In the hotel room, Sean stood by the window, watching Roen and his guard depart.
Naturally, Roen paid for the dinner. After the guard returned, Roen appeared to be in a state of disarray.
It was evident that he had received confirmation from the guard. Regardless of the authenticity of Sean's previous information, the fact that he was involved with Sub-Vicount Durun was something Roen couldn't blame him for.
Especially since the Sub-Vicount would likely become the future lord of the Tindes domain—a Count.
Although Sean didn't hold much regard for the fool, Durun possessed genuine strength, and his title of Sub-Vicount was earned through military achievements, unlike his uncle, Count Mario, who obtained his title through cunning means. Leaving that aside, even a hereditary Sub-Vicount title was far nobler than Mario's lifetime appointment as Count.
Once Roen and the guard disappeared at the end of the street, Sean finally shifted his gaze.
"So, you already knew about the Black Cat Guild's situation?" Cecilia had been silent all this time, but it didn't mean she hadn't noticed the developments.
Intelligent people might not necessarily become mages, but those who become mages are undoubtedly intelligent.
"More or less." Sean shrugged, giving an ambiguous answer. "The Black Cat Guild's appetite is too big. They shouldn't have ventured into Phantasmalite and upset so many people's interests."
As he said this, Sean himself hesitated for a moment, then helplessly smiled.
"But this matter is far from easy. The House of Dragon Language has long had intentions to open up the magical materials market in the north. They've only been blocked by the Black Cat Guild's strong stance. If they don't find another channel, House of Dragon Language will eventually use this method to open the market."
"In fact, the Black Cat Guild's biggest mistake was seeking alternative channels for acquiring Phantasmalite," Cecilia pondered for a moment before speaking. "Money is endless, and they should have started by collaborating with the House of Dragon Language. That way, they wouldn't have triggered so many people's nerves. Moreover, by doing so, they would have tied themselves to House of Dragon Language. It's unlikely that House of Dragon Language would sit idly by while their goods disappear."
"You see through it quite well." Sean smiled, showing a hint of approval. "Much better than that Roen."
"Listening to you, I assume you even know who the culprits behind the heists are,"
Cecilia's curiosity sparked as she stared at Sean.
"Sometimes, I really wonder what kind of person you are... If it's already astonishing that you possess so much knowledge, being so well-informed about the news and insider information leaves me quite perplexed."
Sean patted Cecilia's head and whispered, "Because I am an omniscient charlatan."
"According to our mage theories, omniscience implies omnipotence," Cecilia pouted, swatting away Sean's hand, with a look that said, "Don't pat me randomly." "And omnipotence is a characteristic of a god. Are you saying you're a god?"
"Being omniscient doesn't mean I'm omnipotent," Sean sneered, seemingly disregarding gods altogether.
"Even if I were omniscient and omnipotent, I wouldn't want to be a god... Being a god is too tiresome. It's better to be a charlatan. Take what I want, refuse what I don't want, even if others beg me for it, I won't take it."
Cecilia had a pensive expression on her face. Sean suddenly reached out and messed up her hair, then playfully pinched her cheek, causing Cecilia to look furious.
"Don't always put on that face, it doesn't suit you," Sean chuckled. "As a young girl, you should show the vitality and sunshine that little girls possess. Stop pretending to be all grown-up."
"Hmph," Cecilia snorted, although she didn't put on her mature facade again. "Now that I think about it, it's obvious that the things you said in front of him this morning were meant to provoke him. That nonsense about 'Silly Duosu' was all just to confuse me. So, tell me, cunning Mr. Sean, what do you really want from him?"
"You've caught me," Sean laughed even more cheerfully.
"Of course!"
"Then it seems that Roen has also figured it out by now." Sean's gaze shifted back to the window.
"What is it that you care about so much?" Cecilia's curiosity was finally ignited.
"In Roen's possession, there is a ruby infused with immense magical power." Sean's voice remained calm but gained a touch of temptation. "He had the members of the Black Cat Guild examine this ruby, but no one knows its true origin. So Roen treats it merely as a collectible."
"An ruby infused with immense magical power?" Cecilia's eyebrows furrowed, and then she looked up with astonishment. "Could it be..."
"You truly are from the Magi Empire," Sean turned his head, lightly laughing, his eyes filled with understanding.
