Obsidian Hall

A few minutes later, a troop of cavalry arrived at Professor Beshe's doorstep.

They wore gray-green uniforms that hung to their knees, thick felt caps on their heads, and Sea Wolf-60 bolt-action rifles imported from the Loselin Empire on their backs. Compared to Aleppo's black double-breasted trench coat, they looked rather dull.

Looking at the fiercely burning little building, the leading officer frowned. "What happened here? A gas explosion? Damn it..."

"It was spies from the Khalid Sultanate."

The sudden voice startled the officer. Only then did he notice the unfamiliar man standing tall beneath the night sky.

"Who are you?! Why are you here?! Raise your hands and answer my questions!" the officer barked. Every soldier behind him went on alert, and in an instant, a mass of black gun barrels was aimed at the man.

Yet the man merely turned around calmly.

Beneath the night sky, illuminated by the soaring flames, the officer saw the man's face clearly. It was handsome and composed, carrying a sternness beyond his years. But when his gaze shifted to Lude and he recognized his uniform, his face turned deathly pale.

"Obsi..." the officer murmured, nearly trembling. "Obsidian Hall...?"

Noticing the officer's fear, Lude smiled faintly. He removed his hat and gave a slight nod of greeting. "Long live His Majesty Kossuth III. I believe we should discuss just how negligent you had to be to let spies from the Khalid Sultanate infiltrate this place."

Watching the officer begin to shake, Lude laughed inwardly. His plan had succeeded.

The King's Secret Order Processing Department, abbreviated as KVO, was a secret police force directly under the king. Since everyone arrested by this organization had to pass through an obsidian hall, the people of the Rhine Kingdom also called it the [Obsidian Hall].

Vienna was known as the [City of Pure White], and it seemed to hold some special significance in mysticism.

When the Black Tide Society had first arrived in the capital of the Rhine Kingdom, they urgently needed a large enough plot of land to establish a base and alchemy workshop. They needed transport authorization to bring materials and supplies in from all over, and they needed public security authority to avoid being extorted by every side.

So Don Juan sent three members of his Elite Guard to infiltrate the Obsidian Hall. Aleppo was one of them.

The Obsidian Hall held considerable power within The Empire. After all, the authority gained from integrating the military, police, gendarmerie, and special services was no joke. They could arrest and even execute almost anyone they targeted without trial, so no one wanted to offend them.

The Obsidian Hall's methods were notoriously overbearing, which gave Lude an opportunity to borrow the tiger's might.

After putting on Aleppo's clothes, Lude discovered that the approaching soldiers belonged to the city defense force, and that the slowpokes would take some time to arrive. So he boldly ransacked Professor Beshe's home for spoils, then set it on fire when he was done.

How should he put it? Lude had not merely gained something this time—he had made a fortune.

Life Creation: Artificial Life, Method of Igniting Dreams, Art of Fire and Steel, Suanni: First Prey, How to Kill the Dead, Refining Fire and Tidal Sound: The War of Two Gods, Twelve Uses of Fire Salt, Dragon Genealogy Research...

Quite a few of these texts were marked as unique copies, and many were simply Professor Beshe's own research records.

Besides those most valuable books, Lude had also found quite a few interesting things on Professor Beshe's bookshelves and in his safe.

A straight, slender yew stick set with rubies, which looked exactly like a magic wand.

Two entire suitcases of processed consumable materials, sorted into labeled glass bottles and tubes.

A double-barreled hunting rifle forged from alchemical materials, along with twelve No. 12 Lightning Dragon Breath Shells capable of piercing dragon hide.

A bottle of wine produced by Lavelin Manor, its blood-red liquid carrying a fragrance that seemed to seep through the glass. For some reason, staring at it reminded Lude of Siana. Perhaps it was because her eyes were as red as blood, just like this wine?

A box of .38-caliber Consecrated Bullets, perfectly suited for Aleppo's Iron Sparrow revolver.

Most importantly, there was likely what Professor Beshe had prepared for his own escape: a small pouch of glittering gold and silver coins, along with a small stack of bank drafts.

All the supplies and plans Professor Beshe had prepared for his escape now belonged to Lude.

That was right. In Professor Beshe's pocket was an escape plan that had clearly been in the making for a long time. It even contained numerous ways to exploit an Obsidian Hall member's identity, likely intended as a memo for Aleppo.

That was why Lude had deceived the garrison so skillfully—he had merely followed the script.

Seeing Lude's uniform, then glancing at his epaulets, the patrol captain immediately broke out in a cold sweat. What terrible sin had he committed to run into these unreasonable living demons?!

This was the Obsidian Hall! They were all ruthless men who acted first and reported later!

The officer dismounted at once and saluted Lude. "Captain Artyom, commander of the Vienna Eastern District's Thirty-Seventh Street Defense Unit under the Rhine Kingdom Royal Capital Cavalry Division, salutes you! Please give your orders!"

Slap! Without another word, Lude struck him across the face, sending the captain flying.

Only after the captain climbed back to his feet did Lude speak in anger. "Responsible officer? What exactly were you responsible for? Look at this house! Professor Beshe was industrial talent the kingdom had worked hard to bring in, and now he has been assassinated by Sultanate spies! Can you take responsibility for that?!"

The captain... the captain's cold sweat was nearly pouring into his boots.

Heaven knew that because the old king had recently fallen seriously ill, signs of regional division had already begun appearing within the Rhine Kingdom. Starting several months ago, every outsider had to undergo at least three rounds of inspection. By all rights, no foreigner should have been able to slip in.

Unfortunately, no matter how tightly the army guarded things, it could not withstand an insider in the Obsidian Hall, much less someone like Lude, who had smuggled himself in with a soul.

But the captain knew perfectly well that if this matter could not be resolved today, he would probably be roasting in sulfur fires in hell. His wife and daughter would likely be exiled to some distant place to dig potatoes. His daughter was only three years old...

Seeing the captain's legs trembling, Lude narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly.

He ordered imperiously, "Your punishment is the military department's business. I have no time for such trivial nonsense. First, notify the fire department to put out the blaze. Then notify the confidentiality office to inspect and secure the classified documents. Next, find the gas bureau and cut off the gas supply to this street, and then..."

One after another, Lude assigned the captain dozens of tasks in a single breath.

The captain was nearly dizzy from listening!

But he could only nod frantically, because he knew that this meant the matter was essentially over.

He was still in the wrong for having committed such a serious blunder, but if the military handled the punishment, at worst they would strip him of his uniform. He might even only be demoted. In any case, he would not be shot on the spot.

As for doing errands... then he would do them. It was better than being executed right here!

Only after watching the captain leave did Lude finally breathe a sigh of relief. He then dragged a horse out of the stable, mounted it, and spurred it straight toward the train station!

He had no choice but to run. If he did not, his disguise would be exposed!