Mister Raven released a faint breath.
The nature of the middle-aged man standing before him truly resembled a great stone reef that had weathered countless storms and crashing waves for decades.
Steadfast.
Unyielding.
And nearly impossible to sway with nothing more than a handful of words.
Ian's true body had anticipated something like this from the very beginning.
The Genjutsu embedded within Baron Glutherz's mind did not erase the territorial lord's personality nor the principles by which he lived.
Yet its influence was powerful enough to instill an immense sense of loyalty and respect toward the individual he regarded as a trusted ally.
As a result, many of the Baron's actions often appeared excessively deferential.
At times, he even resembled a lesser noble standing before the sovereign seated upon the highest throne in the realm.
Something Ian had never truly desired.
Mister Raven's fingers slowly slipped beneath the folds of his black robe.
A moment later, he withdrew a thick cloth pouch that appeared heavily laden.
It was rather large.
Judging by the weight suggested through the strained folds of the fabric, anyone could tell that its contents were far from ordinary.
Afterward, he extended his hand once more.
This time, an aged scroll of parchment passed from his grasp into the hands of the Baron.
Upon that parchment was written a request he had carefully composed during his journey toward the City of Gluthera.
He had no intention of lingering within the castle any longer than necessary.
As far as he was concerned, the greater portion of his task had already been completed the moment the parchment changed hands.
"Read everything written within that scroll when your knight steps into this chamber."
"You should know that before long, one of the knights guarding the city walls shall arrive before you bearing important news from the gates of Gluthera."
Baron Glutherz's brows immediately drew together.
A ripple of confusion briefly crossed his features.
Yet only for a moment.
As a ruler who had weathered countless upheavals throughout his life, he quickly calmed the disturbance within his thoughts.
Even so, a trace of concern quietly began to take root within his heart.
After all, important news rarely arrived without bringing change in its wake.
At times, it came as a blessing that nurtured hope.
At other times, it arrived as a calamity that shattered tranquility.
And whenever such matters concerned the lands beneath their banner, most feudal lords preferred preparing for the worst rather than surrendering themselves to pleasant expectations.
Not because they despised peace.
But because fate possessed a habit of arriving without warning.
It offered no choices.
It merely presented reality and demanded that it be accepted.
"Important news?"
Baron Glutherz's eyes remained fixed upon the black-haired man before him.
Observing the subtle shift in the Baron's expression, Mister Raven easily discerned the unease hidden beneath that composed exterior.
"Indeed."
He gave a slow nod.
His tone remained light, yet carried undeniable certainty.
"However, there is no need for excessive concern, Baron."
"This matter poses no threat to the peace of Gluthera."
Upon hearing those words, the tension that had quietly gripped the Baron's chest gradually loosened.
"I am grateful that you chose to reassure me of that beforehand, Mister Raven."
"We are partners who aid one another."
A trace of warmth lingered within Mister Raven's gaze.
"It would be unthinkable for me to come here merely to bring misfortune upon the territory you protect."
Baron Glutherz lowered his head respectfully.
"My thanks, Mister Raven."
The black-haired man then rose from his chair.
The dark robe enveloping his body swayed gently with the movement.
Calmly, he straightened the folds of his attire before continuing.
"Within the pouch I have left behind rests a quantity of gold coins."
His gaze shifted toward the pouch resting upon the desk.
"Use every coin wisely after you have completed the matters described within the parchment."
The Baron immediately fell silent.
A look of astonishment, difficult to conceal, passed across his face.
From the beginning, he had suspected that the cloth pouch contained valuables.
Yet he had never imagined that its contents were a collection of gold coins.
And judging by its weight, the amount was far from insignificant.
Baron Glutherz drew a long breath.
Then he rose to his feet as well, standing on equal footing with his guest.
His eyes were filled with sincere respect.
Yet at the same time, a gentle refusal escaped his lips.
"Your generosity is far too great, Mister Raven."
His gaze briefly shifted toward the pouch of gold.
"There is no need for you to deplete your personal wealth for a matter such as this."
"Please take the gold back with you."
"I still possess more than enough private funds to fulfill any requirement connected to your request."
For the first time since their conversation had begun, Mister Raven's smile broadened slightly.
It was not a mocking smile.
Rather, it was one born from genuine appreciation.
"Baron Glutherz."
"I admire the sincerity contained within those words."
"But there is something you must understand."
"I did not come here to consume the prosperity of your territory."
"Nor did I come to burden the treasury you have guarded with such diligence."
His finger then pointed toward the pouch resting upon the table.
"Quite the opposite."
"I wish to ensure that everything which unfolds after this day may proceed without diminishing the welfare of your people or disrupting the stability of the lands under your rule."
For a moment, silence once again settled across the chamber.
Only the faint whisper of the wind beyond the castle windows could be heard.
And within that silence, Baron Glutherz realized something more clearly than ever before.
The longer he came to know the man called Mister Raven, the more difficult it became to fathom the depth of thought hidden behind that calm and enigmatic smile.
Then the pair of eyes as dark as ancient obsidian belonging to Mister Raven suddenly sharpened.
His gaze seized hold of Baron Glutherz's entire awareness, leaving not the slightest opening through which his attention might wander.
