That night, the Secret Realm Weaver's Book of Esoteric Arts and research materials were delivered through the Mirror Secret Realm's passage to the area housing the Black Castle's Magic Department.
Two members of the royal guard emerged from the mirror, each carrying a black case, then entered the Magic Department's office corridor.
The first office, Walton's, was still empty, while the light was on in Mulan's office. He had been waiting for this moment.
Mulan had already risen to his feet when he heard their footsteps.
"Lord Jonester, we have been ordered to deliver these magical materials to you."
"All right. Thank you for your efforts."
The two royal guards entered the office, approached the desk, and gently set down the two cases, one large and one small. Then they bowed and stepped back, waiting for Mulan to check that the materials were complete.
By now, practically everyone in the royal guard knew about the Shadow Demon Gaormos. Although Mulan Jonester had captured him and certainly subjected him to extrajudicial punishment in the Black Castle, at least Mulan Jonester had not kicked Gaormos while he was down. Instead, his report had leaned in Gaormos's favor and offered a fair assessment.
That alone had earned Mulan the goodwill of everyone in the royal guard. After all, guilty though Gaormos was, he had still been their colleague for many years.
Mulan reached out to touch the larger case, took out his Magic Department badge, and pressed it lightly against the surface. Then he ran his fingers over several runes on the case.
All the runes on the case glowed faintly, and it opened by itself. Inside were two neatly arranged stacks of magic books, their thicknesses and covers varying. There appeared to be more than a dozen in total.
He opened the