The first batch of twelve figures in grey cloaks stepped out from the Teleportation Array. After a momentary extinguishing, the Array abruptly lit up with an even more intense, blazing white light.
A figure, also devoid of any fluctuation of presence, appeared in the Teleportation Array. However, on the left shoulder of his grey cloak, there was a special emblem of a silver-white tower motif.
Anvis had also seen that emblem before; it was the symbol of a major power, the Silver Tower.
This force originated from the Yiter Federation and was said to have been initially formed by several High Rank Mages operating independently, aiming to study the legacy of the ancient High Elf era, with publicly known Ninth Rank presence as well.
But now, it seemed that this power was not so simple.
After the figure left the center of the Array, its light did not immediately dim, but instead condensed and brought forth a second figure.
In the end, three figures in grey cloaks, each carrying the tower emblem, were teleported over.
The one leading carefully scrutinized Anvis, and then Anvis suddenly felt the world around him darken, with only that figure remaining clear in his gaze.
He immediately understood that he was now within the Spirit Space.
At the same time, the grey-cloaked figure with the silver emblem lifted his hood in his gaze – it was none other than Duke Carrot!
"How confident are you, Anvis? For this operation, I have stated in my own name, claiming through secret intelligence channels that I have obtained information related to the Gate within the Pupil."
"For this reason, Alfred and the Ninth Rank Elder of the Aslade Family will also be involved in this operation."
With an unusually serious expression, Duke Carrot’s pale blue eyes fixated on Anvis, as if he wanted to see the answer he needed in his eyes.
"Don’t worry, Father, I have more than ninety percent certainty that the location is indeed the secret assembly point of the Gate within the Pupil."
Under the Duke’s majestic gaze, Anvis did not show any sign of nervousness but calmly gazed back with an extremely confident tone.
"Moreover, when I passed by there earlier, I saw two carriages, still with horses harnessed, parked in the carriage shed."
"This is sufficient to suggest that it’s highly likely that there are people inside, and if we set off promptly, we might even catch them before they leave."
Seeing Anvis’s composed demeanor, the Duke gave a slight nod.
"Then, who is that girl with you?"
"She is Alisa. We were both teleported out from the True Knowledge Society’s trial grounds, and she happened to be teleported close to me, so we are temporarily travelling together."
The Duke nodded again.
The next instant, the surroundings returned to normal.
Most people in the room were unaware, but the other two figures with the silver emblem glanced at Duke Carrot as if sensing something.
The Duke, seeming indifferent to their glances, simply took out two grey cloaks and handed them over to Anvis.
"You can follow me for now, but if a big battle breaks out later, you should keep some distance."
Anvis nodded, took the cloaks, and handed one to Alisa.
Feeling the peculiar texture of the cloak in her hands, the young Knight couldn’t help being curious.
"It’s a Magic Cloak made from Silver Mimicry Beast hide; excellent for hiding one’s face, body, and presence. Essential for those who wish to take on good deeds anonymously."
After fastening the secret silver buckle at his chest, Anvis put on the grey hood and expertly activated the magic within the cloak, making his presence indistinguishable from that of the other grey-cloaked individuals.
"That one’s for you, Alisa. It’s quite convenient for daily use."
"Give it to me? But this must be something very valuable, right...?"
Alisa was somewhat unfamiliar with wearing it. Upon hearing Anvis’s words, she was momentarily taken aback.
"Don’t worry, it’s not considered anything particularly valuable."
Seeing Alisa’s hesitation, the blonde young man temporarily lifted the blurring effect from his face, offering the girl a reassuring smile.
"However, if you do mind, Alisa, how about you give me a little something in return?"
"What kind of return gift?"
The girl was startled, becoming somewhat curious.
"Don’t rush, I’ll tell you after the operation is over—"
With a twinkle in his deep blue eyes, Anvis didn’t answer directly but instead teased the girl’s appetite a little.
Afterward, led by Duke Carrot and two other Ninth Rank individuals, everyone employed magic to conceal their forms and auras, silently approaching Villa No. 26 through the air under the guidance of Anvis.
Since it was a secret operation, there were very few people involved, but all were high-level Professionals.
While Anvis and the Duke were preparing to start their operation, a simple, makeshift meeting was occurring in the basement of the villa.
The environment here had not been expanded spatially, and the indoor area was only tens of square meters, making it somewhat cramped.
Murky grey mist roiled on the walls, blocking the peering eyes of Prophetic magic. A pitch-black lamp was lit with a cold, pale flame, casting a ghastly pallor across the room.
By the central Silver Tower table, seven individuals wearing robes bearing the symbol of the Eyes of the Doors sat on silver high-backed chairs, perched on either side.
Only a Crystal Ball hovered at the head of the table, with the position’s owner not physically present, but none of the assembled seemed to mind.
Attendance wasn’t important; Identity was.
"...Therefore, the original plan was only half-successful. Although we destroyed the small Dream World, the target completed it half a Magic Time ahead of the previous record.
They managed to escape from the Dream World at the last moment, avoiding being drawn into the collapsing realm."
"Since the target relied entirely on their own Strength to actively flee and did not trigger the passive power of destiny’s protection, it’s impossible to judge if they are the Prophetic Star."
At this moment, a black-robed individual on the left-hand side of the table was relaying the proceedings of this probing endeavor.
After hearing his account, the reactions among the group varied.
"I think the likelihood is high; otherwise, it would’ve been impossible to achieve a whole half-hour sooner than historical records."
"I’m not so sure; it could be that Olivendi gave him some artifact that foresaw the danger, which then allowed him to forcefully break through using a special life-saving trump card."
Waiting quietly for the discussion to subside, the Crystal Ball in the head position emitted a dim light, and a blurred figure raised a hand, indicating for everyone to quiet down.
"Alright, let’s put an end to the discussion on this matter for now. Today’s main topic is not this."
Upon hearing this, everyone quickly exchanged glances and fell silent for a moment before a person on the right side of the table cautiously spoke.
"Then, Grey Mist, I heard that the Continent is about to undergo a dramatic change soon?"
From within the Crystal Ball, the shadowy figure slowly spoke.
"According to the trajectory of the stars, the state of the Net of Destiny has reached a special critical point. A dramatic upheaval sweeping across the entire Continent is about to come unavoidably."
"The emergence of Mechanical constructs may seem like the starting point of all change, but in reality, it’s more accurate to say that the rise of a major destiny allowed the Magic Council to discover that ruin, bringing the concept of constructs back into the world."