After the Intelligence Bureau meeting ended, Amber went straight to Gawain's study.
Gawain was sitting behind his desk, carefully flipping through an ancient book that had been restored and reinforced. His gaze moved slowly across the mottled pages and the letters redrawn by the bookbinders. The lingering scent of Alchemical Potion drifted into his nostrils, and the contents of this ancient travelogue made him fall into thought from time to time. Then, a voice suddenly coming from the air interrupted him—
"Hey! I'd barely finished the meeting when I heard you were looking for me!" Amber's figure emerged from thin air, carrying her usual boundless cheerfulness. "Got another job that needs some extra pay?"
Gawain looked up from the old book at Amber standing before him. A faint smile appeared on his face as he pointed to the chair beside the desk. "Have a seat. There's something I want you to see."
Amber immediately sensed something unusual beneath Gawain's smile and tone. This seemingly carefree but actually keen-eyed "Half-elf" promptly twitched her ears and frowned suspiciously. "This is... what are you showing me?"
Gawain rose from behind the desk and let out a long breath. He gently pushed the ancient book forward. "Here—don't worry. It's been repaired, so it won't be damaged that easily."
"A book?" Amber froze for a moment when she saw that it was merely a book, taking it from him reflexively. But her unconcerned expression soon gradually stiffened. She seemed to realize something, and a complicated, incredulous look appeared in her eyes. Slowly raising her head, she looked at Gawain. "...Is it that book?"
"We've found conclusive evidence," Gawain said with a slight nod. "A Shadow thief of unknown origin once tried to steal it from a church—that was why the book was sent to the