A few days after her conversation with Beldon, Scarlett returned to Freybrook late in the afternoon from a day-long dungeon expedition, accompanied by her party. As they arrived, the party members quickly dispersed to deal with their own business, while Scarlett was greeted by Garside in the foyer as she was heading to her office.

“My Lady,” the elderly butler began, his well-groomed mustache moving slightly. “Young Lady Evelyne asked me to relay that she received a response from the Rising Isle while you were away.”

Scarlett paused, turning towards him. “Where is she now?”

“In her office, my Lady. Would you like me to send for her?”

“No, that will not be necessary. I will go to her myself,” Scarlett decided, proceeding to ascend the stairs to the third floor of the mansion’s western wing, where Evelyne’s office was located.

This wing primarily housed the majority of the staff and functioned as the center for most of the estate’s operational needs, making it an unusual choice for the barony’s current heir to have her office. Those unfamiliar with the nuances of Scarlett and Evelyne’s relationship might interpret this as a sign of animosity or malice on Scarlett’s part. However, Evelyne had chosen her office location freely, and as Scarlett understood it, the woman simply preferred the western wing for its ample space and functionality — two qualities she needed after having brought on a number of new people to deal with her increased workload in recent months.

Although, to be fair, most of that increased workload was because of Scarlett. She could at least acknowledge that she hadn’t exactly made life easier for Evelyne since coming here. While she wasn’t sure if she was truly capable of pitying Evelyne for the additional burdens, she did respect that the woman still tackled these challenges with zeal and efficiency.

Scarlett often wondered what she would have done if she couldn’t rely on Evelyne’s support in managing the noble household and all its related businesses. If she’d been responsible for all of that, coupled with all the game-related things here, the weight placed on her shoulders would undoubtedly have been far greater.

Case in point, after receiving crucial information from Beldon, Scarlett had needed to make contact with representatives from the Rising Isle, but she’d been uncertain how to go about handling that. The Rising Isle could be a contentious topic among certain circles in the empire, one which she had no previous experience handling. Evelyne, however, already had connections with the Isle due to the barony’s previous dealings in selling artifacts to them.

Upon arriving at Evelyne’s office, Scarlett knocked just once before entering.

The office was modest in size, filled with shelves packed with ledgers and books on governance and law, all illuminated by simple wall-mounted lamps. A large oak desk occupied one corner, cluttered with scrolls and documents, beside which lay an assortment of quills, ink pots, and wax seals for official correspondences. A detailed map of the empire hung on the opposite wall, seeming to highlight certain key trade routes and regional specialties.

Evelyne, seated behind the desk with her dark auburn hair framing her face, looked up in mild surprise as Scarlett entered.

“Garside mentioned the response from the Rising Isle,” Scarlett stated, crossing the room.

Evelyne nodded, apparently slightly taken aback by her sudden visit, and set aside a document she’d been reviewing. “Yes, I was planning to discuss it with you later.”

Scarlett seated herself opposite the woman. “I have just returned and am currently unoccupied, so I thought it best we talk immediately.”

“Oh, well, okay… Sure.” Evelyne retrieved a striking white envelope from a drawer, distinguished by an elaborate seal depicting an island emerging from the sea. She handed it to Scarlett, who carefully broke the seal and began reading the contents.

“That particular response took longer than I expected,” Evelyne explained in the meantime. “I don’t think the person I’d been in contact with at the Isle really knew what to do with your request at first. It felt like he was about to just reject it outright, but someone higher up must have been asked and gotten involved. They might have been paying more attention to you lately than I thought, Scarlett. I was even interrogated by a grand wizard a few days ago about the purpose of your proposed visit.”

“Their curiosity is understandable,” Scarlett remarked calmly in response as she continued reading the letter.

It mostly outlined the formalities required for her to visit the Rising Isle. Officially, it was linked to her Zuverian research, since she’d cited that as part of her reason for wanting to go there. She had thought that would catch their interest, considering some of her recent achievements in the field, but she hadn’t anticipated all of this red tape.

In essence, the Rising Isle was more than willing to allow her visit, but it would be under strict supervision by their mages, with considerable limitations on her movements. Moreover, the Rising Isle’s mages had apparently also made the effort to go through the Imperial Chancellery—the empire’s central administrative body for managing diplomatic relations with other nations—to facilitate her stay.

