462. Exploration

"I will absolutely not return until I have broken through to the seventh rank in one go."

Green Tree Castle, Inner Circle.

Looking at the familiar scenery, the Shadow Clone smiled, playing its part perfectly. "This Shadow Clone of mine is just placed here in case of emergency."

After all, Rhode and his companions couldn't travel to the Myriad Spirit World!

He appeared inside the villa, somewhat wistful.

At this point, he was no longer human.

If they hadn't actively concealed their Mythical Body form, even a slight display of their power would likely have resulted in heavy casualties in the Inner Circle, much like in the otherworldly Royal Capital.

"It still feels somewhat oppressive, but it's much better than the Dragon World."

The [Spirit Mage] is a class that doesn't rely much on the world.

In addition, the sheer size and vastness of the Main World made Sulu feel much better than in the Dragon World.

He opened the door, intending to go out and say hello.

But the next instant, Sulu looked toward a corner of the garden.

There, an invisible servant imbued with magical energy was trembling, when it suddenly vanished.

"A familiar? A servant? A spirit? It's definitely something Dunstan created... Was he waiting for me?"

Sulu seemed to realize something, and sat on a bench in the garden, gazing at the lawn in front of him.

Because of his hobby, the area is filled with Wormwood, which emits a refreshing aroma.

"Your Excellency Sulu, welcome home."

Dunstan, dressed casually in a coat, looking just like any other ordinary old man next door, sat down next to him.

"Lord Dunstan, you seem quite eager to see me?"

Sulu asked with a smile.

"Yes."

Dunstan lowered his voice. "Right after you left, the Federation had a mission and they were looking for you urgently... but I hope you can calm down first."

"Oh?"

Sulu stared at Dunstan: "Another assigned mission? From the Church?"

"That's right, and it's related to your friend— Sean."

Dunstan said helplessly.

"I sensed something unusual about it."

Sulu pouted. "Chief, what's your suggestion?"

"My advice is... don't go!" Dunstan stared into Sulu's eyes. "That mission is dangerous, especially for you."

"Thank you for your advice!"

Sulu thanked him, somewhat surprised.

Judging from Dunstan's words, this was no longer an implication, but an explicit statement.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Green Tree Castle's interests are not necessarily entirely aligned with those of the Federation, not to mention the Church of the Goddess of Light.

But Sulu was a true 'one of us', so of course we had to remind him.

"However... I'd still like to see the case file description first."

Sulu took a deep breath.

He learned a great deal of useful information from Sivinardo's divine knowledge.

For example, for a god to descend and manifest in Avatar, extremely stringent conditions are required.

Furthermore, most deities rarely focus on any one world.

This is good news.

However, there was also bad news, namely the rank of the Goddess of Light.

This Goddess also has another title: ' Dominator of Light'!

Ninth tier! A Dominator deity!

Upon realizing this, Sulu's true form immediately abandoned any intention of returning.

"All right..."

Dunstan took out his pipe, slowly exhaled a smoke ring, and rose to take his leave. "You will soon see what you want..."

A moment later, in the study.

Sulu put down the quest description and information about Green Tree Castle, sighing, "The Ruins of Doom? I never imagined it would be there..."

As per the mission briefing, the Bureau 11 dispatched an elite team to explore the Ruins of Doom of Doom on the high seas, but suffered heavy casualties.

This even led to some members going missing and their whereabouts remaining unknown.

Subsequently, the Bureau 11 lacked manpower and had to request reinforcements.

Because of their personal relationship, when this mission arrived at Green Tree Castle, it was specifically assigned to Sulu.

"Unfortunately... I was already in the Dragon World at the time. But... even knowing that a mission with such a strong sense of conspiracy, would I be a fool to go?"

Sulu curled his lip in disdain.

However, it's also clear that things can't be viewed in one way.

Those caught in the game of chess find it difficult to step back and see the bigger picture.

He is, after all, a legend of the Federation, a valuable asset. That's how everyone sees him. Over time, this has led to a fixed mindset: perhaps... there was no conspiracy at all, perhaps... the Church just wanted to suppress him a little.

And Sean was there too.

If the compensation had been more generous, some people probably would have found it hard to refuse under the circumstances.

"Now that so much time has passed, I hope everything is alright inside the ruins..."

Sulu smiled slightly.

No matter how meticulous a plan is on paper, you'll never know how many mistakes or oversights it might have until it's implemented.

At this point, we already have the advantage.

"So much time has passed, even if the Church made arrangements, they might have already withdrawn... Besides, I'm just Shadow Clone; if I fall, they can simply send another one. That Sean guy..."

He shook his head, turned to the last page of the introduction, and suddenly raised an eyebrow:

"Department of Faith Theory, list of those to be dealt with?"

This was not a mission from the Federation, but rather intelligence compiled by Green Tree Castle in its later stages, which included information about the Church of the Goddess of Light.

Given how long the plan has been going on, leaks are to be expected; this is Dunstan pointing the finger at the enemy.

"Really..."

Sulu shook his head. "That's what they call plans not keeping up with changes... What was originally a good conspiracy has become a joke after a while."

Of course, if he hadn't left so gracefully, things might be very different now.

"The Ruins of Doom, let's go take a look."

With a thought, his figure slowly disappeared.

On the high seas, on a deserted island.

Sulu's figure gradually appeared.

Actually, he obtained this address during his last operation after capturing Shield of Earth and interrogating him; the exact location is within Green Tree Castle.

Outsiders might charge him for the information, but it's free for him.

"Ruins capable of defeating even fifth-tier professionals..."

Sulu stepped forward and entered the dense tropical jungle.

Although he deliberately concealed his Mythical Body, a powerful aura lingered, driving away the insect beasts.

Before long, a cluster of man-made buildings appeared before Sulu.

"This style?"

Sulu glanced around, his pupils contracting slightly as he thought of the Death God Ruins in the Dragon World.

There are quite a few similarities between the two architectural styles.

"Lady Moon? No... I think I understand now. This is the Mausoleum of an [Emperor of Doom], or perhaps even higher... No wonder it brings misfortune!"

[Emperor of Doom]!

This is the sixth-tier class of the Necromancer, rumored to possess a certain degree of power to manipulate misfortune!

Just as Sulu entered.

White Eagle City, Church of the Goddess of Light, Department of Faith Theory.

"Grown ups!"

A clergyman rushed into Alfred's office. "According to the Church's Curio detection... someone else has entered that ruin, it's Sulu Potter!"