Chapter 100

"我在根据现有的资料进行翻阅整理，怎么？有什么问题吗？"

Xia Lan closed the file on Alec and calmly looked at the guard who had come with ill intent.

Lies breed fear, and a liar's eyes will betray them.

But Xia Lan's calm and composed demeanor revealed no issues.

"You are reading very carefully," the soldier said with a cold expression.

"If I wasn't careful, how could I organize and categorize the information?" As he spoke, Xia Lan took out another file, which read: "Regulations for the Abnormal Cadets of the Royal Military Academy."

This was the reason for Xia Lan's confidence.

While organizing the chaotic pile of files, Xia Lan had accidentally come across this document. After a quick read, he learned that it recorded the abnormal personnel in the history of the Royal Military Academy.

After careful consideration, he found that Alec had graduated from the Royal Military Academy. If the information provided by Nini Luo was correct, Alec undoubtedly belonged to the abnormal category recorded in the document.

He did not continue reading but placed the file at the end, as he suddenly had a good idea.

And this idea was now confirmed.

The soldier took the file Xia Lan had placed on the table, glanced through it casually, and then returned it to Xia Lan, saying, "I hope you won't do anything that causes misunderstandings next time."

With that, the soldier turned and returned to his post.

Xia Lan let out a long breath and glanced around. He noticed that many of the archivists who had sensed the unusual situation were looking at him with strange expressions. Only after the soldier left did they realize it was a false alarm.

"What happened?" Suddenly, a voice came from behind Xia Lan.

Turning around, he saw Spertha with a peculiar smile.

"Sir, it was just a misunderstanding," Xia Lan quickly replied respectfully.

"A misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding?" Spertha asked.

"While organizing the files, I found some omissions and decided to correct them. It just took a bit longer to search and verify," Xia Lan explained, once again holding out the file he used as a shield.

Taking the file from Xia Lan, Spertha glanced through it while looking at the Alec file in Xia Lan's hand, seemingly hinting at something, "A few days ago, there were some issues in the third-level archive. Many files were lost, and the soldiers are naturally more sensitive and cautious..."

"So, be more careful with your actions," Spertha said with a smile, handing the file back to Xia Lan and turning to leave.

File loss? Sensitive soldiers?

From Spertha's words, Xia Lan sensed a problem. The most secure archive in the kingdom's military had experienced an incident. What could be so important that they were so concerned?

Shaking off these thoughts, he knew he needed to continue browsing the key content in the Alec file.

After a brief disturbance, he realized he had little time left.

If he continued to read carefully, his actions would become even more noticeable, and the file he used as a shield might no longer protect him.

Skimming through the file quickly, Xia Lan felt a growing sense of shock.

Because, not only did it detail Alec's sword skills meticulously, but it also delved into his travels during a blank period.

One passage was particularly alarming:

"Through investigating the traces left by Durantes Hannel Alec, we discovered that despite the seemingly complex route, he was always following a specific set of instructions... After losing seven spies, we suspect that the person or organization behind Durantes Hannel Alec is likely the most dangerous and evil 'Subversive Fang' in Eldran!"

Why is it always the Subversive Fang? Why do they appear everywhere?

Putting the Alec file back and quickly finishing the remaining files, Xia Lan returned to the chaotic pile of documents and continued his work.

His colleague seemed unaware of the earlier disturbance and was listlessly sorting through the files. As the sky grew dim, they finally completed their work.

"Good job, you can go home now," Spertha said, clapping his hands and appearing beside them.

"Thank you, sir," they both quickly stood and replied respectfully. However, Xia Lan's colleague looked at Spertha with a hopeful gaze.

"Alright, here is your reward. Go home and rest well," Spertha said, perhaps sensing his colleague's thoughts, and tossed two gold torls to them, adding, "I hope to have such capable subordinates in the future."

...

Maston had woken up at some point, but in the darkness, he could see nothing. As his muddled mind cleared, he suddenly remembered what had happened.

