The temperature plunged sharply. The biting northern winds from Loredon grew increasingly pressing with the deepening winter.
It was only early January of the new year, yet Norlington already showed signs of impending snow. Although the pure white snow hadn't yet fallen, a thin layer of white frost could be seen on eaves and roads every dawn. Pedestrians also began bundling up in winter clothes one after another.
…
Secrets-Hunter Cult, General Affairs Division.
Alwin stood tall and straight by the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, gazing thoughtfully at the bustling crowds on the street.
On his desk behind him lay a letter, its sealing wax already broken.
The general content was about adjusting task schedules. The writer seemed to want to concentrate the first half of the year's tasks within this quarter.
The signature was a familiar name—Haida Moira.
"Young, decisive, persistent... another 'youngest Burial Court Director.'"
Alwin's lips moved slightly.
Although he personally disliked attributing Haida's achievements and results to the Chief Hunter, there was indeed an undeniable similarity between this father and daughter.
After a moment of contemplation, he still uttered those words.
"...So much like Ahern."
It held both admiration and worry.
Alwin was pleased by Haida's growth rate, far exceeding the norm, because she was a child he had watched grow up.
But he also worried she might, like that Burial Primus, fall into an obstinacy beyond anyone's counsel, becoming an execution tool nearly devoid of humanity, a synonym for fear and death.
The "Red Wolf" bathed in Meredith blood.
Besides the task schedule adjustments, Haida also applied for a change of operational area. She hoped to go to the dark abyssal sea near Gormouth next quarter... This, too, was like Ahern, always drawn to the most dangerous places.
However, all of Haida's procedures complied with Burial Court Director regulations—a very good habit... thanks to the influence and teachings of Ms. Marian over the years.
As for her father, ever since becoming the Burial Primus... there were no longer any precepts that could constrain him. Even if there were, would he still care?
Alwin sighed softly, signed his name on Haida's letter, and then stamped it with the General Affairs Division seal, signifying approval of her proposal.
The General Affairs Director had always held a bit of a grudge against Ahern, seizing any opportunity to take a jab at him, otherwise feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
The main reason wasn't some deep-seated enmity... It was probably because over a decade ago, Ahern silently brought Haida back and, when the records personnel inquired about her identity, unabashedly stated the two words: "illegitimate daughter"...
The Medicae Primus exhausted herself day and night during the Great Plague, nearly at the end of her strength, ultimately even sacrificing her life.
And her long-engaged Chief Hunter brought back an illegitimate daughter not long after her passing? You usually don't say much, but your actions speak louder than anyone's...
The worst part was, judging by age, Haida was born before the Great Plague occurred...
"Alwin, you there? I'm coming in~?"
Silverwing Locust's elegant, slightly playful voice drifted in.
"Please enter."
Alwin nodded, not stopping her.
As a black raven feather floated down lightly, Silverwing Locust was somehow already perched on the windowsill. Propping her chin on one hand, she looked at Alwin as if she'd been sitting there from the start.
"Phew... The Confidential Division hasn't been too busy lately, so I thought I'd come see you. Why the long face? Not welcome?"
Hearing this, Alwin smiled and shook his head.
"How could that be?"
Silverwing Locust lit a slender cigarette, took a shallow puff, and then handed it to Alwin. He hesitated for a moment before finally accepting the cigarette bearing a lipstick mark.
As the ember glowed a hot red, a strand of mint-scented smoke drifted out.
Alwin had actually quit smoking long ago, yet still found it hard to refuse Silverwing Locust's "have one" invitations.
This was a habit from their days as fellow hunters.
Back then, they were in the same squad. After a hunt, they'd find a secluded spot to sneak in some nicotine together, effectively numbing the mind... easing the fatigue under the pressure of death.
As for why Alwin, a former veteran hunter, now sits in an office at the General Affairs Division... that story starts with him injuring his knee against an Evil Spawn...
"Phew."
Alwin exhaled the cool smoke from his throat and then got down to business.
"It's just... knowing your habits, if it were merely a meeting request, what should come to me would only be a 'Calling Bird' carrying a secret message."
"For something worth your personal visit, it could only be important intelligence."
Silverwing Locust swept up her crimson-red hair, leaned in closer, and examined him with a hint of suspicion.
"Hmm... Alwin, did you get some advance news or something?"
"Just speculation." Alwin waved his hand.
"Alright, tell me, what's the matter? I hope this year stays quiet; the mess the Red Cup left last year was more than enough..."
"Not related to the bloodline."
Silverwing Locust raised an index finger, and a raven alighted on her knuckle, gently flapping its wings.
"It's the 'Children of the Whiskered Tree.' Their envoy has come to Norlington. After contacting our agents, they conveyed an intent to communicate."
"Children of the Whiskered Tree? Those eccentrics are even more reclusive than the Lamp cult's priests. What are they up to, choosing this time to show up..."
Alwin rubbed his temples, clearly finding this a headache.
The Children of the Whiskered Tree belong to the most secretive among secret sects. This seems to be their first appearance in a century. They are neither good nor evil, positioned at absolute neutrality, closer to pure "observers."
For such figures to suddenly end their seclusion and appear openly... hardly seems like a harbinger of good things.
