Sunlight

The Fourth Elder's smile didn't change, but Leopold noticed the two subordinates behind him exchange a swift glance.

Leopold remained expressionless. He picked up his water cup and took a slow sip.

Blake leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest as he stared straight at the Fourth Elder. “I heard that front-line supplies have been a bit tight lately. The soldiers don't even have enough arrows.”

“A problem with the supplies?” The Fourth Elder raised an eyebrow, wearing a perfectly rehearsed expression of surprise. “Where did you hear that, Lord Blake? As far as I know, the front-line logistical dispatch is operating completely normally.”

“Completely normally?” Blake repeated the words. “Are you sure?”

The Fourth Elder did not answer immediately. He first glanced sideways at Minnie, who instantly lowered her head.

The Fourth Elder's gaze returned to Blake. “Lord Blake, the allocation of front-line supplies falls under the Fifth Elder's jurisdiction, so it is not my place to say much. However, if you have doubts, why not ask the Fifth Elder directly?”

“Am I not asking you right now?”

“I truly do not know the specifics,” the Fourth Elder replied, his voice remaining steady. “If you are uneasy, Lord Blake, I can send someone to check the warehouse's registry logs.”

A textbook bureaucratic response—neither admitting to nor denying the issue.

“That is very considerate of you, Fourth Elder,” Leopold spoke up, his tone calm. “But why trouble you to send someone to check the registry logs? We can just go take a look ourselves.”

“...Your Excellency the Black Dragon wishes to inspect it personally?”

“Why? Is it inconvenient?” Leopold smiled faintly. “Or is there something in the warehouse that you'd rather we didn't see?”

“You jest, Your Excellency,” the Fourth Elder quickly regained his composure. “The warehouse is a restricted area, so there are indeed guards stationed there on normal days. However, since Your Excellency wishes to take a look, I naturally will not stand in your way.”

“Then I must thank you, Fourth Elder.” Leopold rose from his seat, casually straightening the collar of his coat. “Let's head out now, then.”

The Fourth Elder's smile finally stiffened.

“...Now?”

“What, does the Fourth Elder have other arrangements?” Leopold tilted his head, the golden light in his pupils swirling faintly. “Or is there something ‘currently being moved’ at the warehouse that shouldn't be disturbed?”

The Fourth Elder opened his mouth, then closed it. The two subordinates behind him no longer dared to make eye contact.

“...Of course not,” the Fourth Elder finally spoke, his voice a fraction lower than before. “Since Your Excellency is in such a hurry, I will have someone lead the way.”

“Don't trouble yourself.” Blake stood up as well, stretching his neck. “Just let Minnie lead the way.”

Minnie snapped her head up, her eyes still red from crying. “M-me?”

“...Seventh Elder,” the Fourth Elder's voice lowered slightly. “You are leading the way?”

“I... I can.”

“Do you even know where the west warehouse is?”

Minnie looked up. Though her voice was still trembling, it gradually grew firm. “I... I know. I've been there.”

The Fourth Elder stared at her for several seconds, then suddenly chuckled. “...I see. Seventh Elder, you are far bolder than I imagined.”

Standing to the side, Leopold took all of this in. He was already prepared; if the Fourth Elder had no intention of letting them through, he would have had to resort to extreme measures.

But the Fourth Elder did not stop them. He took half a step back, turned sideways, and gestured toward the west.

“Since the Seventh Elder is willing to lead the way, then please, after you.” His tone returned to its usual composure. “I will notify the guards at the west warehouse in advance. No one will block you.”

“Then thank you.” Leopold nodded, tilting his head in Minnie's direction. “Let's go.”

Minnie dithered for a moment before hurriedly scrambling up from her chair. She walked over to Leopold's side and cast a backward glance at the Fourth Elder.

The five of them crossed the central square and walked along the western street for about fifteen minutes. The further west they went, the fewer pedestrians there were, and the buildings on both sides gradually transitioned from residential areas to warehouses and workshops.

When the guards saw Minnie, their expressions visibly shifted, and one of them quickly stepped forward to greet them.

“Seventh Elder, the Fourth Elder has already sent word. Please, come inside!”

The interior of the warehouse was larger than Leopold had imagined. Rows of wooden shelves were neatly arranged, stretching deep inside, stacked with clearly labeled supply crates. Everything was in perfect order, with nothing suspicious in sight.

Blake was the first to walk in, his eyes sweeping across the wooden shelves on both sides. “...Looks pretty normal.”

“I... everything I said is true!” Minnie protested softly.

Blake walked ahead, casually flipping open the lids of a few wooden crates and peering inside. “...Rations are here, arrows are here too. The quantities match up.”

He looked back at Minnie. “Are you sure those supplies were moved?”

“I'm sure.” Minnie's voice was quieter now, but still firm. “These... these are just for show. The real supplies are further inside.”

“Further inside?” Isabella paused. “The warehouse goes even deeper?”

Minnie nodded. Taking a deep breath, she bypassed several rows of wooden shelves and walked toward the deepest part of the warehouse. The others exchanged glances and followed her.

Bypassing the last row of shelves, Minnie stopped before a stone wall that looked no different from any other. She squatted down, her fingers fumbling along the base of the wall for a moment before pressing down on a slightly protruding brick.

A mechanical click echoed from within the stone wall, and then the entire wall sank downward, revealing a secret door to everyone.

Standing at the secret door, Blake poked his head inside. “...Where does this lead?”

“The underground storage chamber. That's where the bulk of the supplies are kept!”

Without hesitation, Blake took the first step inside. Oliver followed closely behind. Leopold and Isabella exchanged a glance, then followed them in.

Minnie did not follow them inside. Standing at the entrance, she shouted to Leopold's group, “I'll keep watch out here! Hurry up!”

The secret door slowly closed behind the four of them. Standing outside, the naivety on Minnie's face vanished completely.

She raised her arm, leisurely wiping away the last trace of tears from her face with her sleeve. Then, lowering her sleeve, she adjusted the collar of her elder's robes.

“...There.”

Out of the shadows in the deepest part of the warehouse, the Fourth Elder slowly stepped forward. He stopped three paces away and bowed respectfully.

“Lady Minnie, how was my acting? Are you satisfied?”

“The subordinates played their parts well, but your hesitation at the end was a bit fake.” Minnie clapped her hands.

The Fourth Elder straightened up. “This subordinate will keep that in mind.”

Minnie turned around and walked toward the warehouse exit. After a few steps, she paused and tilted her head. “Is everything ready on the Fifth Elder's end?”

“Everything is proceeding according to plan. The supplies have been transported to the elevator shaft in batches, and the ledger has been modified accordingly. The Fifth Elder has no way to deny it.”

“I'm so looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of expression the Fifth Elder will make then?” Minnie covered her face and giggled.

“Sunlight... I love the sunlight.” She suddenly spun around, a hint of madness glinting in her eyes as she stared straight at the man behind her. “Are you just like me, obsessed with the warm sunlight, my dear Fourth Elder?”