Emperor Lawrence

Imperial Absence explains to Lawrence in detail the general landscape of the Wind Divider Kingdom. The fact that she was a noble makes things much easier, she is informed about events that, for a hunter, would only be a momentary curiosity rather than a permanent memory.

At some point, Coldness Divine approaches them and asks: "What information do you have about the impoverished villages of the kingdom?"

"Impoverished villages?"

Imperial Absence doesn't understand why a woman of the proud dragon race would be interested in such information.

"Yes, villages no one would care about if half their population disappeared." Coldness Divine says with a cold expression on her face.

+++

The next day.

"How is this possible...?" Imperial Absence doesn't hide her astonishment. "Teleportation should have established limits, but nothing like this!"

Behind her, Erratic Delirium shares her surprise.

One thing is teleportation over long distances, but a completely different matter is teleportation between kingdoms! The sect master has broken all the laws that have maintained order for millennia! If this information gets out, the Path to Heaven Sect will become the enemy of the entire world!

Lawrence simply smiles subtly and says: "It's your time to shine, Imperial Absence. You have six days to show us the Wind Divider Kingdom. I'm very interested in seeing in person everything you told me."

If a lie had escaped her lips, it would be easy to uncover.

But how could Imperial Absence dare to lie? Confidently, she takes on the task assigned by the sect master and guides everyone through the Wind Divider Kingdom.

The cities far from the capital reveal the kingdom's true culture, which honestly makes Lawrence and the rest feel it is barbaric compared to the Heavenly Path Kingdom. This might be one of the reasons why the Wind Divider Kingdom has fallen behind, its citizens lack deep ties to their own land and are willing to sell their achievements to foreign kingdoms.

The Heavenly Path Kingdom may have many shortcomings, but at least its cities are safe territories. The same cannot be said for the Wind Divider Kingdom.

Imperial Absence presents them with some cities whose outskirts are inhabited by demonic beasts ranging between levels 300 and 400, with the intention of turning them into hunting grounds for the Path to Heaven Sect. Outwardly, Lawrence and company seem interested, but the truth is that before making a decision, they will seek information through the informant.

If they've learned anything, it's that there are some very lucrative hunting grounds if you know where to place a stationary door.

"Coldness Divine, you asked about the impoverished villages, didn't you?"

As they fly away from a city, Imperial Absence looks back. "We're about to arrive at a village that meets those conditions."

Later on, everyone descends into a town that, by the standards of the Inferior Plane, is a town of considerable wealth, but in the Divine Plane, it reluctantly meets the conditions to survive the attack of the demonic beasts.

The villagers look on in fear at the arrival of the strangers, not only because of their high levels but also because each of them carries a special background.

Unbothered by this, Coldness Divine extends her senses and evaluates the population. After retracting them, she smiles arrogantly.

"Not bad. You have a good eye for evaluating people."

Imperial Absence's eyebrows twitch, but she still maintains her noble demeanor. "Thank you for the compliment."

Lawrence looks at her and asks: "What will you do now?"

Coldness Divine does not respond, instead, she takes a sign out of her storage ring and stakes it into the ground. It might just be a simple sign in her eyes, but not for these villagers. The value of its materials and the craftsmanship of its lettering could easily turn any one of them into a high-level hunter if they sold it.

After reading it, Lawrence is impressed.

It's a servant recruitment sign.

Imperial Absence sees a great opportunity in this and says: "In my life, I have dealt with many servants. If it's not an inconvenience, I could teach them some basic manners."

"Very well, I'll borrow some servants from a certain queen to help you with that task." In Lawrence's mind, the image of Queen Reminiscent Euphony arises.

Without spending too much time in this place, everyone leaves the village, but at some point, Lawrence stops and heads alone towards a certain forest, only to return later and whisper something to Coldness Divine.

During the six-day journey around the Wind Divider Kingdom, Sky Petal and her disciple constantly paused to collect different types of spiritual herbs while the rest waited at a distance.

On the last day of the journey, Sky Petal sighs and looks westward.

"All the plants point in that direction. Could it be the Immortal Radiance Kingdom or... the Demonic Beast Territory?"

The last city they visited was Golden Thread City, home to the Prominent Faction noble house. It was where Imperial Absence was kidnapped and later trafficked to the Heavenly Path Kingdom, where she would wish for death.

Imperial Absence looks from a distance at the place where she spent her entire life. Many thoughts flood her mind, but... she won't set foot there until she uncovers the identity of her enemy.

That day, the journey ends, and everyone returns to the personal dimension through a Dimensional Rift. It may have only been six days, but they were six fruitful days.

+++

Nine Eyes City, capital of the Wind Divider Kingdom. Divine Plane.

