The Deceitful One

Saturday, 21st August 1580.

In a room behind the prayer hall of the Church of Wisdom, Bishop Walls and Detective Watson were having tea and chatting with each other. It was after lunchtime and the latter had finished hand-to-hand combat training with Bryan a while back.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Bishop Walls asked, "Detective, what's the status of your investigation on Sean Marx?"

Detective Watson shook his head and sighed, "There's still no progress. I've tried to divine his whereabouts but it has resulted in failure. I believe that he has an artifact with him that is impeding my divination."

Bishop Walls' eyebrows furrowed as he replied, "Then we only have two options left. One is to get the help of a higher-ranked Transcendent and get them to do the divination. Or carry out the investigation the old-fashioned way."

"That's right. Getting help from a Mid-String Transcendent is nigh impossible. Even if they are someone from the Church, it will be very difficult to get their help unless a high price is paid." Detective Watson nodded his head with a bitter smile.

Bishop Walls could only sigh, "It's true."

In this world, everything comes at a price. And free things cost the most.

Detective Watson added, "Although it's a bit difficult, I'll try to get someone from Nadir to help. But I cannot guarantee anything."

Bishop Walls raised his eyebrow as he asked, "Detective, are you returning to Nadir anytime soon?"

"Yes. I'll be leaving in a few days. My wife is in labor and is about to give birth. So I must be there for her. But I'll return soon once everything there is taken care of." Detective Watson nodded with a warm smile.

Bishop Walls was pleasantly surprised, "Then I must congratulate you in advance, Detective. May the Goddess bless your wife and child."

Detective Watson smiled, "Thank you, Bishop Walls."

Then Bishop Walls recalled something and asked, "By the way, Detective, what do you think about Bryan joining the Silver Owls?"

"Bryan has already spoken to me regarding this. I think it will be a good learning experience for him." Detective Watson nodded.

"That's good. Then I'll let Robert know." Bishop Walls was naturally happy that he would get to nurture such a talented young man.

If one day in the future Bryan becomes an accomplished Transcendent, he would naturally not forget this favor from him. Or at least, that's what Bishop Walls hoped.

"Oh, and by the way, Bryan has already carved the 29th Mind rune. He will have already become a Transcendent in another eight to ten months." Detective Watson suddenly added with a smug look, pride evident in his eyes.

Bishop Walls' lips twitched as he thought, 'This guy… Always showing off!'

…

7 Robinson Street.

Bryan had just finished his dinner and was sitting by the study table thinking about his plans for later tonight. He was planning on raiding Jeffrey Gill's house!

Currently, he was writing a letter. More precisely, a blackmail letter. One that was addressed to Jeffrey Gill.

Bryan dipped his quill into the bottle of ink and wrote a few more sentences before finally finishing the letter.

He read the letter to check for any mistakes. Then he folded it and put it inside an envelope as his lips curled up into a sly smile.

Jeffrey Gill was a wealthy businessman who owned a couple of mines. He and Jack's late father, Jim Brown were long-time business rivals. After Jim's death, Jack who had been the one to actually poison him shifted the blame to Jeffrey Gill.

And now the police were conducting an investigation on Jeffrey Gill, trying to get to the truth of the matter. The reason Bryan wanted to maraud Jeffery's house tonight was part of his plan to bring about the downfall of Jack Brown.

Bryan went to his wardrobe and took out a pair of black cotton pants, a black full-sleeved t-shirt, and a black mask that covered the entirety of his head except for his eyes. He had specially gotten these made a few days ago from Taylor's clothing store.

When the bald middle-aged manager of the clothing store asked him why he needed such clothes, Bryan had shamelessly replied that it was a foreplay costume for his girlfriend for when they were in bed.

Bryan remembered the knowing smile that the store manager had given him at the time.

The store manager had even suggested that he had designs for other costumes which would be very stimulating in the bedroom.

Bryan could only shake his head and think doubtfully if this was really a gentleman's clothing store. He put on his black clothes and then put his silver pocket watch in his pant pocket.

'A space-type storage artifact really comes in handy at such times' Bryan thought in his heart.

Bryan exited his apartment building through the backdoor. Of course, he wouldn't call for a public carriage when we was going to raid someone's house.

In the dark of the night, Bryan's silhouette ran through Damascus City. Sometimes he would disappear in the shadows and the next moment he would come out of another shadow at a distance away.

After 15 minutes of running, Bryan arrived at his destination. This was a three-storied house near Augustus Street and it belonged to Jeffrey Gill.

Since it was only around 9 pm at the moment, a few of the gas lamps inside the house were still lit up. Bryan took his time to calm down and replenish his stamina.

When all the lights inside the house were out, that was when Bryan would move.

After patiently waiting for about two hours, all the lights inside Gill Manor were out and it turned completely dark.

Bryan who was sitting on a tree branch across the entrance of the manor opened his eyes and grinned, "Time to raid!"

He jumped down from the tree branch and landed firmly on his feet. Bryan took out the black mask from his other pocket and wore it over his head, completely hiding his appearance.

The next moment, his body completely melded into the shadows, effectively disappearing from sight.

This was the third Rank 0 Apprentice Spell that he had gotten from Detective Watson and tonight, he was finally able to use it!

Shadow Concealment!