NOVPUBAt just before six in the morning, the sky had not yet been brightened by the dawn.
The castle and the surrounding mountains were still shrouded in dense fog and shadow.
The Main Hall on the ground floor.
The chill of late autumn entered through the castle’s floor-length windows, engulfing everyone in a cold and deathly silence.
Working with the limited information currently available in the Shadow World, no one could discern who the traitor might be.
In the beginning stages of the Shadow World, intelligence for the Challengers out in the open is scarce.
Neither the effects of the blood power commanded by the traitor nor the traitor’s mission were known, but it was evident from the Shadow World data that the traitor had an objective unlike that of a normal Challenger.
This meant that the traitors would certainly take action to achieve their goals, potentially leaving clues behind in the process.
Therefore, a detective with superior insight and mental capacity was needed to identify these clues.
Given their completely trustworthy identity, the detective should serve as a secure point of information exchange for the other Challengers, bearing the responsibility of identifying the traitor.
Accordingly.
The detective would also be the prime target of the traitor’s lethal attacks.
The normal Challengers would need to find ways to protect the detective.
However, it seemed that the detective was quite capable of defending himself...
The Challengers in the great hall had gathered into groups, each standing in different corners.
There was not an ounce of trust between them and the strangers among them, and all chatter had stopped in caution.
Each trusted only the ones they had entered the Shadow World with.
By observing, it was easy to see that the Challengers were divided into four groups of three.
This indicated that there must be two sly traitors within one of the groups.
Or, perhaps, two groups each contained one traitor.
The traitors, normally selected for this type of competitive Shadow World, often belong to those with twisted thoughts among the Challengers and perfectly represent the stance of the traitor.
For instance, the believers of the Rebirth Church hoped to cause a natural disaster in the real world, desiring to kill or steal treasures from other people.
Highly likely.
That both traitors are followers of the Church of Resurrection. They have perfectly hidden their identities in reality, with no flaws whatsoever.
Even the companions who came in with them are not aware of their real identity as Resurrection believers.
So despite Lanci and Hyperion’s obvious appearance of being a team with Frey, they had not gained the trust of the other nine individuals.
"....."
The ancient tree outside the window swayed in the wind, emitting a rustling noise, the only sound able to disturb the silence in the spacious banquet hall.
No matter where the Challengers were, they all kept watching Frey, waiting for him to initiate the conversation and organize a general intelligence exchange.
Surveying the room, Frey was expressionless and seemed roughly indifferent to who among the crowd had the problem.
He neither made a statement nor showed any visible reaction.
His silence did not cause confusion but rather gave some Challengers a sense of relief.
Although the detective seemed strange.
His calm confidence was more reassuring than a panicky detective who knows he’s out of his depth.
"I’ll start with a brief introduction, we three are from Hutton Kingdom, Ichrite Academy."
That’s all Frey said, as his gaze moved above his sunglasses to the trio standing closest to them.
He didn’t say anything more, his intention was abundantly clear.
It was this group’s turn to speak.
The extent of their responses was for them to decide.
Any information, little or plenty, would help Frey gauge their credibility.
Although Frey might be unable to determine the true identities of the Challengers right away, any statement made by them at this point could potentially become their downfall or a critical clue in the future progress of the Shadow World.
The first group consisted of a standout and somewhat notable team of three.
"You’re also from the South Continent? We are from Canberra Kingdom, the Petras Company."
The person speaking was a teenager who looked to be around eighteen or nineteen, who took a step forward towards Frey.
When he looked at Frey, his heart seemed to settle, his bright eyes revealing eagerness and an open desire to impress.
"I believe you can tell who the young master is at first glance."
The teenager sounded somewhat smug as he said that.
Behind him stood a silent but exceptionally handsome male, his eyes deep as an unfathomable lake. The mole on the corner of his eye made him look even more captivating.
On the other side was a female, who looked like a doll with exquisite features. Her hair color and eyes were strikingly similar to those of the handsome male; it seemed they were siblings.
Frey glanced at Lanci, as if he wanted to say something but decided against it.
Lanci simply offered a smile of resignation.
From afar.
"My identity in this Shadow World is a Geographer... Let me check its effect..."
Before the teenager could continue talking, it seemed that he was looking at the Shadow World information panel while speaking.
"I can perceive the general map and terrain nearby, like the fact that Lichtenstein Castle is situated in a continuous range of mountains, blocked off at the back by the border of Huo Ning Empire’s National Defense Barrier. In front, there is only a cliff nearly nine hundred meters tall with a bridge that is the only access point from the city state to Lichtenstein Castle..." 𝙣𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Just when the teenager was about to divulge all geographical information to the public, he was interrupted by a light cough from the male guard standing behind him.
Obviously, it’s not a good idea for this foolish young master to reveal too much information publicly.
Some key information should only have been shared privately with the detective.
Sharing one’s identity openly makes it easier for the Challengers to confirm the veracity of the information, and it indeed helps earn the trust of the detective and other normal Challengers.
But revealing themselves as "Geographers" not only grants them significant value but also attracts the careful attention of the traitors, making them the second most dangerous person after the detective.
Hyperion and Lanci, standing behind Frey, remained silent, quietly absorbing the information.
Canberra Kingdom is one of the most powerful among the nations of the South Continent, and for many years has maintained its neutrality. Both the South Continent Shadow World Management Association and the Magician Card Association Headquarters are located in the Canberra Kingdom.
It is also one of the countries most difficult for the Rebirth Church to infiltrate.
The Petras Company is also renowned among the kingdoms of the South Continent.
Although Lanci also came from a rich family, comparing their wealth, the Petras Company is probably two digits ahead.
If this teenager truly is the young master of Petras Company, such an elevated and easily recognized identity would not be the best option for a fake cover.
Apparently, this guy was not very bright and seemed like someone who was dragged along for the experience by his two "dads".
