Even with the slowest, most meticulous strokes, writing down two figures took little time. The Gray Dwarf reluctantly closed the ledger, took out a report concerning Richard, and began to read. It was a complete running account, chronologically recording Richard's daily activities, subjects, and various expenditures. A similar report arrived daily, its contents almost unchanged. Seeing the densely packed list of subjects and experiments, the Gray Dwarf couldn't help but feel a little dizzy. Sometimes, he almost thought Richard wasn't human at all, but a magic puppet built around an alchemical machine. Otherwise, how could he study relentlessly, year after year, with almost no time for entertainment?

  Even Blackgold knew that while his own schedule was packed, much of his so-called "work" time was actually entertainment for him, like appraising the value of a batch of raw jewelry ore. Richard, however, lived strictly according to the most optimal time-utilization plan, showing absolutely no personal hobbies.

  Gazing at the dense running account in his hands, the Gray Dwarf's breathing involuntarily grew heavier. Just looking at the list brought an overwhelming sense of pressure. Seeing a similar list every day, the accumulated pressure would be enough to drive someone mad. And the Gray Dwarf saw such a thing every single day.

  He suddenly felt great sympathy for Stevenson, feeling the fellow's actions weren't as foolish as he had initially thought. If he were in Stevenson's shoes, perhaps the Gray Dwarf would have made a move long ago. Richard was like an ancient behemoth charging at full speed; any obstacle in his path would be ruthlessly flung aside. Stevenson just happened to play this unfortunate role. Without this Richard fellow, the Dragon-blooded Sorcerer might very well have shone brilliantly in Deepblue. But who decreed Helen Su's strange rule that there was only one path to becoming a Construct Master under her tutelage?

  Luck, sometimes, truly was the deciding factor.

  Stevenson was clearly an unlucky fellow, and his strength... The Gray Dwarf glanced again at the running account, feeling that Stevenson's strength no longer seemed advantageous. Based on Richard's current progress, by the time he reached Stevenson's age, his strength would surpass the Dragon-blooded Sorcerer's by an unknown margin. The Akmond family were indeed all madmen. Even Richard, whose initial magic talent test was unremarkable, was a madman. To catch up to others' mana progress through sheer diligence alone was one thing, but his terrifying talent in Rune Constructs was simply incomprehensible.

  If that was the case... Numerous ideas suddenly popped into the Gray Dwarf's head, his heart pounding with excitement. In his eyes, Stevenson was a soon-to-be-exhausted mine vein, quickly to be depleted. But even a newly depleted mine held much value left to excavate—scattered ore deposits around the main vein, associated minerals, even the slag could potentially yield many rare metals, provided one had dwarven smelting techniques. The Gray Dwarf himself had started his fortune by acquiring abandoned mines on the cheap.

  If properly excavated, Stevenson was surely worth more than ten abandoned mines.

  The Gray Dwarf immediately conceived several plans, ran through them mentally, and deemed them all viable. As for the future, Duke Solam would sooner or later realize he had suffered a great loss, but what could he do? Challenge Deepblue? Oh, that option didn't exist. Direct his hatred towards Richard? A good idea. A mere viscount from the Akmond family had routed the combined forces of Solam and Neo. Would he then provoke Gordon, who had successfully garrisoned Faust with just thirteen Rune Knights? The Gray Dwarf felt that the mind of someone of Legendary status shouldn't be so foolish.

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  That day, Deepblue operated calmly and orderly, as if nothing discordant had occurred. The next day was the same. The third day, the fourth... No changes. Blood Parrot and her accomplices seemed to have never appeared in Deepblue at all.

  It was time again for Helen Su to decide on the next month's affairs. The Legendary Mage's meeting place was still the reception hall vast enough to contain mountains and water. The Archmages were delighted to see Her Highness back to normal—at least, her appetite was back to normal. The two large golden basins overflowing with fruit beside her couch were the most direct and vigorous proof.

  And the radiant glow on her face, the clarity of her eyes, the astonishing vitality radiating from her entire being—all were such obvious evidence that even a blind man could see it. The once-invincible Legendary Mage had not only returned but was brimming with energy as if she had just devoured a highly restorative dragon.

  A highly restorative... The Archmages all sketched their own images in their minds.

  Today, the Gray Dwarf was exceptionally animated, delivering a lengthy speech at a pace one-third faster than usual, frequently using exaggerated gestures to emphasize his points. Because he had to face the opposition of nearly all the Archmages today, his fighting spirit was particularly high.

  In truth, the core of his rambling was very simple: give Stevenson another chance. Although Stevenson's previous actions had completely crossed Deepblue's bottom line, the Gray Dwarf held a different view.

  He argued that there was no proof connecting Blood Parrot's group to Stevenson, and even Eileen and Minnie were only incidentally involved in the assassination attempt on Richard. Furthermore, now that Blood Parrot and all her subordinates had disappeared, with no witnesses left, Stevenson couldn't be convicted. Of course, there was sufficient evidence that the Dragon-blooded Sorcerer had indeed made many petty moves against Richard, but this could be punished through relatively mild means, such as a "reasonable" fine.

  The Gray Dwarf repeatedly emphasized that Stevenson was talented, and talented individuals should not be easily given up on. And Richard had not yet fully proven his talent as a Construct Master, so the door remained open for Stevenson.

  All the Archmages were momentarily stunned by the sheer force of the Gray Dwarf's roar. But aside from the volume, the Gray Dwarf's logic was simply untenable.

  If Richard's accomplishments couldn't prove his talent in Rune Constructs, then who could be considered talented? Blood Parrot disappeared on Naya's territory, and Richard happened to be studying under Naya, so it was highly likely Naya was responsible. Any Archmage present could likely reconstruct the events of that night just by visiting the scene. As for the record of the Enforcement Mage Corps being dispatched that night, it couldn't be erased. They were clearly under a gag order now, but lifting it was merely a matter of a word from Her Highness Helen Su.

  The Archmages were no fools. While listening to the Gray Dwarf's flawed and contradictory speech, although some briefly suspected his self-interest, most focused their attention on the Legendary Mage.

  Richard was clearly deeply favored by Helen Su, and recently, their relationship had become intimate. But her attitude today was surprisingly ambiguous. Not only did she not reprimand the Gray Dwarf for his excessive and clumsy performance, but there was even a hint of encouragement. Stevenson hadn't committed some minor error; he had tried to assassinate Richard!

  The Archmages knew from the unusual situation that there must be some hidden mystery, so they all waited calmly for what would follow. And when the Gray Dwarf presented his final proposal, everyone instantly understood.