Scarlett and her companions materialised in a spherical chamber within the Chamber of Conjunction on the Rising Isle. The polished stone floor was intricately carved with arcane symbols, pulsing with veins of magical energy. Nearby, a Kilnstone hovered in the air, its grey surface faintly shimmering. In the chamber’s corner, several wizards stood silently, observing their arrival.

Three familiar figures approached, their grey robes adorned with varying numbers of ornate gold lines at the collar. Principal Wizard Bunce led the group, flanked by his two Associate Wizards.

“Baroness Hartford,” Bunce greeted with a somewhat formal nod. “Welcome back to the Rising Isle.”

Scarlett inclined her head in response. “Thank you, Principal Wizard.”

“If you would follow me,” the man said, gesturing towards the exit. They left the chamber, entering a long, vaulted hallway that opened into a bustling vestibule, where wizards moved quickly about their business.

As they navigated through the crowd, Bunce spoke over his shoulder. “I understand you’ve made significant adjustments to your schedule to join us today, Baroness. I apologise that our welcome isn’t quite as elaborate as last time.”

Their progress halted momentarily as a group of white-robed wizards rushed past, arms laden with thick tomes and long staffs.

“That is quite alright,” Scarlett replied, her eyes scanning their surroundings. She’d been wondering about the change, but she preferred it this way. It meant less time wasted on formalities.

She turned her attention back to Bunce. “However, I am still curious about the sudden urgency of my summons. Are you aware of the reason behind it?”

The wizard shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Even if I did, I wouldn’t be at liberty to say.”

“Who would, then?”

“Grand Wizard Hartford will receive you shortly. I’m sure he can address any questions you might have.”

Oh? So Gaspar would be her liaison again, after all. Scarlett had been wondering about that as well. Their personalities didn’t exactly mesh, but she had to admit he usually managed to maintain his professionalism. At least when it mattered. Plus, she had some business to discuss with him.

As they exited the vestibule and ascended a spiraling staircase, Allyssa spoke up. “By the way, is there a reason everyone back there seems so frantic?”

“The Rising Isle maintains active Kilnstone across the continent and beyond,” Scarlett answered, glancing over some ancient Zuverian inscriptions etched into murals on the wall. “With recent events, the empire and its citizens are not the only ones affected. Given the Isle’s small numbers, I imagine most of its wizards have been working tirelessly these past few weeks.”

Bunce nodded in agreement. “Indeed. Tensions have risen in many nations, and while reports indicate the monster incursions are primarily concentrated in the empire, they’re not entirely limited to that region. Our collaborations across the continent have us sending many wizards to inspect and coordinate efforts. We’re also investigating the mysterious event that caused the entire Kilnstone network to cease functioning in order to ensure it does not happen again. It’s consuming much of our resources.”

Soon, they arrived in a meeting room. A broad window at the far end offered a view of one of the Rising Isle’s many canals, with elegant buildings lining the waterway. The central arrangement of chairs and couches with a table in the middle sat atop a transparent floor, beneath which dazzling patterns of magical lights flowed. Emerald crystals suspended from the walls bathed the room in a soft, green glow as the natural light outside had mostly faded.

Noticing that the chamber was empty, Scarlett turned to their guide. “Where is Grand Wizard Hartford?”

“He will arrive soon, Baroness,” Bunce replied, gesturing towards the seating area. “If you would be so kind as to wait here, I would be most thankful.”

Scarlett regarded him for a moment, then strode towards the seats. “Very well,” she said.

She hoped she wouldn’t be kept waiting for as long as last time.

As Bunce and his associates took their leave, Scarlett and her group settled in. To her relief, they didn’t have to wait long. Within minutes, footsteps sounded at the entrance, and Grand Wizard Hartford entered, his black robes trailing as he tapped an ebony staff against the stone floor with each step.

“Good. You’re here already,” he said, before pausing briefly as he passed Fynn, peering down at the youth who had taken a seat on a couch beside Shin. “Hmph. It seems you bothered to find a seat this time, at least,” he remarked before continuing to an armchair opposite Scarlett.

Allyssa tilted her head at Fynn. “What did you do last time?”

An uncertain frown creased Fynn’s brow. “I don’t know.”

“He sat on the floor,” Gaspar answered gruffly. “As if the Rising Isle does not have plenty of proper seating available for its guests.” His gaze shifted to Scarlett. “Your companions are as ‘adventurous’ as you, Baroness. Do you specifically seek out individuals for their peculiarities?”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“I select them for their abilities,” Scarlett replied indifferently. “Their personalities are secondary .”

Gaspar grunted. “Fair enough,” he conceded. “Regardless, welcome back to the Rising Isle. Both I and the Council appreciate you making time to come here despite the current situation in the empire.”

Scarlett’s eyebrows lifted slightly as she considered him. “I have my own reasons for returning as well,” she said after a moment.

“That’s good, then.”

“I will admit,” she continued, “I am somewhat surprised to find you personally greeting me. Given your previous reluctance, I would have assumed you might delegate the responsibility to another wizard — Magister Penney, for instance. I imagine he would not have objected to the assignment.”

If it had been ‘Hugbert’ meeting her here, she might have been able to inquire with him about Yamina as well. Scarlett was curious about what the woman was up to.

“I don’t shirk my responsibilities so lightly, Baroness,” Gaspar said with a hint of annoyance. “Not even when they prove…vexing.”

