Can't I raise myself?

Ryan thought, You're not someone else, are you?

My brother is loyal to me, but you're playing mind games with me? Come on, let's reveal the identity of the mole first.

"Actually, I've wanted to decide on the Director for a long time. You exposing Adler's crimes made you the best candidate. I've been considering this, but Princess Cassidy brought it up today... Do you know? Even members of the royal family have no right to interfere in the territory's affairs."

"The reason I agreed isn't because she's a princess, but because I have faith in you," Bill shook his head. "The princess is too young. The Empire isn't as simple as she thinks, and Berman City isn't her private garden. Ryan, the princess will leave soon, and Berman City will ultimately depend on us. Understand?"

Ryan feigned ignorance: "Mayor, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"What I mean is, the princess can't promise you anything, and she's not worth you risking your life for. If you want to climb the ladder, follow me. Becoming Director is just the beginning. I'll help you become a noble, and then you can do whatever you want in Berman City."

Bill was unaware of Ryan's connection to the League of Fire. Although Ryan was close to Jonathan, Ryan himself came from the East City branch.

His involvement in capturing Adler was more due to Cassidy. Of course, Bill suspected Ryan was a Transcendent, so he was now probing and trying to recruit Ryan.

Ryan felt like he didn't want to talk anymore.

If possible, he wanted to set up a mahjong table and invite Magana, Cassidy, and Bill. Can you guys sort things out first before talking to me?

"Think about it carefully, no need to rush your answer." Seeing Ryan's silence, Bill smiled and patted his shoulder. "Perhaps you'll have a decision in a couple of days."

After leaving a parting remark, Bill departed.

Does he seem confident he can beat Cassidy?

Ryan cursed inwardly, These people really don't let me have a moment's peace.

"Sigh, my life has been like walking on thin ice... Can I reach the other shore?"

Washing myself clean failed. What about reaching the shore? Slacking off? Lying flat?

"Keep it up, Grandpa Ryan."

The next morning, the notice of Ryan's appointment as Director was issued.

For the people of the Bureau of Investigation, rather than parachuting in a new Director, promoting Ryan was more suitable.

The main reason was that Ryan had climbed from a low-level position to Director in just one month. To ordinary people, it was impossible without connections. If the boss had strong connections, they, as subordinates, could also benefit.

Then, in the afternoon, the reinforcements sent by Magana also arrived in Berman City.

West District, a hidden stronghold.

As soon as Ryan walked into the room, he was startled by a neat shout.

"Greetings, sir!"

Seven figures stood neatly in the room.

Five men and two women, each with a straight posture, exuding an invisible aura of killing intent.

Ryan was stunned: "What is this?"

"Thank you for your hard work, sir!"

"?"

"Report!" The burly man standing on the far left shouted, "By order of Grand Duke Magana, we are to obey the commands of Lord Ryan!"

"..."

"Everyone, introduce yourselves!"

Starting with the burly man, each person introduced their basic situation to Ryan.

The burly man, the squad captain, named Gluck, a Third Tier Transcendent, profession: Soul Eater.

Member Xueyi, a Second Tier Transcendent, Shadow Hunter.

Member Adi, a Second Tier Transcendent, Melee Tactician.

Member Aug, a First Tier Transcendent, Dark Mage.

Member Meyron, a First Tier Transcendent, Melee Tactician.

Member Lanny, a First Tier Transcendent, Puppeteer.

Member An, a First Tier Transcendent, Gunslinger.

Ryan: "..."

Seven people, one Third Tier, two Second Tier, and four First Tier.

More importantly, these seven gave him the feeling of possessing extreme discipline, unlike any ordinary organization.

It even gave Ryan the illusion that these seven could take down the entire League of Fire in Berman City.

"Are you really sent by the Grand Duke?" Ryan was somewhat incredulous. Although Magana had said she would send reinforcements, the situation in Berman City had been disrupted by Adler's death. Now that he was taking over, his future looked bleak.

Was sending such a luxurious lineup appropriate under these circumstances?

"Yes," Gluck replied. "The Grand Duke said that everything will be based on Lord Ryan's orders."

