The Chosen One and Maganna / Praise Grand Duke Maganna!

"Ah, well..."

"And he has a young face. No one would pay attention to him, especially those big shots in the Municipal Office."

Cassidy pursed her lips. She had to admit that "Lin Qi's" reasoning was quite sound.

"What do you think, Ryan?" she asked. "This could be very dangerous."

Jonathan nudged Ryan with his foot, hoping he would refuse.

Ryan said solemnly, "I think Miss Lin Qi is right. The director often teaches us that if peace officers fear danger, then who will protect the Empire's vulnerable citizens? So please rest assured, Your Highness. I guarantee the mission will be completed!"

Jonathan covered his face.

Now you remember it that clearly?

I only said it casually!

He did not want Ryan taking risks, not because he did not want to help Cassidy, but because Ryan was young and inexperienced. Experience was just as important as ability.

What he did not know was that Ryan could not have been happier to do this. When he reported the matter to Adler later, he could say the League of Fire was about to act, reveal one thing while holding back three, then fish some clues out of Adler. Wasn't that easy?

Cassidy was about to deal with the Hand of Darkness and expose whoever was behind them. Ryan did not care about the big boss, Bill. As long as he could take down Adler, he would be able to rest easy from then on.

The mole had finally gone legitimate!

God's Chosen and Magana

The three-party meeting ended smoothly.

Strictly speaking, it should have counted as a two-party meeting, because the League of Fire was the Empire's official organization of supernatural beings, and Jonathan was obligated to follow Cassidy's deployment.

As for "Lin Qi," Lia had arranged to meet her that afternoon to discuss this very matter. Ryan only had time to open the game and check after the meeting ended. The task High Priest Lia had given "Lin Qi" was to cooperate with Cassidy's operation.

Originally, Lia had planned to fight on the front lines herself. "Lin Qi" only needed to serve as a messenger and intermediary.

But when they met at the Coffee Shop that afternoon, Lia discovered that "Lin Qi" was already a supernatural being.

Ryan did not know what method she had used. It might have been some kind of supernatural ability. Since they were both supernatural beings who believed in Janus, it was not particularly surprising.

Lia did not press further about how she had gained her supernatural ability. She regarded those who became supernatural beings without relying on an organization as "God's Chosen," while supernatural beings created within an organization were called "Chosen Ones."

Incidentally, God's Chosen did not need to use Magic Potions. Anyone chosen by a god was destined for limitless future achievements.

As for "Lin Qi," she had taken a Magic Potion, but since she was a Game Character, Ryan was not entirely sure. In any case, whatever the High Priest said went. He was God's Chosen? Yeah, sure. She was right.

Lia decided that once matters in Berman City were settled, she would take "Lin Qi" to the Gate of Janus Headquarters. The latest Saintess Assessment was about to begin, and she believed "Lin Qi" was qualified to become the Janus Saintess.

Once she became a Saintess, her status in the Gate of Janus would be second only to the Pope. Some Saintesses throughout history had even been able to speak with deities. Such figures were absolutely transcendent—even the Pope had to listen to them.

"Come to think of it, I remember there being a designated candidate for the Saintess position in the game... Forget it. If someone else can be one, why can't I?"

Ryan had no objection to taking part in the Saintess Assessment. It would be best if he succeeded, but it did not matter if he failed.

A Saintess had great authority and abundant resources. It would make cultivating "Lin Qi" much easier in the future.

As for what would happen to the original Saintess character, that was none of his business.

If she was willing to carry his shoes or make his bed for him, he could consider it.

"Sigh... You're still too young. Even if it's Her Highness the Princess's idea, don't agree so quickly. Haven't enough people died for those royal princes and princesses every year?"

In the private room of the restaurant, Cassidy had already left with her people. Only Jonathan and Ryan remained.

Ryan was secretly studying the game, while Jonathan lit a cigarette and pondered. Neither of them had any appetite.

The director blew out a smoke ring and shook his head. "Be careful tomorrow. Don't rush into action the moment you find something. The waters in Berman City run deeper than you think."

