“—your investigations should primarily concentrate on Brook Tower and Ustrum’s acquaintances, likely around 800 A.R. The exact time period, however, is somewhat uncertain,” Scarlett said aloud, sitting alone in her office.

Before her, on her desk, was a small bluebird carving perched on a circular marble base, emitting a faint glow.

“Gathering reliable information from that far back could prove difficult, depending on the circumstances,” came Beldon’s voice from the bird sculpture.

“I understand, but I still ask that you do what you can.”

“Certainly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. That said, most of my people are currently preoccupied with other matters, especially given the recent upheaval around Bridgespell. It’s been dominating the conversations of many important figures in the empire lately. Quite the coincidence that an event like that would happen during your visit to the city, wouldn’t you say, Baroness? I have even heard tell of rumors suggesting your involvement in the citadel incident, alongside the Followers of Ittar and Duke Valentino’s men. Such talk inevitably piques one’s curiosity about the true events there.”

“I advise against delving too deeply, Tyndall.”

“You do tantalize me so, Baroness. You should know that your warnings only heighten my curiosity about what I’m missing,” the man replied, his voice carrying an almost palpable sigh. “Ah, but nevertheless, I shall respect your wishes on the topic. And regarding your investigation request, I will have my available people look into this Delmon character. It’s hardly an uncommon name, but if he was indeed a noble of that era, as you suggest, identifying a list of potential matches should be manageable.”

“That will be a satisfactory starting point for now,” Scarlett said.

Her progress in completing Arlene’s latest quest hinged on finding out what had happened to the woman’s brother. Locating Arlene’s necklace came after that.

“I presume you’re not inclined to divulge the reason for this sudden interest in a long-gone noble?” Beldon asked.

“I do not particularly mind, actually. It is simply that the matter is of little consequence to you. I am seeking an heirloom that I believe will aid me in gaining access to a set of ruins mentioned in my research, and Delmont was the last confirmed possessor of the heirloom.”

A soft chuckle came from the communication artifact. “That is hardly a satisfying answer, but perhaps I am to blame for hoping for more. As ever, you are nothing if not a masterful tease, my lady.”

Scarlett lightly tapped her finger on the desk. “Spare me the flattery. Simply ensure that you fulfill this request. That is my primary concern.”

“And fulfill it I shall. Have I ever let you down?”

“Not to date, no. But we are still in the early stages of our partnership. I am not so naive as to think you are infallible.”

“Ah, wounding my pride as well? Such blunt honesty is what I admire about you, but it does possess the charm of a thorny rose.” There was a brief pause from Beldon before he continued. “On another note, have you kept abreast of recent developments in Ambercrest, Baroness?”

Scarlett raised an eyebrow. “You mean the affairs involving Count Soames?”

“Yes, precisely. His name has surfaced in connection with recent…unsavory happenings over there. But, of course, it is nothing but rumors at this point, so who knows what can be trusted? Ah, but I forget that you’ve previously expressed disinterest in that particular matter. My apologies for mentioning it.”

Right, each time Beldon had brought up Count Soames before, Scarlett had feigned indifference due to her pact of non-interference with Anguish. Beldon would assume she was continuing that pretense. But with no pact binding her any longer, and with Anguish no longer a direct threat, Scarlett could see an opportunity to leverage the Vile’s noble pawn for her own ends.

“The situation has changed,” she said. “Initially, I intended to dismiss Count Soames’ disrespect at your estate’s ball; however, my stance has since shifted. Any news you might have about him would be more than welcome.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Beldon sounded genuinely surprised, and his words were followed by a few seconds of silence. “…Funny how that works. It would seem those rumors I mentioned have just been…corroborated. As such, allow me to fill you in. Count Soames has been fraternizing with some questionable figures in Ambercrest’s Silkspindle Ward. We’ve had eyes on these individuals for some time, and while their precise affiliations long remained but conjecture, recent insights appear to suggest that they are of the demonic variety. Now, such matters aren’t really any of my concern, but for some inexplicable reason, the news of these associations seems to have reached certain factions such as the Followers and the crown. I suspect Count Soames will soon find himself under close scrutiny from various inquisitive officials.”

