Hate me, Miss Witch!

Shiayar no longer needed to rack his brains to help Silver manifest illusions like the Great Sun Golden Crow, Flaming Mountain, or Sun God.

It's somewhat useful, but not much. No wonder it's only worth 10 Sands of Time; the non-limited edition should be worth at least 30. Forget it. It's still better than a small Experience Crystal with a lucky boost.

Shiayar shifted his gaze from the results of the lucky bag and looked to the other side of the screen.

It was the first official task released by the system after a seven-day cooldown, following the end of the beginner's task.

[The First Official Task Has Commenced]

[Task Stage One: Trigger the Echo of History—"Escarnia" (Incomplete)]

Okay, okay, the task right from the start is to seek out an Echo of History? They're dropping all pretenses now, aren't they? Moreover—Escarnia? What place is this?

Shiayar's gaze paused on the information on the screen.

Originally, to find the Azure Garden Dukedom's ruins, he had invested several years in the field of archaeological exploration. This was further assisted by his superhuman spiritual power. Although Shiayar was young, he was already qualified to be called an archaeologist, as most ordinary students from archaeology departments paled in comparison to him in the field of ancient history.

If it was a place name he had come across in ancient texts, Shiayar would definitely have an impression of it.

It isn't another existence from the lost history before the Calamity Land, is it? If that's what I have to find, it's going to be a huge project.

Shiayar felt his head beginning to ache.

Because of the existence of the Calamity Land, there was a huge gap in the human history of the Western Continent. The Azure Garden Dukedom existed over five hundred years ago, precisely during the latter stages of the Calamity Land era. A few decades after the fall of the Azure Garden Dukedom, the Calamity Land era was officially declared over. Therefore, while the history of the Azure Garden Dukedom was vague, some clues and records still existed.

However, if we were to go further back, to the early period of the Calamity Land era...

Or even before the establishment of the Dawn Church, before the Holy Calendar, in the Ancient Era.

The historical secrets from that period were likely known only to the gods.

However, Shiayar soon discovered a new item option that had suddenly appeared in the store's exchange interface.

[Map Guide: Echo of History "Escarnia"]

[Rarity: Green]

[Price: Five]

[Item Description: Guides the host toward the location of the Echo of History]

Okay, okay. I was wondering why they canceled the guidance function for the beginner's task. So, they were waiting for this, huh?

Shiayar once again experienced the system's sinister intentions.

[You have purchased "Map Guide: Escarnia," spending 5 Sands of Time. Current remaining Sands of Time: 21]

There was no choice; what needed to be bought had to be bought. His time was precious. If he truly had to spend several years searching again, as he had for the Azure Garden ruins, Shiayar would rather spend money to save himself the effort.

The next moment, a phantom map of the Western Continent slowly spread out in Shiayar's mind.

Shiayar squinted slightly. He discovered that the target location marked by this map guide was not far from him. If measured by the scale of the entire Western Continent, it was almost a hair's breadth away.

Located right within—the Empire Capital.

Moreover, if he wasn't mistaken...

This place should be a site of considerable significance with an established owner.

「Empire Military Department, Secret Intelligence Division.」

Colonel Zieg looked at Shiayar in front of him, who was perusing the archives of the Secret Intelligence Division. He also observed the blonde girl silently following a step behind Shiayar, her cold gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar surroundings.

A wry smile couldn't help but spread across his face. Not long ago, Enola had threatened him with a Sacred Spear to his neck, a memory that remained vivid. A 4-Ring Master threatened by a 3rd Order student from the Extraordinary Academy—if word of this got out, it would surely make everyone in the Military Department roar with laughter.

But at that moment, Colonel Zieg had a clear premonition. If he refused to produce that bottle of spiritual elixir, he would undoubtedly die. There would be no exceptions.

Colonel Zieg took a few steps away from Enola before asking, "Student Shiayar, why didn't you think of buying intelligence from the Dark Shadow Council this time, but instead remembered our Military Department's network?"

"That shop is too much of a rip-off; I'm almost afraid to go back," Shiayar replied without lifting his head, his attention still on the piles of archives before him. "If I go there again, I'm afraid I'll really be forced to pay with my own hide.

"Besides, didn't I just become a Swordbearer? It seems I'm practically second-in-command in your Military Department. It'd be a waste not to use that connection for free."

The intelligence network of the Empire Military Department and that of the Dark Shadow Council differed greatly in the types of information they handled. For the Military Department, they were more concerned with the recent and precise movements of various nations on the Western Continent, including major powers and High Order experts. The slightest activity in strategic locations within enemy nations would be detected, as such things could directly affect the continental situation and the direction of wars.

However, concerning secrets buried in history and certain forbidden knowledge, the Military Department's intelligence network knew very little. After all, such matters had no direct bearing on the interests of the Empire or the Military Department.

If that weren't the case, Shiayar wouldn't have repeatedly paid the Dark Shadow Council. Who would spend money if they could get something for free?

Is this it...

Shiayar's gaze fixed on a certain archive. He scanned the information on the archive, his eyes narrowing slightly.