"Who knows?"
Silverwing Locust raised an eyebrow lightly, took a sealed letter from an inner pocket, and handed it to Alwin. The letter had a rough, ancient wooden feel. The wax seal bore the emblem of a massive ancient banyan with branches hanging down from the sky.
"This is a confidential letter the Children of the Whiskered Tree's envoy asked us to deliver to the General Affairs Division. It hasn't been opened yet."
"Look it over yourself and decide. If you judge its classification level isn't too high after reviewing it, remember to come to the Confidential Division for a backup copy."
Alwin took the letter. Without much hesitation, he read it on the spot and recited the basic content.
"Hmm... The Children of the Whiskered Tree wish to reopen that archive ruin in the northern outskirts and hope for support from the Secrets-Hunters and the White Cup. They've set the meeting time for the day after tomorrow."
Hearing this, Silverwing Locust narrowed her eyes and stepped forward as if to pinch Alwin's ear.
"Hey, didn't I say this document hasn't been opened yet, so its classification is temporarily unknown? Why are you reading it out to me directly?"
"Not opened doesn't mean not seen. And you don't seem very surprised, do you?"
Alwin glanced up at Silverwing Locust, his gaze carrying something suggestive.
"Ahem."
The head of the Confidential Division agents immediately stopped her action, clearing her throat somewhat guiltily behind her hand.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said."
Leaving that sentence behind, Silverwing Locust hurried out of Alwin's office, only the sound of her boots echoing in the corridor.
Alwin looked at the still-open window she came through and went over to close it properly, feeling somewhat helpless.
Why does she, since mastering that secret art of transforming into a raven, prefer not using the door, always fixated on windows...
...
Vivian rubbed her slightly reddened eyes, a look of weariness between her brows as she walked down the corridor towards the equipment room.
For some reason lately, Sister Haida's field missions had been extremely dense... This caused her own workload to skyrocket, and her body was really starting to struggle.
Along the way, several newly promoted hunters saw Vivian. Most were somewhat reserved in greeting her, while she, not fully alert, merely responded with rather wooden nods.
Only after Vivian entered the equipment room did the sparse conversations around become slightly clearer.
"Is she the sole member of Director Haida's team?"
A young Burial Attendant asked her teammate curiously.
"Yes, Agent Vivian is said to be from the Confidential Division... She participated in the 'Plum Moon Ritual' suppression mission and the subsequent Sunderland Street purge order."
Her colleague beside her gave a brief reply.
"This agent looks somewhat gloomy, probably the hard-to-approach type like Instructor Naoer. But to be in the same team as that Director, she must be a very capable senior..."
Here, the young woman's tone also held a touch of admiration.
Vivian, in her poor mental state, was completely unaware of the younger colleagues' discussion. She entered the equipment room, yawned, and began outfitting herself according to Confidential Division regulations.
Firearms, spare magazines, silver-core bullets, listening devices, lockpicks... and a few smoke grenades.
Besides that, a small packet of bird feed for feeding the "Calling Birds."
Unlike the Burial Attendants' armed-to-the-teeth combat philosophy, Confidential Division agents on routine field duty only need to travel light. Their first reaction upon encountering danger is never "eliminate" but "disengage."
As Vivian finished gearing up and was about to brew a coffee to perk herself up, a pair of hands reached around from behind.
Then a soft sensation enveloped her eyes, leaving only complete darkness.
"Guess who I am?"
A somewhat amused female voice sounded by her ear.
Who? Vivian was momentarily startled, only gradually calming down thanks to a Confidential Division agent's mental fortitude.
"Do I have to guess..." she replied weakly.
"Guess right and there's a prize~" The visitor lowered her voice, trying to reduce its recognizability.
"Alright then."
Since it was said, Vivian had to start eliminating possibilities based on her experience.
First, although Sister Haida was a frequent visitor to the equipment room, she definitely wouldn't have the mind for such childish jokes. She could be ruled out.
Ms. Marian from the Medical Division also often visited with Sister Haida, but she didn't like teasing people, so suspicion was low. And she's usually very busy; where would she find the spare time?
Dr. Fran was a possibility, but she actually rarely appeared at the Secrets-Hunter headquarters. And according to Sister Haida, she was recently engaged in some research and was very busy...
As for Director Silverwing Locust... She was idle enough, had a habit of joking with her, and had indeed done similar things before. Suspicion was high.
"Why think so long? Praying?"
The person's words carried a faint, mysterious hint of laughter.
Finally, Vivian made her decision.
"Director Silverwing Locust, is this child's game fun?"
"Heh..."
Fran removed her hands covering Vivian's eyes and leisurely walked around to stand in front of her. Her amber eyes sparkled brightly.
+++
T/N: Hey readers~! New Translator here! Before I say anything, I'd first like to thank the original author for creating this wonderful story. Without them, I wouldn't have the chance to share this adventure with you. I hope my translation does justice to their work, and that together, we can enjoy this story.
With that said, I'm happy to let you know I'll be uploading daily chapters. And for those who wish to support my work and gain early access, I've set up a Patreon where advanced chapters will be available.
[email protected]/PeakTL