Wooden Cloud, an enigmatic secret organization from the Lurein Principality, remained shrouded in mystery even after the revelation of the Oracle, largely due to the absence of a central figure. In most organizations, a leader typically manages their members, but in this case, members were unknown to each other—existing as merely as roots, stems, and branches.0

Most assumed the leader would be at the root, orchestrating the organization’s operations. As a result, the empire spared no effort in searching for this root. But, quite obviously, their efforts were futile. 0

The reason Wooden Cloud could function without a head lies in the nature of the Lurein family, the ruling dynasty of the Lurein Principality. Karyl pondered, as he walked through the streets after receiving Thomson's note. The founding ancestor of the Lurein family, Ralph Lurein, was an illegitimate child of the then-Pope Byer III. As a result, the principality still enjoyed the protection of the church to this day.1

In exchange, the Lurein family had a tradition of sending the second sons to the church with each generational change. It was perhaps a pact between the church and...0