The Pathfinders Guild was known for its strict selection of apprentices, so Adrian''s true apprentices were few-15 in total, including those who had long since left the guild.


    The apprentices who left did not betray the guild. Rather, each had their own path to follow.


    Adrian was not rigid. He allowed his apprentices to pursue their own desires, as long as their actions did not harm themon people or the innocent.


    Only a few days ago, Adrian had sent messages by carrier pigeon to those former apprentices. Now aplished their own rights, they would all return to the capital at his summons, to assist their youngest martial sister.


    There were other apprentices in the guild, but they were not Adrian''s personal apprentices. They were, however, called apprentices out of respect. Adrian asionally gave them guidance, but their martial training was primarily overseen by the guild''s two senior martial elders. On rare asions, Adrian''s direct apprentices would step in to help.


    They were skilled in martial arts, but since they still had to handle daily chores, they couldn''t focus solely on training. As a result, they were far behind those who were personally mentored by Adrian.


    They were not part of the elite group Adrian sought. He needed only the finest. That was why he had staged a birthday feast, inviting the leaders of various factions-though, of course, he would owe them a debt of gratitude for honoring him with their presence.


    In the martial world, people might boldly swear to fight for loyalty and honor, but they couldn''t just ept favors without thinking about what they owed in return.


    Everett asked him, "Adrian, you''ve never involved yourself in court affairs. Why go to such lengths this time? Do you not trust Carissa and the Mystic Army?"


    Adrian stood in the weaponry storeroom, nning to select a handy weapon.


    "If you were Nichs," Adrian said, "what would your first move be?"


    Everett thought for a moment. "Wait for the right opportunity?"


    "The opportunity wille," Adrian replied, choosing a fan before discarding it. "But if I were him, I would first make sure there were no generals left in the capital. With Mystic Army under Cari''smand, it will briefly fall apart if you remove her. Just those few days of chaos would be enough for him to seed."


    A cold glint shed in Everett''s eyes. "You think he would kill Carissa?"


    Adrian finally chose a sword. Spinning it in a flourish, he turned to Everett. "How do I look? Handsome?" Everett nced at him. "Trying to charm all the widows of the capital?"


    Adrian nodded. "I must avoid being too mboyant."


    Adrian finally chose a six-barreled


    firearm-a special design of his own, equipped with a sharp de. The de was made of unyielding obsidian ore, designed for dual use, both as a cutting weapon and a firearm. It was efficient and deadly.


    The city gates of the capital remained heavily guarded. Though rumors circted that Gordon might be Nichs in disguise, the true Nichs from Nerovia had yet to be exposed, so it remained uncertain. Carissa had been summoned to the pce multiple times.


    After several days of deliberation, a consensus had been reached, though anxiety still gued everyone. The riverworks project was progressing smoothly, and it was an important initiative for the people. But if possible, Salvador hoped to first eliminate the rebels once and for all.


    The problem was that the workers were genuinely working on the riverbanks, repairing the infrastructure, and building the foundation dams. How could they bebeled as rebels?


    Nichs'' subtle approach was designed to provoke the court into sending military troops. This would give them a reason to rebel against the Mystic Army. By doing this, they wouldn''t be seen as rebels, but as poormoners forced to fight by the government.


    This way, they would gain the support of the people.


    Salvador urgently pressed his advisors to find a way to force the enemy''s hand. Once they were branded


    as traitors, he could swiftlyunch a crackdown. In other words, it was all about stirring up conflict and gaining the upper hand first.


    The court was divided, with some


    supporting Salvador''s strategy, while others suggested it would be better to dy. On the one hand, the riverworks project was important. On the other, they could wait for Thomas to return to the capital after defeating Yuvan.


    Some officials harbored doubts about Carissa''s leadership. While she had shownpetence in leading the Mystic Army in peacetime, her abilities in war-especially in the capital-remained uncertain. Despite her martial prowess, shecked experience inrge-scale battles. This made some question whether it was too hasty to make her themander just because she had led a couple of victorious campaigns at the Southern Frontier.