Matthew arrived at a house in the Six-Ring Western District. The node there led into the Interstitial World, right beside the Land of Mist's new base.
His form shifted, and he became a refined-looking man in white robes.
He intended to keep using the appearance of the robed woman's companion. Even if she broke free of the Imperius Curse, she would not discover his identity.
Matthew took out a dark red-and-black sphere. Members of the Land of Mist used these spheres to enter the Interstitial World.
When he activated it, a strange Energy Fluctuation rippled outward. The world spun, and a powerful sense of weightlessness washed over him.
Matthew knew the sensation well by now. He quickly adjusted.
He passed through the sphere into the Interstitial World. The Land of Mist's new base stood not far away.
Matthew summoned the robed woman to ask about the situation. "Aida, how are things here?"
"Construction is finished. It's only a temporary base, so it didn't take long," the robed woman said. "But headquarters sent me a message. Several groups will be coming soon, and we're to house them here. They also told me to watch the movements of the wizard councilors and key members of their families."
"They want you watching the councilors? Are they planning to go after them? What's happening in the Emerald Kingdom now?" Matthew asked.
Before its civil strife, the Emerald Kingdom had been no weaker than the Blizzard Kingdom overall. But years of brutal, large-scale conflict had followed. Wars involving wizards were bloody and terrifying, and many refugees had fled to the Blizzard Kingdom.
"So far, our only assignment is to track their movements. There may be new orders once the reinforcements from the Emerald Kingdom arrive. The civil war is over now. The second prince won,