Published at 20th of February 2026 6:23 am

Chapter 1517 Good Friends

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Berger waved his hand, and a cushion appeared on the ground.

His figure slowly descended, and soon, he sat cross-legged on the cushion. He continued to smoke from the wooden pipe.

"Sit," he said gently.

"Y-Yes, sir!" Lebu quickly knelt on the ground, hands resting on his knees.

He stole a glance at the old gnome. He was bald, with a thick yet neatly trimmed beard, just as the stories described. A century ago, the man had been a legend within the Brotherhood, his exploits spoken of to every new recruit, Lebu included.

But to be in the same room as the legend, granted a personal audience with him. It was a surreal feeling, to say the least.

While the gnome seemed to be in deep thought, Lebu couldn't help but cast secretive glances into the darkness beyond.

They say a black wolf always accompanied the Ghost of Twilight, he thought.

But I never would have guessed that the beast would be at the Mana Core Rank! If that is the case, then doesn't that mean... our faction is supported by not one but two Mana Core Magi?

In his heart, Lebu thanked the Order of the Faceless Magi for killing the two Councilors and sowing discord between the remaining traitors. After all, this was what led to Berger returning from exile and taking his rightful place at the Council of Dawn.

"Nilrem was in Amberfall during the same period that Osbert was reported to be there," Berger said suddenly.

"There were at least two other Magi working alongside Osbert, but all of them were found dead. As for Osbert himself, reports suggest he retreated from the city after being injured and defeated by King Maximillian and Magus Bunosilo." "That is correct, my lord." Lebu straightened his back. "Additionally, a Mana Core-level undead knight was reportedly unleashed somewhere in the city while the three Mana Core Magi were engaged in battle. However, we have no evidence confirming its existence."

The gnome exhaled a plume of smoke to the side, his eyes narrowing.

"The King of Ignisra also just so happened to advance to the Mana Core Rank at the time," he murmured.

"...Yes, my lord." Lebu nodded.

Berger's eyes flashed with a peculiar light, and he thought to himself, The boy sent a letter to Anna around the same time, informing her of her nephew and her father's advancement.

He just so happened to be in Amberfall, eh?

His lips curled into a faint smile.

Coincidence? Or...

He turned to the ginger-haired Agent and asked, "You've been tailing Nilrem before this, haven't you?"

"That is right, my lord."

"How often does he go to the Ignisra Embassy?" Berger asked with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Every other day" Lebu answered truthfully. "From what I've noticed, he and Prince Fireborne seem to be good friends."

"Good friends, eh?" Berger murmured.

Is it really him? He thought inwardly.

After a few seconds of deliberation, he asked Lebu, "Do you believe what Nilrem said about the Order of the Faceless Magi is true?"

Lebu remained silent for a moment, then said, "I can't say for certain, my lord. But he was aware of our organization and even its founder. Most Acolytes and Agents don't even know Lord Wagner's name, yet an outsider like Nilrem somehow does."

He paused briefly, then added, "I'm not sure, but perhaps... our two organizations really were allies at some point? Nilrem did say that Lord Wagner and the Second Stranger were friends."

Berger nodded ever so slightly, a slight frown appearing on his face.

That was what confused the gnome. Nilrem seemed to know a lot about the Twilight Brotherhood and even its founder. Berger doubted that even Adam knew so much - especially about the existence of a close friend of Aldo

Wagner's.

After becoming Councilor, Berger had gotten the topmost level security clearance and had access to everything in the Brotherhood. And that included ancient records.

In one such record, he learned about a Magus who used to travel together with Aldo Wagner in the olden days, long before the founding of the Twilight Brotherhood. Berger had even seen an old portrait of them. They seemed to be quite good friends.

Could that person be the Second Stranger? The gnome wondered.

And Nilrem... is he really not Adam? If not, then he must be connected to the

boy, at the very least.

After all, he and Nilrem being in Amberfall at the same time is far too convenient to be a coincidence.

I need to find out more about Nilrem, find out exactly how he's tied to the boy.

"The reason Nilrem approached you is that the two of you shared a mutual acquaintance in Kenny, yes?" Berger asked.

Lebu's lips curled into a wry smile. "Yes, my lord," he murmured.

"He said he wanted your help in avenging Kenny," Berger began. "Did he say

how?"

Lebu shook his head. "He just said he'll contact me later."

He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "My Lord, was there really an organization like the Order of the Faceless Magi in the past? What I mean to say is... have you ever heard of it?"

The gnome shook his head. "This is the first time I'm hearing of them," he said. "Either they're the real deal and have hidden themselves very well over the course of history, or... Nilrem is just making things up."

"But then how would you explain two Mana Core Magi being killed in the same night?" Lebu asked, gulping nervously. "To deal with two Councilors so quickly... there has to be a powerful faction behind this."

Berger nodded ever so slightly. "Nilrem and the Order of the Faceless Magi are

a highly unexpected variable."

He sighed, then added, "An ancient order, older than even the Brotherhood, resurfacing now and choosing to reveal itself through you... I doubt that it is an accident. Whether they are truly allies, enemies, or something far more troublesome remains to be seen."

The gnome looked at Lebu and solemnly said, "For now, you will cooperate with him. Stay close, listen carefully, and see what the Faceless Magi are truly after."

"Yes, my lord!" Lebu nodded respectfully. He was already prepared.

"As the saying goes," Berger continued. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Until we know which one Nilrem is, you'll be our eyes!"

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