’Three months, huh...’

Roland strolled through the academy’s deep corridors, his fingertips unconsciously stroking his smooth chin.

The last rays of the setting sun filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow across his contemplative face.

’Based on the commission’s details, the Land of Mist isn’t that far from the Royal Capital of the River Domain nations.’

’If the merchants and nobles joined forces, it probably wouldn’t even take three months to exterminate the Wolf King...’

Recalling the rumors he had gathered about the Land of Mist, Roland’s brow furrowed slightly.

He wasn’t yet certain if the strange mist pervading the area stemmed from an anomaly in the Magic Elements. Still, even if the environment was treacherous, it shouldn’t pose a real threat to a true Transcendent.

’And since the merchant faction has the Shadow Veil Organization, which is composed of Extraordinary Professionals, there’s no reason the noble faction wouldn’t have Extraordinary Professionals of their own.’

’Even if their members aren’t as strong as someone like Graham, with a numerical advantage, the Wolf King probably couldn’t hold out, no matter how powerful it is...’

Suddenly, a flash of understanding lit up Roland’s eyes.

’The two factions are making no move, pushing the problem onto Graham. Perhaps it’s to preserve their strength, or... some kind of political game...’

But the lack of information allowed him to make only a preliminary judgment.

Shaking his head, Roland had already made a decision by the time he stepped out of the academy gates.

In the twilight, he boarded the waiting ferry, the shimmering water reflecting his pensive face.

’As long as I can figure out the true intentions of both factions, completing this commission will be a piece of cake.’

Amidst the sound of oars cutting through the water, he gazed at the gradually brightening lights in the distance.

’Avril might be able to probe the trading company’s thoughts. As for the noble faction...’

Lost in thought, he watched as the small boat slowly sailed toward the residence Colin had arranged for him.

And while Roland was speaking with Graham in the council hall, a tense, under-the-surface conversation was unfolding in the house where he was staying.

Avril leaned languidly against the windowsill, her brown hair shimmering in the sunlight.

She toyed with a Dagger that glinted with a biting chill. Her usual lively smile was gone, replaced by a heart-stopping coldness.

As she flipped her wrist, the sharp blade would intermittently reflect a blinding glint of cold light, which she let sweep, intentionally or not, across the Minstrel’s slender neck.

"Galvis..."

Her voice was colder than the blade.

"Are you here to arrest me?"

The Minstrel continued to intently polish the Harp in his arms, ignoring the threat inches away. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Of course not, Lady Avril."

His long fingers brushed across the strings, producing a clear, crisp series of notes.

"As you know, I’m just a Half-Elf... I have no right to meddle in the affairs of you High Elves."

"Half-Elf?"

Avril’s eyes suddenly narrowed, and her wrist twitched violently.

A cold light flashed as the Dagger shot through the air.

THUNK! It embedded itself deep in the oak tabletop.

The body of the blade vibrated intensely, emitting a grating hum.

"A Half-Elf would not be taken as an apprentice by Master Visna, much less be favored by the Goddess of Love Shuni!"

Her voice sounded as if it were tempered with shards of ice.

But Galvis acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing. He calmly picked up some animal grease from the side and began meticulously maintaining the harp strings.

Sunlight passed through the window lattice, drawing a line between light and shadow that separated the two of them.

The room fell into a dead silence, with only the lingering notes of the Harp trembling faintly in the air.

When the last string was carefully polished, Galvis theatrically wiped away nonexistent sweat before finally turning to meet Avril’s sharp gaze.

"But as you can see..."

The Minstrel lightly touched his own ears, which were somewhere between those of an elf and a human—the elegant, pointed shape ended in a rounded curve.

"This can’t be faked."

He carefully placed the Harp on a piece of velvet cloth, his movements as gentle as if he were laying down a baby.

"As for why I’m here, it’s purely a coincidence."

"Master Visna assigned me a task, saying that only after completing it could I truly become a Minstrel. And the truth is..."

Seeing that Avril’s gaze remained icy, Galvis gave a bitter smile and raised his hands.

His linen sleeves slid down, revealing arms so slender they looked almost fragile.

"I had already embarked on my journey before you left the Eternal Song Forest. I only heard about your situation from a kinsman I happened to meet along the way."

He deliberately shook his harmless-looking arms, his voice filled with a helpless sincerity.

"And with my meager abilities, what threat could I possibly pose to you?"

Avril’s brow furrowed slightly. She then took a silent step forward, her long fingers gripping the hilt of the Dagger.

SHING!

She pulled the blade from the wooden table.

"In that case, be gone from here by tomorrow."

Her frigid voice left no room for argument.

"I don’t want to see your disgusting face again."

"Hey! That’s not fair!"

Sensing her killing intent lessen slightly, Galvis sighed in relief inwardly and protested with feigned nonchalance.

"As a Minstrel, I have the right to..."

A cold light flashed.

A lock of brown hair slowly drifted to the ground.

Feeling a sudden coldness on the top of his head, Galvis’s Adam’s apple bobbed with a difficult swallow. The second half of his sentence was squeezed out in a near-tremble.

"...choose where I go..."

Avril had already withdrawn the Dagger. She was now nonchalantly stroking its edge with her fingertips, as if that fleeting flash of the blade had nothing to do with her.

"True, my current status gives me no authority to order you around."

She slowly raised her eyes, her pupils seemingly frozen with frost.

"But I can end your life in the next second. You should know I have that ability."

"I-I think..."

The Minstrel tactfully changed the subject, his voice slightly hoarse with tension, and reverted to using honorifics.

"You shouldn’t be worried about me. Before you arrived at the port, I personally saw someone from the Morning Star Clan emerge from the cabin of a Black Shell Trading Company ship..."

"Morning Star?"

Avril’s pupils contracted sharply.

The name was like a dull knife, grating harshly on her nerves.

"What are they doing here?"

"Well..."

Galvis retreated imperceptibly until his back was against the cold stone wall, which helped him steady his trembling voice.

"I don’t know the specific reason..."

"But that person only brought two Attendants, so they probably aren’t here for you."

Seeing Avril’s killing intent subside a little, the Minstrel took the opportunity to make a proposal.

"However, with my identity, perhaps I could help you investigate their intentions. Of course..."

Having successfully diverted Avril’s attention, the Minstrel continued slowly.

"The premise is that you can trust me..."

Perhaps because his proposal had some merit, the atmosphere in the room gradually eased.

A moment later, Avril finally returned the sharp Dagger to its sheath.

"You should know the consequences of deceiving me, right?"

"Of course! Of course!"

Galvis looked as if he’d been granted a pardon, but the smile he forced was uglier than a grimace.

"How would I dare deceive a Valkyrie of the Silver Moon Guard?"

At the mention of the Silver Moon Guard, Avril’s gaze faltered.

"Captain Meira... is she okay?"

"The situation isn’t good..."

Galvis observed Avril’s face gradually darkening.

"Ever since your dealings with the Zor Elves were exposed, the council sentenced her to fifty years of confinement..."

CRACK!

The corner of the table shattered under Avril’s palm, and the sudden explosion of killing intent felt tangible, suffocating the Minstrel.

Just as he was about to suffocate...

CREAK... The heavy wooden door was slowly pushed open.

A burly silhouette stood backlit in the doorway.