"Bang—"

A loud noise made Maston groan in pain, clutching his aching head. He realized he was under the bed.

Rolling out, he saw the moonlight pouring over him. It was already night.

"You're awake?"

Suddenly, the voice he hated deeply appeared in his ear.

Struggling to sit up by the bed, he saw the person, the one shrouded in a black robe.

"Where are my children?" Maston looked around anxiously, gritting his teeth.

"Don't worry, they are sleeping soundly," the person said, stepping aside. Maston immediately saw his three children lying silently on the ground.

Seeing this, Maston, ignoring his own injuries, struggled to crawl to his children and quickly checked one of their heartbeats.

They were still alive.

"I told you, I am a man of my word," the person said, sitting on the bed nearby.

Gently placing his children back on the bed, Maston turned to the person and asked, "Have you completed your task?"

"It's done," the person said calmly. "But something that happened today caught my attention."

"What happened?" Maston's heart trembled.

"Today, I was suddenly assigned to the third level to do some organizing. I heard that a few days ago, something unusual happened in the third-level archive," the person said slowly.

"Unusual?" Maston lowered his head, hesitating. "I'm sorry, I don't know about this."

"Really?" the person asked.

"Really! I absolutely did not lie to you!" Maston quickly replied.

"Alright... then I have a favor to ask. In the days after I leave, I hope you can help me understand what exactly happened in the third-level archive a few days ago," the person said bluntly.

Maston remained silent for a long time, and the person sighed.

"You don't want to?"

Maston bit his thick lips, glanced at his peacefully sleeping children, and seemed to make a significant decision. He turned to the person and said, "If I help you with this, will you leave me alone and not disturb my life again?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I will help you, but I need time," Maston said through gritted teeth.

"How long?"

"I don't know. If I have any news, I will hang a white cloth on the window," Maston said.

"Very well."

The person nodded in satisfaction, reached into the black robe, and threw a small, full cloth bag to Maston, saying, "I am never stingy with those who help me."

Maston fumbled to catch the bag, and it felt heavy. By the rough touch of his hands, he knew it was likely money, a large sum of money.

"Two hundred gold torls, equivalent to ten years of your salary!"

The person's words confirmed Maston's guess. The bag in his hand was indeed money, and a substantial amount at that.

His first instinct was to throw the money back, but he hesitated.

Perhaps this amount was insignificant to the person, but to him? He could use this money to better support the families of his fallen comrades, provide for his children's meals, and even give them a good education!

The temptation was hard to resist.

He laughed, a bitter laugh.

He didn't know when the pressures of life had changed his once strong, brave, and upright nature as a soldier. A single command mistake had cost him an eye, his health, and his future. Everything had turned upside down.

Now, he could only live a mundane life, working hard every day to atone for his sins and provide for his children, as if he never lived for himself.

He never thought he would be corrupted and fall so low.

"I am a fair person. There is a reward for every effort, so there's no need to feel conflicted. This is my principle," the person said calmly.

"Thank you."

"Thank you? Did I hear that right?" the person asked, surprised.

"Yes, thank you," Maston said with a forced smile.

The person was silent, but Maston felt their gaze on him, a gaze he couldn't quite describe.

"If I find out you have betrayed me, you know the consequences."

With that, the person disappeared from his house.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and an urgent voice called out.

"Maston, are you home?"

It was Mrs. Korav's voice.

"Mrs. Korav? I'm home. I'm sorry, but I broke my leg and can't move. Could you please help me?" Maston shouted toward the door.

"Heavens! How did this happen!" Mrs. Korav exclaimed from behind the door. "Hold on, I'll go get my husband—"

Maston heard Mrs. Korav's hurried footsteps.

Looking up at the misty, purple moon outside, Maston covered his forehead, and tears slowly streamed down his cheeks.

In his hand, the bag containing 200 gold torls was tightly clutched.

---

Flowers scattered, the first 100 chapters~

I'll see if I can write another chapter tonight.

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