Xika answered, "There shouldn't be a problem with Professor Arkansas, but we still can't say why he was exposed. Since Cyrabelle returned to the Royal Capital, our intelligence operations have almost stopped. Most of our people have gone dormant, so it's hard to get a clear picture of the situation."
Sebolutes fell silent for a moment. "Forget it. Don't investigate this for now. Have our people remain dormant and stay off the Anomalies Bureau's radar. With things as they are... Ah."
Xika had never seen Sebolutes look so weary and powerless. She did not dare say more. She nodded her assent and withdrew.
After Xika left, Sebolutes remained where she was, her gaze fixed on the map on the wall.
About half an hour later, the door opened again. This time, it was not Xika but a masked figure in black. The newcomer approached Sebolutes from behind, dropped to one knee, and reported in a respectful, low voice, "My lady, Professor Arkansas's situation is largely as Lady Xika described."
"Very well. I understand," Sebolutes said flatly. She had told Xika not to investigate further, but she had deployed her own elite Shadow Division.
Though these operatives were not as strong in combat as the members of Zero Group, they were experts at covert infiltration, gathering intelligence, and concealing their movements.
Professor Arkansas alone was not important enough for Sebolutes to play her last card. She went on, "How are Marquis Belon's preparations coming along?"
As it turned out, Sebolutes had withdrawn from the Royal Palace without cutting ties with Marquis Belon. Cyrabelle's forceful return had only drawn the allies closer. This Shadow Division operative was specifically responsible for maintaining contact with the marquis; investigating Professor Arkansas had merely been incidental.
"Marquis Belon has prepared fifteen thousand soldiers as planned. Half