Rail Star Universe

In the Luxurious Underground Chamber. Cassandra's Secret—a passageway to the hidden basement lay concealed behind a grand mahogany bookshelf at the back of the shop. Cassandra Whitlock pressed one of the leather-bound books, and the shelf shifted slowly, revealing an intricately carved iron door. She unlocked it with a special key hanging around her neck and stepped into a large room perfectly sculpted from black marble.

This underground chamber looked nothing like the modest bakery above. Crystal chandeliers illuminated a long polished oak table surrounded by chairs upholstered in deep red velvet. The walls were adorned with ancient-looking, symbol-laden paintings that exuded mystery. On one side of the room stood glass cabinets displaying peculiar objects—ancient scrolls, glass bottles containing strange-colored liquids, and artifacts that seemed almost magical.

Nine people were already seated around the table, each wearing different attire but emanating an aura of authority. Some wore long cloaks that concealed almost their entire bodies, while others donned formal clothing adorned with embellishments signifying high social status. Their faces were cast in shadow from the chandelier light, adding an air of enigma.

Cassandra Whitlock walked to the chair at the head of the table, slightly larger and more ornate than the others. Once seated, she surveyed those around her with a commanding gaze. Silence filled the room.

"I met someone today," she said finally, her voice cold yet authoritative. "His name is Edward Blackwood. He claimed to be a government agent and borrowed a basket of bread from me."

One of the men at the table, dressed in a long black cloak with an owl insignia on the collar, furrowed his brow. "A government agent, you say? Are you certain, Cassandra?"

Cassandra nodded calmly. "That's how he introduced himself. But there's something intriguing about him. He's very persuasive—too persuasive for someone who merely needs bread."

A young woman with fiery red hair and a dark green dress sitting to Cassandra's right smirked slightly. "If he truly is a government agent, what's he doing at a market, borrowing bread? That's odd, isn't it?"

Cassandra fixed the woman with a cold stare. "That's what I thought too, Elyra. But he doesn't act like an ordinary person. His demeanor is confident, his language polished, and he knows how to play psychological games. He spoke of building good relations as though it were a long-term strategy. I sense there's something larger behind his visit."

Another man at the far end of the table, with short gray hair and round glasses, tapped the table with his fingers. "Perhaps he's testing us. If he knows you're more than just a baker, Cassandra, then he's trying to gauge our strength."

Cassandra tilted her head slightly, her expression unchanging. "That's what I thought, Malcolm. But there's another possibility. He could simply be an opportunist who happened to meet me without knowing who I really am. Even so, I doubt it. That man didn't seem like someone who relies on sheer luck."

A tall man wearing a dark red cloak and a complex silver mask finally spoke. His voice was deep and heavy, exuding strong authority. "Whatever his motives, we cannot ignore him. If he truly is a government agent, his presence in Dunwich could be a threat or an opportunity for us. Cassandra, you've done well to give him bread. It gives us a reason to watch him more closely."

Cassandra nodded. "I agree. I want one of you to investigate this man. Find out who he really is, what he's after, and why he's in this town. If he's a threat, we need to know early."

Another woman, dressed in black with serpent-shaped jewelry coiled around her neck, smiled cynically. "And if he turns out to be just a liar? What's your plan, Cassandra?"

Cassandra stared at her sharply. "If he's lying, then he's more dangerous than we think. Someone who can deceive someone like me isn't an ordinary person. I won't let him roam free without surveillance."

The people at the table exchanged glances, each seeming to weigh the gravity of the situation. After a moment, Malcolm spoke again. "I'll send some of my men to watch him. They'll remain unseen but will gather the information we need."

Cassandra nodded. "Do that. And remember, we cannot let anyone know about our existence. Dunwich may feel safer these days, but we all know this world is still full of dangers. If that man is one of those who threatens this balance, we must be ready."

The meeting continued with discussions of other topics, but the name Edward Blackwood lingered in the air like a shadow that couldn't be ignored. Although they were people accustomed to operating behind the scenes, this encounter made them acutely aware that threats could arise from anywhere—even from someone who merely asked for a basket of bread.