I became a god through archaeology in the Wizarding World.

The protective light barrier of the underground laboratory had just stabilized, emitting a reassuring pale red glow.

Rhodes stood at the top of the stairs leading to the deeper levels, preparing to discuss the next demolition plan with Professor Isaac, when a chill suddenly crept up his spine without warning.

The feeling was like having a cold, venomous snake crawling along your skin.

In his mind, the danger perception granted by the [Iron-Beaked Raven] did not sound a sharp alarm as usual, but instead emitted an extremely suppressed and low buzzing sound.

This means that the threat does not come from an impending attack, but from something that has already infiltrated and cannot be avoided.

"Professor, step back."

Rhodes' voice was deep, and his right hand subconsciously reached for the Dark Serpent dagger at his waist.

"What's wrong? Wasn't the barrier already...?"

Professor Isaac's words were cut off before he could finish speaking.

In the shadows at the laboratory entrance, in an area that should have been sealed off by the academy's highest-level defensive barrier, a person had appeared out of nowhere.

He seemed to emerge from the shadows without making a sound or even causing a movement of the air.

He was a middle-aged man wearing tight-fitting gray leather armor. He was thin and had an ordinary face that would make him hard to spot in a crowd.

However, the short sword and two crossbows hanging at his waist emitted a silvery light that made wizards extremely uncomfortable.

What's most striking is his mouth.

His lips were stitched up with rough black thread, leaving only a hideous scar.

"Who are you? How did you get in? This is private property!" Professor Isaac shouted in terror.

The man didn't speak, but slowly raised his hand, revealing a pure gold token engraved with a thorn wreath.

Rhodes' pupils contracted slightly.

He recognized the token and had heard rumors about the man.

Sig the Silent One.

The leader of the Royal Assassins, the king's sharpest dagger, and the most trusted shadow of that suspicious monarch.

It is said that, in order to keep the secret, he cut off his own tongue on the day he swore allegiance.

"So it's Lord Sig."

Rod loosened his grip on the dagger, his face quickly adopting a respectful expression as he bowed slightly: "I didn't expect His Majesty to send you personally. The barrier here is only to guard against those apprentices who don't know the rules; it's naturally useless to you."

Sig’s emotionless gray eyes were fixed on Rhodes, as if he were examining an inanimate object.

He put away the token, took out a letter from his pocket, and casually tossed it to Rhodes.

The envelope floated lightly for more than ten meters, then stopped precisely in front of Rhodes, where he caught it steadily.

There was no sealing wax on the envelope, only a faint smell of blood.

Rhodes opened the letter; inside was only a thin piece of parchment, with King Edward's own handwriting on it, the strokes sharp as knives, revealing an uncontrollable rage.

Valerius is a useless piece of trash, but the news he brought back has displeased me greatly. Mortimer is eyeing my things, the Iron Duke is eyeing my throne, and you, Rod Griffin, are wasting my time.

I don't care what power games you play in the academy, or what means you use to climb the ranks of the bloodline faction. I only care about the results.

This is the last month.

If I don't see that god-slaying weapon unearthed on the night of the full moon a month from now, then the History Department has no reason to exist. I will have Sieg purge everyone who knows the truth, including you and that old good-for-nothing.

This is an ultimatum.

After reading the letter, Rhodes tightened his fingers slightly, and the parchment crumbled into pieces in his palm.

He looked up at the assassin leader, who stood like a statue in the shadows.

"I understand Your Majesty's meaning."

Rhodes' voice was calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

Although Vallejo pinned the blame on Mortimer, he also completely ignited the king's insecurity.

Edward VII no longer believed in gradual progress; he wanted immediate deterrence.

One month.

This is practically holding a knife to his throat and forcing him to dance.

Sig remained silent. He simply scanned the laboratory with his gray eyes, then pointed towards the depths of the underground, then pointed to his wrist, making a throat-slitting gesture.

After doing all this, Sieg did not leave.

Like a drop of ink dissolving into water, he slowly retreated into the deepest shadow in the corner of the laboratory, his presence completely vanishing.

Rod could feel that the faint gaze was always fixed on his back.

This is surveillance, and also supervision.

From this moment on, if Rhodes shows any sign of running away or betraying the law, the magic-piercing short sword will pierce his heart without hesitation.

"Rhodes... what did the letter say?" Professor Isaac leaned closer, his voice trembling, and asked.

"It's nothing, Professor."

Rhodes turned around, a slightly sinister smile on his face: "His Majesty felt our progress was too slow, so he gave us a boost."

"Keep it up?" the professor asked, puzzled.

"Yes, fueled by our blood."

Rhodes took a deep breath, the gentleness in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by a kind of madness born of being driven to the brink.

He originally intended to proceed cautiously, gradually absorbing underground resources through the independent laboratory and incidentally enhancing his strength.

But now, the king has overturned the table.

"Professor, bring out all the alchemical explosives."

Rhodes strode toward the passage leading to the second underground level, his black robes billowing without wind.

"We're changing our plans. No more exploration, no more clearing."

He turned and glanced at the corner where Sig was hiding, his voice icy: "We're going to demolish it by force. No matter what's in our way, rocks, monsters... or even ancient seals."

"Explode it all."

"We need to dig through the ground within a month."