Rayven took a deep breath as he absorbed the information he had just heard from Ardania.

The Count? That wasn't a name thrown around lightly. In Hesa City, the Count was more than a noble, he was basically the spine of the region's administration. He was the force behind every permit, every budget, every military deployment.

He rarely appeared in public, and when he did, it was always during a ceremony or a high-profile event.

If the Count was truly involved, it could be very dangerous for him.

"You're serious…" he said after seeing Ardania's eyes..

Ardania nodded. "I wouldn't be here if I weren't."

Rayven tapped the edge of the desk as he needed to think this through carefully. "You said the Dungeon Outbreak wasn't random. That something triggered it. And you think the Count is involved?"

Ardania replied. "I suspect that it was their doing. However, I don't have concrete proof on this matter. But I can tell you that some other nobles had tried it before in other dungeons. After all, the wealth it provides to the city would be unimaginable. Even if it's dangerous."

Rayven gestured for her to continue.

"I also had someone monitor the mana flow around the 17th Dungeon for weeks…" she said. "There were fluctuations, and it's consistent. Then, three days before the outbreak, the flow spiked. Not from inside the dungeon, but from the surface. From the city."

Rayven frowned…

"As you guess, it's possibly Mana Injections…" Ardania said. "But it wasn't natural, it was definitely something controlled… And the only person with the authority to allow such a thing without alerting the Mage Guild or the Adventurers Guild is the Count."

Rayven didn't speak as he processed those accusations.

"I tried to trace the source," Ardania continued. "But I can't find anything with the chaotic mana traces… Someone went to great lengths to hide it."

Rayven exhaled as he now understood the situation. "And you want me to investigate."

"I need someone who isn't tied to the Guild," Ardania said. "Someone who can move quietly… Then, ask questions or notice things. Furthermore, you run a shop. You definitely talk to suppliers, adventurers, guards, so you hear things others don't."

Rayven considered the implications. If the Count was involved, this wasn't just a political scandal. It was a threat to the entire city. And if Ardania was right, then the outbreak might actually happen again.

Although it would certainly result in them getting more Beast Cores or other resources, it was definitely not a matter that should be controlled like that.

"What exactly am I looking for?" Rayven asked. "Some illegal shipments or something?"

Ardania smiled as she felt that Rayven had already agreed.. "Anything about the Count and his people. I think I'm missing something. There must be another reason why the Count wanted the Dungeon not to be cleared."

Rayven nodded slowly. "And what's in it for me?"

Ardania reached into her satchel and pulled out a small crystal tablet etched with glowing runes. She placed it on the desk between them.

"This is a Spell Rune Model… Flame Dash… It's an Adept-Level Movement Spell. It covers up to 30 meters in a straight line. You can learn the Model yourself, or you can bind this crystal to your staff and integrate it… It'll help even if you have full slots on your Spells already.

Rayven stared at the crystal… It was valuable and useful for many Mages, but not to him for obvious reasons.

Rayven pushed the crystal back toward her.

"I want something else instead…"

Ardania raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I guess you already have a set of Spells in your mind. Do you have a teacher? You have to be careful setting up your Spells. Removing them would cost you a fortune…"

Rayven smiled but he didn't stay on that topic… "I will be careful."

She didn't press as she understood the value of discretion.

"Then what do you want?" she asked.

"Money," Rayven said. "If I find proof, real proof, that the Count is involved, I want gold for the payment…

Ardania nodded. "How much?"

"I'll name the price when I see the risk," Rayven said. "If this is just a few missing records, that's one thing. If it's a conspiracy involving the Guildmaster and half the defense council, that's another."

Ardania didn't flinch. "Fair… I need you to be careful though…"

Rayven nodded. "I'll work alone. I can't afford to bring anyone in, not until I know who's involved. If the Guildmaster's compromised or if the Mage Association is compromised, then any assistant I hire could be a liability."

"You understand it… Great." Ardania said.

Rayven then asked a few more questions about this matter… He wanted to know more about the situation since he couldn't make a mistake on this matter. This was all for the sake of earning gold coins.

Well, he was also curious about this matter. Furthermore, Ardania was definitely a wealthy Archmage and she would certainly reward him with a lot of coins.

After a few moments, Ardania reached into her satchel once more, this time retrieving a small pouch. She placed it on the desk with a soft thud. The weight was unmistakable.

Rayven didn't need to open it to know what was inside.

"This gold plate is one hundred gold coins…" Ardania said. "To start your operations. Use it however you see fit… bribes, purchases, travel, information. I don't care how you spend it, as long as it gets results."

Rayven nodded, but didn't touch the pouch yet.

"I'll give more once you complete the mission," she continued. "But I want progress and not vague reports… I want something concrete."

"How long do I have?"

"Three months," Ardania said. "That's the limit. If you find nothing by then, I'll assume the trail's gone cold and move on."

Rayven considered the timeline. It was tight, but not impossible.

"I'll start tomorrow," he said.

Ardania nodded. "Good."

She then stood up, but instead of heading for the door, she looked at him…

"One more thing," she said. "I want to see your skills. Let's have a quick spar…"

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