"Who is this?" the adventurer at the ferry hissed. He dipped his finger into the butter on the plate and smeared it under his nose, looking nonchalant. "Adventurer? Companion? Reputation?" He sneezed.
Bonin had to repeat: "His name is Yasukawa, he's a Windrunner and he comes from Fife Tanner."
"Faf Tanner?" the adventurer chanted. "Fife Tanner?"
Are you deaf? Butter clogged ears? "The Kingdom of the Mist Elf, one of the seven pivots."
"That's right. That's right."
You're kidding me. Bonin thought. He was about to give this guy some color. At this moment, a group of soldiers clanked across the street and rushed into a shop to rummage. Customers immediately fled, while the store owner cursed. The open door and windows showed everyone in the ferry restaurant the conflict between the two sides: soldiers and mercenaries guarding the shop were fighting, and the shop owner picked up a pot and put it on the visitor's head.
The latter did not fight back, but cursed and threw away the wrench, wooden block, socks and a water glass that followed. The store owner threw a kettle again, and this time he had to pick up the pot and hold it in front of him to avoid being showered with hot water.
"What the hell, we're chasing criminals!" the guy yelled. "Don't fucking throw it away!"
On the other side of the street, people stared intently at the chaos, including the guy Brenanin was asking. He suppressed his anger, knocked on the table impatiently, and was about to speak... "A big man died at the dock. The city guard was ordered to hunt down criminals, but the store owner was a affiliate of Timir." The person he was questioning Standing up, "What the hell!"
"No wonder he's not afraid of the roving knights." Xin put a hand on the man's shoulder, and with an ouch, the guy sat back down in his seat. "Let me ask. There is a grocery store selling alchemy supplies nearby, and I'm afraid it is also being searched. Do you want to go and have a look, Bonin?"
Silverdome City is close to Knight's Bay, and Brenanin quickly thought of some special materials produced by the seaside. So he stood up happily, leaving the damn question and the absent-minded person behind him. To extract information from the slippery adventurer, it still depends on the mercenary's methods, and he is very relieved about this.
…
"Let's get this straight," Xin asked, closing the window facing the street. Some guests made dissatisfied sounds, but he had no time to pay attention. "Where have you heard of Yaskawa?"
"Of course it's on the notice board." The adventurer opposite was named Zhan, and he was a local. However, among the adventurers of Silverdome City, he is more often called "reporter" or "bachelor". Of course, real journalists and bachelors will not be adventurers, but there is no doubt that people recognize his ability to catch wind and shadow.
The "House of Frost and Dew" association didn't know their purpose of looking for Yasukawa, or they simply thought that Bonin was trying to cover himself up, so he accepted the reward list at will... Even the leader who has connections with the water fairies, the boy who calls himself Daimon, may Think so too. So Sadepo took them to find Zhan, an adventurer from Silverdome City, who was nicknamed "Reporter" by his peers.
Bonin chases the Bible and doesn't understand why the Tower Messenger is looking for Windrunner. Xin Ze wanted to know whose bait this person who claimed to know Yasukawa's whereabouts would be.
"Do you have the news we want?"
"I have solid information." The reporter's fingernails scraped the bottom of the plate. "My grandfather was a fleet sailor in Knights Bay, and no one knows more about anchors than I do."
Looks like I was wrong, this guy is the real anchor, not the hook. Don't expect him to hook anyone. No matter who is the person who instigates him, this person must not understand him. "Then Windrunner's name is Anchuan, that's a name."
"Yaskawa? This doesn't look like Faf Tanner..."
"This is his real name. This man is not from Faftanna, but from the Kingdom of Skraguk, a neighboring country of the Mist Elves."
"Oh, yes. The name of the fog elf is very long. Of course, only those with real knowledge can translate it correctly——"
"Don't delay, Zhan. There are only soldiers and shopkeepers in the shop opposite. They will be noisy for a while, and no one will come again in a short time...Besides, do you think my companion is really going shopping?"
The "reporter" sniffed: "Him? Your companion can go wherever he likes, it has nothing to do with me."
"You should expect him to stay." Xin sighed. Zhan twisted his body, as if still waiting for the opportunity to slip away. In his mind, Brenanin was the one in desperate need of information and Sheen was his sidekick, although this was true during the commission.
But among the helpers, Xin can be regarded as the most conscientious one. A small clicking sound sounded between the two of them. Zhan lowered his head and saw that the remaining oil on the plate was frozen. He tried to pull his hand away, but the plate and the table froze together at some point.
... He then reacted and opened his mouth to say something. The mercenary grabbed him by the hair and pushed his entire face into the plate.
