"When did an agent capable of enslaving dragons appear in the Mist?"
"I saw his face. He was unfamiliar."
"There seem to be quite a few unfamiliar faces at this gathering..."
In Notre Dame Cathedral's central nave, black-cloaked figures began whispering among themselves.
Lin Qiye waved his hand and dismissed the Blazing Vein Earth Dragon. As he approached the ancient archway, another black-cloaked figure stood silently by the entrance like a ghost drifting through the night.
Two numbers had been painted onto the figure's hood in red:
--01
"State your identity," the black phantom said hoarsely.
He spoke in English, but Lin Qiye, who possessed the Linguistic Mastery spell, had no trouble communicating and replied in equally fluent English.
"Brown Miles." Lin Qiye lightly adjusted his monocle, its lens reflecting a pale gleam.
"Agent of Merlin, God of Prophecy and Magic. This is my attendant."
"Merlin?"
The black phantom gave Lin Qiye a surprised look.
"I need to verify your Divine Realm."
"No problem."
Lin Qiye extended a hand and pressed into the void. Dazzling magical radiance bloomed, and a pebble appeared out of thin air in his palm.
The black phantom stood quietly in place, apparently sensing the fluctuations of Lin Qiye's Divine Realm. A moment later, he waved his hand, and two black cloaks automatically drifted into Lin Qiye and He Lin's hands.
"It truly bears the aura of magical laws... Go in."
Lin Qiye glanced at the cloak. Two red numbers were written on the brim of its hood as well:
--33
The cloak in He Lin's hands bore the same number, but in white, presumably to distinguish an agent from an attendant.
Lin Qiye put on the cloak, pulled up the hood, and passed through the towering archway, with He Lin close behind.
Their footsteps echoed