifice and one prime opportunity to draw the military's attention; the plan has not reached a dead end."

"Those fools in the royal capital are obsessed with power struggles. Before they and that imperial princess settle the score, even if someone notices our petty maneuvers, they will never figure out our true objective."

"They will merely mistake us for reinforcements recruited by one faction or another."

"However, before that..."

Slocum smiled as he spoke: "We must first make our 'allies' completely trust us."

"The life of that boy named Roland will serve as an excellent bargaining chip."

"As it happens, it was that boy's trickery that destroyed your avatar. Every debt has its debtor. I'll leave him to you to resolve, how about it?"

"As you command, Butler Slocum." Orian nodded in acknowledgment.

"Do not be overly courteous to me. Remember, nominally we are just the newly hired household staff for the Grand Duke of Wellington."

"He is the boss and master here, do you understand?"

"Yes."

Orian bowed his head respectfully once more.