"Director." Ryan calmly closed the Game Interface and looked up. "If I don't handle this, it won't be easy for you either, right? The League of Fire will be giving their all to protect Her Highness the Princess tomorrow. I'm a fresh face, so the people above won't even bother looking at me. Besides, if anything really happens to the Princess, we'll all be in trouble."

"Of course I know we can't let anything happen to the Princess. What do you think I've been doing these past few days?" Jonathan said irritably. "It's you I'm worried about. Before you act, weigh your own capabilities first. Tomorrow will be a clash between supernatural beings. Don't think that just because you dealt with one Sam, you can look down on all supernatural beings... Forget it. It's settled anyway. It's fine if you're not going to the Train Station. I'll have someone cooperate with you tomorrow."

"A supernatural being?"

"That's right. But he only handles the work. You'll be in command."

Ryan was puzzled. What had he done to deserve commanding a supernatural being?

Though if he used the Silent Nun Character Card, he could defeat an ordinary supernatural being.

After parting with Jonathan, Ryan made his way to Central City and found a public phone booth to call Adler.

Technology was not that advanced these days, so he did not have to worry about wiretapping or anything like that.

He told Adler that Cassidy would be arriving at the Train Station tomorrow.

"The League of Fire will be joining the protection detail."

Ryan mentioned the League of Fire but concealed the Gate of Janus's involvement.

After all, it would be normal for him not to know about something like that.

"Ryan, you've done very well." Adler sneered. "That idiot Cassidy really thought she could fool us last time? This time, I'll let her know that this isn't her royal cradle."

"Lord Adler, the Bureau of Investigation will probably send more people this time. Are you certain you want to launch an attack?"

"There's no need to worry about the Bureau of Investigation. The more people they send, the more advantageous it is for us." Adler scoffed. "If it weren't for Jonathan, the entire Bureau of Investigation would already be ours. By the way, Jonathan told you to keep an eye on the Municipal Office. I can't let you return empty-handed, either. The better you perform, the more useful you'll be."

"Tomorrow, I'll have Norman handle this matter. Just keep an eye on him. Later, take the chain of evidence to Jonathan and claim credit."

Even if Cassidy was killed, Ryan's position in the League of Fire would remain important. That was why Adler was doing everything he could to push him upward.

"Director Norman?"

"Yes. He's one of ours too, but he's been acting a little too outrageously lately. For Grand Duke Magana's plan, we can only throw him away." Adler did not explain much further. "Work hard, Ryan. Before long, I'll get you into the position of full captain. If you perform well, even higher positions are possible. Hahaha!"

"This old geezer is surprisingly nice."

After hanging up, Ryan rubbed his chin in thought. Just as expected, the Bureau of Investigation had indeed been bought off by Adler. Publicly, Adler was only a Secretary-General, but in secret, he worked for Grand Duke Magana. To some people, his status was even higher than the mayor's.

As for Norman, he was the current director of the Department General Bureau. He was flamboyant and arrogant and had committed plenty of misdeeds. Yet a person like him was managing the Bureau of Investigation. It would have been impossible if Adler had not secretly pushed him into that position.

Imperial Law was for ordinary folk like them. It had little power to restrain those Nobles.

Of course, if Adler intended to throw him out as a scapegoat, that was another matter.

"Catching him is useless, but at least it'll count as something accomplished."

Unfortunately, Adler had not told him anything about the Hand of Darkness. Ryan did not dare ask too much, lest he arouse suspicion.

Smack.

Inside a residence in Central City.

Adler hung up the phone and sat in the room, deep in thought.

Cassidy would arrive in Berman City tomorrow. It was an excellent opportunity, but opportunity came with enormous risk. He had to handle this cleanly and efficiently.

At that moment, a ripple of energy suddenly spread across the full-length mirror in the room.

"Hmm?"

Adler hurriedly stood up, adjusted his clothes, and waited before the mirror.

This was how he contacted those above him. The mirror itself was ordinary, but through a spell, it could enable a mirror-image conversation across an enormous distance. It was far more convenient than a telephone, whose communication range was still relatively limited.

"I wonder why Lord Creed is suddenly contacting me. Could it be because of Cassidy?"

Creed was his direct superior and Grand Duke Magana's adviser. The people in charge of secretly developing influence across the major cities of the Augustus Empire almost all communicated directly with Creed.

