It was half past two in the morning.

Moonlight Garden.

Count Omnishia's bedchamber door was knocked urgently, accompanied by Steward Markeli's profuse apologies:

"My lady, I'm terribly sorry to disturb your rest, but Sir Shabolai has returned with extremely urgent military intelligence!"

Since becoming Silvermoon Castle's lord, Sophia de Omnishia's sleep had become very light. In fact, she had already awakened at the second knock.

Although her precious slumber was interrupted, her rising anger was immediately doused by the words "military intelligence."

She promptly sat up and called out, "Eva, dress me."

Eva was her lady-in-waiting.

Eva was already awake but improperly dressed, wearing only a thin chemise. She hurried over to hastily dress Sophia in formal attire suitable for official occasions.

"Shabolai is no outsider. Casual wear will suffice, just put my hair in a simple bun. Hurry!"

"Yes, my lady."

Even so, it still took over a minute.

A minute later, the esteemed Countess Omnishia stepped out, while Steward Markeli had already been waiting respectfully by the door.

"Where is Shabolai?"

"In the small conference room, my lady."

"Did he come alone?"

"No, two people. He also brought a young assistant."

"I see."

Sophia strode briskly towards the small conference room. Upon reaching the door, she instructed: "Wait outside. Let no one in without permission!"

"Yes, my lady."

The small conference room was for intimate internal discussions amongst trusted confidantes. Although Sophia had a very low opinion of Shabolai, they had practically grown up together and were quite close.

As soon as she entered, she shut and locked the door tightly.

She saw Shabolai waiting wearily at the round table, while another slender figure hid inconspicuously in his shadow.

Seeing his aunt arrive, Shabolai bowed: "Aunt, I'm terribly sorry for disturbing you so late, but the situation is extremely urgent."

"Get to the point!"

Sophia cut off his rambling and briskly strode to a chair at the table.

"Yes, aunt."

Following their rehearsed routine, Shabolai accepted the documents from Rosen and spread them out.

"Aunt, while investigating, we accidentally discovered this dwarven encampment deep within the Labyrinthine Forest north of Moonlight Town. This is an accurate map of the camp."

Sophia looked at the map, startled by the densely packed hut-like structures.

Shabolai continued, "Based on initial estimates, we calculate at least 600 dwarven warriors and 1,200 laborers in this camp."

"These laborers are also quite strong. Once armed, formidable fighters."

Sophia carefully examined the sketches, quickly counting and estimating. Soon she concluded:

"Your estimate seems reasonable but overly crude."

"There are many dwarven warrior types - spear, mud armor, storm - each requiring different tactics!"

Having anticipated this, Shabolai immediately responded: "Aunt, we closely observed life remnants around the camp and discovered this, this, and this."

He continuously accepted documents from Rosen and spread them out.

Sophia looked over each one.

"This is bear scat - it's from a Bear Lord! The presence of a Bear Lord means there must be mud armor dwarves."

"This flawlessly pure ice crystal without bubbles is from frost dwarves skilled in magic."

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"And this - these smooth mirror-like rock cuts are from storms. There are even storm dwarves present."

"But how can this be? The different warriors belong to separate tribes, how could they be together in one camp?"

Shabolai shrugged. "Clearly, these scattered tribes have formed some unfathomable alliance."

Sophia's expression grew increasingly grave. After pondering a while, she asked: "Since it's deep within the Labyrinthine Forest, where exactly is the camp located?"

'Swish swish!'

Shabolai took the fifth document, a simple but clear orientation map, vastly cruder than the detailed drawings.

"Look, aunt, this circle is Moonlight Town, these slashes the Labyrinthine Forest. The red line shows our path."

"You see, starting from Moonlight Town and going northwest 10 kilometers, there's a small valley. A very powerful Bear Lord lives there. We defeated him and learned of the camp from him."

Shabolai's stubby finger traced the red line northeast.

"The dwarves were very cautious. Even the Bear Lord vanguard didn't know the exact location."

"But through frost ravens connecting the camp and Bear Lord, we followed the trail to locate it."

He heavily tapped a blood-red triangular box.

"It's right here. Based on pacing the distance and accounting for terrain, we estimate the camp is on a rocky plateau 30 kilometers due north of Moonlight Town."

He then pointed to the various symbols.

"The positions are rough estimates, not very precise."

"Plus the complex Labyrinthine Forest terrain. To aid navigation, we set up many special landmarks along the way, boulders, giant trees, formations, more. And we have precise drawings of all these landmarks."

'Swish swish!'

Rosen continuously handed over corresponding realistic illustrations.

Sophia looked over each one, quickly gaining a clear understanding of the camp's exact location, bolstering her anxiety.

