Published at 22nd of February 2026 7:16 am

Chapter 1525 The Portrait

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A tense silence descended in the backroom.

A long time later, Berger heaved a deep sigh. "Just how deep into the Cult has he infiltrated to uncover such information?"

Nilrem intently studied the gnome. He ignored the question, then said in a solemn voice, "Sir, you know what this means, don't you?"

Berger silently nodded, a dark look on his face.

"I'm making a wild assumption here, so correct me if I'm wrong," the wandering Magus began.

The gnome glanced at him with narrowed eyes, then gestured for him to continue.

"You're planning to deal with all the Cult spies in one go," Nilrem said. "Putting aside the matter of the Wardens, Agents, and Acolytes you need to take care of, there are three Councilors that you need to confront, correct?"

Berger silently nodded.

"And, including yourself, there are exactly three Mana Core Magi on your side," Nilrem added. "So it's going to be a close one."

"Four." Berger corrected him.

Nilrem frowned, pretending not to be aware of Blackie's existence, who was a mighty Mana Core being.

"Regardless." He shook his head. "This new intel changes everything."

Berger knew he was right. This new intel had indeed hinted at a powerful and unexpected variable.

Right at that moment, Nilrem's confident words echoed in his ears.

"Let us deal with this problem."

Berger couldn't help but frown. "The Faceless Magi are willing to go that far?"

Nilrem said with a smile, "Injustice, no matter what form it takes or how powerful it is, must be dealt with. And we will deliver judgment. That is our duty."

The gnome glanced at the old man with conflicting emotions. Somewhere deep down in his heart, he still couldn't bring himself to fully trust Nilrem and the Faceless Magi.

Despite all the assistance this secret order had provided, there was still some lingering suspicion.

What if they betrayed him and the Brotherhood?

"I understand that you don't trust me," Nilrem said. "But I need you to trust Adam. Besides..."

He paused for a moment, his expression turning grave. "This world is in far greater danger than just the Cult. There are forces at work far more evil than you may realize."

Berger was stunned.

Is he... is he talking about the devils?!

He couldn't help but think that.

Just how much has Adam disclosed to them? Does he trust them that much? Or perhaps, they found out about the devil invasion by themselves?

The gnome hesitated for a few moments, deciding on what to do. A lot was at stake here. But in the end... he decided to trust in Adam's judgment, as well as the fact that the two organizations were fighting a common enemy.

If the boy trusts them, then maybe...

He inhaled deeply, having finally made his decision. He tapped the piece of thin paper with his finger and asked, "So you'll deal with this?"

"With pleasure." Nilrem laughed.

They discussed some more details about their joint operation. As Berger was about to get up from his seat, he couldn't help but ask, "You said that the Brotherhood and the Faceless Magi have long since been allies? Since the founding of our organization."

Nilrem cursed inwardly, Dragonshit! That was something I made up on the spot. Did he find out I was bluffing?

"Yes, what about it?" he asked casually.

Berger retrieved a portrait from his storage artifact and placed it on the table. The parchment was old and worn, its edges frayed with the passing of time.

It depicted a painting of two men standing side by side.

The gnome pointed at one of the figures and asked, "Is this him, the Second Stranger?"

Nilrem wasn't surprised that Lebu had shared all the details of their secret meeting. He was, however, slightly taken aback by the portrait of the two men.

He recognized one of them instantly. He had seen this man's statue, after all. It was none other than the founder of the Twilight Brotherhood, Aldo Wagner.

But the other one...

Could this be the friend that the Founder wrote about in his journal? He wondered.

So this is what Bartholomew looked like before transforming into a lich...

Nilrem's heart swirled with complicated emotions.

However, this was not the time to think deeply about the Cult Leader. If he took too long staring at the picture, Berger would get suspicious.

So he shook his head with a slightly puzzled look and said, "I wouldn't know."

"What do you mean?" Berger frowned.

Nilrem explained, "Historically, the Magus who inherits the title of the Stranger has always worn a silver mask. It's an ancient relic passed down from one leader to the next. So no one truly knows what the Second Stranger looked like. Or any Stranger, for that matter."

"I see." Berger felt that made sense. He then put away the portrait and prepared

to leave.

Nilrem couldn't help but ask, "The other person... is that the founder of your

organization?"

The gnome cast a side glance at him and nodded.

"Well then, good sir, it was a pleasure talking to you," Nilrem said with a smile. "I'm afraid I'll have to leave soon to inform my superiors of this new development. So, please don't try to follow me. Hohoho!"

Berger couldn't help but click his tongue. Nilrem's laughter really annoyed him

for some reason.

"I'll leave it to you then." With that said, he vanished in a puff of smoke.

Nilrem continued displaying the foolish grin long after the gnome had left. At last, his expression crumbled, and he sat back down on the chair.

He continued rapping his finger on the table as he thought of the secret message on the thin strip of paper.

To think that the Cult would take such drastic measures, he wondered.

But in hindsight, it makes sense. Two of their high-level spies have been eliminated, and there is friction among the remaining three.

If I were him, I'd probably do the same. But regardless...

Nilrem's eyes narrowed, a dangerous light flashing in his pale blue pupils.

Things will not go your way, Bartholomew!

***

Thousands of miles away from Springdale, a cloaked figure crossed the border between the Haynam Empire and the Sovereign Union.

As he moved forward, the air around him grew colder. The temperature dipped

with every step he took. Frost spread across the earth behind him, creeping outwards from his footprints.

This was a Mana Core Magus of terrifying might, one of the most powerful

beings on this planet.

This was one of the five Elders of the Inner Circle.

The Winter Lord was coming!

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