Chapter 315: The Mole

Pruis suggested that someone within Seranthiel had leaked information, allowing Diglan to learn about Alda’s capture and trigger the hidden trap inside him.

Helag pondered, “Could it be that someone saw me on the way here?”

Though he had taken a carriage, someone might have noticed him carrying Alda beforehand.

The driver could also be associated with the Abyssal cultists, and there were many potential sources of a leak, not necessarily from within Seranthiel.

Helag had been cautious, but he couldn’t guarantee he hadn’t been seen.

Alda might also have been reported missing if he didn’t return home on time.

These were all possibilities.

Pruis shook his head. “Unlikely. From what I know, Abyssal cultists don’t have the manpower to monitor someone like Alda. The chance of you being seen is low.”

“They have limited resources. It’s more likely they have a mole in City Hall. With Silvermoon City being so large, it’s easier to plant a spy here than elsewhere.”

“All our actions against Abyssal cultists are coordinated here. If they want to know our plans, they’d place spies here.”

Helag considered, “Then why wasn’t Max’s capture leaked?”

“Abyssal cultists operate independently. Many don’t know each other, and they worship different dark gods. This disunity makes it easier for us to target them.”

“Their strength, connections, and influence vary. Some have extensive networks and hear about everything, while others, like Max, don’t.”

Pruis had captured many Abyssal cultists and was experienced.

He believed the ability to trigger the trap inside Alda indicated they knew he was captured by Seranthiel, acting decisively.

The leak happened within half an hour of Alda’s capture, too quickly.

The interrogation had barely begun before it ended.

“Let’s go find Diglan. Though I doubt he’s still there,” Pruis said without much hope.

With Alda dead, Diglan was likely responsible.

Having been alerted, he wouldn’t stay put.

Seranthiel needed evidence to arrest someone, but suspicion was enough to warrant cooperation in investigations against Abyssal cultists.

Silvermoon City was Seranthiel’s domain, and they had the final say.

If Diglan was tipped off, he’d flee.

Once in the interrogation room, Pruis would control the situation.

A team quickly mobilized to search Diglan’s residence, with Helag among them.

***

Inside the Root Bar, a few patrons still drank, unchanged from before.

Helag, Pruis, and others stood in the bar’s courtyard, finding no trace of Diglan.

His residence was in disarray, indicating a hasty departure.

The basement door was open, revealing an empty space.

“Issue a warrant for Diglan,” Pruis ordered, having expected this.

He told his team, “Also, investigate internally. We must find their mole. Someone tipped them off, or this wouldn’t have happened so fast.”

Helag reflected, “I should have been more cautious.”

“It’s not your fault. We have a mole,” Pruis replied.

Helag reviewed the events, recalling he’d used Deep Blue’s environment detection, ensuring he wasn’t seen before the carriage.

The driver was the only potential informant.

But the driver seemed ordinary and needed checking.

After Helag mentioned the driver, Pruis had City Hall investigate him.

Seranthiel could easily find an ordinary person, especially a long-time driver.

The driver was found asleep and, after questioning, was deemed uninvolved.

Internal checks began, scrutinizing everyone’s communication records.

But it was futile; everyone knew the magic network was monitored by major wizard organizations.

No Abyssal cultist would use it for sensitive information; they had other methods.

If there was a mole, they wouldn’t use the network to inform Diglan.

After two days, no suspects were found.

Wizards had many ways to communicate, making it hard to identify the mole’s method.

But the investigation continued. Knowing there was a mole was a start, and they’d be more vigilant.

Diglan’s warrant was issued, but there was no news yet.

He was likely still in Silvermoon City, as travel between cities in the Land of Dawn was limited, and leaving wasn’t easy.

Silvermoon City was vast, and Diglan could hide for a long time.

Days later, the matter calmed down.

For Silvermoon City, it was a routine issue.

Aside from ongoing internal investigations, everything seemed normal.

At home, Helag held a dossier—Diglan’s complete profile.

He wasn’t giving up; a person couldn’t just vanish.

Helag sensed Diglan was more than he seemed.

Capturing him could yield significant contribution points.

With no other leads, Helag decided to study Diglan’s dossier for clues.