Striking from Afar, the Dark Star Lord

After they had discussed where to build the construct laboratory and what equipment it would need, Fanny took her leave of John and departed the Governor's Office. At Wendy's arrangement, she went to rest in one of its guest rooms.

Once Fanny had gone, John did not return to his bedroom. Instead, he went over the details in his head as he walked to the wall where a map of the Loran Kingdom hung and studied it.

As though wrestling with a difficult problem, he drew his black brows together, his expression unusually grave.

Knock, knock!

After some time, a dull knock interrupted John's thoughts. He rubbed his aching temples, then said without turning around, "Come in!"

Creak!

The door swung open, and Laiya walked in wearing training clothes.

When she saw John standing with his back to her, confusion flickered in her eyes. Still, she stepped up beside him and silently handed him an encrypted document. "John, we just received a report. All traces connected to the deaths of those three Loran Kingdom nobles have been dealt with.

"The Functional Group made the scene look like a monster attack. As you ordered, our intelligence agents stationed in the Loran Kingdom have informed Kasga and the other two families involved that the three are 'missing.' We haven't received a reply yet."

"Also, this is the intelligence on the Kascga Family and the six religious orders that you had requested from Imperial Military Intelligence Section Five this afternoon."

"Thanks for the effort, Laiya."

John took the document, but instead of opening it, he set it on the desk.

He turned to Laiya, who looked as though she had something to say. Sensing the shy Strong Girl's confusion, he smiled and shook his head. "Something I'm looking into happens to involve them,