After making their way through the manor for some distance, Han Shuo learned that the thin little man was named Chester and was a thief. From Chester, Han Shuo also learned a few things about the Dark Curtain Organization.
Members of Dark Curtain were divided into three tiers-Dark Star, Dark Moon, and Dark Sun-according to their contributions to the organization. The stars filling the night sky symbolized the Dark Star members scattered throughout every corner of the Empire. Dark Moon members ranked one tier higher, but they still could not appear in the light and could only live in shadowy corners. The higher-ranking Dark Sun members, however, could appear before the public in broad daylight, shining like the sun.
The three tiers of sun, moon, and star were each further divided into five ranks according to their contributions to the Empire. Han Shuo, for instance, was now a Dark Star Envoy. A tiny star on the back of his iron badge indicated that he was a One-Star Envoy, the lowest rank among Dark Star Envoys.
As his contributions to the Empire increased, the iron badge would gradually accumulate two, three, four, and five stars. Upon advancing beyond five stars, he would be promoted to Dark Moon Envoy. Then, following the same progression as the Dark Star Envoys, he would advance from One-Moon Envoy to Five-Moon Envoy. The same subdivisions applied all the way up to the high-ranking Dark Sun Envoys.
As long as one advanced to a higher rank, not only would the monthly salary increase considerably, but one could also enjoy more privileges within the Dark Curtain Organization. At the highest rank, someone like Candida answered directly to His Majesty the King, standing below only one man and above everyone else, with wealth and glory within easy reach.
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