Chapter 516

Chapter 387 – Journey

East Tivyán, Blue Moon Bay Street.

In the afternoon, biting cold winds carried flurries of snow across the streets of East District. People wrapped themselves in thick clothing as they walked along the streets. The Boyle family’s manor stood right next to this street.

Nephynice, wearing a knitted sweater and loose pants, sat at her desk in her bedroom. Beside her was a charcoal brazier providing warmth. She warmed herself by the fire while reading the books on her desk, occasionally glancing out the window at the chilly street, keeping an eye on the occasional patrol police passing by.

“More than a week has passed… Yet the tension on the streets hasn’t eased much. It seems that the d*ath of Duke Barret has greatly angered His Majesty.”

Observing the scene outside, Nephynice pondered. She then glanced at the newspaper on the table beside her. The paper, dated two days ago, reported on the d*ath of Duke Barret due to ineffective treatment.

“I never expected that… Behind those events I participated in that day was actually a plot to assassinate the Duke. I originally thought it was just something involving natives, but it turned out to be a conspiracy by the Eight Pinnacle Nest.

‘This Eight Pinnacle Nest… I thought they were just a group targeting college students for control and extortion. I didn’t expect their influence to be so vast, daring to m*rder a duke…”

As she read the newspaper, Nephynice reflected on this, feeling a chill run down her spine after learning from Dorothy that the mastermind behind the assassination attempt was the Eight Pinnacle Nest. She never imagined that the organization secretly controlling students within her school had the means to assassinate members of the royal family.

Originally, Nephynice believed that the Eight Pinnacle Nest aimed to control students and gradually extract wealth from wealthy families, acting as an irregular and extraordinary society targeting students. Now, with this major news, she felt a sense of dread. Organizations capable of assassinating the royal family were certainly not ordinary societies.

‘Was I really opposing such an organization all along? It feels truly terrifying… If not for Akka and Miss Dorothy’s help… I might have died several times already. An ordinary college student like me has become involved in such significant matters?’

Nephynice thought, still feeling a lingering fear. After successfully advancing to the Black Tier, she was initially quite excited. However, upon learning the truth about the New Year’s Eve incident, her excitement quickly faded.

Thinking about how she was now in conflict with a terrifying secret society that could oppose the royal family, and considering the kingdom’s serious investigation into the Duke Barret case, with her being a related party, Nephynice found it hard to feel happy. For over a week, she had been in a state of worry.

After all, Nephynice had only recently become aware of the world of the extraordinary, having been a regular college student who knew little about the supernatural. Although she had participated in many secret activities, the gap between the secret and the secular world made her less aware of the impact of her actions. Only when she got involved in the Duke’s assassination attempt, an event with significant influence even in the secular world, did she realize the true significance of what she was doing.

‘Unconsciously, I’ve been drawn into such significant matters… It feels very unsettling, especially with the tense atmosphere in the city lately. Whether it’s the government or the Eight Pinnacle Nest, any slight exposure feels dangerous.’

Nephynice thought to herself, feeling uneasy due to the current tense atmosphere on the streets of Tivyán. She even considered going out to lay low for a while.

Just as Nephynice was lost in thought in her room, there came a knock on her door. She immediately responded.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, miss. A letter arrived for you just now,” a slightly aged voice came from outside the door. Nephynice recognized it as the voice of the Boyle family’s butler, Nunut.

Hearing this familiar voice, Nephynice stood up immediately and walked briskly to the door. Opening it, she saw the old butler standing in the corridor, holding an envelope.

“A letter for me? Who sent it?”

With a puzzled expression, Nephynice took the letter, and Nunut promptly replied.

“Based on the address, it’s from your school. It might be a list of items needed for next semester’s purchases.”

“From the school?” Looking at the wax seal of the Royal Sacred Crown University on the envelope, Nephynice murmured. After thanking Nunut, she closed the door.

Returning to her desk, Nephynice opened the envelope and began reading the contents. When she saw the handwriting, she knew who had written the letter—it was Professor John, a middle-aged professor from the Archaeology Department at Crown University.

…

To the diligent and excellent Miss Nephynice Boyle,

Your second-year studies in the Archaeology Department are about to enter the second semester. In the past year and a half, you have acquired ample theoretical knowledge. Your rich knowledge has filled your mind. However, in our exploration of the past, such knowledge alone is insufficient. More knowledge can only be gained beyond the campus walls.

Your academic journey will enter a new phase. In the second semester of your second year, we will focus on practical fieldwork. I will personally lead you to renowned archaeological sites and some cutting-edge excavation areas. You will experience firsthand the traces of the past that remain in the present, applying your knowledge practically and uncovering buried history.

Your third-year studies will involve extended periods of fieldwork away from campus. The first leg of the journey begins on the 20th of this month, visiting various ancient sites in the Conquer Sea nations. Our first stop will be the ancient city of Adria in Iwig. In mid-February, there will be a precious artifact exhibition in this famous water city. Many artifacts unearthed around the Conquer Sea nations will be displayed. This is an invaluable opportunity for us. After visiting the exhibition, we will continue by boat to visit other notable sites in the Conquer Sea nations. If time permits, we may even travel south to Northern Ufeiga to examine some excavation sites in person.

Our entire journey is expected to last two to three months or more. To prepare for the long trip, you should start now by preparing funds and gathering necessary travel items. The estimated costs for this trip include…

…

The rest of the letter detailed various expenses, including living expenses, ferry tickets, tutoring fees, and more. Adding up all these costs, it amounted to nearly a hundred pounds, which was a substantial sum for mundane affairs. Only the wealthy students attending Crown University could afford such expenses.

‘This is… the bill for the practical course… Yes, I almost forgot. In the second semester of the second year, many of our courses require fieldwork… Mr. John mentioned it many times last semester, but with so many secret affairs, I forgot.’