The drawn sword was not Night Watchman, but the Dragon Scale Sword. As its gleam cleaved downward, black light spilled from the unfamiliar Ring Arcanist just as the Crow had moments ago, only to be burst apart like foam by the sword's radiance the next instant.
"I thought this involved some massive conspiracy. After all that, you really did just pick Emilia because she was unlucky."
Shade did not press his advantage. Instead, he walked forward with Emilia. The Ring Arcanist in the clown mask was already sprawled on the ground, coughing blood. Watching the two draw closer, he scattered another cloud of black mist and turned to flee into the distance. Shade did not pursue him, because not long afterward, Emilia's two companions, Mr. Rio Enshir and Miss Matila Delas, returned with the fleeing man.
His mask had been removed, and Emilia, who was clutching Shade's arm, recognized him at once:
"It was him! He sold me that metal die on the train!"
"You'll never learn the Cult's secrets!"
Even while restrained, the man continued to curse viciously, using extremely venomous slang to damn everyone present.
"Are you trying to make us overlook your other companion, the one who released the Crow?"
Shade asked. Then another set of footsteps approached. Luvia, Miss Shalina Muris, and two Ring Arcanists Shade did not know escorted another masked Ring Arcanist clad in a black cloak over.
Ms. Shalina Muris was also from Saint Byron's. After graduating in 1852 as a sixth-year student, she had been assigned to Tobesk to manage the Academy's business in this area.
No matter how much Shade wanted to help Emilia after she had been targeted by cultists, he certainly could not keep it from the Academy any longer. Upon receiving the news, the Academy immediately contacted Ms.