Now, Zhan En was no longer interested in applying oil to his beard. He kept struggling and twisting his neck, but this only caused the oil stain to become sticky and smeared on his eyebrows, which quickly solidified and froze together. Soon, he couldn't even open his eyelids. The Reporter hissed louder and louder. He probably wanted to fight back, but the frost froze his fingers... unless he cut them off. Now it was difficult for him to raise his hands, let alone resist the force coming from the back of his head.
"Be careful," Xin warned, "if you insist on dragging the stool, the bill will be on your head."
"What the hell! Are you... mysterious...?"
"Don't act so fresh. Isn't the person who ordered you to come to us and told you the name Yasukawa also a mysterious creature? I guess he showed you his hand, right? Otherwise, you would never wait here obediently. ." The mercenary let go of his hand and the butter melted. Jenn finally got off the plate. "People call you a reporter. You must be a fast runner and have a good memory. What did he ask you to say?"
The corner of the "reporter's" mouth twitched and he didn't speak for a long time. A glistening drop of oil fell on his left eyebrow. He did not run away, perhaps because he recognized the reality: escape and resistance were meaningless.
"There is only one name, Anchuan. The man only told me this." He compromised, "I was asked to meet you here, and he will be waiting in the shop across the street."
"I hope it's not the one being searched. See, the Rangers are looking for wanted criminals. They didn't say they were looking for your employer."
There was palpable fear in Zhan's expression. "That's not..." He almost shouted, but quickly lowered his voice. "I don't know! I was coerced...well, I was hired. Have mercy on me, my lord. Someone ordered me to come here, but it was just to discuss with you. I didn't think about spreading anything. Lie, I swear on my life."
Your life is the easiest thing to get my hands on. Xin thought. What's really valuable is the information about the messenger, and you don't even have that.
This is also the reason why Xin Zhi opened Boning. It would be too bad if our great alchemist learned that someone is secretly paying attention to Windrunner Yasukawa's commission. Brenanin will most likely identify the other party as the holder of the Scroll of Oath, and believe that all this is the blessing of the gods.
But Xin Ke didn’t believe it. In fact, there are not many people who can think of taking advantage of this ancient commission. From Xin's perspective, Bonin's plan would have trouble going smoothly: before he could find his target, he would first be noticed by people who were also looking for the tower's messenger. There are many smart people in the world, and Brenanin, who is just starting out, is certainly not one of them.
To take a step back, even if Bonin is wary, it would be troublesome to ask questions. As for the employer behind the reporter, the mercenary already had a guess in his mind. Let him use his strengths and avoid weaknesses in the field of alchemy. "He told you the name Anchuan, and told you that this person is a Windrunner. What else? Anchuan has been to Screaming Castle and hunted down the vampires?"
"You know it all." Zhan stared at him, "You know it and you still ask me? Damn it, how on earth did you..."
"Let's talk about him first."
"Nothing else." The reporter finally gave up the struggle, "My employer doesn't know the whereabouts of this Windrunner, but he wants to see who took over the commission." He wiped his face. "Damn, this commission is a curse... It lasted for years, attracting many ignorant people to take it, and sent countless letters to the above address, but no one responded. I have no idea about it and its employer. What they wanted. But in the end, the adventurers got nothing and had to give up the sunk time cost. But they couldn't even find someone to blame! No one claimed responsibility for it... It was a ghost seal commission, no doubt."
"Ghosts are the souls of mortals. If they want to send a message, someone will respond." The mercenary said, "What we challenge is the mystery of the adventurer industry."
The other party didn't believe it at all. "Forget it. There must be a puzzle maker, and it will probably be someone I can't afford to mess with...like you, a mysterious creature. Is this your password? Am I involved in something big? You are Timi Is your person...I am also registered as wanted by the city guard?"
"Of course not." Congratulations, you will soon be registered with the local secret society. However, when it comes to hiring people behind the scenes, no one makes decisions for Jenn. "Thank you for your honesty," Xin said without guilt, "it saved me a lot of time."
"That team of soldiers..."
"We didn't find him. Coincidence. Accident. In short, he is too busy taking care of himself right now to stare here." Xin knocked on the window. "If you want to distance yourself from your employer, I suggest you seize the opportunity."
"The city guard also arrested me? I'm just employed!"
"If you ask me, you've made this quite obvious. But I don't have time to testify for you."
The reporter was panicked. "What on earth are you...? What's going on?"
"It's just a small thing, don't worry about it. Do you really want to be a reporter?"
Zhan didn't answer. It was obvious that he wanted to turn around and run away, but he was worried that this was a cruel joke. "You let me go?" he asked hesitantly.
"I'm looking for Windrunner Anchuan, not you."
