Morning broke over Aurora beneath a sky painted in pale gold.
Unlike the peaceful sunrise, however, the atmosphere inside the royal investigation headquarters remained heavy.
The theft of the archive documents had changed everything. Until yesterday, Bahamut's group believed they were chasing the kidnappers. Now, they knew the kidnappers were watching them.
Every discovery they made was somehow reaching the enemy.
Whether there was a spy inside Aurora or the enemy possessed another means of surveillance, they couldn't tell.
One thing, however, was certain. They needed to move before the enemy did. The strategy room had become significantly quieter than usual.
Maps covered the enormous table. Markers, notes, sketches, witness statements, and transaction records had all been arranged into neat groups.
Victor stood at the head of the table.
"The Royal Guard has found something."
Everyone looked up as he unrolled a fresh map.