“Is that so?” Scarlett regarded him for a few moments longer before reclining in her seat. “That is just as well, I suppose. There are matters I wished to discuss with you specifically. If you recall, you were tasked with investigating the history of an imperial wizard who once called this isle home — a man named Delmont. I would like to know how that matter has progressed.” Her eyes narrowed subtly. “I trust that, since you were instrumental in obstructing my own inquiries, you have not neglected this responsibility during my absence from the Isle?”

Her objective this time was clear: find out what happened to Arlene so that she could secure the heirloom Delmont had supposedly received from the woman. That meant it was imperative the Council fulfilled its side of the bargain.

A scowl formed on Gaspar’s face. “Of course I haven’t,” he answered with a huff. He seemed about to continue but hesitated, steepling his fingers while studying Scarlett. “…With that said, I would like to know if you yourself have uncovered any new information about this man since you first asked us to look into him?”

“No,” Scarlett said. “Nothing beyond his name and the fact that he left the empire to join the Rising Isle. That is, after all, precisely why I am here. Your role is not to question my understanding of the subject, but rather to assist me in uncovering more. I presume you have at least identified the individual to whom I am referring.”

“Who said I was questioning you?” The man shook his head with a low grumble, though he straightened in his seat. “And yes, I have identified him. It was not much of a challenge, to be frank. The man you’re inquiring about was an arch wizard.”

Scarlett’s eyes widened slightly. “He was?”

That revelation, while somewhat unexpected, made a certain amount of sense. Considering Delmont was Arlene’s brother, a disciple of one of the first deacons, and apparently directly familiar with Ustrum—one of the empire’s most renowned wizards—it was logical that he would be a powerful mage in his own right. She could only imagine the empire’s reaction to one of its arch wizards defecting to the Rising Isle, though. Especially at that point in time.

No wonder they had tried to erase as many traces of Delmont as possible.

“The real challenge,” Gaspar continued, “has been identifying and locating this supposed heirloom you’re seeking. If it’s true, as you claim, that it’s neither an artifact nor enchanted in any way, there would be little reason for it to be appear in our records. My findings so far seem to confirm that much.”

“What of his descendants?” Scarlett asked. “Did he have any? If so, it is possible the necklace was passed down to them.”

Gaspar’s frown deepened as he folded his arms, meeting her gaze. “…I’m currently looking into that possibility, seeing if they might possess something that matches the description you provided.”

“Then they remain on the Isle? Who are they?”

“Not your concern, Baroness,” he replied curtly. “I will handle contacting them to inquire about the matter. Though I am doubtful whether it will lead anywhere, given he lived several generations ago.”

Scarlett mirrored his frown. “Then do you believe that you will be unable to complete this task?”

The man shook his head. “That’s not what I said. Only that it may prove far more challenging than you think. Naturally, I’ll continue investigating whenever I have the time, even if I personally don’t see much value in this pursuit. As agreed between the Council and yourself, I’ll do what is within my power to see this through before your departure. I happen to be a man of my word.”

“…Very well,” Scarlett said, keeping her voice measured. “It would be unfortunate if the Rising Isle’s council could not deliver on its promises after already receiving their end of the bargain. Nevertheless, I shall continue to place my confidence in your capabilities.”

She truly hoped he was right, or she’d have to find some other way of completing Arlene’s quest. That would probably piss both him and the Council off.

“On the subject of bargains,” she added, eyeing Gaspar deliberately. “Perhaps you recall the list of items and materials I provided to the Council on my last visit, in exchange for the services I had already provided. I afforded you ample time to prepare my compensation, trusting in the Council’s integrity, but I am curious how matters are proceeding on that front.”

Gaspar’s eye twitched, his expression souring. He remained silent for a few seconds. “…That does not fall within my area of responsibility. In my opinion, the Council was far too lenient in agreeing to your demands. However, to my knowledge, at least half of the listed items have been procured. The remainder consists of materials that will take longer to acquire or simply aren’t currently within our ability to provide. I suspect you’ll be asked to reconsider those.”

“Reconsider how?” Scarlett asked.

“…You’ll likely receive a list of other priceless artifacts and materials we can offer instead,” he said, begrudgingly.

“I see. Then I will eagerly await that list.”

Neither Scarlett nor the Council could assign an exact value to the debt they owed her for revealing the Astral Sanctum’s hidden sanctuary, but judging from some conversations she’d had with Magister Penney during her last visit, it was probably greater than she’d initially anticipated. The fact that most of the Council—which she’d been informed was very divided on most topics related to an outsider like her—had agreed to her requests seemed to confirm that.

Still, she hadn’t actually expected them to amass so much so quickly. Much of what she’d asked for comprised rare materials and reagents she was familiar with from the game or from her own research. Items that even the Rising Isle might have difficulty to obtain. She planned to use them for both upgrading the Loci in the future and for outfitting her party with even better gear.

“Are those the only separate matters you wanted to discuss?” Gaspar asked, his tone betraying a trace of impatience.

Scarlett returned her full attention to the man. “I believe it is, yes.”

“Good. Then let’s not waste any more time and get to the matter at hand,” he said.

Scarlett watched him quietly, then nodded. “Yes, let us. I am intrigued by that as well. Tell me, what brought the Council to summon me to the Rising Isle so urgently?”

“Before I do, Baroness, there’s something I want to ask you.” Gaspar’s expression grew more serious, his voice dropping. “What exactly do you know about the Hall of Echoes?”