Legacy of the Dark Sage

"As I previously confirmed with you, the Grand Marshal would sometimes leave his office and will return late in the evening or even a few days after. No one questions where he goes or what he does because he does go for inspections and other army related trips. But almost a year ago, he has been frequently leaving his office. However, the recorded inspection or army related trips he did, does not correspond to the total of days he 'left' his office."

"Meaning, he goes somewhere at times that is not being recorded."

"Yes."

"How frequent is it?"

"At first, it was almost twice every week. But three months ago, it went down to twice a month."

Cade lowered his head and crossed his arms with a thoughtful expression.

"Have you found out where he goes?"

Jax gave a faint smile, and he replied, "He never really leaves."

Cade's eyes narrowed upon hearing Jax's answer.

"That's why the Royal Family did not find any discrepancy in the times he left the headquarters."

Jax nodded.

"Leaving his office does not automatically mean he left HQ. If he left his office and stayed within the HQ, it will not raise any questions from the Royal Family."

"Now the question is where he goes inside the headquarters that takes too much of his time," Cade said.

"Yes," Jax replied with a nod.

"Did you find anything?"

"I've narrowed down three locations. One, the HQ's Research Division. Unfortunately, my information pass is too low for me to have a look at their record of who enters their department. Second, the Archive building. I haven't confirmed it yet because the keeper was loyal to the Grand Marshal. If I asked to see the record log of those who entered, he might get suspicious and report it back."

Cade nodded in agreement. He said, "Yes. It's best to plant someone or something nearby to monitor if Gael would come to the Archive, and if he did, find if it coincide on the days from the record when he left his office."

"Yes," Jax agreed. Then he smiled bitterly and added, "But I am a little bias in the third location I found."

"Oh? Is it more suspicious?"

"Very," Jax said with a nod.

Cade chuckled, and he asked, "Where?"

"Three years ago, the HQ's main building had been renovated. The details of the renovations were classified but publicly, it was to strengthen the foundation. I found it a little suspicious. Since the year the main building was renovated was the same year when the Grand Marshal's frequent leaves started, so I've looked at the HQ's old blueprint and compared it to the new one. After checking, I found that the underground floor of the main building has decreased in size."

With a slight shake of his head, Cade said, "He renovated the underground floor and created an invisible room."

Jax nodded in agreement.

"That's what I thought too."

"Have you found the entrance?"

With a sigh, Jax shook his head and replied, "No. Not yet. I remembered my visit last year and did not find anything different. That's why I didn't find it suspicious. Anyway, I'm not sure if the entrance is hidden using an array, or if the way to get in is through a transportation array."

"It is likely," Cade agreed with a thoughtful nod.

After a short pause, he said, "Confirm the first two locations. As for the third, since you don't frequently visit that place, it will attract attention if you suddenly start going there. We can confirm if Gael goes there the same way with the Archive, but make sure the person you plant there is someone who will not ask too many questions."

"I know. Leave it to me," Jax replied, his tone full of confidence.

Cade nodded. He leaned back with a smile, and he asked, "Any update from the one?"

Jax sighed. The first time the two of them had talked, Cade told him to investigate quite a number of things. Jax had not even completed half of it, but he knew what information Cade was asking for an update this time. Because this was one was at the top of their list.

With a shake of his head, Jax answered, "Unfortunately, none."

He looked at Cade with a doubtful expression and added, "Are you sure about this information?"

Cade gave a short nod before he said, "I know what you're thinking. But this is not a rumor. It is a fact. Regretably, those who knows are ones who participated in that war."

Jax's eyes narrowed.

The war Cade was talking about was the war that happened thousands of years ago. The war resulted in the Dark Sage's downfall.

"I know you told me that the information is reliable, but it happened thousands of years ago. I'm sure the Winfrey Family had done everything to hide that."

"True. But the location can't be far from their Ancestral Land. As I explained, that will not be able to leave the Winfrey's Ancestral Land."

Jax fell silent. He knew about the Hero Families' attachment to their Ancestral Lands.

It was the same case with the Regis.

The truth, Jax was surprised to know that the Regis Family was one of the Hero Families mentioned in history books. But now, it made much more sense to him. He had always wondered why they did not leave the Regis Estate when Kyran manifested his magic. It was only until Cade explained that every main branch of Regis's Family was bound to their Ancestral Land that answered Jax's doubts.

