The black sun hangs high

Chapter 380 Embarrassment
Faced with Kizlov's question, Tatiana, who always considered herself a student, immediately took a very serious attitude. She thought for a few seconds before answering, "I think... no matter how many infiltrators there are, they have been operating for quite some time, and it is very likely that they had already taken action before the war broke out."

At this point, Tatiana finally mustered the confidence to lift her head. She pursed her dry lips and continued, "I've checked all the information on that 'traitor,' and he seems to have absolutely no problems. He was originally a local mage in St. Steel, and he had been gathering intelligence for the Legal Committee for us even earlier... That's why he was able to escape those previous checks and screenings, since this task was mainly aimed at members who joined the society later."

"Yes, that makes some sense."

Krzlov nodded slowly, but then he continued, “However, as I said before, you like, or are used to, making judgments based on your own false assumptions before you have a definite conclusion and evidence, and this will very easily lead you astray.”

Tatiana lowered her head again. At this moment, she was no longer a formal member of the Black Sun Society, but, as before, a student listening to her teacher's teachings.

“Tatiana, you don’t need to feel guilty or ashamed, because these things were destined to be beyond your control from the very beginning.”

Krzlov slowly beckoned, and a chair behind him, enveloped in powerful magic, slowly moved over and gently touched Tatiana's knees, causing the tense and loyal member of the society to sit down.

Tatiana knew her teacher very well; she knew this was Kizlov's habit when he began to formally explain and teach.

Within the Black Sun Society, although Kizlov possessed an astonishingly high reputation and was known for his stern demeanor, he was very patient with his direct subordinates and the students he had personally trained. Although Tatiana instinctively feared Kizlov's strictness, she would not miss any formal teaching opportunity.

“I know you are incredibly devout to the gods and extremely loyal to the society, but like many of us, you have limited understanding of the power we are using and following…”

Kozlov's expression didn't change much. He spoke slowly in a calm tone: "The key to why I asked you the question earlier wasn't actually about the infiltration time of those so-called traitors, nor their specific numbers or purposes."

"It is almost impossible to remain hidden within the society for a long time, because the truth we pursue, our faith, and the power with ancient and sacred origins will not allow it to happen. Anyone who witnesses those real scenes will be permanently marked... Those who witness miracles will also be watched by the gods. This is not empty talk, but an absolute rule that exists in the power."

Although Kozlov spoke slowly, his words possessed an astonishing power that left no room for argument or doubt.

But then his tone subtly changed: "Therefore, your guesses and judgments are meaningless, because even a swordsman who comes from the Sword-Holding Hermitage and has a devout faith in that false god will become our staunch comrade after personally touching our secret ritual and being influenced by the divine influence from the Dark Abyss. Therefore, it is impossible for any traitor to appear within our ranks."

"Those fools, they have tried many times before... However, in the face of our secret ritual, the spies of the Votel people will be easily exposed, and the mage spies of the Law Council have been executed in countless batches. As for those spying from other regions, they have long since become our loyal comrades."

Tatiana raised her head slightly: "You mean, we've completely targeted the wrong person? That society member wasn't a traitor, but simply... 'dealt with' by someone?"

"hehe."

Krzlov smiled and nodded: "So, assuming this new inference holds true, Tatiana, who do you think would be the most suspicious?"

Upon hearing this, Tatiana's expression quickly darkened, and a name slipped out: "Fiorlando."

Krzlov seemed unsurprised by his student's answer. He smiled and tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "Yes, he is indeed a prime suspect... However, Fiorlando's situation is similar to that of the previous member you suspected. The only difference is that one survived while the other disappeared."

Krzlov asked seriously, "I ask you, when you went to the Rock Lake Mine to investigate, did you confirm Fiorlando's identity? Was there anyone who could prove his connection to our secret ritual?"

"Of course, teacher."

Tatiana nodded and said, “I randomly selected a miner and searched all his memories. When Fiorlando arrived at the mine that day, he publicly touched the occult in front of many people and prayed. He even performed a ritual originating from the god of ‘Giant Hill’ with the help of the occult. After further investigation, it was because of this ritual that the miners’ riot was discovered in time, and he himself survived as a result.”

At this point, Tatiana's expression became subtle.

She thought she had finally set her sights on a new goal, but under the teacher's guidance, she herself overturned this nascent hypothesis.

"You see, all your ideas should have a solid and reliable foundation and premise."

Krzlov clearly saw through all his student's confusion, and he answered accordingly: "The reason I pay attention to Feorlando is simply because he is at the center of this series of events. The remedial measures he has taken and the preparations for the rally are perhaps not because he is particularly proactive, but because he is afraid and worried about his situation and fears the punishment that may come at any time."

Should we punish him?

"No, of course not."

Krzlov shook his head: "Continue to monitor him, just do what you did before... He is still our comrade-in-arms. Although he made a mistake, it was not his fault, because he, like you, is not capable of directly confronting certain dangerous and corrupt beings."

Tatiana looked up in surprise: "You have a specific suspect?"

"It's not just a suspicion, I'm absolutely certain that the mastermind behind this is 'that guy'," Kezlov said with a smile.

