In addition to Laddie Setia's confirmation, Paul also consulted with Princess Irene, who had studied at Scholars Tower, to confirm the case and rule out the possibility that Alvis was an imposter.
Paul then instructed the Public Security Department to send someone to provide proactive protection for Alvis, whom he considered very valuable.
He learned about the Arcane Society and the ancient prophecy from Deson, Mariana, and Alvis, and could basically confirm that the matter was true—not that he believed the ancient prophecy was correct, but that the Arcane Society was indeed working hard to promote something in response to this ethereal prophecy.
Giles ' rebellion, the orcish invasion... it's clear that the other side has treated Aldor like fish on a chopping board, ready to cut off a piece whenever needed, with the ultimate goal of swallowing it whole, and not just Aldor, but all of human civilization.
We've been too passive; it's time to take the initiative.
...
"So, what brings you here?" Mariana asked her son with a smile.
Paul replied, "It concerns the Arcane Society!"
Mariana's relief vanished at the sight of her son's serious expression.
"Plotting? Oh dear, that word is just too offensive."
Paul frowned and asked, " Mrs. Glaeman, what is your position in the Arcane Society?"
His curt address displeased Mariana.
"Well... how should I put it?" She seemed a little embarrassed. "Although it may sound arrogant to say this, my position is certainly not such that no one will take my words seriously."
Paul asked, "Then let me continue, how strong is your sense of belonging to this organization? Or rather, how deep is your connection to this organization?"
Mariana was silent for a moment, then frowned, her voice becoming somewhat sharp, "Well, it seems this day has finally come. My son is forcing me to make a choice: choose him or the cause I'm fighting for."
Paul sneered and laid his cards on the table: "Considering you did it once ten years ago, I don't have high expectations for your choice."
Mariana stood up abruptly, her porcelain-white face flushed red; she was clearly angry.
Almost instantly, a powerful sense of oppression emanated from the red-haired witch, and the air in the room seemed to freeze.
Paul felt as if he were encased in concrete, unable to move or breathe properly.
The witch seemed to be engulfed in flames. " Paul Greiman, listen to me. I, Mariana Glaeman, may have made many mistakes, but not my two children. I feel guilty for missing more than ten years of your company, but I can't bear the consequences of not leaving you—consequences that still concern you, and even the entire Gleiman family."
"Calm down, Mother!" Paul relented.
"Damn it, what did I do?"
The word "Mother" triggered Mariana. Her pupils dilated, and she instantly transformed from a furious witch into a weak and pitiful woman.
Staggering forward a few steps, Mariana grabbed Paul and hugged her son tightly, tears streaming down her face like broken beads.
"Forgive me, Paul, it's all that damned Vatican's fault. If it weren't for those hounds investigating here, how happy we would be as a family. Before the painful separation from you, I had no idea what the Arcane Society was."
As if to release the emotions that had been building up inside her for years, Mariana hugged Paul and burst into tears.
"Waaah... I really can't breathe this time!" Paul's voice came from my arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She let go of her son.
Paul, now free, gasped for breath.
Mariana calmed down and, while sobbing, recounted the entire story of her departure to Paul.
Back then, after discovering her whereabouts, the Vatican quickly dispatched a secret force to Northwest Bay in an attempt to capture the Crimson Witch. Leonard, the current Bishop of Northwest Bay, was the local church member responsible for cooperating with the Vatican's secret force.
Coincidentally, Leonard was on good terms with Old Greiman, and he was shocked to learn that the Vatican was after his friend's wife.
Leonard was a devout believer and had unwavering faith in the Vatican. Since the Vatican had spoken, Lady Glaeman must be a witch.
But after a painful internal struggle, he secretly informed the Old Greimans that the Vatican's action against them was about to begin.
Not a single mistake, not a single song, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single 6-9 book, not a single bar, take a look!
Mariana was unable to fight the Vatican's secret forces at the time because she had just given birth to her second child, and the Gleiman Family was just a weak lord in a remote area, unable to contend with such a behemoth as the Vatican.
Mariana intended to hide away for a while, but Leonard warned her that she could either leave Northwest Bay forever and never set foot on this land again, or he would bring in the Vatican's secret forces to arrest the entire Glaeman family.
Therefore, Mariana had no choice but to painfully leave her husband and eldest son.
"In the days I spent missing you, my hatred for the Papacy grew ever stronger, so I accepted the Arcane Society's invitation to become a member. One of the Arcane Society's goals is to allow Spellcasters to walk openly in the sunlight, and to achieve this goal, there is a prerequisite—the destruction of the Papacy!!"
"Because of Leonard's warning, I have never dared to return to Northwest Bay. I'm sure you've had contact with him. He's a very stubborn man. He does what he says and is ruthless."
" I only cautiously returned here and reunited with you after I confirmed that Leonard was no longer stationed in Alda due to his promotion to bishop, and that you had gained the strength to protect yourself."
Mariana's words reminded Paul of his own wedding. During the ceremony, Mariana, disguised among the guests, gave Leonard a very complicated look.
Come to think of it, should you be grateful or hate someone who both saved your life and ruined your life?
After listening, Paul hugged Mariana.
"Mother, the days ahead may become increasingly chaotic. I respect your aspirations and will not force you to make a choice between two options, but I implore you to prioritize your own safety and adjust your position as needed. I absolutely do not wish for a day when we become adversaries."
"I don't care what the Arcane Society wants to do, but if its goals conflict with mine, I will do everything in my power to thwart the Arcane Society's schemes. At the very least, all their efforts in Aldor will be in vain."