Dawn.

The Hunter's Lodge.

Rosen and Shabore sat across from each other.

"Uncle, Veronica wanted me as apprentice before, but now my mentor is Innocent. So I thought of visiting her to apologize for standing her up."

Shabore sipped honey wine and nodded.

"Mmm. Veronica is of noble birth, an official mid-level sorceress and her father is the lord of Northmoon Town. Leaving her waiting was quite impolite. I'll take you to see her now."

He pondered before adding, "Bring a gift too, as apology."

"Okay."

Considering Rosen's limited means as apprentice, he brought a 1 crown bottle of mid-grade Moonlight wine, a common vintage.

Veronica's residence was in the north, about a twenty minute walk from the Lodge.

She lived in a luxurious stone mansion. Just the grounds were over ten times larger than Serendis' cottage.

Unfortunately, Veronica was not home.

At the gate, a well-dressed middle-aged butler regretfully explained,

"How unfortunate. The young miss left by carriage yesterday morning for the countryside estate, to clear her mind she said."

Rosen thought, 'Clear her ass. I just saw you at the dress shop in North City this morning.'

Naturally one had to do proper intelligence work before a bounty. Spending a little on underground informants to track someone was basic.

Outwardly he remained expressionless, probing further, "Did Miss Veronica say when she might return?"

"The young miss said maybe a week, even half a month. No set date, depending on her mood."

Feigning regret, Rosen considered then asked, "Sir, may we come in a bit? I'd like to leave an apology letter for Miss Veronica."

"Of course, no problem."

The butler opened the gate and led them inside.

Once inside, Shabore behaved decently but Rosen seemed very curious, looking all around as if greatly interested in the furnishings.

Soon they reached the study.

The butler fetched paper and pen.

Without hesitation Rosen sat in the large leather chair behind the desk, and asked, "Does Miss Veronica usually work here?"

Highly inappropriate behavior.

The butler's displeasure showed plainly but he suppressed his anger and answered, "Yes, the young miss usually works here."

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Seeing enough, Rosen promptly withdrew and focused on the letter.

He soon finished and ceremoniously handed it to the butler.

"Please pass this urgent letter to Miss Veronica directly into her hands as soon as possible. Otherwise something very serious could happen."

"Oh, I will." The butler was puzzled but agreed.

Afterwards, they bid the butler farewell and left.

At the entrance, comprehension was dawning on Shabore.

"Rosen, I feel you behaved oddly today. What are you thinking?"

Rosen grinned slyly. "Odd? I was perfectly normal."

He had simply confirmed - the fingerprints matched, and the study chair was still warm, meaning Veronica had just been there.

Shabore scratched his head, lost in fog.

"Why daydreaming? Let's go," Rosen's voice carried from ahead, jolting Shabore alert. Looking over, Rosen was already twenty or thirty meters away.

He hurried to catch up, "Hey! Why didn't you wait?"

Reaching Rosen's side, he asked again, "What now? We finding Olek together?"

The 200 crown bounty was extremely tempting to Shabore too.

With that money, he could indulge freely at Rose House another three months.

Rosen smiled, not revealing the truth yet. "Yeah, find Olek, thoroughly clear my mentor's name."

"Where should we start? Any leads?"

"I do."

"Good, good then."

They conversed while walking, soon turning a corner.

Suddenly Rosen said, "I'll take you somewhere great. Guaranteed to intercept Olek in under two hours!"

Shabore was excited. "Where? Take me quick!"

"Follow me."

They picked up pace. After more walking they reached a clock tower. The door was locked but no obstacle for a sorcerer.

*Click*

The lock opened and they slipped inside, climbing to the top.

Rosen leaned back against the railing, then dug out and widened a slit just enough to fit a small mirror placed at the edge.

After finishing he said, "Don't just stand there, Olek will see you."

"Right, of course."

Shabore hurriedly sat, concealing himself behind the railing.

Here, Rosen intended revealing the truth to Shabore.

The reasons for bringing Shabore were a powerful warrior for the confrontation, reducing failure risk, and as an Omisha member, no one would dare cancel his bounty in Silvermoon City.

Although the reward would be less, the risks also greatly decreased, very worthwhile.

Naturally he had to explain first before acting.

But just as he was about to speak, Shabore lazily stretched, saying,

"I'm exhausted these days. I'll nap first, wake me if anything happens."

"No, don't Uncle! I still have important things to tell you."

"Shoo, what's there for two grown men to talk about? I'm sleeping."

Shabore simply lay down. In under a minute, rhythmic snores sounded.

No wonder he grew so fat with such guts.

Left with no choice, Rosen could only keep watching the mirror.

Half an hour later, a luxurious four-horse carriage emerged from the mansion's rear entrance, stopping at the gates.

Shortly after, a familiar figure hurried out and boarded it.

The carriage departed northward, likely exiting Silvermoon City through the north gate.

Rosen smirked inwardly, 'The bitch got spooked by just a letter.'

He kept close eye on it, nudging the slumbering Shabore awake.

"Really found Olek now?" Shabore looked incredulous.

Rosen nodded, pointing at the speeding carriage below. "Inside that car."

Seeing it rapidly getting away, Rosen urged, "Uncle, let's chase it right now."

Noticing Shabore's groggy state, he raised his voice, "Hurry Uncle! Or Olek will escape!"

"Going, going now! Huff huff! Rosen, you've gotten heavy lately."

Rosen climbed onto Shabore's back. "Can't run fast. Carry me."

"What am I, a horse? Honestly."

Despite complaints, Shabore still carried Rosen, leaping down directly from the tower, sprinting after the carriage.

Less than 200 meters behind, the distance swiftly closed as they ran full tilt.

In under 3 minutes, taking a shortcut, Shabore carrying Rosen pulled ahead, blocking the carriage's path.

Setting Rosen down, he immediately unsheathed Demon Slaying blade, silvery light glinting along it.

"Stop if you don't want to die!"

The coachman jumped in fright, reining the horses to a halt.

Shabore smiled coldly at the cabin, "Olek! No more hiding, come out!"

*Click*

The door opened and a tall, graceful figure slowly emerged, wearing a bloodvine crown, black and crimson battle skirt, wielding a dark crimson staff. Strikingly conspicuous under the sunlight.

"I'd intended letting you live a few more days or weeks, but since you're so eager to die, I'll oblige. It's just as well."

She seemed to survey her domain like a reigning sovereign.