Not all old families had Ancestral Lands. As Cade explained, only the four Hero Families possessed it. The Winfrey Family's Ancestral Land was located in the North of the Ylfaen Empire, while the Regis's was situated in the center, right inside the Regis Estate's Inner Walls.

As for why the Hero Families were bound to their Ancestral Land, Cade only told him that it was a duty. Jax did not pry. He understood clearly that Cade could not tell him the specifics because it was a Regis Family secret.

Still, Jax was curious about that which was inside the Winfrey Family's Ancestral Land.

'Right, it was no longer Winfrey.' Jax reminded himself.

Ever since the Ylfaen Empire was established, the Winfrey Family married to and adopted the last name of the Arthall Family, most commonly referred to as the Royal Family.

After a few seconds of silence, Jax finally spoke and said, "Alright. I will see what else I can do to find a trace."

"Regarding the location of their Ancestral Land. I suggest you try and confirm it. It maybe the reason why you can't find any trace." Cade suggested.

Jax's brow creased slightly at the implication of Cade's words.

"You mean the location recorded in the army's is fake?"

"We need to consider all possibilities," Cade replied, neither confirming nor denying Jax's statement.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jax felt an incoming headache.

He had been in the army for a long time, and he admitted to knowing a lot about the army's dark secrets and conspiracies.

However, the Royal Family was different. While Jax knew some of their secrets, he never considered them dark. They even appeared to be victims because they were suppressed by the Three Noble Families for a long time and were even on the verge of losing complete authority over the Ylfaen Empire.

'But if what Lord Cade said is true, then there is no way those Three Noble Families can suppress them.' Jax thought.

"I understand."

"Major, be careful. You already know too much, and one slip, can mean your life." Cade reminded him.

Jax looked at Cade and smiled bitterly.

"I've always been walking on a tightrope. My only concern is my family."

Cade nodded and smiled.

"Don't worry. I will keep my promise. But if you believe that you will be in danger, use the item I gave you."

"I will."

"Let's talk again when you find more information."

"Alright."

Jax suddenly thought of something and hastily asked, "Lord Cade."

"Yes?"

"My men... h-how are they?"

Cade was stumped for a moment looking at Jax's nervous expression. Then he suddenly chuckled and said, "Don't worry. I think they're adjusting just fine."

Hearing Cade's reply, Jax finally relaxed and smiled faintly. He nodded in appreciation, and Cade cut off the communication.

Jax watched in silence as the light on the device dimmed and finally disappeared. He took a deep breath and returned it inside his pocket before leaving.

==================

Stella appeared in front of the training grounds. She noticed that there were few people inside still training.

She smiled gently and entered.

The moment these people who were part of the security unit saw her, they stopped and bowed their heads.

"Lord of the Tower!" They greeted.

Stella raised her hand and gestured for them to continue.

"At ease. Don't mind me, I'm just here doing my routine visit." She told them.

"Yes!"

"But don't overdo it. You guys have just recovered, and its already getting late."

"Yes, Milord!"

Stella nodded and went into the building as they continued with their training.

More people from the security unit greeted her when she entered the building.

Finally, she arrived at Kyran's temporary residence. Taking a deep breath, she opened the doors and let herself in.

Stella knew Kyran left that morning. She was a little angry because he did not bother to tell her. But she knew he did not have to because he already told her, including the Conclave Council members, about his itinerary at last night's dinner.

'Still you could've at least let me see you, before you leave.' She thought.

As soon as she thought this, her face grew hot, and she immediately shook her head.

'What am I thinking? 'Let me see him before he leaves?' Argh! This is so frustrating. Kyran you idiot!' She cursed Kyran in her mind.

Ever since Kyran woke up, he had been busy with many things that they rarely get a chance to speak. And when the opportunity presented itself, Kyran seemed cold and would only discuss important matters with her.

She didn't mind it. But she was hoping they could talk more about other trivial things. Alas, Kyran was too much of an idiot.

Stella sighed.

'No, he's not really an idiot. I am the idiot one.' She thought dejectedly.

As she pondered about these things, she looked at the whole room.

Apart from a mattress on one side and a small table, the room was bare.

Stella went here because Kyran told them he would transport the materials he found in this room.

Sure enough, she saw the magic orbs and flasks in the middle of the room.

'He succeeded so fast,' Stella thought and went over to pick the items.

After she picked up the items, she looked over the empty mattress and found herself feeling... empty.

'Just what is wrong with me?' She wondered with a mournful sigh. 'I wish Kyran will come back soon.'