NOVPUB
Chapter 233: One of the Traitors Found?
From his conversation with Hector, Aldrian learned that some of the war intelligence had been provided by the Information Guild. Hector knew that this guild operated behind the scenes under the Rivas family, but its extensive network proved invaluable during times of war. Although the imperial family maintained its own intelligence group and network, the Information Guild’s contributions were also highly beneficial.
During the war with the devils, this guild primarily provided information to the Rivas family. They maintained eyes and ears across every corner of the empire and monitored troop movements to track developments on the battlefield. The guild also had a specialized team designated for infiltration and reconnaissance in war zones. In conclusion, their role was crucial to both the Rivas family and the empire.
Their information had already saved many lives and helped the empire’s troops plan their strategies. However, on the other hand, some of their information proved inaccurate, leading to losses among the troops. Many would argue that during the chaos of war, information cannot always be accurate, as situations can change rapidly.
However, for Aldrian and the imperial family, this was no coincidence. If it had happened two or three times, they might have attributed it to the devils’ clever strategy. But during the war with the devils, there were numerous instances where the devils seemed to anticipate the empire’s troop movements, particularly those from the Rivas family in the later phase of the war.
This was also why the Information Guild was on the imperial family’s surveillance list.
For Aldrian, there was another concern: how the Lust Devil had managed to meet his mother in Ilyon without being detected by the guild’s intelligence.
"The possibilities are either they genuinely didn’t know about the Lust Devil’s movements, or they knew but chose to conceal it," Aldrian thought.
Even if they truly didn’t know the Lust Devil’s movements, how could the Lust Devil have learned his mother’s location—a position that should have been known only to the main Rivas family? The answer was clear: his mother’s movements had somehow been leaked, and that information had reached the devils, specifically the Lust Devil.
To clarify everything, he visited the headquarters of the Information Guild. The headquarters was located in the capital city of the Doria Empire, strategically placed to avoid drawing attention to its ties with the Rivas family.
The building was much larger than the Information Guild headquarters in Rivas City. A steady stream of people entered and exited, creating the impression of an unending flow of activity.
Aldrian stepped inside and approached one of the vacant counters.
"Welcome to the Information Guild. How may I assist you?" the receptionist asked with a polite smile.
"I need to speak with the guild master. I have something urgent to discuss," Aldrian replied.
Hearing Aldrian, the receptionist raised an eyebrow, but then she wore an apologetic expression.
"My apologies, esteemed guest, but the guild master is not receiving any visitors today. Please make an appointment, and we can arrange—" Before she could finish, she saw Aldrian take out a badge from his pocket. The moment she saw it, her eyes widened, and she immediately bowed deeply.
"I apologize if I disturbed you with the unnecessary appointment explanation, your excellency. I will inform him of your visit," she said before hurriedly running to the back room.
Aldrian then placed the badge back in his pocket, feeling thankful that Hector had given it to him.
The badge of the prince
Usually, the person who carries the badge is either the prince himself or someone appointed by him as an envoy. The envoy’s status is akin to an extension of the prince’s hand; they are the ones who convey the "prince’s voice." Hector had given this badge to Aldrian as a gesture of goodwill, hoping to make Aldrian’s life in the empire more comfortable.
"If you need anything while you are still within the Doria Empire, just show this badge, and you will face no obstacles. I believe it will greatly help you," Hector had said when giving him the badge.
After waiting for a few minutes, the receptionist finally returned to Aldrian and bowed once again.
"I’m sorry to keep you waiting, your excellency. Please, this way. The guild master is now waiting for you."
Afterward, Aldrian was led to the upper floor of the building, where there were fewer people.
Upon reaching the fifth floor, he saw double doors at the end of the corridor, where he assumed the guild master was. Beside the doors was a table, at which a woman sat, likely the guild master’s secretary.
Before the door to the guild master’s room was opened, Aldrian could sense a few presences inside.
"Eight people, one who isn’t hiding his presence. I think he’s the guild master, and the others are concealing themselves," Aldrian thought.
When the secretary opened the door, Aldrian saw a middle-aged man sitting in his chair.
"Guild master, the esteemed guest has arrived," the secretary announced.
The guild master had already stood up from his chair and walked toward Aldrian with a polite smile.
"Ah, your excellency, welcome to the Information Guild. I apologize for not being prepared for your sudden visit, but please, have a seat. I will serve you to the best of my ability while you are here." He gestured toward the sofa where guests are received.
They then sat opposite each other, and the secretary served tea for both of them. After the secretary exited the room, Aldrian did not speak to the guild master but instead seemed to be assessing him.
"Nervous, excessive anxiety... Even if he considers me an envoy from the prince, he shouldn’t be this nervous. Truly suspicious," Aldrian thought.
The guild master, who had been looking at Aldrian’s eyes as if he were being read, tried to control himself and coughed to mask his nervousness.
"Your excellency, may I see your badge? I was informed by my employees that an envoy from the first prince had come to this place, and I just want to make sure there has been no mistake. Please accept my apologies once again if this offends you," the guild master said.
Aldrian simply smiled without saying a word and showed the badge to the guild master. The guild master, upon seeing the badge, widened his eyes, recognizing it as real and genuine. However, this only made him more nervous. He tried to mask it with his usual polite expression, but his nervousness was clearly sensed by Aldrian.
Aldrian was truly amused by this. His suspicion grew stronger as he watched the guild master’s behavior. He then decided to speak.
"Now, to explain why I’m here—it has something to do with a recent event in this empire, and I hope the Information Guild can cooperate with me so that my business here can be done more easily and quickly." 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
The guild master’s heart skipped a beat. What recent event could require the prince to visit him? The war, or the mysterious alchemist? He tried his best to appear as calm as possible.
"Which event, your excellency?" the guild master asked.
"The war with the devils. I want to know how your information gathering worked when the war started. I’m here to investigate the possibility that an outside power gained knowledge from our intelligence network. I just want to ensure there is no place where the information could have leaked. If there’s a possible step that allowed the information to leak, we can evaluate it for the future," Aldrian explained.
Then Aldrian sensed it: the guild master’s heartbeat became more erratic. His intent seemed chaotic, and for a split second, Aldrian detected a killing intent before it disappeared. Aldrian’s smile widened as he became almost certain that this guild master knew something.
"Apologies, your excellency, but is this investigation under the order of the his majesty, or is it just the first prince’s order?"
Hearing the guild master’s question, Aldrian finally threw out a bait he was sure the guild master would bite.
"No, I’m here personally, without the knowledge of his majesty, his highness, or any imperial family members. I’m here to help his highness investigate the problem of potential traitors within the empire. However, he will surely agree once he knows what I’ve done in the future. I am the one entrusted with his badge, so you don’t need to worry," Aldrian said.
Hearing Aldrian’s answer, the guild master’s demeanor became more relaxed, and the nervousness from earlier eased. He looked at Aldrian with a sigh.
"Then, do you want to know how the entire operation works, or are you seeking only certain information, your excellency? Because not all of our information-gathering methods are the same."
"No, not all. I just need to know how you operate your information network within the Rivas family, especially when the Lust Devil came to the war and endangered the life of the Rivas family’s successor, Irene Rivas," Aldrian said.
Hearing that name, the guild master’s feelings became erratic again. Aldrian caught it and finally confirmed his suspicion.
"Got you."
