While William remained at the palace for the night, Professor James ventured into the city to contact his associates. He trusted the king's promise of assistance but anticipated a lengthy process to gather all the necessary ingredients. Therefore, he decided to pursue alternative avenues for information gathering.
His first stop was an unassuming bookshop nestled within the affluent district. Dwarfed by the surrounding grand structures, the shop was almost invisible. James navigated through a maze of alleys, eventually arriving at his destination. The streets were deserted in the late hours, and the shop was closed, as expected. Undeterred, James knocked on the door, following a distinct, rhythmic pattern.
Silence greeted him initially, but after five minutes, the door creaked open. A middle-aged man with neatly trimmed hair but an unkempt beard stood in the doorway.
