Although the battle had ended, the two had not parted ways. Gaven, feeling somewhat indebted, was making up for it through the desires of the flesh, finding the slippery touch quite comforting.
His hands were restless, but what he was discussing was serious business, "Tell me, what’s the deal with this Crimson Feather heist you guys pulled off?"
"It was all arranged by that ruthless nun Stephanie. She used me, but she was very guarded against me. She didn’t let me know a lot of things, and I had to eavesdrop to find out many things.
The Dark Intelligence Net is also not a united front, and there’s intense infighting at the moment. I heard one faction Continue reading more chapters on NovelHub for the best experience."
"There’s another faction that Continue reading more chapters on NovelHub for the best experience."
"The shipment of goods that Crimson Feather was transporting was gathered by Manson, the leader of Shylock’s faction, to Continue reading more chapters on NovelHub for the best experience."
"Someone sent a letter to Stephanie asking her to intercept this shipment in the Rocklands. I guess it was probably ordered by someone from the Bane Church faction."
Shanoba’s information was very rough, and she probably didn’t even understand the significance of the names Manson and Simmon within the Santarin Association.
But Gaven, combining his knowledge from his past life, managed to piece the whole situation together quickly.
Manson was the founder of the Santarin Association, the undisputed master of the Dark Intelligence Net, at least for now. Although he hadn’t completely sided with the Shylock Faction, he had tacitly allowed them to grow stronger.
Simmon, on the other hand, was Manson’s top lackey and former apprentice, a powerful Mage nearly of Legendary status, who had been sent to Dark Castle to pave the way for new trade routes.
If that shipment was indeed Manson’s Continue reading more chapters on NovelHub for the best experience.
After much thought, Gaven concluded that in the Santarin Association, the only person with the guts and ability was Bozor Cheboray, the second in command of the association, the High Priest of the Black Hand of Bane."
The internal struggle within the Santarin Association was both a struggle of faith and power.
Bozor had long desired to replace Manson, and his conflict with Simmon had persisted for more than half a century.
Initially, when Manson sent Simmon to Dark Castle, it was also to suppress this kind of internal strife.
If there was an opportunity to trip up Simmon, Bozor would definitely not miss it, even if it hurt the interests of the Santarin Association.
Gaven hadn’t expected that he would become involved in the high-level strife of the Santarin Association so quickly.
Even now that he was aware, given another chance, he would still carry on with the heist as planned.
But this time, involving several Legendary and nearly Legendary Mages, he had to be careful and cautious when handling the stolen goods.
"Alright, I’ve understood the whole situation now. Stephanie has probably escaped. Continue to follow her," Gaven said as he took out a set of spare clothes from the convenience bag and tossed them to Shanoba.
"No need," Shanoba stood up, and the shadow of the Wyvern behind her gathered like a tide, partly retracting back into her body, and partly wrapping around her from the outside. By the time the shadow had dissipated, she was clad in a full suit of Armor made of fine Dragon Scales.
This skin-tight Armor accentuated the contours of her body quite strikingly.
If not for the limited time, Gaven would have wanted her to don the Dragon Scale Armor and battle once more.
"With things turning out this way, is there any point in continuing to follow that old nun?" Shanoba asked doubtfully.
In this period, Stephanie had started to consider Gaven a real adversary and began to gather information from all sides about him.
As her understanding of him deepened, she no longer dared act rashly.
While the Monster Tribe was gathering quickly, Gaven’s strength was increasing even faster.
Shanoba couldn’t help feeling that Gaven planting her by Stephanie’s side was redundant.
"This time, you have only one task: keep a close watch on Stephanie. Wherever she goes, you follow, just stick with her, that’s all you need to do. Don’t interfere with anything else and without my command, don’t make any rash moves," Gaven adjusted Shanoba’s mission.
If all went as expected, Stephanie had direct or indirect contact with Bozor, a big fish that needed close monitoring.
Limited by the Soul Totem, she was highly sensitive to Gaven’s presence, and could recognize him despite the enclosed full-body Armor at just a glance.
Shanoba had always thought that time could erase everything, including pain and fear.
She hadn’t actively reached out to Gaven during this time; Stephanie, the old nun, was watching her closely, that was one reason.
On the other hand, Shanoba’s subconscious resistance to Gaven’s control was another.
Moreover, it seemed as if Gaven had forgotten about her, having never attempted to make contact.
But when they reunited, that fear from before overwhelmed her all over again.
No, that wasn’t quite right.
The pressure emanating from Gaven had intensified even further since their last encounter.
In Shanoba’s eyes, Gaven wasn’t just a simple man, but a towering tree that could only be looked up to. In his presence, she felt so insignificant, so helpless.
The courage to resist that had built up in her heart vanished with just one look from him.
In his cold gaze, Shanoba saw one word: "Run!"
That word translated directly into action, as she turned and ran without hesitation.