Number Four and the Outsider

Professor Jemison had previously informed Du Chen that they would arrive here within the next few days and seek out Du Chen's Senior Brother, Sonata!

Speaking of Sonata, Du Chen's ears had already been ringing with his name. Just days after his transmigration, he'd heard it. Back then, when his elder brother Steve had envied him for receiving Godfather Ferdinand's blessing, Steve had used Sonata as a prime example of the advantages of enrolling in Battle God Academy!

Oh, and Steve had also mentioned that upon Sonata's graduation, the Macallan Empire had directly poached him with an offer equivalent to a Deputy Legion Commander, a Marquisate, and a royal princess to boot!

After his enrollment, Du Chen's teachers frequently brought up Sonata in class, lauding him as the top graduate of the '76 class!

According to Jemison, during the Battle God Assembly, the Auerbach Grand Canyon – originally a sacred beastmen territory and already heavily fortified – would see its defenses further bolstered. And during the Assembly, the General Commander of security for the Grand Canyon would be none other than Sonata, the Macallan political arena's rising star!

Beastmen armies were stationed thick along the mile-wide canyon's flanks. Du Chen circled the canyon once, but dared not venture deep inside. Beyond moss and weeds, there was virtually no other life, save for the Crimson Mausoleum Guards garrisoned at the canyon floor. One could imagine, if even a mosquito-sized flying creature were to appear, the Crimson Mausoleum Guards would instantly swat it dead without a second thought!

Upon reaching the guest encampment along the canyon's sides, under the watchful eyes of the beastmen army, Du Chen indeed found Jemison and his companions.

At that moment, Jemison, having gambled with someone unknown and lost his shirt yet again, was squatting at the tent entrance, shouting, "Hey, students, are you truly going to force Professor Jemison to unleash his unique ultimate technique—the Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall once more? Urgh, just let me in!"

Du Chen offered a faint smile. He wasn't there to reminisce with classmates and teachers. His objective was to scout the surrounding environment beforehand, to prevent any unexpected incidents from disrupting his plans!

Yet, as Du Chen scouted around, he suddenly spotted an old friend amidst the sparse crowd in the reception area! A very familiar friend!

Brockman!

"What's he doing here?" Du Chen murmured to himself, treading on his Precious Lotus Scripture, rubbing his nose. "At this moment, Brockman should be taking Andy to see Philip, and having Philip offer Andy some benefits!"

"But Andy isn't with Brockman, which means Andy has already been handed over to Philip... Could it be that Philip's plan for Composite Aberrant Beasts is to be executed right here in the Auerbach Grand Canyon!? Heh!" Du Chen chuckled. "The fat bait has lured the fat fish; it's time to cast the net!"

Du Chen nimbly maneuvered his Precious Lotus Scripture, alighting onto Brockman's pocket, determined to see what Brockman was up to. This could also be an excellent opportunity to learn more about that mysterious organization!

Only one person accompanied Brockman: Sinos, who had shared thick and thin with him. The two approached a purple tent, and Brockman addressed a guard: "Please inform General Sonata that his childhood friend, Divine Grant Earl Brockman, wishes to see him!"

A monumental discovery!

Du Chen inwardly exclaimed, *Could Sonata also be a part of that mysterious organization!?*

From the tent emerged a towering lion-kin general, over two meters tall, with a robust physique, clad in a full suit of black battle armor! His humanoid features were remarkably pronounced; apart from a broad nose, a lion's tail, and a mane-like growth around his jaw and chin resembling a full beard, he was almost indistinguishable from an ordinary human strongman. Such a high degree of anthropomorphism indicated his strength was far from low! In truth, Du Chen knew that Sonata was already a mid-seventh-level Battle God upon graduation. Now, two years later, who knew to what formidable extent this genius, constantly praised by the Battle God Isle teachers, had advanced!?

"My dear Divine Grant Earl Brockman, seeing you fills me with immense joy!" Sonata's expression was excited as he waved his hand. "Everyone, withdraw. I wish to catch up with an old friend. Haha, come, let's speak inside!"

Sonata took Brockman's arm and led him into the tent. Naturally, Du Chen was also carried inside!

The moment they entered the tent, with no one else around, Sonata's cordial demeanor shifted to one of respect. He bowed slightly, "Lord Brockman, I hadn't imagined you would personally come to contact me this time! I presume the organization has a critically important mission, necessitating your personal oversight!"

Brockman took the principal seat from Sonata, maintaining the bearing of a superior. He stated proudly, "Indeed. This mission permits no failure, only success! Therefore, I shall personally command your cooperation with Lord Philip!"

Du Chen was astonished. *Is this truly the Brockman who was so capable? He's nothing like the aggrieved concubine, utterly stripped bare, that I saw before. It's like he's three different people!*

"Your command, please!" Sonata bowed his head, listening.