“Naturally, you had no hand in the dissemination of this information,” Scarlett remarked.

“Well, I may have played a minor role,” Beldon’s amused reply came. “It is looking as if Ambercrest might find itself under new leadership in the near future. I’m sure the ensuing struggle for succession promises will be fraught and complex. The perfect gameboard for someone like me to stack my deck with some extra cards.”

“I expected nothing less of you.”

“What can I say? It would be remiss not to utilize the intelligence painstakingly gathered by my dutiful agents, no? Count Soames has made multiple enemies across the empire, including yourself, it would seem, so who am I to deny them their retribution? My investigations have also unveiled a few high-profile individuals who’ve maintained unusually close ties with him. Ties that are suspect given his more dubious undertakings.”

“It sounds as if you have secured some rather valuable leverage for your organization.”

Based on her knowledge from the game, Scarlett knew that Count Soames’ crimes included involvement in abductions and demonic sacrifices, all to curry favor and be given power from Anguish, who in turn used him as a pawn in her broader schemes in the Material Realm. Any other nobles and officials linked to the count were likely unaware of the full extent of his crimes but were entangled with him through Anguish’s influence.

“Not just I, but we,” Beldon corrected. “Some of the count’s associates are more influential than you might expect, Baroness, making them potent assets in our future endeavours.”

Scarlett regarded the communication artifact on her desk with slight surprise. “…You are willing to share their identities and this information with me?”

Though she might have indirectly hinted at Beldon to Count Soames in the first place, she hadn’t really done anything to help the man’s operation in Ambercrest. Any intelligence he had gathered was through his own initiative. Scarlett had expected needing to bargain with the man to get anything from this.

“But of course. I wouldn’t withhold valuable information from a partner for my sole benefit,” Beldon said.

Scarlett couldn’t help but scoff lightly. “We both know that is not completely true.”

“True, I suppose,” the man conceded. Scarlett could picture the smirk on his face. “But I see no need to monopolize what we can both exploit from the upcoming political turmoil in Ambercrest. I happen to value our partnership quite highly, Baroness. If you wish, you can consider this a gesture of goodwill — a token of my commitment to our mutual success.”

Silence fell as Scarlett considered his words. She hadn’t realized he was this dedicated to their alliance.

“Very well,” she eventually said. “Forward me a list of these individuals and any pertinent details you have on them. I will assess how valuable this ‘goodwill’ of yours truly is.”

Even though she didn’t have an immediate use for that information, possessing blackmail material over key figures could be advantageous down the line. She already had some ideas in mind for what she could do with it, depending on the people involved.

“Consider it done,” Beldon assured her.

“Good. Now—” Scarlett began, only to halt as her bond with the [Obedience’s Solitude Loci] pulled at her attention.

“…Yes?” Beldon’s voice sounded out from the artifact after a while. “You were saying, Baroness?”

Scarlett refocused on the conversation at hand. “…Disregard that. It was a trivial matter unrelated to our discussion.” From what she could tell, it could wait for a bit longer. “Let us move on. Have you found the insights shared by me beneficial to your overall operations?”

“Hmm.” Beldon sounded tempted to press further, but seemed to give up on it. “Indeed, we’ve made more than excellent use of the information you shared. My people have already mapped most of the underground networks beneath Silverborough, Bridgespell, and now even Elystead, not to mention that we’ve had much more success in avoiding and counteracting the threats to our agents from rival factions and the Cabal this last month than in the last few years combined. Per your recommendations, we are also making headway in preparing for the escalating tensions with the Tribe and Cabal, though even I question whether some of those measures aren’t somewhat excessive.”

“You are more than welcome to disregard my advice if you see fit,” Scarlett said.

“Hah, I would think not, no. If Count Soames’ current predicament is any indication, underestimating you would be a grave error, one I have no intention of repeating.”

“I am not involved in his coming downfall, however.”