She looked up at Evelyne. “Did the Imperial Chancellery contact you?”

“Yes, I received the last of their correspondences yesterday,” Evelyne said. “Since you were away and told me to do whatever it took to get this through, I agreed to their terms on your behalf.” A slightly concerned frown appeared on her brow. “You’ll be acting in the official capacity of an imperial envoy while you’re on the Rising Isle, so you’ll have to watch your conduct. That means it’s important to avoid offending any high-ranking wizards.”

Scarlett gave her a long look. “I will exercise all the necessary caution.”

Evelyne still seemed worried. “…I’ll compile a list of everything you need to know before you leave.”

Scarlett allowed a small sigh to escape her, placing the letter back on the desk. Things certainly had become more cumbersome than she’d wanted. Hopefully, this wouldn’t impede her mission on the Isle, though even if it did, there seemed to be little she could do about it.

Who would have imagined that the process of visiting the Rising Isle would be this involved in this world? In the game, it had literally been a matter of talking with the right mage and then stepping through the Kilnstone. Now, she faced the prospect of officially representing the empire during her stay.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

That was, frankly, crazy.

Did this mean that the Imperial Chancellery had expectations of what she would be doing on the Isle, or was this protocol simply standard for any imperial noble seeking to go there?

If she were to guess, the latter was more likely. Relations between the empire and the Rising Isle had always been complex, and that probably went double among the higher echelons of both factions. While reading up on the history of this country, Scarlett had found several mentions of defections by imperial nobles and distinguished mages from the towers and the Ustrum Assembly, with various degrees of repercussions for their families depending on the diplomatic climate at the time.

Leaving for the Isle was still considered a crime against the crown just a few decades ago, resulting in huge fines for the defector’s family. She could only imagine what the consequences might have been a century or so ago, when tensions had been even higher.

At least she had no plans of defecting herself. While she might exchange some of her information with the Isle in a way that benefited them, such actions were no longer considered treasonous by default. Besides, as an envoy, the Chancellery was probably aiming to capitalize on any benefits or leverage her visit might create for them.

Recent years had also seen increased collaborations between the Rising Isle and the empire, despite their checkered past. Adalicia had even been part of one such project during the woman’s research on the Zuver, and Scarlett’s efforts mirrored that in some ways.

Lightly tapping her finger on the desk in thought, a vague memory surfaced in Scarlett’s mind. She focused on Evelyne. “You are familiar with Miss Adalicia Mendenhall, correct?”

“You mean the wizard from Elystead Tower?” Evelyne asked. “I never met her myself, but Dean Godwin mentioned that you have a good relationship with her. What about her?”

“I was simply recalling a conversation where she once inquired if our family had ties to any wizards on the Rising Isle. Apparently, among their council, there is a ‘Grand Wizard Hartford’. This puzzled me as there should currently be no branches of our house left, especially not on the Isle. I have already checked the heraldic register, but I find no such link. Are you familiar with this?”

Evelyne’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Hartfords on the Isle? And a grand wizard at that? That’s certainly news to me.” She seemed to ponder it for a moment. “But it’s not like I’m particularly knowledgeable about the Isle’s politics. Still, it seems unlikely that we have unknown relatives there. Do you know if this person is actually from a noble family? Perhaps it’s someone who adopted the Hartford name. I’ve heard the mages on the Rising Isle often don’t care for our customs.”

“I am unsure,” Scarlett replied. “I suppose that is a possibility.”

Evelyne seemed to consider it for a moment longer. “Did father never mention anything about it? He visited the Isle in the past, so he would definitely have known about this.”

A flicker of discomfort passed through Scarlett at the mention of the late Baron Hartford, but she quickly dismissed it with a shake of her head. “I have no memory of him discussing such matters with me.”

Even if he had, she wouldn’t know about it. The man had died years before she arrived in this world.

“Then it seems we’re both in the dark,” Evelyne said. “Maybe you can uncover more during your visit. Just try not to get into a fight with whoever that grand wizard is, please. Our tiny barony’s influence isn’t even close to reaching the Rising Isle, and it would be a disaster if we somehow worsened the relationship between them and the empire.”

“I am not so careless as to provoke anyone simply because they annoy me.”