Beneath the calmness of his expression rested a firmness that was nearly impossible to oppose.
"The request I bring today is born from a sincerity equal to the steadfast devotion you hold toward me."
His voice remained calm.
Yet every word carried a weight that seemed to linger heavily within the air itself.
"Therefore, accept those gold coins and make use of them without questioning the matter any further."
"For a single thread of refusal from you would only make me reluctant to continue investing my attention in the prosperity of the lands you have labored so diligently to build."
That warning, wrapped in a cloak of cold gentleness, immediately stirred a ripple of panic within the Baron's chest.
His heart began to beat slightly faster.
Not because he feared for himself.
But because of the possibility of losing the favor of the mysterious figure who had entered his life without warning.
Without realizing it, his head lowered even further.
The respect deeply rooted within him surfaced naturally.
"I accept your reprimand, Mister Raven."
His voice was filled with sincerity.
"If this is truly your unwavering will, then I shall see it accomplished."
A faint smile returned to Mister Raven's face.
"A wise choice."
He gave a slow nod.
"I am pleased that you have understood my intentions so quickly."
The black-haired man fell silent for several moments.
As though carefully weighing something within the depths of his thoughts.
Then, without warning, an unexpected statement left his lips.
"And as compensation for all your efforts in the days to come..."
"Regarding your beloved daughter, who is presently pursuing her studies within the Imperial Capital."
A subtle smile, impossible to fully decipher, once again appeared upon his face.
"I swear that her safety shall remain under my protection while she resides there."
Baron Glutherz froze.
For the first time since their meeting had begun, the composure that had adorned his face finally shattered.
"Ah? Mister Raven... that matter..."
The sudden shock that struck his heart left his thoughts momentarily blank.
His daughter.
The most precious jewel of his household.
The person he treasured above all the wealth under his possession.
Hearing her mentioned so suddenly caused every fragment of the Baron's attention to focus entirely upon the man before him.
Without a second thought, he stepped forward.
His right hand extended outward.
A gesture born from the sincerity of a devoted father.
Mister Raven accepted the offered hand without the slightest hesitation.
Their hands clasped firmly together.
Strong.
Steady.
Like a seal of fate binding two wills beneath a single accord.
"It is an honor beyond measure for me to stand in cooperation with you, Mister Raven."
Baron Glutherz's gaze burned with unwavering earnestness.
"I swear upon the banner and lineage of my house."
His grip tightened ever so slightly.
"The request you have entrusted to me today shall be fulfilled to the utmost of my ability."
"I shall eagerly await the proof of that oath, Baron."
After the handshake came to an end, Mister Raven slowly turned upon his heel.
His black robe swayed softly with the movement.
A sense of satisfaction settled within him.
The discussion had proceeded far more smoothly than he had anticipated.
"Until we meet again."
He took several steps away.
"Our paths shall cross another day."
Then he glanced back over his shoulder.
"Take care of yourself, my friend."
A faint smile appeared upon the Baron's face.
"The same to you, Mister Raven."
No sooner had those words faded than a phenomenon beyond ordinary reason suddenly unfolded.
Mister Raven's body shattered into hundreds of black fragments.
Yet those fragments were not dust.
Nor were they pieces of shadow.
They were a flock of jet-black ravens that abruptly filled the chamber.
"Kraaak!"
"Kraaak!"
Their cries echoed sharply through the room.
Dark wings swept through the air like living nightfall.
Within moments, the flock surged toward the ventilation opening in the corner of the chamber before vanishing one after another into the vast sky beyond.
And just as his arrival had been cloaked in mystery,
his departure left behind the very same silence.
The Baron's private study once again fell into stillness.
Only the occasional whisper of wind beyond the castle windows remained.
Baron Glutherz stood alone.
His gaze remained fixed upon the vent through which the ravens had disappeared.
Slowly, the corner of his lips lifted.
A faint smile appeared upon his face.
"A man utterly shrouded in mystery."
His murmur was scarcely louder than a breath.
Almost swallowed by the silence of the chamber.
"Standing before him feels as though one is facing a sovereign seated upon the highest throne among the great nobles of the Imperial Capital."
He released a long breath.
The feeling of admiration still lingered within his chest.
Yet before long, he gently shook his head.
"However, I believe that admiration must be set aside for the moment."
His gaze shifted toward his desk.
"There are matters of far greater importance that demand my attention."
His eyes settled upon the aged parchment resting across the wooden surface.
Beside it lay the heavy cloth pouch filled with gold coins.
Both seemed to beckon endlessly at his curiosity.
What exactly was concealed within that scroll?
What kind of request had compelled Mister Raven to return to his castle once more?
Those questions gradually filled his thoughts.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Yet before his curiosity could be satisfied, a series of sharp knocks suddenly echoed from beyond the door of his study.
Swift.
Repeated.
And filled with unmistakable urgency.
The silence that had only just settled was immediately shattered.
Baron Glutherz turned toward the door.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
So it was true.
That mysterious man had indeed known of someone's arrival long before it came to pass.
The Baron released a quiet breath.
Then, in a calm voice that retained all the authority expected of a ruler, he granted permission.
"You may enter."