Although the battle had ended, the two had not parted ways, and Gaven, feeling somewhat shortchanged, was making up for it through the indulgence of carnal desires, relishing the smooth, slippery contact.
His hands wandered, yet his mouth spoke of serious matters, "Tell me, what’s the story with the Crimson Feather robbery you were involved in?"
"It was all Stephanie’s doing, that ruthless nun. Though she used me, she was very cautious around me, keeping me in the dark about many things. I gleaned much of what I know by eavesdropping."
"There’s no unity within the Dark Intelligence Net, and currently, there’s fierce infighting. I’ve heard that one faction Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform."
"Another faction Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform."
"The goods transported by the Crimson Feather were assembled by Manson, the leader of Shylock’s faction, to Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform."
"Someone sent Stephanie a message to intercept the shipment in the Rocklands. I guess it was orchestrated by someone within the Bane Church faction."
Shanoba’s information was crude; she likely didn’t even grasp the significance of the names Manson and Simmon within the Santarin Association.
But Gaven, with knowledge from his past life, quickly pieced the entire situation together.
Manson was the founder of the Santarin Association and the undisputed master of the Dark Intelligence Net, at least for the moment. Although he hadn’t fully sided with the Shylock Faction, he had accepted their growing influence.
Simmon, Manson’s top henchman and former apprentice, was a near-legendary mage who had been sent to the Dark Castle to pave the way for new trade routes.
If the shipment was indeed Manson’s Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.
Gaven could think of only one person in the Santarin Association with the audacity and power to act in such a manner: Bozor Cheboray, the second-in-command of the Association and the High Priest of Bane, the dark hand.
The internal struggle of the Santarin Association was a battle of faith as well as a struggle for power.
Bozor’s ambition to replace Manson was not a recent development, and his conflict with Simmon had been ongoing for more than half a century.
When Manson sent Simmon to Dark Castle, it was partly to suppress this kind of internal conflict.
If there was a chance to trip Simmon up, Bozor would not let it slip by, even if it meant harming the interests of the Santarin Association.
It just hadn’t occurred to Gaven that he would get embroiled in the Santarin Association’s high-level squabbling so soon.
Even knowing what he knew, given another chance, he would still proceed with the robbery.
But this time, with the involvement of several legendary and near-legendary mages, he must handle the stolen goods with caution and care.
"Alright, I’ve got a clear picture of the situation now. Stephanie has probably escaped, but you continue to follow her," Gaven said as he took out a set of clean clothes from his bag and tossed them to Shanoba.
"No need." Shanoba stood up, and the wyvern shadow behind her receded like a tide, part of it returning into her body while the rest enveloped her. When the phantom shadow dissipated, she was clad in a full-body armor made of fine dragon scales.
This form-fitting armor accentuated her shapely figure.
Had they not been constrained by time, Gaven might have asked her to don the Dragon Scale Armor and join him in another battle.
"Now that things have come to this, what’s the point in following that old nun?" Shanoba asked, puzzled.
In recent times, Stephanie had come to view Gaven as a worthy adversary and had begun collecting information from various sources.
Her understanding of him deepened gradually, and she dared not act rashly.
While the Monster Tribe was gathering quickly, Gaven’s power grew even faster.
Shanoba couldn’t help feeling that it was superfluous for Gaven to have her remain undercover near Stephanie.
"This time, you have only one task: keep a close eye on Stephanie. Wherever she goes, you follow. You only need to shadow her, and you needn’t concern yourself with anything else. Without my command, you must not act rashly," Gaven adjusted Shanoba’s mission.
Unless something unexpected occurred, there must be either direct or indirect contact between Stephanie and Bozor, who was a big fish that had to be closely watched.
Bound by the Soul Totem, she was highly sensitive to Gaven’s presence, recognizing him instantly even though she was clad in sealed full-body Armor.
Shanoba had always thought that time could erase everything, including pain and Fear.
In this period, she hadn’t made contact with Gaven of her own volition. Partly because Stephanie, the old nun, watched her closely,
and partly because Shanoba’s subconscious resisted Gaven’s control.
It seemed as if Gaven had also forgotten her, having made no attempt to reach out.
But when they reunited, the overwhelming Fear from before flooded her heart all over again.
No, that wasn’t right.
The aura of authority emanating from Gaven had intensified since their last encounter.
In Shanoba’s eyes, Gaven wasn’t just a person; he was a towering tree that could only be looked up to. Next to him, she felt insignificant and helpless.
The courage she had amassed to resist him dissipated with just one of his looks.
In his cold eyes, Shanoba saw one word: "Run!"
This single word translated directly into action, and without hesitation, she turned and fled.