“The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, conducting such schemes from the shadows… Though, I must say, it’s surprisingly sloppy for someone like him.”

Julius muttered as he set down Evelyn’s report on his desk.

There was an inexplicable sense of unease—a nagging feeling.

“What do you think, Chief of Intelligence?” Julius asked, looking up. A dark shadow appeared before him.

“What’s there to think? Just follow the evidence, arrest the culprit, and be done with it,” the Black Dragon scoffed lightly, tossing another document onto Julius’s desk.

“The evidence is solid. The assassin belongs to the Season of Serpents, with an impressive record. Turns out he was the same guy who assassinated the second squad leader of the Gale Sword Unit last year.”

Julius started to examine the document, then tilted his head in curiosity.

“Are you injured? Your left arm seems stiff.”

“…Mind your own business and focus on the report,” the Black Dragon replied.

Knowing further questions would be ignored, Julius returned his attention to the document.

*So he got into a big fight, huh? Even that monster can get hurt?*

Julius’s curiosity faded as he read the report.

There had been an incident last year that had shaken Winterlor. The Gale Sword Unit’s leader was found dead in his safehouse while on an external mission. Assassination within the safehouse implied internal information leaks; otherwise, the assassination would have been impossible.

“I thought this case had been classified as unsolved, with no traces of the culprit… So, that wasn’t the case?”

“That’s what we told the public. We had to hide our suspicions from the ‘Snake.’”

*The Snake.*

This was Edgar Troyban’s hidden alias.

“At the time, the Gale Sword Unit was in a skirmish with Troyban over the ‘White Tower Ruins.’ The Troyban family found them rather bothersome.”

“So, Troyban became a suspect?”

“The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency mediated, and jurisdiction over the ruins went to us, but it was known that the Troyban patriarch was furious at the time.”

“Hmm.”

Julius hummed in thought.

The Black Dragon’s careful phrasing implied that the Troyban family’s clandestine maneuvers had been completely mapped out.

With Black Snow’s intelligence network, it was possible.

“And that wasn’t all. Many lucrative moves we were planning or reviewing were preempted by Troyban and its subsidiary organizations. Some of this information was so confidential that it would be impossible to know without a spy within our inner ranks.”

The Black Dragon’s gaze, though expressionless beneath his mask, was chillingly intense.

“So, who do you suspect first?”

“Wouldn’t it be the Director of Central Intelligence and the third wife?”

The Black Dragon nodded.

“Regardless of their public denouncement of ties with Troyban, they could easily scheme behind the scenes. That’s why I conducted a covert investigation for over a year.”

“You managed to catch their trail?”

*If Black Snow caught wind of it, then surely even the Clan Leader knows. And yet, they haven’t acted against them yet? Hmm…*

Julius had a sense that Kyle’s ambitions extended far beyond the immediate situation. The scent of blood was already in the air—a metallic, ominous aroma.

“Yes. And to secure irrefutable proof, we stationed agents around the prisoners.”

Julius raised an eyebrow.

“You placed operatives at our headquarters without informing me?”

“That’s my job.”

“Ha!”

It implied that even allies could be suspected and discarded if necessary. Such was the nature of the Black Dragon, feared and isolated by all ranks and officials.

“The problem is, our agent didn’t even get a chance to act.”

Julius couldn’t help but smile.

“Our Squad Leader Evelyn is quite capable.”

“Is it true? That this plan was foreseen by Theo Ragnar?”

“Yes. This success is thanks to the Chief of Intelligence’s astute nephew.”

“I see.”

The Black Dragon chuckled softly, surprising Julius.

*Is he… laughing?*

In all his decades with Ragnar, Julius had never seen him laugh.

“Theo Ragnar is…”

“No.”

“I haven’t even finished.”

“It’s obvious what you want to say: to reassign him to Black Snow, or at least temporarily transfer him. But my answer is no.”

“Well, that’s true…”

“I said no.”

“…”

“That kid is mine. If you want him, you’ll have to split me open first.”

Julius pushed out his stomach with a grin.

The Black Dragon gave him a look of exasperation.

“The infamous Black Dragon, resorting to such antics?”

“When the Black Dragon tries to take my precious protégé, do you think I’d sit quietly? Try me, and I’ll bite back.”

“…Fine, I suppose there’s no choice.”

The Black Dragon clicked his tongue, and Julius inwardly shook his head.

*Seems like I’ll have to protect Theo from all sorts of predators… No rest for me.*

“Now that we’ve caught the tail, let’s begin the hunt.”

Julius nodded firmly, dropping the playful tone.

“Let’s do it.”

* * *

The rhythmic clatter of wheels echoed as a carriage raced down a polished road.

“So, Black Snow has caught onto us?”

Inside the carriage, Edgar looked up at the report from the ceiling, then heard the next transmission.

“…I see.”

A smirk spread across Edgar’s lips.

“Clan Leader… you never cease to amaze me.”

His expression grew cold as he spoke.