...
At that very moment when Sean seemed to have seen through Cecilia's identity, Roen and his guard were walking towards their residence.
In the enchanting moonlight, the shadows of Roen and his guard stretched long. The night breeze blew, carrying away some of the heat and bringing a refreshing coolness.
However, Roen shivered under the night breeze, feeling an icy chill throughout his body.
"Mr. Fox, do you think we can trust the things Mr. Sean said?"
Roen's face remained pale, devoid of the vigor and self-assurance typical of a young man.
He resembled a hesitant child seeking some reassurance. He had shared all the things Sean had said with his accompanying guard, not because he couldn't come up with appropriate precautions, but because retrieving the lost Prism Crystals was currently his top priority.
However, he had no leads whatsoever.
In fact, on the day the Prism Crystals were stolen, he immediately dispatched people to search for them.
The clues eventually led them to Arthur City, but then the trail went cold. He had been searching in Arthur City for three days now, with no success.
It wasn't until today when he encountered Sean that he thought there might be a breakthrough, which prompted his haste in coming here tonight.
Sean, of course, was unaware of the intricate details. Reality wasn't like a game with restricted data.
Whatever was supposed to happen would still happen, and once it did, events would unfold immediately, without remaining locked like an unassigned quest, unaffected by any changes.
"Master Roen, I don't understand all these matters."
Fox, the middle-aged man addressed as Mr. Fox, shook his head.
"My duty is solely to protect you... But I believe we should trust that man's words. I inquired about it myself, and Viscount Durun did indeed return to Tindesburg, but in a manner unknown to anyone. No one knows how he came back."
Upon hearing Fox's words, Roen's brows furrowed even tighter, showing no signs of joy on his face.
"Compared to the collaboration between Arctic Silver and Medusa, I would rather Arctic Silver be collaborating with the House of Dragon Language."
If Arctic Silver only acted to seize market share, the Black Cat Guild could still retain at least half of the market share.
Even if Arctic Silver collaborated with the House of Dragon Language, the Black Cat Guild would have the confidence to claim at least 30% of the market.
However, if Arctic Silver teamed up with Medusa, it was highly likely that the Black Cat Guild wouldn't even hold a 10% market share.
Medusa, like the Black Cat Guild, focused on dealing with magical materials and items, and it was the second largest guild in the northern continent, only surpassed by the Black Cat Guild in scale.
"Master Roen, I don't understand the intricacies and the situation."
Fox said in a deep voice.
"But if that man really told you all this, then he surely knows many things you don't. Instead of guessing and distressing ourselves here, wouldn't it be better to visit him tomorrow and learn the truth directly? Wouldn't that be for the best?"
"Hah," Roen chuckled bitterly. "Of course, I know it would be better that way. I even understand why he said those words because it's evident that I possess something he needs. But what's truly bothering me now is that I have no idea what he actually wants."
"Well..." Fox furrowed his brow. "Could it be that peculiar red gemstone?"
Roen's eyes suddenly lit up, but quickly dimmed again.
"If that's the case, it means the value of that gemstone is much more precious than we had imagined... Unfortunately, I have no clue about its origins. Not even the high-ranking officials in the guild are aware."
With that said, Roen and Fox fell silent, and the atmosphere turned somber.
After a while, when Roen and Fox returned to their temporary residence in Arthur City, Roen took a deep breath as if he had made a sudden decision.
He said, "Contact the people from Anrola tomorrow and have them deliver the red gemstone to me as quickly as possible... I hope there's still time."
...
On the other side, it seemed that Cecilia and Sean's playfulness had come to an end. They were now lying on the bed.
"Sean, do you really know who stole the Prism Crystals from the Black Cat Guild?" Cecilia asked.
"Of course," Sean smirked. "I've told you, I'm an all-knowing trickster. How could I not know?"
"The Black Cat Guild is quite powerful. Who could be behind this?" Cecilia inquired.
"It's the collaboration between Arctic Silver and Medusa," Sean casually replied. "Of course, the House of Dragon Language also played a part because they leaked information about the Prism Crystals to Medusa. But there's actually a crucial figure involved. Without his coordination, Medusa and Arctic Silver wouldn't have reached a cooperative agreement. And with Medusa's strength alone, they wouldn't stand a chance against the Black Cat Guild."