In an alley somewhere in the imperial capital…0

“Effenhauser. Why aren’t you complying with the Order’s decision?”0

“…”0

Effenhauser listened silently to the woman in the black robe, who was leaning against the alley wall.0

“It is almost certain that the Council possesses Akasha,” she said. “I told you to track Akasha down using the head of the Wednesday clan.”0

“We still don’t know what exactly Akasha is,” Effenhauser replied.0

In response to Effenhauser’s brief answer, the woman in the black robe quietly wiggled her white fingers.0

“Isn’t that something we can think about after we secure Akasha?”0

“If we recklessly provoke the head of the Wednesday clan, the Council might feel threatened and use Akasha.”0

“…”0

The original purpose of the Black Order was not to secure Akasha but to annihilate Cantus Magna. After the battle at the lich’s tomb, the Council had severed contact with the Black Order.0

Maintaining their alliance was no longer possible. 0

It was clear that they had achieved their goal and had withdrawn at an appropriate time. That was not particularly unreasonable, since alliances were often meant to last only as long as the mutual interests of both parties aligned.0

However, the Order was now trying to respond to the new threat of Akasha.0

The only lead they had was Lucinil, who had infiltrated the Temple as a first-year student. However, Effenhauser, who was an insider at the Temple, was currently ignoring the Order’s...0