Siman was on the verge of a breakdown.

Truly, on the verge of a breakdown.

Just moments ago, the Emergency Magic Scroll summoned all full and probationary members of the White Knights to rush—within their means—to District Six, where Sanctum University stood.

Reason: confirmed Xia Kingdom espionage activity, with the hideout’s general location identified.

The Inquisition Bureau was occupied elsewhere; personnel in Saint Louis ran thin. Hence, the urgent call.

That alone wouldn’t shatter her.

What broke her: Hale Fasius’s name, nestled at the very bottom of the spy codename list.

Highlighted in yellow.

Not red like the others—but still a glaring suspicion.

And among those red-marked names, two stood out unmistakably female: *Phoenix Fledgling* and *Mandala*.

Likely masterminds. Their names topped the list. The Curia’s order: capture them alive.

No wonder Hale’s denials hid them so well. Such high-level spies must be deeply concealed. Even their secret meeting place.

“Fine. Whatever. I’m heading out on a mission.”

Siman glanced at the silent Hale. *Exposed. No defense will save him now.*

Once she caught those two enchanting spies who’d bewitched him, she’d make him reflect—properly.

She turned and left the grand hall, already planning to swap her uniform for knight armor.

…

“Lady Christine, what’s happening? Archbishop Malik is en route and insists you leave District Six immediately.”

Maria’s voice trembled with urgency.

Christine hadn’t left Sanctum University. Silver Knights encircled her in tight, layered formation inside the magically warded secure hall.

Yet she felt no panic—only confusion.

Archbishop Malik served Cardinal Bishop Ron directly and managed Ron Cathedral. If mere evacuation was needed, why come himself?

Could Xia Kingdom spies target her openly on the streets? The notification meant the Inquisition Bureau was already moving. Unless it was a suicide strike… this felt excessive.

The knights’ tension was palpable. Their orders: absolute.

This wasn’t guarding against intruders. It felt like guarding *her* in.

But her mind kept circling back to Hale. Why was his name on that list?

Was he truly a Xia Kingdom spy?

Yet the divine voice had called him the most exceptional man.

Between gods and Church… she trusted the divine.

Christine turned to the vice-chancellor beside her.

“Count Reed, your thoughts on Hall Fasius?”

“The second young master of House Faxius?” Count Reed blinked in mild surprise, then chuckled. “What thoughts? Campus gossip swirls around him. The Discipline Committee complains endlessly. But youth… a little wildness is normal. Had I been a duke’s son back then? I’d have been far wilder.”

He sounded understanding. Christine sensed evasion. *He’s hiding something.*

The vice-chancellor met her probing gaze—and said nothing more.

Hall Fasius *was* an anomaly. His reputation arrived shattered; the council labeled him a problem child.

Days before term began, his elder sister visited Academic Affairs bearing lavish magical gifts, politely requesting care for her younger brother.

Sanctum University, honoring the Duke’s standing, agreed: so long as Hale committed no murder or arson, they’d turn a blind eye.

She merely smiled, finished her meal, and left.

Then, the day before classes: Hall Fasius’s file arrived.

Count Reed still remembered it—the dark red cross seal of the Inquisition Bureau, the golden cross of the Curia, the Black Angel seal marking Imperial Top Secret classification.

Only the retired university president (once a Cardinal Bishop) held clearance to open it.

…

After Siman left, Hale didn’t linger.

Theology Day lectures concluded teaching duties—a day students and faculty alike cherished.

“What *was* that with Siman? That item… the rare in-game Emergency Magic Scroll?”

Hale murmured while walking toward the gate, connecting game clues.

Carry the scroll with Siman recruited? Linger in Saint Louis a few days? Trigger a White Knights or Inquisition Bureau quest.

“Was it the scroll’s content? Her mood had softened… Could the mission involve Xia Kingdom spies?”

A sharp realization struck.

*That’s why she accused me of lying. The spies are real.*

Explained the Inquisition Bureau’s earlier investigation.

Had he been reincarnated long ago? Memory gaps made him think he’d just transmigrated.

But the female spies appeared recently… Why suspect *him*?

He recalled Christine’s route: early on, a red-marked side quest—hunt Xia Kingdom spies.

Players tread carefully on such quests in her route.

Coincidentally… he’d completed it.

Knew the location. Knew the two key figures: [Mandala] and [Phoenix Fledgling].

The latter, cross-referenced from other routes, was almost certainly the Xia Kingdom princess.

Now Hale knew: act fast.

First—use this to clear his name.

Second—ensure the princess, a main heroine, wasn’t captured.

If she fell… the plot would kill *him* first.

He passed the school gate. Didn’t head home.

Made a beeline for District Six’s underground streets.