In front of the Grand Library's entrance, Sanhua was still waiting. Seeing the two return, she gave a slight nod. "Lady Magistrate is waiting in her study. Please follow me."
She led Rover and Cartethyia into the Grand Library, guiding them through a series of quiet, secluded inner corridors until they arrived at a carved wooden door.
After a light knock, a crisp, yet noticeably exhausted voice sounded from within. "Please come in."
The study's furnishings were elegant and minimalist, though the massive desk in the center was currently buried under mountains of documents.
Sitting behind the desk was a young girl with silver-white hair tied into twin tails that cascaded down to her knees. It was the Magistrate of Jinzhou, Jinhsi.
With her striking white hair, delicate features, and bright eyes, she looked slightly different today. She had shed the formal Magistrate uniform she wore while presiding over the meeting, changing into her everyday casual attire.
Her moon-white accented clothes featured a unique cut, primarily utilizing a black and white color palette. A golden Huanglong dragon tail decoration elegantly wrapped from her waist down to the hem of her skirt on the left side.
Seeing Rover and Cartethyia enter, she stood up from behind the desk, a tired but deeply genuine smile gracing her face.
"My apologies for keeping you two waiting. A few sudden emergencies popped up that I had to deal with." Her tone was apologetic as her gaze shifted to the knight. "You must be Miss Cartethyia. Welcome to Jinzhou."
"Greetings, Lady Magistrate. Please forgive my sudden intrusion," Cartethyia bowed, looking much more relaxed and natural than she had when they first arrived at the Grand Library.
"There is no need for such formalities. Since you are a friend of Rover, simply calling me Jinhsi will do," she said gently. She walked around the desk, gesturing for them to sit at the nearby tea table. "Sanhua, tea, please."
Sanhua bowed silently and retreated, quickly returning with a tray of fragrant tea and several exquisite pastries.
"Rover, it has been a while. You look..." Jinhsi studied him carefully, a flicker of confusion crossing her eyes. "...You seem a bit different."
She could distinctly feel it. The aura of the old friend sitting in front of her was much warmer and more inviting, making him feel far more approachable than when they had first met.
Rover picked up his teacup and smiled. "People naturally change after experiencing certain things. You, on the other hand, look like you've lost some weight. Still drowning in paperwork?"
Jinhsi let out a soft sigh, opting not to pry into his changes. She simply rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Even more so than usual. Not long ago, Scar—the Fractsidus Overseer held in our maximum-security prison—somehow found an opportunity to escape."
"Scar?" Rover set his teacup down, his expression turning serious.
That mysterious weirdo with the chest-window outfit had clashed with him multiple times in Jinzhou.
Though the guy acted like an absolute lunatic, his strength clearly didn't match his arrogant personality. He had first been completely soloed by Rover back when Rover only possessed Spectro Resonance. Later, Rover and Jinhsi had teamed up and subjected him to a merciless two-on-one beatdown inside the Grand Library's database. After that, he was tossed into the slammer to do hard time.
"Yes..." Jinhsi nodded, a heavy shadow falling over her brow. "Although Jinzhou has mobilized all its forces to hunt him down, he is incredibly cunning. A large number of Fractsidus members moved in full force to assist in his prison break. We haven't heard a single whisper of him since. We suspect it is highly likely he has already smuggled himself across the border."
"Not only is this a severe blow to the Grand Library's reputation, but even worse, the scattered Fractsidus remnants that had previously gone into hiding have taken this as a shot of adrenaline. They have resumed frequent operations, orchestrating numerous incidents. It feels as though they are plotting something massive."
"The Midnight Rangers and the Jinzhou Patrollers have been run ragged," her slender fingers unconsciously tightened around her teacup. "The meeting just now was to deploy a new wave of extermination operations."
Just at that moment, the study door was pushed open, and a gentle, serene voice drifted in. "Jinhsi, I heard we have guests?"
The owner of the voice wore a simple yet elegant white skirt draped with a black coat. Her crimson and white hair was tied up into a red feather-like ponytail. Her high heels clicked softly as she walked in, every step exuding a languid, unhurried grace.
It was the Counselor to the Jinzhou Magistrate, Changli.
Holding a rolled-up bamboo scroll in one hand, she wore a demure smile. As her gaze swept across the room and landed on Rover, an incredibly subtle, brilliant light flashed through her orange eyes.
"Master," Jinhsi stood up, her attitude deeply respectful. "Rover has arrived."
"It's been a while, Changli," Rover stood up as well, offering a friendly greeting.
Changli smiled and nodded in return. Her gaze then naturally shifted to Cartethyia, carrying a warm, probing curiosity. "And who might this young lady be?"
"This is Miss Cartethyia. She is a knight from Rinascita, and a friend of Rover," Jinhsi introduced.
Cartethyia quickly stood up and bowed. "Greetings, Counselor Changli."
"There is no need for such formalities, Miss Cartethyia." Changli's smile was as comforting as a spring breeze. "A knight from Rinascita? No wonder you carry such a valiant aura."
Everyone took their seats, and the conversation naturally steered back to the pressing issue of the Fractsidus.
"Scar's escape leaves behind a significant threat," Changli said softly, a trace of icy sharpness bleeding into her tone. "I have already advised Jinhsi to report this to the Central Court and request the dispatch of elite experts. We need to conduct a cross-border manhunt. We absolutely cannot let that beast roam free."
Hearing this, Rover's expression shifted. He glanced at Cartethyia beside him. "Speaking of that... Jinhsi, we actually might have some useful intel regarding Scar."
"Oh?" Jinhsi and Changli immediately focused their attention on him.
Rover gestured toward Cartethyia. "Not too long ago, the Fractsidus made some major moves in the Seven Hills. The mastermind was an Overseer named Christopher, and Scar showed up as his backup. Cartethyia actually fought them."
Cartethyia nodded, her expression serious. Her tone carried the unyielding pride of a knight, mixed with absolute disdain for her enemies. "Yes, Lady Magistrate. In the Seven Hills, I engaged in combat with the Overseer named Christopher and his cronies."
"As for Scar... his strength shouldn't be underestimated, but he was absolutely no match for me. I chased him down until he looked quite pathetic. Unfortunately, their scheme was already complete, and they refused to face me in a head-on battle. In the end, he managed to slip away."
Listening to her report, a flash of realization crossed Jinhsi's silver-gray eyes. "So he fled to the Seven Hills. And Christopher... that name is also on our records. Thank you both for sharing this concrete information. This is absolutely crucial."
She pondered for a moment, her tone turning decisive. "I will formally draft a letter to Governor Augusta of the Seven Hills immediately, sharing our intelligence on Scar. I will request that the Seven Hills authorities assist in the investigation and cooperate with our operations. We must bring that beast to justice as soon as possible!"
"If you need any assistance on our end, just say the word," Rover offered voluntarily. Whether out of public duty or personal grievance, he wasn't about to just sit back and watch the Fractsidus operate unchecked.
A sliver of warmth flowed through Jinhsi's eyes. "Mm. If we require your aid, I will contact you immediately."
"I have firsthand experience with their underhanded tactics," Cartethyia added seriously. "I will assist you with everything I have!"
Watching the group, Changli's gaze lingered on Rover and the blonde knight beside him for a fraction of a second. The corners of her lips curled upward, forming an almost imperceptible, knowing smile.
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