“If you say so.” Beldon cleared his throat before promptly changing the subject. “Now, following the leads you’ve provided, we have also identified several notable locations all across the empire. They remain unexplored as you instructed, but I think it would be a waste to neglect them entirely.”

Over the past month, Scarlett had supplied Beldon’s network with a mix of information, ranging from intel on competitors and corrupt nobles to the locations of old ruins and dungeons from the game. The latter were mostly the type of dungeons Scarlett wasn’t sure she could locate on her own, where it was simpler to make use of Beldon’s resources instead. As long as none of his people entered those dungeons, she could go in and clear them for the skill points when she found the time.

Pulling out her journal from her [Pouch of Holding], she jotted down some notes with her pyrokinesis. “I will take care of it. Simply send me their exact locations when possible.”

She wasn’t sure when she’d have the time to explore all of these sites, but having them pinpointed in advance was better than nothing. “Was there anything else you wished to discuss at the moment?”

“There is one thing,” Beldon said.

“And what might that be?” Scarlett asked, closing her journal down and returning it to the pouch.

“While I don’t have complete confirmation yet, and have sent my people to verify it further, we might have found traces of the woman you asked me to find. This ‘Countess’.”

Scarlett’s attention snapped to the artifact. “When was this? Where?”

“Our sources reported a sighting in Farmire, a couple of weeks back,” Beldon explained. “A woman matching her description was seen there. We can’t be certain it was her yet, and it’s likely she’s since left the city, but it’s our first lead.”

“It is indeed better than nothing,” Scarlett said, her expression serious. This was the first tangible evidence of the Countess still being alive since receiving only a vague confirmation about it from The Gentleman.

“Was she alone?” she asked.

“That detail is unclear. A local stallholder observed a hooded woman eyeing his merchandise, fearing she might attempt to steal something. Before he could confront her, however, she disappeared. From that description alone, it would seem she is not just any passerby.”

Scarlett frowned. It felt weird that the Countess would have been able to remain undetected for this long on her own, especially if the woman was moving around populated areas like that. Was she receiving help? If so, from whom? And what were their motives?

“Keep me updated on any developments, no matter how trivial,” she instructed Beldon. “I want to be informed of everything.”

“As you wish, oh esteemed partner of mine,” Beldon replied, his tone laced with an exaggerated flourish.

“I am starting to think your flattery is less about genuine respect and more a habitual part of that charade you always maintain, Tyndall,” Scarlett said. “We are both aware that your interest primarily lies in the information I bring to the table, not me personally.”

Not to mention that he was the son of a duke.

A hint of irony was present in the man’s voice as he responded. “And isn’t your approach towards me driven by similar motives?”

“I never claimed otherwise.” Scarlett shook her head slightly. “If there is nothing more, I have other matters to attend to. We will continue our discussion another time.”

“By all means.” A more serious tone entered Beldon’s voice. “Until then, Baroness. Farewell.”

“Farewell.”

With a gentle touch, Scarlett deactivated the artifact and placed it back into her [Pouch of Holding], then stood and made her way out of her office towards the mansion’s central wing. There, she exited out the back, employing her pyrokinesis to form a barrier against the gently falling snow.

She walked towards the hedge garden, following its winding paths until she arrived at its heart, where perpetual summer seemed to reign.

There, beside the pedestal holding the Loci, stood a figure with flowing silvery-grey hair and a meticulously groomed beard, cloaked in a black cape with scarlet-red silk lining.

Warley Godwin, the dean of Elystead Tower.

Scarlett had sensed his arrival during her earlier conversation. At first, the Loci had resisted the old wizard’s attempt at teleportation, but Scarlett had allowed his entrance to avoid complications. She wasn’t sure if the Loci could contend with an archmage’s power, anyway.

As she neared, Godwin turned to face her, his expression serious. “Baroness Hartford. My apologies for the unsolicited visit, but there is a pressing issue that we must discuss.”

Observing him quietly for a brief moment, Scarlett then nodded and gestured towards a nearby bench. She had been expecting this. “Take a seat, Dean. I suspect I already know the reason you are here.”