The council chamber was not as hard to find as the place where Marshal Garp had lived, and the guards were not as strict. After Joey passed through the pine wood door, he entered the council chamber without any trouble.

"You're here?"

Besides Archmage Meld, Lord Maragon, Catherine's "father," was also in the council chamber. He was sitting in the main seat, resting his chin on one hand, and glancing at Joey with his eyelids raised.

"Lord Medes, may I ask what brings you here?"

Joey stopped in the center of the council chamber and asked Meld the mage sitting to the left of Maragon.

"Haven't you seen the city lord before?"

Meld didn't get up, but instead smiled and changed the subject.

It wasn't that Joey didn't want to greet Catherine's father, but seeing his indifferent attitude, he was a little annoyed and simply ignored him. After all, in his mind, although he was the city lord, he was more of Catherine's "father," the guy who was preventing him and Catherine from getting any closer.

"Greetings, City Lord!"

After Meld's reminder, Joey also bowed, not wanting the situation to become too awkward.

Lord Maragon did not reply, but simply nodded slightly to indicate that he had heard.

"Close the door. Don't bother us unless it's something important!"

Archmage Melder gave orders to the guards outside the council chamber, then rose and walked toward Joey.

"Squeak—"

The two large pine doors closed immediately, and the only sound in the council chamber was Meld's slow but steady footsteps.

"How has your cultivation been during your time away?"

Melder patted Joey on the shoulder, as if checking his physique.

"It's alright. The hunter class isn't easy to figure out, since there's no one else to show you the way!"

Joey thought that Archmage Melder was still regretting that he had not chosen the mage profession, so his tone became much kinder, and he felt that Melder was thinking of him.

"That's true of the hunter profession, but I still have faith in you, after all, you're a diligent person!"

(Diligent? Joey doesn't consider herself a diligent person. She's just forced to be. In this strange world where she has no background and no power, if she doesn't work a little harder than others, she might not survive for long!)

Thank you for your concern!

Joey still thanked him.

However, he was also wondering to himself that the Archmage Meld had called him over but hadn't gotten to the point yet, and was still preparing for what was going on. He wondered what it was about, and since Lord Maragon was also there, he wondered if what the Archmage was going to say was related to him.

"How are those people you brought with you doing lately? I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to visit them!"

"Lord Meld, please tell me what it is. Everyone's time is precious!"

Joey interrupted Meld's rambling conversation and asked him directly why he had come to see him today.

"Well……"

Melder glanced back at Lord Maragon, who nodded slightly. Melder understood immediately and turned back to Joey, his gaze changing instantly.

"Tomorrow is Catherine's birthday, you knew that, right?"

"Know!"

"Do you know what might happen tomorrow?"

"It's going to be a bloody battle, isn't it?"

Joey didn't have much confidence when he said that. He knew that some unpredictable things would happen on Catherine's birthday, but he wasn't sure if it would really be a bloody battle.

"A bloody battle? Heh heh heh, perhaps more than half the people in Grayforge think that way?"

Melder's expression shifted, then he went around behind Joey and gently patted him on the back.

"Isn't that right?"

Joey also became curious. Although he knew it was going to be a big battle, he had no way of knowing whether it was a bloody battle or a battle without gunpowder.

"Of course not!"

Lord Maragon then spoke up.

He stepped down from the main seat and slowly walked towards Joey.

"That……"

"Karp told me about you!"

Lord Maragon interrupted Joey abruptly, his eyes sharpening as if trying to see through Joey's facade.

(Did you tell me about my affairs? Was it about me and those three female elves, or about my identity as a transmigrator?)

Joey felt nervous; the sudden loss of his secret made him anything but happy.

“I hadn’t planned to see you today, but Meld felt it was essential to speak with you privately before Catherine’s birthday!”

"oh!"

"That was indeed my idea!"

Melder then moved around to stand in front of Joey, where he happened to be standing next to Lord Maragon.

Do you know why those orcs from the tribe attacked Catherine?

Melder's expression was extremely serious at this moment.

"Perhaps she knows some secret of the tribe, or she has some special ability that makes those green-skinned monsters wary?"

"You're truly exceptional; your guess was very close!"

"I am not Catherine's father!"

Lord Maragon suddenly spoke up and said this.

"I know that!"

"You know? How could you know? I haven't even told Catherine about this!"

Joey's words surprised Lord Maragon.

"I only found out by chance. As for Catherine, I think she guessed it too, but she just didn't say it."

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