"You should already be aware of what needs to be done, but there are a few matters you must pay attention to!"

Du Chen cursed inwardly, *What exactly needs to be done? Your Excellency Brockman, can't you be more explicit!?*

Unfortunately, Brockman did not satisfy Du Chen's eavesdropping demand. He continued, "Firstly, I tasked you, in your capacity as a Macallan Empire General, to track the whereabouts of the newly appointed Earl Francis. Have you found him!?"

"Reporting, my Lord, we only found Francis's Wyvern Carriage docked at Heaven's Ocean Pass, but after he entered the Great Plains from there, he seems to have vanished without a trace. I am intensifying the search!"

Brockman frowned, displeased. "Useless fool! Hmph!" In truth, the real reason for Brockman's ire stemmed more from that phrase: "Francis's Wyvern Carriage!"

The past was too painful to recall; Brockman was once again reminded of that humiliating history!

Sonata stiffened his neck at the words, feeling a stir of displeasure within him, yet he respectfully replied, "Rest assured, my Lord, even if I cannot ascertain Francis's whereabouts, I will order the Auerbach Grand Canyon sealed, absolutely preventing Francis from approaching the Battle God Assembly!"

"Hmph, remember, the variables Francis can introduce are too significant; he absolutely must not interfere with Lord Philip again!" Brockman declared haughtily, "Secondly, Lord Philip and I have discussed this: if possible, this time, capture some Battle Gods participating in the Assembly! They will serve as raw materials for the 'Undead Battle God' project! Make your preparations!"

Sonata urgently stated, "My Lord, thousands of Battle Gods are participating in this Assembly, over five hundred of whom are High-level Battle Gods of rank six or above, and they hail from various nations and prominent families..."

"I did not come here to listen to your complaints!" Brockman coldly cut Sonata off!

Sonata defiantly stiffened his neck. "My Lord, I can certainly assist you in capturing as many High-level Battle Gods as possible. However, I am the General Commander of the Security Legion for this Battle God Assembly. Even if I execute this flawlessly, ensuring no one suspects the organization or my involvement, if such a colossal blunder occurs at the Assembly, the Macallan Empire government will surely hold me accountable for dereliction of duty! With such a stain, I will have no standing in Macallan politics..."

"Enough!" Brockman slammed the table with a resounding *CRACK*! "I've already told you, I am not here to hear your complaints; I am here to issue commands! Whether you comply is your concern!"

Sonata straightened his chest and stated gravely, "My Lord, I must remind you: the organization has assigned me to cooperate with your and Lord Philip's actions, and I will absolutely do so! However, I am also Number Four of the Eminence Project. If you insist on me proceeding in this manner, the Macallan portion of the Eminence Project, which the organization has painstakingly developed for years, will utterly collapse!"

Brockman sneered, "I understand. You're reminding me that I am not your direct superior, and what's more, I'm an 'outsider,' correct!?"

*Outsider?* Du Chen filed away this new term. He quickly analyzed in his mind: from a literal interpretation, Brockman shouldn't be an original member of that organization, but rather recruited later! And the reason for his recruitment was likely his thieving prowess!

If this hypothesis held true, then Philip and Rogliff, those two traitors from the Yessar Church, should also be considered 'outsiders.' Their specialties were gambling prowess and alchemy!

*It seems this organization's ambitions are far from small. To gather so many extraordinary individuals, how could their aims be anything but grand!?*

Sonata's voice deepened as he said, "My Lord, I am not 'reminding' you. Furthermore, you are a Lord of the 'Secret Pavilion's Seven Tails,' while I am merely a 'Six-Tailed' minor figure. How could I presume to remind you?"

Though the words were humble, the eavesdropping Du Chen could discern Sonata's veiled mockery. How could Brockman, who was directly present, fail to hear it? He snorted in fury, "Orders, do you understand orders? I don't care what methods you employ or what price you pay! You *must* find the raw materials for Lord Philip's 'Undead Battle God' project! If you're dissatisfied, you may take it up with your superior, the head of the Eminence Project. As for you, just as you said, a mere 'Six-Tailed' minor figure indeed has no right to discuss anything with me... Hmph!"

Brockman's contempt was self-evident.

Du Chen secretly rejoiced, thinking, *Keep arguing, you two! The hotter your tempers, the more secrets I'll uncover!*

From the preceding conversation, Du Chen gleaned another clue: the organization possessed a rigid hierarchical structure and clear divisions of labor. If they were to directly confront him, they would undoubtedly be an incredibly formidable adversary! Therefore, for now, it was best to maintain this delicate balance. Everything he did at the Auerbach Battle God Assembly, he absolutely *must* do under a concealed identity! If he truly provoked the organization, making them believe he was obstructing their path, he would face immense trouble!

Du Chen, hungry for knowledge, ravenously absorbed the intelligence he so earnestly sought...