Chapter 345: Core
Monica remained in the cellar with Art’s group while everyone else headed out to the main room of the Devil’s Den to meet with the Secret Eye representative. There was no need for them to reveal they were working together.
It would come out eventually, but Arwin still wasn’t sure just who the Secret Eye really were. He supposed that was only natural given their name. They could have been impartial as they claimed, but he wasn’t convinced they had no ties to the Adventurer’s Guild.
And even if they don’t, the Secret Eye is far from benevolent. They may have their own purpose and not be entirely malicious, but I don’t trust them enough to start showing them the cards we’ve got readied to play.
Still, this had been a long time coming. He’d been sure that the Secret Eye would have announced when the Proving Grounds would start some time ago. It felt like something had been holding them up, but at least the wait was over.
“Her again,” Lillia said as they emerged onto the dining floor of the Devil’s Den.
Standing near the door was a woman clad in black. Arwin recognized her instantly. It was Selen, the Secret Eye member they’d had dealings with ever since their first run in with the Ardent Guild. She inclined her head in greeting as the group approached.
“Ifrit,” Selen said. “Lillia. I hope you haven’t been kept waiting too long.”
“Longer than we’d expected, but I’m never going to complain about more time to prepare,” Arwin said with a shrug. “I take it you’ve come to tell us when the tournament will begin?”
“Not a difficult guess.” Selen nodded. “Preparations this year took longer than expected, but everything is in place now. The Proving Grounds will begin in three days’ time. The tournament will last two days, and no participants will be permitted to leave its premises during that time.”