He glanced at the Dean. The old man had graying hair and a gaunt face, wore the standard robe of the Tower of Erudition, and sat quietly with his hands resting on his knees.
The Gray-White Text's assessment when he entered had been "False Believer." Whatever was on this old man was far more complicated than what he showed on the surface.
The Great Ascendant interjected at this point.
"It has indeed sprouted." The sound of metal grinding came from behind his panel. "I'm not sure of the exact location, but it should be within the Tower of Erudition's grounds."
Arthur's expression turned even uglier.
He had overseen the entire Fishing Plan at the Tower of Erudition. The Inspector's authority, authorization from Empire Headquarters, improvements to the harvest equipment—he had pushed all of it through himself. He had been at the Tower of Erudition for so long, walked through nearly every floor, and seen nearly every laboratory.
A Seed had sprouted right under his nose, and he had not known?!
Arthur fell silent for several seconds.
His gaze moved away from Klaus, swept over everyone present, then returned to the map on the table. It was as though he was considering something—or suppressing something.
"Get the Seed first."
Klaus smiled.
"That was exactly what I had in mind."
He glanced at Arthur.
"Didn't we say earlier that we should take a look at the Tower of Erudition? This is a good chance to verify it, isn't it?"
The meeting room fell quiet for a moment. The Marching Lamp's flame flickered, and the oil lamp's wick gave off a faint crackling sound.
"Then let's go..."
The Earl's attendant moved first. He walked to the door and pushed open the heavy Copper Door for the old man.
Cold air from the corridor