Endless Debt Chapter 1389 - 4: The Reformer (2)

Ossana promptly said, "I value this meeting highly and don’t want to waste any time."

Holt glanced sideways, taking a longer look at Ossana, "You seem somewhat different from the impression I have of the All Secrets Order."

"How?" Ossana smiled, "Less arrogant?"

"Pretty much, you’re one of the rare ones with a touch of humility, as for the others... truly tiresome."

Holt openly criticized the All Secrets Order, "In your own territory, you’re not just extraordinary nobility, practically kings."

Ossana maintained a stiff smile, knowing that now would come a barrage of accusations against the All Secrets Order, the mistakes of predecessors now falling upon her, with no way to defend herself.

Holt casually asked, "What do you want this time?"

"I need to see Nesanel." Ossana asserted.

"Alright, alright, actually I could guess some things without asking... you’re a reformer within the All Secrets Order?" Holt spoke to himself.

"Yes."

Ossana replied helplessly.

Holt laughed, "You want to change the decayed All Secrets Order with your own strength? That’s too difficult."

"That’s why I’m seeking help from the Order Bureau."

"Let the Order Bureau help you quell those opposing voices? You know the contract, we don’t interfere with each other, let alone provide military assistance."

Holt understood well, he continued, "Besides, the All Secrets Order has been high and mighty for too long, long enough that your decayed glory has created inertia, it’s not something that can be solved by killing a few people."

Ossana halted, "I just want to prevent the darkest future from arriving."

Holt stood still for a moment, repeatedly examining Ossana, his sharp gaze cutting through her body like a blade, etching dense fissure blood marks on her skin.

"Night Race?" Holt asked tentatively.

Ossana remained silent, merely watching Holt coldly.

"Alright."

Holt released his own Ether, this gesture immediately alerted Rorford and Soti, but when they perceived Holt’s strong Defender power, they realized their vigilance was meaningless.

The Ether twisted the surrounding matter, Holt elegantly extended his hand, as if inviting Ossana to dance, Ossana hesitated for a moment, but extended her hand, placing it in Holt’s palm.

"Do you have high authority in the Cultivation Room?"

Ossana noticed the warp around her, the Cultivation Room was transporting them to some unknown location.

"More or less," Holt said.

"But you’re just a Defender."

Ossana knew that in the All Secrets Order, a Defender might be considered a prominent figure, but within the Order Bureau, a Defender was just a sharper Blade.

This was the fundamental difference between the All Secrets Order and the Order Bureau: one viewed the extraordinary as a unique privilege of the noble class, while the other simply saw it as a tool.

Thus the Order Bureau flourished rapidly, the speed of Alchemy Matrix iteration was astonishing, whereas the All Secrets Order had already entered decay, urgently needing change.

"Yes, I’m just a Defender," Holt nonchalantly said, "but my Ascension Ceremony is soon to be held, they’ve merely handed me the authority of a Seeker of Glory in advance."

Seeing Ossana’s shocked expression, Holt’s Ether retracted, the warp swallowed the two, disappearing from the original spot.

Rorford and Soti looked at each other, their own Duke had run off with someone, observing the numerous staff around them, for a moment they didn’t know what to do, even their arrogant demeanor weakened somewhat.

In a dark part of the Cultivation Room, Ossana opened her eyes, in the murky shadows, a sliver of light fell, she could see the blurred figure seated in the darkness.

"Welcome, Duke Ossana of the All Secrets Order."

A deep voice sounded, and then he stood up, the vague outline appearing immensely imposing.

"Back then, I concluded the agreement with your father right here."

Nesanel emerged from the shadows, he appeared much more weathered than before, as if time had finally caught up with him.

Ossana saluted Nesanel, then promptly stated her purpose for this visit.

"The All Secrets Order needs reform, to completely destroy this so-called extraordinary nobility."

Nesanel did not seem surprised, only whispered, "This will be a civil war."

"Scraping away the poison always comes at some cost."

Ossana’s gaze was unwavering.

In the Audience Chamber, Holt’s figure silently retreated, leaving Ossana and Nesanel alone, cold chills emanating around them, as though cold winds continually blew.

Nesanel raised his hand to indicate, and Ossana felt large hands pressing on her shoulders, forcing her to sit down, a chair steadily catching her in the darkness.

"A Duke personally coming, it seems the situation inside the All Secrets Order has reached a certain level of dire." Nesanel’s words carried a hint of sarcasm.

Ossana couldn’t help but sigh, "Self-isolation and monopoly of power have led to severe internal decay, I yearn for reform to save the All Secrets Order, but the radicals see me as a mortal enemy."

"That’s natural, though the connection between the Order Bureau and the All Secrets Order is not extensive, I clearly understand what your radicals are thinking... I guess they want to defy the agreement, descend upon the earthly realm, don’t they?" Nesanel shook his head helplessly while speaking, "Condenser exists beyond humanity, they should openly rule this land. I’ve heard similar rhetoric too often."