"Just you seven?"

"There are also over a hundred ordinary members. I've already had them concealed and waiting for Lord Ryan's command at any time."

"I see..."

Ryan clicked his tongue. Damn it, this debt is truly unpayable now.

"Mhm, have them hide well for now. The situation in Berman City is unstable, so don't rush," Ryan said, pressing his hand down. "As for the seven of you, you can stay at this outpost. I'll notify you if there are any missions."

Gluck said, "Please allow us to protect your safety."

"Me? No, no, no, I don't need it." Ryan shook his head. "I'm the Director of the Bureau of Investigation now. No one dares to touch me."

"This is a task assigned by the Grand Duke," Gluck insisted stubbornly.

Before they departed, Grand Duke Marganna had specifically instructed that everything should be done with Ryan's safety as the top priority, given his weakness. He had brains but lacked strength. Grand Duke Marganna didn't want Ryan to die in Berman City like Adler.

Ryan was helpless. He could tell that Gluck and the others were stubborn. Unless he could convince Grand Duke Marganna, it would be useless.

After much discussion, it was decided that Blood Robe and An would be responsible for his safety. Blood Robe was a Shadow Hunter, a killer-type profession, with unpredictable changes and was a Second Tier Transcendent. Her actual combat strength was second only to Gluck.

Although An was only a First Tier Transcendent, as a Gunslinger, she had the advantage of ranged protection. Normally, it wasn't suitable for them to stay by Ryan's side, but An's abilities could be maximized in this way.

However, from another perspective, if these two were always following him, he would have to be careful not to expose anything during future actions.

Fortunately, the second character, 'Shyarly,' would be ready soon. He could assign tasks to his alternate character in the future.

Grand Duke Marganna didn't arrange this deliberately to test my background, did she? That doesn't seem right. If she had doubts, she would investigate secretly.

A thought flashed through Ryan's mind, and he assigned Gluck a mission to investigate Bill and Colonel Hart. He still hadn't figured out the purpose of that ritual. It was too risky to send 'Lin Qi' to do it. Since they were working for Grand Duke Marganna anyway, Ryan wouldn't feel any heartache even if they died.

"Remember not to let Bill find out. I suspect he's also a Transcendent. As for Hart, he also needs close attention to see if he has any connection with the Kainter military."

After giving a few instructions, Ryan left the outpost. He then took some time to rent a new place in the Central City's real estate center.

It was no longer convenient to commute from the East City. Houses in Central City were expensive, and he couldn't afford to buy one, but renting was within his means.

Ryan chose a place with a good location and rented a detached house.

Jonathan and Jack came to help him move.

"One thing, if you're about to advance, don't rush. Tell me, and I'll get everything ready for you."

Jonathan, carrying a large cabinet, asked casually.

"It won't be that fast," Ryan replied, carrying things and following him. "How long have I been a Transcendent?"

"Hey~ You underestimate your talent too much. With the Burning Six Stars, if you have enough Soul Jade, you won't even need half a month to break through from First Tier to Second Tier."

After learning about Ryan's Magic Talent, Jonathan specifically looked up related information. The magic testing equipment he had could only measure up to Rank A, but with a more precise ritual, it could detect higher S-ranks.

Judging by his performance in the previous ritual, Ryan's talent was definitely more than Rank A. The cultivation speed commonly recorded for S-rank talents meant breaking through a tier in half a month was very normal.

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you? Generally, someone with your talent, if they cultivate every day, consuming about three thousand units of Soul Jade, can basically advance."

Experience was accumulated through practice. The League of Fire could also access this information.

Moreover, talent differences represented the upper limit and cultivation speed, not the Magic Power requirement for advancement. Advancement was only related to profession. Using his Son of the Sun profession as a standard, he himself had used about three thousand units of Soul Jade to advance back then.

"Three thousand?"

Ryan's expression was peculiar.

"Yes, about two hundred units absorbed per day... What, are you out of Soul Jade?"

"...No, I found quite a lot from Adler's house."

"Then that's fine. Keep it for yourself."

