"..."
Both Dekan and Cornelia remained eerily quiet.
Especially Cornelia, she was profoundly shocked.
She had thought that it’s impossible to play with no regard like they did in the Shadow World in the real world.
But Flora's brother dared to do such things!
Dekan also felt that he had underestimated Mauleon.
The phoenix chick was right beside me...
If I had known about Mauleon's good deeds earlier, I would have dealt with this guy in our hometown!
At least when they were in the border town, Mauleon didn't have that super-strong elf with him. It was likely that they were separated.
In that case, Dekan could still take Mauleon down.
"Although Uncle Hanover has posted a reward, Mauleon must be brought back alive..."
Theresia added with some concern.
"Even needs to be kept alive. The Count is truly a kind and honest man!"
Dekan exclaimed.
He had thought official rewards were the kind where life or death didn't matter.
Keeping this rebel alive would only be trouble for the territory's future internal conflicts.
"But..."
"But..."
Dekan and Cornelia exchanged glances and nodded.
The Rejoice Church needed a missionary…
…or a substantial amount of funds.
Either recruit him or cash him out. That was the decision.
"..."
Theresia's expression was very complex.
She understood now that Dekan and Cornelia had completely set their sights on Mauleon.
Actually, she wasn't sure if it would be a mutually destructive situation when Dekan, Cornelia, and Mauleon collided.
Because she couldn't predict which side would have the upper hand in the underworld matters.
Of course, the worst-case scenario would be if the three formed an alliance.
That would be an unimaginable disaster.
Seeing Theresia's conflicted expression, Dekan sighed helplessly and said:
"Rest assured, Theresia. I won't harm Mauleon. Our team needs a merchant, and he is an indispensable talent."
"Need a merchant?"
Theresia's expression became even worse.
What legitimate raiding team would specifically recruit someone in this profession?!
You guys must be planning some side business with him!
Things were finally developing in the direction she feared the most.
She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, before finally shaking her head.
"Wait a moment."
Theresia went into the bedroom and handed a letter to Dekan.
"This is a letter Mauleon sent me when he started school. If he is really going to be your companion, please help him."
Theresia said with a worried expression.
Dekan nodded and opened the letter.
Cornelia and Flora leaned in closer to read alongside him.
[To my dearest friend, Theresia,]
[I'm sure you've already found that magical card maker.]
[In my eyes, he's an unimaginable cash cow, but alas, fate has not connected us.]
[Despite his poor card skills, he has good character. I'm sure you, sincere and kind as you are, will become great friends with him.]
......
[Lately, the Resurgence Church's pursuit of me has become increasingly intense, forcing me to hide in the southern countries.]
[I'm afraid I won't be able to return to the Norton Kingdom for a long time. Please take good care of Flora for me.]
[Be aware, there are Resurgence Church members in the capital. I am certain of that.]
[Their disguises are seamless, and it's nearly impossible to find any flaws through conventional means.]
[While the capital is well-protected, Flora will have the family guards even off-campus.]
[However, I've discovered there's a high probability of a Resurgence Church member with an extremely noble identity within the Hevenlit Academy.]
[Of course, that high-ranking member is unlikely to personally expose their identity just to deal with Flora.]
[But as I continue to amass the Resurgence Church's wealth in the Shadow Worlds, they might try everything to control Flora and thus manipulate me.]
[The Resurgence Church's methods may involve enticing certain disgruntled students to obtain usable pawns.]
[Regardless of whether father believes it or not, please pass on this information about the Resurgence Church to him.]
[May your family be restored soon.]
Dekan put down the letter, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Is this guy an information broker?"
He murmured.
However, upon careful consideration, Mauleon might have already bought off key members within the Resurgence Church.
It made sense that he could acquire some confidential information.
After all, Mauleon had done such things in the past.
Several pieces of information about the Resurgence Church in the letter were accurate.
However, Mauleon probably didn't expect Dekan to have successfully caught an undercover Resurgence Church member in the capital.
So, the information about a Resurgence Church member in the academy was also highly probable.
"So, if you want to find Mauleon, there's hope by going to the southern countries, but it's like finding a needle in a haystack."
Theresia said helplessly.
Dekan thought for a moment.
Cornelia's hometown was a small kingdom in the south.
They had already made plans to visit there in the future.
However, leaving school immediately to go abroad was not possible.
Moreover, even with the vast influence of the Resurgence Church, they couldn't locate Mauleon, let alone the two of them.
That said, their goal was no longer to capture Mauleon himself.
As long as they could meet Mauleon, it would be enough.
"No... I have a way to find him."
Dekan returned the letter to Theresia, his expression gradually unable to contain his excitement.
In Mauleon's letter, there was a very important phrase:
He continuously "amassed" the Resurgence Church's wealth in the Shadow Worlds.
This indicated that Mauleon often found an entrance to challenge the Shadow Worlds.
And he could frequently collide with Resurgence Church members!
So, conversely, the Resurgence Church probably had a method to collide with Mauleon.
To find Mauleon, they would have to rely on the Resurgence Church.
Fortunately, Dekan had an undercover agent lurking in the Resurgence Church—Ourola!
As long as they published a lost and found notice in the newspaper today, specifying the meeting point for Ourola, they could inquire about information from her tomorrow.
Although her position in the Resurgence Church wasn't particularly high, it wasn't low either.
The Resurgence Church must have tracked Mauleon in the capital at some point, and Ourola should have some information about Mauleon.
"Thank you, Theresia!"
"Dekan, you need to think it through. Mauleon's situation is not that simple. If you openly associate with him, you'll also find yourself in deep trouble!"
Theresia looked at Dekan with some concern.
Although Dekan had consecutively defeated Resurgence Church members in the Shadow World, facing such a massive organization in the real world was beyond the capabilities of students like them.
"Don't worry, Mauleon's letter was only slightly off."
Dekan grinned triumphantly.
"We not only have a connection, but we're also on the same path."
Making money from the Resurgence Church.
When it came to this, Dekan was not at all tired!
