Kyran was engrossed in the creation of a unique item, one he had entrusted to Shiloh and Uilleam. This item, unlike any other, was designed for a one-directional transmission, ensuring no residual magic energy would be left behind.
A one-directional transmission worked for Kyran's initial purpose of having an informant.
Though the item should transmit messages from Shiloh and Uilleam's side rather than from Kyran because the information would have come from the former two's side, the purpose of the item was not exactly to send crucial information because the downside of a one-directional transmission was that, the route where the message should go to can be tracked.
Thus, the item's purpose was for Kyran to issue orders and track Shiloh and Uilleam's location. To receive updates, they would send them through a secret channel to Ogen or any neutral plane affiliated with the Ogen Clan. Leif, acting as their intermediary, would then deliver the message to Kyran.
Information sent like this would definitely take a long time to reach Kyran, but he preferred it to prevent tracing it back to him. Besides, when he agreed for Shiloh and Uilleam to be his informants, he had not considered asking them for immediate information. Instead, he planned on having them send in-depth information about every clan under Solis.
These included the clan heads and vice heads, their military strength, their means of sustaining the clan, their long-term plans, etc.
Of course, Kyran also wanted to know the movements of the Solis Clan and the clans under it. However, he decided to observe Shiloh and Uilleam's attitude first for a few months before upgrading the item so they could send coded messages to him directly.
By then, Kyran believed they would have already proven their loyalty and he would accept them as one of his people. Even if their clan discovered that they had become someone else's informant, Kyran would not leave them to their demise.
At least, this was the scenario that Kyran had initially.
It all changed because of The Emperor's appearance.
Because of the urgency of the situation, Kyran had to make such a risky move and use Shiloh to send bait to make The Emperor leave the Dragon Clan. His move actually put Shiloh and Uilleam's safety at risk.
Kyran had an inkling that The Emperor would find traces of his presence around them. It might have only been a short encounter, and he had only used his Void magic once, but after getting a glimpse of The Emperor's might when he came to the Dragon Plane, he had a foreboding that The Emperor would still sense his magic energy.
When that happens, The Emperor would likely try doing something to Shiloh and Uilleam to confirm Kyran's appearance.
In the Lower Realm, doing such a feat would require a mage to have an understanding of Memory magic. In the Higher Realm, however, Kyran read there were plenty of spells that had nothing to do with Memory magic that could reveal this.
Kyran would not have cared about what would happen to Shiloh and Uilleam. However, he admitted he liked Uilleam's character and believed he could be an asset to him as a double agent or something similar. Besides that, he was worried that The Emperor would use a spell that would allow him to delve into Shiloh's and Uilleam's minds.
If The Emperor did that, he would definitely learn of their agreement. Not to mention, he would also learn about the Ancients hiding in the Tower of the Ancients and how they were calling him the Realm Scion.
After that, Shiloh and Uilleam would be killed on the spot. The mole they were supposed to exploit in the Solis Clan would also be revealed, and everything Kyran had prepared thus far would have been for naught.
To avoid that, Kyran decided to upgrade the item and contact Shiloh or Uilleam as soon as possible to find out the situation in the Blade Dancer Clan. He would just have to grind all the Array Knowledge and Void Principles he learned from Caelan so he could hide or even remove any possible traces of the transmitted messages back to him if the item ended up in the hands of other people.
In fact, Shiloh or Uilleam might willingly surrender the item to the head of their clan regardless of the repercussions they would suffer for breaking their contract with Kyran. However, Kyran knew they would not do something like that.
He was not 100% sure yet, but judging from the initial information he received about the relationship the Solis Clan had with the clans under it, he sensed a very fragile and unstable line connecting all of them.
On the surface, it appeared strong, but the fact that there were clans secretly cheering for the Dragon Emperor to ascend and shake the balance of power in the Higher Realm showed that there were those who were unhappy about The Emperor's rule.
"The Emperor will not wait, obviously. And I have to do something to make sure he does not get wind of what is happening here. I may end up... relying on your help, though."
"Meaning, you plan on doing something reckless."
"..."
Cyneah sighed but then said, "I don't know if saying this is good or bad... but... I suppose I should not be surprised anymore."
"... I won't overdo it."
"Please do."
Kyran chuckled. He paused for a moment before adding, "I will also need your help with something else."
Cyneah tilted her head and raised her brows questioningly, "'Something else?'"
Kyran nodded.
"I noticed it in Somuli... but you are really good at dealing with people. Once the gate is created, I plan on sending people over here from Somuli as well."
"Somuli?" Cyneah was surprised to hear that. She only thought Kyran wanted to bring his clan and people over and help them improve their levels. Then again, some of his people were currently in Somuli. Was he talking about them?
Kyran nodded. "There are a lot of talents in Somuli. Unfortunately, their knowledge of magic is lacking. I believe bringing them here will improve their knowledge and may even break through to a higher level."
"... I see," Cyneah smiled. "So you want me to take care of them?"
"Yes. But also... some others."
"Okay."
"And..."
"T-There's more?"
"Technically, it's not you, but since you are connected..." Kyran's voice trailed off. For some reason, he found it hard to ask for this particular favor even though he had acted brazen in front of him before.
Cyneah caught on to his meaning and chuckled. She found it amusing that he was acting like this when he had seemed in control when they had talked before.
"What do you want me to tell him?"
"I need his expertise... at least... where politics is concerned."