She did not fear visible enemies, only assassins lurking unseen.

After examining the illustrations, she let out a soft sigh and regarded Shabolai, finding his performance oddly out of character.

Upon brief reflection, she understood the reason. She stared into Shabolai's eyes and probed: "Did you personally gather all this intelligence?"

Shabolai's composure crumbled as his gaze lowered.

"Aunt, I witnessed it firsthand, but the analysis was Rosen's doing. To be honest, all I saw was a camp."

Sophia gave a faint smile. "I thought that was the case."

Seeing Shabolai's disappointment, her tone changed:

"One's talents cannot be forced. That you embrace excellent subordinates without jealousy is very good!"

It was praise - the first from his aunt since growing up.

He immediately felt scalding heat in his chest, which straightened with unconscious pride, and an inane grin spread uncontrollably.

Sophia immediately found it intolerable and admonished lightly: "Look at you, showing your true colors from just a little praise! With such a shallow bearing, how could you command awe and respect?"

"Aunt, why would I want people to revere me? It's more fun for everyone to feast and play together!"

Sophia angrily pointed at the door. "Get out!"

Shabolai wanted to retort, but one look at his aunt's fiery gaze dispelled his courage, recalling childhood days caned with dozens of switches.

"Leaving, leaving!"

He grumbled and shuffled towards the door.

Just as he reached it, his aunt's voice came from behind: "Markeli, take Shabolai to rest well. Have Jania attend him."

Jania was a high-ranking Moonlight Garden lady. Exceptionally beautiful and talented, she had grown up with Shabolai. Childhood friends, their relationship had progressed to the bedroom upon adulthood.

Shabolai had always pined for this "big sister," and was delighted for this rare intimate encounter tonight.

Instantly, all resentment evaporated, his weariness disappeared, and his pace quickened considerably.

After Shabolai's departure, the door closed again.

Sophia sat in an armchair, gazing at Rosen standing respectfully aside. After watching him for some time, she asked:

"Do you think Shabolai is gullible and honest, easily exploited by others?"

Rosen was alerted inwardly, realizing her perspicacity exceeded Shabolai's countless levels. His actions had touched the nobility's sensitive power complex.

He had prepared for this, first performing an apprentice's bow, then calmly replying:

"My lady, I can only agree half."

"Oh? Please elaborate."

"While rough in conduct, Sir Shabolai possesses nuance and a sincere heart."

"Ulterior motives could trick months, even years, but never permanently. And once seen through, consequences would surely be dire."

Sophia's gaze flashed. "You truly think so?"

Rosen remained calm. "My lady, I'm an insignificant commoner apprentice, with neither family nor reputation. In fact, I'm rather infamous."

"At best, I can only advise behind the scenes, unable to withstand the winds and rains upon the stage."

Sophia slowly nodded. "You are clear-headed for one so young."

Rosen did not reply, only bowing slightly.

Next, he took out the potions from the search.

"My lord, these potions peddled by the Beast Lord allegedly contain an exotic deity's beast transformation spell."

"He can turn humans into beasts, and it's likely Moonlight Town's entire populace, including the viscount and high priest, have already consumed it."

"My limited experience cannot discern veracity, so I've brought it for you to judge."

The Countess closely inspected the potions, frowning deeply, until shouting loudly: "Markeli! Markeli!"

The loyal steward immediately entered. "My lady, your orders?"

"Send these potions to the Temple at once. Deliver them personally to High Priest Faor, 'gifts' from the Frost Emperor to Silvermoon Castle."

"Yes, my lady."

Markeli swiftly departed with the potions.

Just two people were left in the small conference room again.

The Countess looked at Rosen.

"You did very well this time. I shall reward you! Name your desire!"

Rosen relaxed slightly inwardly, but did not let down his guard completely.

Such a powerful, experienced moon mage required proper measure. He had to learn to seek straightforwardness through contrivance.

He had carefully deliberated how.

So he gently said, "My lady, if possible, I wish to ask you to resolve some doubts I have regarding spells."

Sophia's face instantly lit up with a faint but genuine smile.

"Little one, are you so enamored with magic?"

Rosen smiled genuinely too. "My lady, is there anything more fascinating than magic?"

'Hahahaha!'

Sophia laughed heartily, then exclaimed loudly: "Well said!"

She already greatly appreciated the boy's talents, and now favored him even more.

Looking at him was like looking at her younger self.

From her standpoint, a mage devoted to magic would have no interest in power, lacking time, energy, and desire to vie and scheme.

Such a person could be entrusted without worry.

Of course, the boy was still too young and weak for now. In a few years, he would be ready for greater responsibilities.

For now, it would be an exchange between fellow mages.

"Child, ask away. I shall do my utmost to resolve your doubts."