Can't I Raise Myself? Chapter 36

The voice was difficult to discern, as if distorted by some power.

Adler's body trembled, and he quickly explained, "Caslathdi joined forces with the Burning Covenant. Their numbers were overwhelming, and Caslathdi is a powerful sorcerer."

"Is that the reason?"

"No, no..."

Creed said indifferently, "Adler, you've disappointed me greatly. The Grand Duke personally assigned this matter, and you handled it like this. Your first instinct wasn't to report it."

Thump.

Adler knelt on the ground and shouted, "I wanted to make arrangements before reporting!"

"So, have you made arrangements now?"

"Y-yes... I've hidden the remaining members of the Hand of Darkness. There will be no problems. The Burning Covenant made their move today, and Ryan... Oh, thanks to Ryan, he's now an official investigator and his magical talent has reached C-class. I've put him in the position of Bureau of Governance captain. He will definitely be valued more and more by the Burning Covenant!"

"Oh? Not bad."

Creed nodded slightly.

C-class talent was indeed much better than that of ordinary people. Theoretically, he could reach the fifth-tier Supernatural Being, making him worth cultivating.

"This Ryan is your only hope," Creed said. "If the Grand Duke hadn't planned to move against the Burning Covenant, you would have lost all your value, understand?"

"I understand, I understand."

Adler nodded repeatedly, feeling fortunate that he had Ryan under him. Otherwise, he didn't know how he would have died by now.

"Alright, lie low for now. I'll send someone to support you."

With that, Creed's figure disappeared into the mirror.

"Hoo~"

Adler stood up, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Fortunately, it seems there's still hope."

He had been terrified that Creed would say, 'Adler, you're useless now.' Thankfully, there was Ryan... "Right, I need to quickly deliver what he wants."

He didn't care about the Hand of Darkness anymore. Adler just wanted to cling to Ryan, his lifeline.

Seven in the evening.

A light rain began to fall in Berman City.

After finishing his work at the bureau, Ryan drove to the bookstore in the East District.

There was no one else in the bookstore.

"Mr. Ryan."

From behind the cashier's counter, Keisha stood up and nodded to Ryan.

"The item the Master gave has been delivered. Would you like to take it now?"

"I'll wait a moment. I want to find a book."

The item wasn't urgent. Ryan wanted to see if there was any information about Casola Prison here.

Ryan walked into the bookshelf area and casually flipped through the books. To his surprise, they had all the books he needed, with a complete variety.

"What book are you looking for, Mr. Ryan?"

"It's quite old. Do you know about Casola Prison?"

"That is indeed quite old. Please wait a moment." Keisha walked to one of the bookshelves and pulled out a book. "There are relevant records in here."

"Oh?"

There really was?

Ryan opened the book. It was a book containing information about various places in the Empire. He found Berman City and then saw the words 'Casola Prison' within it.

It recorded its establishment, its purpose, its usage period, and even its location.

Casola Prison was divided into three areas. Two were within the city, and one was outside the city. The ones within the city were located in the East and West Districts, while the one outside the city was to the southeast. Judging by the current terrain, it was now covered by a forest.

"Three locations..."

Finding the place where 'Shally' was imprisoned would be troublesome. Transportation outside the city was the most difficult but also the safest. The locations within the city were more moderate, so any of them were possible.

"Keisha, do you know Karut?" Ryan asked. "Last night, I heard some news that the Gate of Janus was going to deal with the Blood Cult, and Caslathdi seemed to be looking for information about Casola Prison and Karut."

"Karut? I don't know. Are you looking for information about him?"

"It's a map," Ryan added. "A maze map designed by him."

He wasn't worried about Keisha telling Adler about this. Firstly, Adler was being watched by Jonathan, so even if he had doubts, he wouldn't rashly come to ask.

Secondly, Ryan had framed it as an issue between Caslathdi and the Gate of Janus, so Adler wouldn't go to them for verification. There was no need for that, especially since he was now a loyal subordinate of Magana.

Grand Duke, I am your most loyal subject!

"I haven't heard of it."

"I see... that makes sense."

Ryan nodded, not surprised at all.

Just as he thought he had come all this way for nothing, Keisha suddenly said, "The existence of knowledge is ethereal; it is absorbed by the gods and imprisoned in places beyond human reach. The more you grasp, the more you realize your own ignorance, for knowledge drifts upon a sea of ignorance... Lord Ryan, if you need it, I can help you."

"Oh? How?"

"Please walk to the ninth bookshelf."

"The ninth bookshelf? This one? And then what?"

"The ninth book on the ninth row, open it, and it will tell you the answer you seek."