Published at 22nd of February 2026 7:16 am

Chapter 1523 Scales of Morality

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In the corner of the room, wrapped in shadows, a gnome stood smoking from a pipe.

Thick curls of smoke drifted around him, obscuring his face, but his piercing gaze never left Nilrem.

The old, wandering Magus appeared briefly startled by the gnome's appearance, but he quickly composed himself. He curled his mustache in a laidback manner and said:

"It is impolite to sneak up on others, young man."

"Young man?" The corner of Berger's lips twitched. "I could be your grandfather, boy."

Nilrem shrugged, chuckling in amusement. "Is that so? Well then, forgive me, good sir."

He paused for a moment, studying the gnome. On the surface, he displayed an inquisitive gaze. But inwardly, he felt happy at reuniting with his dear mentor. It's been a while, Old Man, he thought to himself warmly.

Memories of the last time they had met surfaced in his mind, stiring a faint sense of melancholy in his heart. Even so, he was deeply grateful that the gnome had chosen to trust him over the Cult's lies.

Berger was his mentor. Berger was his family.

But now is not the time for Adam and you to meet, he thought.

I'm afraid that if I reveal my true identity now, the Cult of Bones will go to great lengths to apprehend me.

It's not my safety that concerns me. It's the people close to me.

You. The Firebornes. I can't risk it...

Adam had never expected Berger to personally come to Europa. It had never been his intention.

How could he have known that sowing discord among the traitorous Councilors would lead a few of them to invite the gnome back to the Brotherhood?

It was only later that he found out about this development through his source. Although Adam had to alter his plans slightly, it was more than a welcoming change.

"How can I help you, sir?" Nilrem asked politely.

Berger took a step forward, emerging from the smoke and shadow. He coldly glanced at the old Magus and said, "Drop the act."

"What act?" Nilrem asked with a mischievous smile.

The gnome's voice turned cold. "Why are you helping Lebu Potts? What are you scheming?"

Nilrem once again appeared startled. "You... who are you?"

"I said drop the act." Berger's eyes narrowed.

Nilrem deeply looked at the old gnome. A moment later, he raised his hands slightly in a show of surrender.

"You caught me," he said with a faint smile.

He then looked around before saying, "Is it safe to talk here?"

Berger intently studied him. He then scoffed. "Follow me."

The gnome led Nilrem through a narrow doorway behind the wooden shelf and into the store's backroom.

The space was small and practical, lit by a single lantern hanging from a beam. Crates of books were stacked neatly along the walls. A simple wooden table stood at the center of the room with two chairs facing each other.

Nilrem took one seat without ceremony, then nonchalantly began smoking from his pipe. Berger sat on the other chair as he put aside his pipe. He then weaved a simple hand seal and erected a barrier around them.

For a moment, neither spoke.

At last, the gnome couldn't help but say, "You're quite relaxed. Not afraid I'd seize you and put you behind bars?"

"Seize me?" Nilrem chuckled in amusement. "What for?"

"For the murder of two Councilors," Berger replied in a flat voice.

"I didn't kill them though..." Nilrem said innocently.

Berger deeply looked at the wandering Magus. He then asked, "What does the Order of the Faceless Magi want? What are you scheming?"

"You know what we want." Nilrem placed the pipe on the table. "Our mission is to eradicate the Cult of Bones"

"And you start by killing two of our Councilors." Berger scoffed.

"My good sir." Nilrem leaned forward. "Please shed the pretenses. You already know their true identities. Instead of pointing fingers at us, you should be thanking us for getting rid of those scums."

He paused for a moment, then said with a taunting smile. "Three more remain, however, I trust you will be able to take care of them? Or do you still need our

help?"

Berger couldn't refute his words. He knew how rotten the Brotherhood had become, and it hurt his pride to see an outsider doing what he should have done in the first place.

"But why go so far?" the gnome couldn't help but ask. "To even provide Lebu with clues to finding the compromised Wardens... do you people have some kind of enmity with the Cult?"

"Enmity?" Nilrem chuckled. "Killing for personal gain is forbidden to the Faceless Magi."

"So why?" Berger pressed.

"Because it is the right thing to do," Nilrem said matter-of-factly. "We reveal ourselves only when the scales of morality tip too far. We act when injustice threatens to drown the world in darkness. That is who we are."

He paused for a moment, then added with a smile, "You may not believe this, but the Brotherhood and the Faceless Magi go way back. We have always been your allies. It's just that we don't reveal ourselves all that often. And even if we did... you'd never know."

Berger ruminated over his words. He leaned back in his chair and began smoking from the pipe. As he gazed at the smoke dissolving into the air, he asked what had been on his mind:

"Where is Adam Constantine?"

The smile on Nilrem's face faded away. "What? I... don't know what you're

talking about."

Inwardly, however, he felt a surge of relief. Thank goodness he thinks Adam and

I are different people!

"You claim to be an ally, yet you're not entirely forthcoming." Berger sneered.

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"

He paused, his brows knitting tightly.

"You and Adam just happened to be in Amberfall at the same time? The books

that you've written, about Mabi, about Yen-Lu, just so happen to describe the

places Adam visited not long ago? And this..."

He spat, pointing at the book titled Odyssey of the Dark King.

"You take me for a fool, Berger snorted. "Tell me, where is the boy? And is this

how you're communicating with him?"

Nilrem deeply gazed at the gnome, displaying a look of slight surprise.

"Fine," he said with a helpless sigh. "You got me. I admit I have been in contact

with him."

"Where is he?" Berger pressed, a hint of urgency creeping into his voice. "Is he

in the city?"

"I'm afraid not." Nilrem shook his head, offering an apologetic smile. "He's somewhere within the Haynam Empire at the moment."

"The Haynam Empire?" Berger frowned, a foreboding feeling gripping his heart.

"Yes," Nilrem said with a knowing smile.

"How else do you think we've been uncovering cues about the Cult's spies

within your organization?"

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