Today is the day the informant promised to deliver information about that man, so Serene Will, Coldness Divine, and Sky Petal head to the meeting place.

"You're right on time. I got the information you requested."

The informant is an overweight man with a double chin, wearing a black hat. His name is Profane Shield, level 802.

Serene Will smiles cordially and receives the package. Inside are dozens of documents, far more than she expected. One of them contains the face of that man, along with his name and level.

<Corrupt Archpriest. Level 735.>

Tanned skin and thick black eyebrows, brown eyes, and a sharp gaze. He is incredibly handsome, but contrary to what one might think, the document reveals a twisted personality. He kills when he's angry and is a saint when he's calm, he is explosive, his behavior changes radically from one moment to the next.

He is not a solitary hunter, he belongs to one of the three major sects of the Wind Divider Kingdom.

Immortal’s Ash Sect.

Serene Will returns the documents to the package and looks at Profane Shield. "What can you tell me about him?"

He frowns, because that information is in the documents, but he knows why this woman is asking. If he says the right words, this might be the start of the next job. Reluctantly, he wastes his time with this unnamed woman.

"Corrupt Archpriest, despite his explosive personality, is a talented man. He excels in fire magic and weapon refinement, but to a degree rarely seen. I'm not one to say this, but instead of focusing on fire magic, he should concentrate on the latter talent. His life would be much easier."

"What do you mean?"

"The Immortal’s Ash Sect is hungry for achievements. Not many years ago, one of the major sects managed to overcome an Archaic Ruin, and for the Immortal’s Ash Sect, it was like stepping on their tail. Since then, they've been conducting incursions into various Archaic Ruins, seeking the same achievement. While they've gained a lot of money and resources, they've lost many disciples in the process."

He crosses his arms and leans against the wall. "It would be different if that hero they raised from a young age still existed. He was an expert in magic formations. Perhaps the lives he could have saved would have made the Immortal’s Ash Sect the strongest of all, but due--"

Serene Will interrupts him, because in a moment of inspiration, a wild idea emerges in her mind and, if she’s not mistaken…

"I want to receive periodic information about Corrupt Archpriest. Where he eats, who he talks to, where he's been. Everything."

Profane Shield smiles cheerfully and stops leaning against the wall. It's business time. "That will be expensive, miss."

"It doesn't matter."

"Very well, I like your determination." He nods and then scratches his temple. "I'll be changing locations soon. Do you want us to stay in contact the same way?"

"Yes."

The transaction concludes, and after paying him, he provides the new address where he will be based, with no pattern or secrecy required to find the place.

She was about to leave when she looked back.

"The story of that hero, I’m interested in hearing it."

Profane Shield smiles once more, this client loves to spend money.

Without knowing that the other party is biting him and planning to eat him slowly, until stealing all his contacts.

Serene Will leaves the location after purchasing information about the best hunting grounds to quickly ascend to level 500, places with a high mortality rate.

+++

"Corrupt Archpriest, huh... If what you're saying is true, that would explain a few things."

Lawrence reads the documents while listening to Serene Will's explanation. They are not alone in the room, Coldness Divine and Sky Petal are also present.

"I don't want to get involved with a sect again. The problem with the Sacred Rock Sect was difficult to resolve. If the Lunar Cascade Sect hadn't conveniently been there, the outcome would have been very different."

For stealing their portals without much thought, Lawrence ended up in the sights of the Sacred Rock Sect. If it weren't for that guy who tried to wash his hands of it, no one would have bought the excuse that the Lunar Cascade Sect was involved.

To this day, both sects are in conflict. Just a single piece of wood could turn that campfire into a wildfire.

Serene Will adds: "The profits go far beyond simple portals, Lawrence."

He grits his teeth, restraining his greed from surfacing, but... Coldness Divine's words would turn his discretion into a paper-thin barrier.

"Success or failure, it would just be a squabble among hunters. No one would think we have the means to steal their harvests."

It becomes impossible for him to continue denying his instincts.

"Hah... Fine. If you're not mistaken, we'll do something about it, but until then..."

Everyone leaves the room and discusses the next piece of information Serene Will purchased. During this conversation, Imperial Absence appears and overhears part of it, but as a blue-blooded noblewoman, she doesn't hide. She voluntarily walks toward them, revealing her presence.

After apologizing, she says: "If you're talking about the Wind Divider Kingdom, a refiner like Tower Master Sky Petal would be more than enough to bypass some laws. The kingdom is eager for investment in its lands, the authorities will turn a blind eye as long as it's nothing major."

"Hm, continue."

Lawrence urges her to keep speaking, and Imperial Absence gladly elaborates on how to claim a small village under the guise of creating a spiritual herb field for a pill refiner.

Such reasoning is more than enough for the authorities to want to win their favor.