As he was thinking, the figure in the mirror gradually became clear.

White hair, a small stature, exquisite features, Golden Armor, and a massive battle axe nearly as tall as her... Wait, wait. That was not Creed???

When he saw the person in the mirror, Adler nearly collapsed to his knees in fright.

"G-Grand Duke Magana!"

Praise Grand Duke Magana!

There were countless records within the Empire detailing Grand Duke Magana's achievements.

The one most often discussed was how she had been chosen by a god.

Rumor had it that Grand Duke Magana had been chosen by a deity at the age of fourteen, becoming one of the rare God's Chosen.

But at that very moment, her appearance and body had completely frozen in place.

White-haired Loli Magana was what people first called her.

She was petite and exquisitely beautiful. If she wore Lolita attire, she would undoubtedly be the brightest star at any noble banquet.

Unfortunately, Magana had always disdained such things. Compared to wearing Lolita dresses and enjoying pastries at noble tea parties, she preferred putting on armor and charging into the front lines to slaughter enemies.

As one of the God's Chosen, her strength was beyond question.

Any war Magana participated in had almost never ended in defeat.

Whether suppressing internal rebel forces or resisting foreign invasions, she was victorious in every battle. However, her slaughter on the battlefield was too wild, and her title changed from White-haired Loli to White-haired Demon.

No one knew which god had chosen Magana. Most people did not even know about supernatural beings. They only knew that Magana was undefeated, and that with her around, the Empire would be fine.

Thus, on the day she became a Duke, she was also granted the title Iron Blood Grand Duchess.

The army led by Magana was known as the Iron Blood Legion, a powerful force that could surpass even the Empire's Royal Guard in raw strength... though the two had never fought each other.

There were simply too many rumors about Magana. Those who followed her had every reason to believe that she could become the next Emperor of the Augustus Empire.

Yet very few people had ever truly met Magana. This Iron Blood Grand Duchess spent all year on the front lines of battle, watering her victories with blood and continually forging her "towering" image in the hearts of the Empire's citizens.

Adler had never expected to be summoned by Magana. After giving her a respectful greeting, he still felt it was not enough and decisively dropped to his knees.

"Grand Duke Magana!"

"Hmm?... Hmm, it connected?" The White-haired Loli in the mirror spoke casually. Because Adler was kneeling, she could look down at him, and that clearly pleased her.

Grand Duke Magana did not like looking up at others.

"Your name is... Adler, right?"

"Yes, Grand Duchess."

"Where is Cassidy?"

Magana naturally had no interest in Adler. It was merely because Cassidy happened to be stopping here, and Adler happened to be the one responsible for carrying out the plan.

"Reporting to the Grand Duchess, I happen to have the latest news on this matter."

Adler hurriedly explained that Cassidy was confirmed to arrive in Berman City tomorrow.

"The spy I placed in the League of Fire has already gained their trust. As long as the Hand of Darkness cooperates properly, the plan is guaranteed to succeed without fail."

"Speaking of that..." Magana said calmly, "the plan has changed. I want you to capture Cassidy alive."

Adler raised his head, his expression blank. "Capture her alive? Weren't we supposed to kill her and intensify the Empire's internal conflicts?"

"Hmm? Are you questioning me?"

"No, I wouldn't dare..."

Adler hurriedly lowered his head.

Perhaps Magana was in a good mood at the moment, because she explained, "If we kill her, those princes will benefit the most. It would be better to capture her and use her for my own purposes. In her name, I can remove certain obstacles and make things much easier for myself."

Adler suddenly understood.

So that was it. He understood now. As expected of Grand Duke Magana—she could effortlessly come up with such an ingenious plan.

In truth, among those with a chance to inherit the position of Crown Prince, Cassidy currently had the smallest faction.

She almost had no power of her own and relied only on the Old Emperor's favor. Even if she became Emperor, she would not be able to hold the throne for long.

That was why Magana had never considered her an opponent.

However.

Killing Cassidy and plunging the Empire into chaos would bring Magana limited benefits.

It would be better to capture her, seize the Imperial Throne in the Princess's name, win over the people's hearts, and then cut Cassidy down after success was secured.

After all, Cassidy was a member of the royal family. That made it legitimate.