"That guy? Who is he?"

“A traitor…one who has touched the truth yet deliberately deviates from it, who bears the divine grace and favor yet chooses to be an enemy of the gods.”

A rare hint of emotion flickered in Krzlov's voice—confusion, regret, and also anger and discontent. After a brief pause, Krzlov continued, "Now, many fools regard him as the representative of that false god left in Vaan, or call him by names like legend or hero... Ha, Hugh Ernst, perhaps he really does believe himself to be that false god's messenger now?"

……

In fact, Kzlov was completely overthinking it.

Hugh simply didn't have the time or the inclination to think about such things; his head was already full of too many things. The issue of disguising his identity as Baron Fiorlando, the issue of contacting the Black Sun Society, the internal operations of the Rock Lake Mine, the issue of intelligence transmission with the Dawn Sword in the rear... Of course, the figure of one of his "teachers" was also more or less involved.

Nowadays, everyone is under a lot of pressure, and when the pressure people bear reaches a certain level or crosses a certain boundary, it is very easy for them to lose control or do things with obvious emotional characteristics.

Hugh was in this state. He was walking alone in the mine, ostensibly on patrol, but actually trying to clear his mind and sort out his thoughts.

Similarly, Weilin is in a similar situation.

She pushed aside the pile of intelligence and map documents in front of her, then gently picked up the magic dagger that had been given to her as a gift, and took a clean gauze cloth to gently wipe its surface.

In a time when desserts are scarce, this is the most important "spiritual nourishment" for Vilin when she is not working.

She squinted, feeling the delicate, intricate patterns on the dagger's surface through the thin veil, while trying to figure out her current situation.

She has always liked to use reason and logic to analyze everything she comes into contact with. This habit has been of great help and benefit to her in the past, enabling her to think calmly and respond positively when facing terrible problems or difficult predicaments.

However, this habit can also be a double-edged sword in certain circumstances.

Rigorous logic brings a clear perspective, which in turn leads to comprehensive understanding. However, sometimes, comprehensive and thorough understanding brings not hope, but a deeper sense of powerlessness.

Even despair.

Veraine's self-control was clearly out of control regarding Hugh Ernst and the things he was about to face, and she was well aware of this.

What made her feel even more helpless was that the reason and logic she had always relied on told her that the basis of this extremely exaggerated worry and anxiety was not a relationship like "friends" or "teacher and student".

These uncontrollable, chaotic emotions and thoughts contained a great deal of things that she had never wanted to think about or talk about in the past.

Veraine recalled that when she was studying in Merlinle a few years ago, the young mages she knew were always obsessed with interpersonal relationships called "love." Although these young people were well aware that the so-called love they talked about was often much shorter than their studies, this special kind of interpersonal activity still had a strong attraction for them, making them devote all their free time outside of books and experiments to it.

In the past, Vivian was unwilling to comment on such activities and relationships.

The main reason is that, as someone who has never truly participated in or experienced this kind of "activity," Vilin feels that she probably has no right to point fingers at others. She is simply somewhat resistant and believes that she has more important things to choose from.

At least on the surface, that's how she's always acted, using similar excuses when brushing off or refusing annoying invitations.

Vera was very satisfied with her decision.

The feeling of being completely in control of her preferences, thoughts, and will gave Weilin extreme satisfaction. However, at times, she would also feel a little lost. After all, given her personality and habits, it was really too difficult for her to find someone with whom she could have an equal exchange, dialogue, and share interesting knowledge and topics.

"So, when exactly did all this change?"

The action of wiping the dagger suddenly stopped.

Under the light of the crystallizing lamp on the table, her face was vaguely reflected on the surface of the dagger, and at that moment, she got the answer she wanted.

"If I hadn't pursued the manuscript of 'The Poem of the Night' so relentlessly, I probably wouldn't have accepted the commission from the Ernst family, and naturally I wouldn't have gone to Seren... much less that night..."

She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose, and then everything gradually became clear.

An explosion that occurred inexplicably in the dead of night, fleeing shapeshifters, deserted streets, and of course, the seemingly drunk young writer and his "obscene" manuscript that would make most people blush...

At this moment, Veraine was surprised to discover that what seemed to be leading her to the city of Seren was precisely her long-standing pursuit and yearning for those lost knowledge and manuscripts. Moreover, those ancient secrets and powers with unknown origins were like an invisible yet strong and elegant rope, which had tightly connected her to another peculiar individual, until now...

Strange thoughts like these kept popping up, which made Vera increasingly upset.

This was clearly a very unsuccessful attempt at adjustment and relaxation. After a moment, she reluctantly put down the magic dagger in her hand, and then instinctively raised the back of her hand and gently touched her cheek.

She was certain that her body temperature had risen.

“I should focus on these jobs and tasks… instead of being like this!”

She was finally getting a little exasperated. After taking two big gulps of ice water that she had cooled down with magic, she put the dagger back in its place and then moved the documents back to their original positions.

And so, she plunged headlong into this sea of ​​documents.

Although she looked very disheveled, Vilin felt that she had figured some things out.

(End of this chapter)