An Astonishing Message

Old Oscar opened the wooden box and saw a rolled-up sheet of Star-Pattern Paper, a small bottle of Starry Sky Ink, and a golden Goose Feather Quill inside.

"My lord, what is this?" the guard Zong Hu asked, looking over in confusion.

The old man explained to the guard, Zong Hu, "As you said, we are more or less safe now and will soon return to Soma. Since that is the case, it is time to bring things here to an end. The piece we planted must serve its purpose. It would be best if he could help us learn more about Pompey. That would be meaningful to us."

After speaking, the old man dipped the Goose Feather Quill into the Starry Sky Ink and began writing on the Star-Pattern Paper. He carefully wrote a line: "I have left safely. I hope you will act as agreed. If possible, keep a closer watch on a Volcano Town in the northwest."

Originally, the old man had intended to write the town's name directly—Pompey. But recalling what the recipient had previously said about the possibility of "interception and deciphering," he ultimately cautiously chose to use "Volcano Town" instead.

After writing the line, the old man watched the handwriting slowly fade away. Once he confirmed that the message had been successfully sent, he let out a soft breath.

He did not notice that an invisible presence above his head suddenly departed.

Guard Zong Hu, a Level 4 Wizard, had suffered injuries too severe for his senses not to be greatly impaired outside of combat. He did not notice either.

As the words on the Star-Pattern Paper grew fainter and nearly vanished, the old man reached out to roll it up, intending to save it for the next chance to use it.

But the