"It’s a Shadow-Bending Tree. As for its most troublesome ability, its branches stretch into a special shadow realm, feeding on moonlight and existence. It’s essentially untouchable, particularly in the darkness. It can easily engulf entire Zones into eternal night and use their Existence as nourishment, so be wary."

In Seliah, the Southern Continent, there are six Sanctuaries—each having 99 Zones. Within each Zone are thousands of cities, which essentially makes a single Zone larger than most Kingdoms in the Eastern Continent.

Clearly, the Eclipse Willow is a great threat, worthy of its status as Cadre 7.

"What about its main resource yield?" the Emperor’s Ambassador asks, depicting more than mere interest in this creature.

"It has a lot of useful parts due to its abundant Mystical Characteristics. But the main yield is the Eclipse Sap. Its essence can be used to fuel several rituals, and it is the main ingredient for a certain Grade 7 Potion in my possession. The Potion allows you to turn into shadows while also being able to consciously detect your environment. You can even engage in combat and manipulate your shadow form in this state. It’s called Shadow Materialization. It’s a major improvement from its Shadow Transformation counterpart, which is only a Grade 6 Potion."

"Understood. Thanks for the information."

The Fool’s representative simply nods and relaxes in his seat yet again.

More conversations rise up.

"Members of the Nine-Headed Dragon Demonic Cult have begun to show a lot of activity in Eariel. I believe they’re up to no good, as per usual."

"Of course... It’s them."

"Any guesses as to what that organization is up to?"

"No clue. But considering how their interests are centered around the northwest section of the continent, I can only assume it has to do with the Eternal Glacier Caves, the Singing Cliffs, or maybe the Shattersea Trench."

"Why didn’t you add the Silverwood Forests to the list?"

"You know how territorial the Syl’vaens can be. I doubt they’ll allow such operations to take place within a border they very strictly control."

"Unless they are colluding with the Demonic Cult."

"But if they were, they wouldn’t make their collaboration so obvious, now would they? Still, I agree we should consider the possibilities."

"You people have a lot of nerve. Representatives of The Magician and Justice aren’t present today, so you have a lot more confidence slandering the Syl’vaen Race to that extent."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"We should also consider the Lakes of Moonveil. It’s possible they discovered some treasure within those depths," the representative of the Lovers adds as a side note.

"Unlikely." This is quickly addressed by the High Priestess’s Ambassador. "I led an expedition there a few decades ago and found nothing. Unless they’re sending a powerhouse into the Forbidden Territory, I doubt they will find anything worthwhile in those waters."

"I see. So everything precious about those waters has long been stripped away."

"Precisely!"

"Regardless, we should keep our eye out for the Demonic Cult. They’re the only major organization in the Evil Faction in the current era, and yet they’re causing so much damage," Strength’s Ambassador grunts in frustration.

"Right? It’s unbelievable!" the Hierophant’s Ambassador exclaims, rubbing his temple. "Then again, even our allies in the Order Faction can prove rather troublesome. Didn’t we recently get out of a conflict with those arrogant bastards in the Holy Trinity?"

"Let’s not talk about them here, please..." the Devil’s representative groans.

"Fine. Then why don’t we bring up the Ophiuchus Faith? Even if it’s a Neutral Faction, are we simply going to ignore its activities? The members are aggressively pushing the agenda of the organization, causing it to increase at an alarming rate."

"Hmm... You make a fair point. Personally, I believe their actions are unsustainable. Eventually, the organization will become too bloated and will seek to obtain more resources in order to sustain such a load. Trying to gain more benefits will lead to mistakes, and it’ll eventually step on one of the other organizations’ toes. At that point, we’ll all have proper justification to involve ourselves in the matter," the Star’s representative chuckles.

"True... You’re right."

"Let’s not forget my proposal to sell the Medium Temporal Tunnel. For those interested, you know how to contact me..." Judgment quickly adds.

"If you were to reduce the cost by ten percent, I might consider it." Death smiles in response.

"What? I’m already offering it at a bargain!"

"Yes, but look at its location. There’s only so much use I have for it. And let’s not pretend like it has a lot of time left anyway. Isn’t that why you wish to sell it?"

"Tch... I’m not changing the price."

"Then keep it."

"I am looking for any and all surviving ruins and relics that have existed since the Great Cataclysmic Period of Chaos in Eariel." This time, the representative of the High Priestess raises her own issue.

"What era is that again?" the Lovers’ Ambassador asks.

"The 10th Era. It started about 250,000 years ago. Ruins from that time are difficult to find due to how tumultuous the period is, but I require artifacts from that period..."

"I’m guessing it has something to do with your recently concluded Apotheosis, right?"

"Something like that..."

"Well, I so happen to have a comprehensive record of that time period, which also features hidden ruins and several buried sites that have remained unexplored to date. They show a lot of similarity with the times."

"I see. And why haven’t you explored it yourself?"

"You know how I am. I’m more of a scholar, and I don’t like to take lots of risks. Some of those areas have powerful Magivores and traps within them that have lasted all those years. I don’t want to test my luck."

"Okay. So what do you want in exchange?"

"Well... Considering how important this is to you, how about considering the other matter from before?"

"You pervert! Why are you still lusting after my daughter?"

"Hey... There’s no need for insults. This is a transaction, and I just stated my condition."

"Sigh..."

"I even have a map and many notes that record the dangers you may encounter there. It’s very thorough. You know I am a Seeker, so I did my research well. You don’t want to pass up on this opportunity, trust me." Like a well-experienced salesman, the Lovers’ Ambassador explains the matter in great detail.