Jonathan didn't pay much attention. He hadn't gone with them during the previous house search, thinking Ryan could keep whatever he found.

However, Ryan was a bit confused. Although he had been busy with many things these past few days, it hadn't delayed his cultivation. He practiced whenever he had free time, even absorbing Soul Jade when he was idle in the office.

After a few days, his efficiency in absorbing Soul Jade had been increasing, directly consuming three thousand units, yet he still didn't feel like he was about to break through to Second Tier.

In terms of efficiency, he seemed to be much higher than what Jonathan described.

But when it came to advancement, even though there was no system-marked level, Ryan felt he would need to spend another three thousand units of Soul Jade to reach it.

"Captain, what does it mean if more Soul Jade is needed for advancement?" he asked.

Jonathan paused, realizing Ryan's situation might be a bit unusual, but he didn't point it out. Instead, he said, "If that's the case, it's most likely due to your profession's characteristics. The more powerful the profession, the higher the difficulty of job change and advancement."

"I see."

"Don't rush," Jonathan said with a smile, a cigarette in his mouth. "Cultivation should be steady. No need to rush for a day or two."

Ryan didn't speak, contemplating in his mind what kind of profession he actually had.

Night fell, in his new room.

Ryan sat cross-legged in the room, with a pile of Soul Jade beside him.

As the cultivation process continued, the amount of Soul Jade decreased at a visible rate.

If Jonathan were here, he would likely be so astonished that his cigarette would fall to the ground, because Ryan's absorption speed of Soul Jade had surpassed that of many Second Tier Transcendent.

After about an hour, Ryan opened his eyes and exhaled lightly.

"Still no luck, I don't feel any sense of advancement at all. If the magic power required for advancement is related to my class, then this class of mine is incredibly powerful, isn't it?"

He couldn't help but think back to the day he changed classes. The scene in the Inner World was too shocking, yet he couldn't find any information about either the pyramid or the pilgrimage.

According to historical records, the most recent large-scale pilgrimage customs could be traced back thousands of years, and they had almost disappeared in modern times.

Therefore, what he saw definitely had nothing to do with the ritual Jonathan set up; it was brought about by the class change. It was a shame there was so little information about God's Chosen. Otherwise, he could have referenced it to see if all God's Chosen encountered such a situation.

"Forget it, I still have enough Soul Jade anyway. I don't believe I can't advance."

With the speed at which 'Lin Qi' was brushing Soul Jade, it was enough to support his cultivation for now.

He glanced at the status of his two characters. Everything was fine, and Ryan continued to immerse himself in cultivation.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, news from the border swept through Berman City—the army of the Kingdom of Kainter had crossed the imperial border and engaged the border garrison in battle!

Although most people weren't worried about this so-called military action, believing the Kingdom of Kainter was simply overestimating its abilities, Ryan knew that overestimating one's abilities and launching an attack on Berman City were not necessarily related.

If the situation continued like this, it was entirely possible for the Kingdom of Kainter's army to reach Berman City in a few days.

As expected, the day after the war broke out, the Kingdom of Kainter's army had already broken through the border defenses and officially entered imperial territory.

This caused the nobles and wealthy merchants of Berman City to panic.

The border wasn't far from here; the army could reach it in two or three days of travel. If they could intercept a train, they could reach Berman City in half a day. And this time, the Kingdom of Kainter's army numbered over ten thousand.

The only force that could intercept this army was the border city of 'Kosotoya', but so far, Kosotoya had no intention of deploying troops.

This was the downside of lords possessing their own armies. The troops of a territory were directly dispatched by the lord, and their interests were tied to the lord's, with little sense of imperial honor.

Unless the Kainter army actively attacked Kosotoya, the battle wouldn't start.

Ryan had initially thought that Marganna would seize this opportunity to act. After all, as long as she led a large army, this southern territory of the empire could be brought under her control as a matter of course.

Without a war, the army had no legitimate reason for mobilization. If you deployed troops arbitrarily, it was considered rebellion.

To his surprise, Marganna made no move. Seeing the Kingdom of Kainter's army advancing towards them, Ryan began to feel uneasy.