Or, well, at least she tried not to be most of the time. She knew that pissing off the Rising Isle was a bad idea. There was a reason they’d stuck around for centuries, despite the empire literally having several thousand times the population and landmass.

Evelyne’s expression held some skepticism in it, but eventually, it softened as she picked up the letter from the desk. “Alright. I suppose I don’t have much choice other than to trust your judgement.”

“You do have a choice,” Scarlett said. “I have simply shown that trusting me tends to be the wiser decision.”

Pausing, Evelyne’s eyes lingered on Scarlett for a few seconds. “…Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She cleared her throat, leaning back in her seat. “Anyway, they’re expecting you on the Rising Isle in two days. Do you think you can be prepared by then?”

“That will not be a problem.”

“Good. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

“I will.”

With their conversation concluded, Scarlett excused herself and returned to her office at the opposite end of the mansion. There, she found a stack of neatly arranged reports piled on her desk, presumably courtesy of Evelyne. Atop the pile was an envelope, which she promptly opened as she settled into her chair.

Her eyes moved to the name of the sender.

‘Emeritus Master Docent Grand Wizard Adalicia Mendenhall’.

How timely.

I hope this letter finds you well, Baroness Hartford.

I received your latest message, and wish you luck if you truly plan to visit the Rising Isle. I imagine the culture and people there can be different and somewhat grating to a noble, but I am sure you will manage just fine. If anything, the wizards there are even more obsessed with their research and the Zuver than us here in the empire, so there will undoubtedly be many people who are more than willing to speak and facilitate your needs there if the purpose behind your visit is related to that.

Regarding your request, I took the liberty of contacting one of the individuals whom I collaborated with during my last visit to the Isle. His name is Magister Penney, and he is a rather skilled grand wizard whose personality I personally found quite amiable. He agreed to act as your unofficial liaison during your stay, so I recommend seeking him out when you can. Hopefully, his assistance can prove a valuable resource.

I would not object to hearing more about this visit of yours when we next meet. After my previous experiences with you, I find myself especially intrigued regarding what on the Isle might pique the interest of an individual like you, Baroness.

As a last remark, I ask that should the Dean seek your hospitality again soon, please do not encourage the shirking of his duties any more than necessary. It is challenging enough as it is to keep him here in the empire, and now he appears to have developed a newfound interest in that mansion of yours. ‘Vexing’ hardly begins to describe the difficulties of dealing with that man.

Best regards, Adalicia Mendenhall.

As Scarlett finished the letter, she set it aside and leaned back. It seemed as if her connection with Adalicia would at least make her upcoming trip slightly easier. Good thing she’d reached out to the woman beforehand.

Her gaze absently drifted to the ceiling as she contemplated this upcoming journey of hers.

It would mark the first time she actually visited the Rising Isle in person, and she had to admit that she felt a mix of curiosity and anticipation. The Isle’s depiction in the game had always been captivating in its own right, and it would be interesting to see how that translated to this world. Beyond her primary objective, the Isle also promised a wealth of intriguing locations.

Not that she knew how many of them she would get the opportunity to explore. She needed to complete the quest assigned by Arlene, and that took priority over everything else. At the moment, that involved uncovering the fate of the woman’s brother, who had seemingly vanished centuries ago.

According to Beldon, there were scant references to him in any of the records his agents had investigated. There were some mentions of a mage matching the description of Arlene’s brother, and those had linked him to the Rising Isle of that era, but the details were sparse. Beldon had suggested that a direct investigation was the only viable option to learn more.

Unfortunately for both him and Scarlett, Mirage’s presence on the Rising Isle was significantly limited. The Isle used to be notoriously isolationist and protective of its knowledge and artifacts — a stance that, to some extent, still persisted today. They had implemented numerous safeguards to prevent organisations like Mirage or the Hallowed Cabal from penetrating their ranks and pilfering secrets. As a result, even seemingly innocuous information was inaccessible to most outsiders.

That’s why Scarlett’s best bet was to venture there herself and find what she needed firsthand. Her reputation related to Zuverian research was enough to at least get her entry to the Isle, and from there, she could hopefully leverage her game knowledge to uncover more of what she wanted to know. With some luck, she might even persuade the wizards there to give her access to areas typically off-limits to outsiders.

And, well, after that, who knows? She’d simply have to wait and see.