"At least let me discuss it with her first..." Unable to resist the temptation, the High Priestess’s representative sighs in response. "That’s my bottom line."

"Fair enough."

"By the way, Death’s Ambassador, you’re currently in Eariel, right? You’re a part of the Dark Guild. Do you think it’ll have some of these materials? I need them to brew my next Potion," the Emperor’s representative speaks up.

"Hmm... It likely does. But I’ll check just to make sure. Honestly, the organization has almost anything, as long as the price is right. You know it is well connected to the other organizations too... even the Demonic Cult."

"I haven’t seen a more influential non-Leviathan organization, even on the other Continents. Its reach is quite impressive. I mean, since all the other Leviathan organizations, the Continental Overseers, and even independent parties all have a stake in the organization, I can understand why it will never be an independent Leviathan Organization... but why doesn’t it expand its reach to other Continents?"

"I think it’s for the same reason it’s so influential in Eariel. Do you think the Continental Overseers of the other Continents will allow such a thing to happen?"

"If the Dark Guild uses its current modus operandi and gives the respective Continental Overseers a chunk of the control and benefits, most of them would fold. It’s a simple and effective strategy that could be employed. I’m sure the other organizations have thought of this as well. Profits would skyrocket if operations were to expand across the world."

"Well, there must be reasons only the higher-ups know."

"True..."

After a constant and continuous stream of conversation, one of the speakers brings up a rather peculiar subject that causes everyone to pause.

"A Temporal Breach nearly occurred northwest of Eariel... in the Randalorion Kingdom."

"...!!!"

Silence fills the vast room.

Everyone stares at one another with a look of diffused horror and apprehension.

After an unknown period, the World’s Ambassador continues.

"It wasn’t a very serious incident, and it was swiftly resolved. Based on my contacts, the Breach could have only produced a Knight... at best, a President."

"But it still occurred!" Death’s representative quickly responds. "Why wasn’t I made aware of this matter?"

"Because it’s outside your jurisdiction, and the organization involved—"

"Who was it? It was the Nine-Headed Dragon Demonic Cult, wasn’t it? Those bastards have been increasing their activity in the northwest, so I should have expected—!"

"No, it wasn’t them..."

"Then who—?!"

"The Ouroboros Sect. It cooperated with the Dark Guild, and an agreement of secrecy was reached. That’s likely why you weren’t informed, even with your lack of jurisdiction."

"The Ouroboros Sect...?" Many members gasp in surprise at this point. "Why would it be involved in something like this? Even if it belongs to the Neutral Faction, it still has certain responsibilities and shouldn’t endanger—"

"It was done by a rogue. The Sect handled the matter swiftly by sending a team to take down the defector and ensure the matter was resolved. A Temporal Implosion even occurred, which reversed the situation and stabilized the atmosphere."

"Still... the Sect should suffer some repercussions for its carelessness, shouldn’t it?"

"I agree. Even if the perpetrator defected, and an argument could be made that they were no longer affiliated with the Sect at the time of the incident, it is still the Sect’s responsibility to ensure something like this never happens."

"Precisely. Things shouldn’t have gotten this bad."

"I believe, since this involves the Temporal Beasts, a report ought to be made to H’elios."

The World sighs and shakes his head. "Unlike our organization, which belongs to the Order Faction, those in the Neutral Faction operate under different rules. The Sect has already taken responsibility by eliminating the defector and ensuring the situation was handled."

"But—"

"It’s best not to escalate matters, especially since the response was prompt and the worst-case scenario didn’t happen." The Fool’s Ambassador finally speaks as he lightly taps the table in a calm but stern manner. "As for the matter of reporting this to H’elios, it would be foolish to let them know of every little happening on the Continent, especially if it risks fracturing our relationship with the Ouroboros Sect. Besides, since the Temporal Breach didn’t even occur, such a matter would be beneath H’elios."

"...You’re right." Death’s Ambassador sighs while hanging his head powerlessly.

"As for whether or not the Continental Overseers should be informed, I believe they are already aware of the matter and will likely not get too involved. The Ouroboros Sect will pay a fine at most, so there’s really no reason to aggravate the issue."

Upon hearing the wise words of the Fool’s Ambassador, everyone nods in agreement.

However, surprisingly, the World’s representative makes a small addition.

"I believe, in addition to the Demonic Cult, we ought to keep a constant watch on the Ouroboros Sect. At the very least, if we exploit the information channels of the Dark Guild, we can keep account of its activities and ensure such a thing doesn’t happen again. If possible, we can also learn the details of the incident."

"Agreed."

"I think that’s fair."

"I find the World’s Ambassador to be correct in this instance."

The Fool’s representative sighs as he listens to all of this, then turns his gaze to the World’s Ambassador. "So do you have a method or an approach in place?"

The man at the end of the golden table nods.

"Yes. The newest member of the Sect, as well as the weakest link. If we keep our eyes on him and eventually draw him in when the time is right, we’ll be able to achieve our objective."

"Oh? What’s his name?"

At this point, the World’s Ambassador smiles and conjures an image.

There, the portrait of a young man in his mid to late twenties is shown. He has a slightly tan olive complexion, with raven-black hair and an eyepatch covering his left eye. His right eye exposes cold gray irises, and he appears to be a handsome man of calm disposition.

Upon presenting this person to the group, the World’s Ambassador continues with the introduction, his voice subtle but deep.

"Javier Aditi... He is a Rank 1 Leviathan of the Harbinger Pathway."