“Have everyone hold their positions until further notice. Pass word to my father, too: tell him the dragon has started to stir. Our plans to strike at its reverse scale are over, so gather only what’s necessary and prepare for my arrival.”

With that, all presences atop the carriage vanished.

Edgar leaned back into his seat, closing his eyes.

“Now then… how will you respond to this, Theo Ragnar? I’m quite curious.”

* * *

On the eastern edge of the Winter Mountains, Theo arrived at what looked like an ordinary hunter’s cabin.

Erich and Holcus had parted ways, heading off to another mission.

Creak—

As Theo entered, three pairs of eyes focused on him.

Two were familiar faces; the third, unfamiliar.

“Last night…”

The unknown figure rose and asked him a code phrase.

“The night owl cried.”

“You must be Theo Ragnar?”

“Yes.”

“A pleasure. I’m Kleve of ‘No-Snow.’”

Her tone was soldierly, her movements precise. A striking woman with short-cropped hair and sharp eyes.

What surprised Theo, though, was her title.

*No-Snow.*

A top-ranking Black Snow agent stood before him.

*Black Snow is truly going all-in.*

Theo shook Kleve’s offered hand.

“I’ll be leading this mission and serving as your examiner. The Chief has told me much about you. I look forward to working together.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

“You already know the other two, so no introductions needed?”

“Yes.”

Theo nodded, glancing at the two familiar faces.

Evelyn sighed.

“He said if I started it, I should finish it.”

“Well, with you here, I think I’ll be able to focus more on the mission,” Theo said with a slight smile.

“Are you implying I’d be a distraction?” Hazel cut in, clearly displeased.

“That wasn’t my intent, but if it came across that way, I apologize.”

“Oh, I’d rather hope it was. I’ll be watching your participation carefully.”

Hazel’s open distaste for Theo was evident.

*She’s upset because I declined the position as successor to Lady Maehwa.*

Theo chuckled bitterly.

She had initially been against Theo becoming Lady Maehwa’s disciple, yet now seemed insulted that he had turned down the offer. Her pride was easily pricked.

Still, Theo acknowledged Hazel’s skills and knew she’d be a valuable ally.

*The White Armored Dragon Brigade, Maehwa Palace, Black Snow… Two elite swordmasters and a skilled combat officer… They’re both here to support and monitor me. I have to succeed.*

This mission was Theo’s chance to replace the promotion exam and a critical step in undermining Edgar’s influence.

The power struggle between Theo and Edgar was escalating, and there was no room for failure.

“Now that introductions are over, let’s get right to the briefing,” Kleve began, drawing everyone’s attention.

“As previously stated, the mission is to infiltrate the main headquarters of *The Season of Serpents* and eradicate it. Upper management has authorized us to leave no survivors.”

Total annihilation.

The Ragnar clan had no intention of sparing those who had dared to infiltrate their domain.

“Our secondary objective is to retrieve any evidence linking the Central Intelligence Agency or the Troyban family to this organization and return it to Winterlor. Any questions?”

Theo raised his hand.

“Go ahead.”

“The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency is meticulous. What are the chances he might anticipate our actions?”

“Good question. We’ve already set up distractions.”

“May I ask what kind of distractions?”

Kleve raised two fingers.

“It’s simple. First, a rumor is circulating that the prisoner was found dead, drawing the Director’s attention.”

The second finger went down.

“Second, we’ve begun investigating the corruption within the Central Intelligence Agency that Black Snow has long monitored.”

Theo quickly pieced together Black Snow’s strategy.

“A feint. Divert the Director’s attention and seize the entire organization in one move.”

Black Snow was making it look as though their focus was on the Central Intelligence Agency, tricking Edgar Troyban into overlooking *The Season of Serpents*, while the real target was to dismantle the group and uncover direct ties between Edgar and the Troyban family.

“Time is of the essence, then. We need to strike before the Director realizes the assassin was captured.”

“You’re just as sharp as the Chief said. Are you really only fifteen?”

Theo smiled silently.

Kleve let out a chuckle, shaking her head.

She had initially thought it was ridiculous to assign such a young apprentice swordsman to a mission of this scale. But witnessing Theo’s insight firsthand, she realized he’d be an asset rather than a burden.

*Watch him closely and recruit him if necessary.*

The Black Dragon’s words echoed in her mind.

*This is going to be interesting.*

It seemed Theo and Edgar had already crossed a line of no return, becoming sworn enemies. Watching their conflict unfold would be fascinating.

“Oh, and before we depart, take this.”

Kleve tossed Theo a small wooden box.

The box emanated a mystical aura, catching Theo’s attention.

“What is it?”

“A reward for your achievements. This is <Pure Essence Pill>, an elixir to purify your mana. And there’s one more thing.”

Theo caught the second item she threw at him.

An old, worn book with no visible title.

“The *Ten-Knot Breathing Technique*. It’s a supplementary method for the Thunder Flash movement technique. It enhances your current breathing technique and helps the Pure Essence Pill settle in your body.”

“...!”

“I’m a Thunder attribute instructor. I’ll guide you in its usage during our journey, so master it before we reach our destination.”