Chapter 51: Mr. Silver: The Long-Term Meal Ticket Falls Through Again
Listening to Rast’s words, Mr. Silver couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly.
“If I recall correctly, both the movements of the Twelve Seats of the Round Table and the specifics of the Calamity Echo are classified as top-secret information within the Tower of Secrets.”
His cold gaze fixed on Rast. “Given your current ranking in the Obelisk, you shouldn’t have the clearance to access such materials.”
This was an indisputable fact.
As core personnel in the efforts to conquer the Night World, every movement of the Twelve Seats of the Round Table was a closely guarded secret of Starry University. Any leak could lead to unpredictable consequences.
For instance, when intel about the exploration of “Night’s Echo: Deep Blue Harbor” was somehow leaked, it resulted in Hiltina being tailed by a dancer from the secretive organization “Bronze Rose.”
Had it not been for Rast’s intervention—factoring in Sequence Restraint and the element of surprise—Hiltina might very well have met with disaster.
“I was just verifying some of my suspicions.”
Unfazed by Mr. Silver’s glare, Rast casually twirled the “Iron Pattern Moon” revolver in his hand.
This Emblem Armor, obtained from his conquest of the Night World, had been modified by the Ashen Academy. The once iron-moon-like barrel now bore several delicate bl**d-red streaks.
“I know Hiltina well. If it’s something she can handle herself, she’ll never delegate it to others.”
“But ever since I left the Night World and joined Starry University, despite all the favors I’ve received from her, I’ve never actually seen her in person.”
“Given her personality, she’d rather owe you a favor than show up… The only explanation is that she’s occupied with something far more important.”
“In other words—”
“Somewhere in the Night World, a critical incident must have occurred—one so urgent that Hiltina couldn’t even spare a moment’s rest before rushing to the scene.”
“There’s a ninety percent chance it’s a new ‘Calamity Echo.'”
Rast smirked. “With my current clearance in the Tower of Secrets, I obviously can’t access the location of a newly emerged Calamity Echo. But when forward reasoning fails, sometimes reverse elimination works just fine.”
“I visited the News Agency and various clubs, using the pretext of inter-club exchanges to confirm the status of members stationed in other Night World outposts… Naturally, the ones willing to disclose information weren’t the sites of the Calamity Echo.”
“Excluding the long-conquered Night World ruins, there are currently nineteen active Night World entrances. After eliminating eighteen using the method above…”
“The only one left—No. 61 in the Scarlet Frost Territory—must be where the ‘Calamity Echo’ has appeared.”
“And what if it is?”
Mr. Silver spoke impassively. “The lowest-ranked members in a Calamity Echo strike team are Third Tier Night Travelers.”
“I know you’re special. The records in the Obelisk archives likely don’t capture the full extent of your Night Blade.”
“But the gap between the Third Tier and the First Tier is very real. Sometimes, sheer power alone can decide everything.”
His voice turned icy. “In high-level conquests, a First Tier transcendent is nothing but dead weight.”
“I’m well aware of my limits, Mr. Silver.”
Rast replied, “If this Calamity Echo were a straightforward battle of brute force, I’d only be a liability, not an asset.”
“But the one in the Scarlet Frost Territory isn’t like that.”
His gaze drifted toward the dormitory window, in the direction of the Stellar Obelisk.
“Normally, the process is to send in scouts first, gather intel on the Calamity Echo, then hold a strategy meeting and launch a coordinated strike.”
“But this time, even the reconnaissance phase has proven nearly impossible.”
Rast’s voice softened. “I’ve observed the Obelisk for five days. In that time, seventeen names have been erased from its rankings, their owners now part of the vast starry sky.”
“And without exception, every one of them specialized in Night Blades geared toward survival and reconnaissance—the very type assigned to scout in strike teams.”
He looked at Mr. Silver. “Even if the academy has suppressed news of the Calamity Echo for secrecy’s sake, losing so many Night Travelers in such a short time can’t be hidden. Every one of them had friends and family.”
“Someone used a prophecy-type Night Blade to discern their cause of d*ath. Every clue pointed to the same phrase—”
“‘Temporal Disruption.'”
Rast met Mr. Silver’s gaze calmly. “Aside from Hiltina, you’re the only one in this world who knows about my past in Deep Blue Harbor.”
“In terms of pure destructive power, I can’t hold a candle to Hiltina—”
“But when it comes to chaotic spacetime, I doubt anyone in Starry University is better suited to explore this Calamity Echo than I am.”
“Those News Agency rats even dug up the prophecy results?”
Mr. Silver flicked his tail in irritation.
“Young Tina knows your adaptability to temporal chaos better than I do. But since she hasn’t sought you out, it means she doesn’t want you dragged into this mess.”
His crimson eyes gleamed with frustration. “She entrusted you to me, asked me to look after you, help you adjust to life at Starry University and this era.”
“And now you’re pressuring me to throw you into the fire. If you both make it back, who knows how she’ll blame me.”
“For Hiltina to scold you, we’d first have to survive the Night World, wouldn’t we?”
Rast’s gaze grew distant, as if fixed on something far beyond the window.
“Honestly, I hate the feeling of being indebted to others.”
“Before I could even repay Hiltina those 1,600 Cole coins, I’ve already racked up more favors…”
“If I don’t find a way to settle them soon, I won’t be able to sleep peacefully at night.”
His words were quiet, almost muttered to himself. “Please give me your answer soon, Mr. Silver. If you refuse, I’ll have to find my own way to the Scarlet Frost Territory.”
“Given Rodri’s personality, if I put a g*n to his head, he’d probably drive me there without a fuss…”
A rare look of conflict flashed in Mr. Silver’s Beast Eyes.
His heart was a mix of emotions—both bitter and sweet.
The sweet part: it seemed his judgment of Rast hadn’t been wrong.
The bitter part: this guy was even more restless than Hiltina. Getting him to stay put at the academy was nothing short of a fantasy.
His plan to secure a long-term, stable meal ticket had fallen through once again.
(End of Chapter)
