A carriage creaked to a halt in front of the merchant guild's warehouse, and the passenger door was pushed open with a soft click. A figure emerged, draped in a heavy black robe with a hood pulled low to mask her features. Her stature suggested she was a woman.

Ignoring the warehouse, she cast a single, sharp look around her surroundings before heading for a narrow staircase tucked beside the adjacent building. The steps descended as if into the bowels of the earth; with every footfall into the dimly lit basement, the world grew quieter.

At the bottom of the stairs stood a heavy, black-painted door. Reaching out with a leather-gloved hand, the woman turned the knob and slipped inside. A quiet bar with a tranquil atmosphere greeted her. Behind the solid wood counter stood a man with white hair and striking blue eyes.

The man offered a silent, polite smile and a bow upon seeing the robed figure. The woman returned the nod, her face still hidden by her hood, and proceeded toward the back of the establishment. The black wall at the far end slid aside seamlessly, revealing a hidden chamber.

Inside, Sasha, an executive of the Dark Guild with rich black hair, sat waiting on a leather sofa.

The woman took the seat across from Sasha and quietly pulled back her hood. Simultaneously, the wall slid shut behind her.

The visitor was Selene, the First Princess of the Imuris Kingdom. Her hair was somewhat disheveled, as if she had departed for this meeting in a great hurry.

"My apologies for summoning you so abruptly," Sasha said.

"Don't worry about it. I was the one who made the request, after all," Selene replied. Her tone was surprisingly casual for a member of the royal family. "Straight to the point, then—what did the investigation reveal?"

Humbled by the princess's directness, Sasha placed a pre-prepared report on the round table. It was slightly wrinkled, as though it had been pored over many times.

Selene reached for the document with a gloved hand, her movements slow as if to suppress her own anxiety. She began to read the contents thoroughly.

"Is this... true?"

"The report comes from a highly trustworthy source. I have seen the Vessel of the Evil God with my own eyes. If you have any doubts, your Highness, I suggest seeking confirmation from Steel Fang. They are an A-rank Guild primarily active in Count Cardinal's Territory."

"I see..." Selene rested her chin in her hand, lost in thought. A heavy silence filled the room for a long moment.

"Does your Highness know of anyone capable of sealing such a malevolent presence?" Sasha asked, perhaps hoping to break the tension.

Selene closed her eyes for a moment. "One name comes to mind," she murmured.

"The investigator is currently at a loss as to how to handle the Vessel of the Evil God," Sasha continued. "And I imagine you would prefer to keep it out of the Empire's hands."

"...Let me think on it. I will contact you again soon." Selene pulled her hood back up, her brow still furrowed with concern.

"I'll have a messenger deliver your reward later today."

"Thank you very much."

Sasha offered a beaming smile. Selene stood up and quietly departed from the Blue Eye’s Hidden Room.

【Minutes of the 50th Adventurer's Guild Information Center Information Exchange Meeting】

Information Center Staff 1 ⇒ Please report on the recruitment status of the various guilds.

Information Center Staff 2 ⇒ As usual, Shield of the Sky is hiring aggressively. Lately, they’ve even been taking on youths with behavioral issues, provided they have the strength.

Information Center Staff 3 ⇒ Is that really appropriate for an S-rank Guild?

Information Center Staff 4 ⇒ I imagine they intend to straighten them out through internal training. It shouldn’t be a problem.

Information Center Staff 5 ⇒ Shield of the Sky is on an expansionist path. They likely want to make their position as the Kingdom's largest guild unshakable.

Information Center Staff 6 ⇒ A little while ago, a complaint came in from Shield of the Sky regarding a young man named Walt. Apparently, he attempted to take their recruitment exam while falsifying his job.

Information Center Staff 7 ⇒ Details, please.

Information Center Staff 8 ⇒ This man, Walt, reportedly declared his job as a Swordsman when he applied for an interview with Shield of the Sky. He was rejected.

Information Center Staff 9 ⇒ And?

Information Center Staff 10 ⇒ Later, Walt allegedly held a grudge and interfered with one of the guild's requests. Judging by the skills he used at the time, his actual job was Berserker.

Information Center Staff 11 ⇒ Forging a resume issued by the Karia Church... The man has no fear of God.

Information Center Staff 12 ⇒ Shield of the Sky has already issued a warning to all guilds. They’ve advised everyone not to hire him.

Information Center Staff 13 ⇒ Sounds like the end of the road for Walt.

Information Center Staff 14 ⇒ The next topic concerns talented unaffiliated adventurers. Given the current labor shortage, these youths are extremely important assets. We should introduce promising candidates to the major guilds and collect the referral fees.

Information Center Staff 15 ⇒ Most of the talent around the Royal Capital is already spoken for.

Information Center Staff 16 ⇒ What about reports from the provinces?

Information Center Staff 17 ⇒ Steel Fang, which operates out of Count Cardinal’s Territory, sent in a report about a highly skilled Herbalist.

Information Center Staff 18 ⇒ Oh? That’s rare.

Information Center Staff 19 ⇒ It seems he can produce extremely potent medicine.

Information Center Staff 20 ⇒ What’s the name of this Herbalist?

Information Center Staff 21 ⇒ The report identifies him as "Walt."

Information Center Staff 22 ⇒ Hahaha! Even with the same name, he sounds like a world apart from that Berserker.

Information Center Staff 23 ⇒ Herbalist Walt, then. I’ll make a note of it.