"But...you didn't even ask what that person looked like...well, I guess, I mean, could it be that you actually know...?"
good question. It turns out that this guy is quite astute. No wonder he is famous among the intelligence dealers in Silver Summit City. Everyone in the secret society believes that he has exclusive information. "No," Xin replied, "I just don't care that much. It's not important."
"Not at all?" Perhaps because the mercenary's attitude was not so bad, Zhan began to push further and use his curious instinct. "To be honest, you are looking for Yasukawa. What secret does this guy have? Why does my employer want me to come to see you? Your companion is an alchemist. Could it be that the person you are looking for has mysterious knowledge?"
He didn't know when the lies would end, but he was tired of dealing with the intelligence dealers in front of him. "As far as I know, you've heard of me." Xin looked at the other person.
Jenn looked away. "Uh, Knox mercenary..."
"A veritable big mercenary group. The threshold for them to recruit people is very simple: reputation, experience, expertise or someone's recommendation. The latter is usually provided for insiders. Do you know how I became one of them? ?”
"Presumably it's not the latter." The reporter smiled sarcastically.
"I am your companion." Xin did not smile. "Prying into other people's secrets is my special skill. Many people have no secrets when they stand in front of me. The Knox mercenaries think that I can use this skill to bring them a lot of value."
It can be seen that Zhan En is far more surprised and suspicious at this moment than when someone pressed his face into the plate. As an adventurer, he obviously has great trust in his own abilities, especially when it comes to intelligence.
"Okay." The "reporter" shrugged, "I will convince myself to believe you, sir. Thank you for sharing the tips on joining the Knox Mercenary Group. After learning it, I will also try it in the Four Leaf Territory."
"The real trick isn't to see through the secrets, Jenn. It's to know to keep silent when you see something that's true."
"That's all you want to say?"
I lost my job over this, man. That’s all. No matter how detailed the explanation was, Xin knew that it was impossible for the other party to understand him. "No. What I mean is, before I remain silent, it's up to you to decide whether what you saw is the truth."
Zhan frowned and said nothing. "I can say a lot of things that no one can confirm, can't I?" Xin continued, "Or are you going to risk questioning your employer and believe that he is just using magic to play a joke on you?" You won't get any information from me. "You've asked enough questions, man. Now forget all this shit and go wash your face."
I don't know if the "reporter" heard what he said, but the guy wiped his face and finally noticed the strange looks from the people around him, and realized that he couldn't stay longer. Zhan hesitated for a moment before speeding up and running away.
Xin emptied his plate. A meal taught them to see clearly the situation around them, which is not a rare thing. Old commissions are not so easy to accept. There is no doubt that there are still people paying attention to Yaskawa. Could he be from the Paperclip Mercenary Group? Yasukawa is a member of Paperclip and a teammate of the "Wind Whisperers". When they were defending the motherland, they were unable to fight side by side. I believe his original companions will remember this.
Or is it the new friend Yaskawa met at Eastman? In any case, Yaskawa's last presence at Eastman was only two years ago. Maybe he left here early and returned to his hometown, the Kingdom of Skluguk...
Two years. The mercenary thought. In the past two years, many things have happened to Knox. Countless people and things have drifted with the tide of fate, but most of them have nothing to do with him. He couldn't help but think about how many more two years in his life he could spend so safely.
To do this, all he had to do was cancel the agreement with Brenanin and turn around and return to Yotsuba City. Xin is a member of the Knox Mercenary Group, a wandering adventurer who has no acquaintance with the prince of Washimuth, and has nothing to do with the Paperclip Mercenary Group active on the border of Bres.
…Yet he got up and chased Brenanin. This alchemist is full of lies, has evil intentions, is simple-minded and unwilling to think. His apology was an attempt to convince me of his sincerity to win me over, but he was undoubtedly a man with goals. Xin wanted to know what gave the other party such confidence that after learning about the existence of a new generation of potions, he still persisted in believing that the Bible was the way to save the secret society. The Byrnes built their empire by relying on war and the power of the Nameless One, not a bone sword.
Now, before getting the answer, Xin must immediately go to his companions so that our noble Highness Bonin can escape from a situation that he absolutely cannot handle - because according to the kingdom's wanted order, the three Brenanin put together, It is possible to escape.
Unfortunately, there is only one Brenanin Munro in this world.
…
The Silver-domed City of Frost Moon is just as its name suggests. Even if the sun is high, there is still snow everywhere. The ice reflects the wet glint, and the city is enveloped in this glitter and a breeze that smells of the sea. The thick fog coming from the Eastern Sea of Singing came on the wind, was blocked by the closely arranged buildings, rested on the stone walls, and adhered to the domes. These winding dark traces eventually disappear into the dark crevices.
And these gaps are so insignificant that only those with other intentions will pay attention to the shadows that breed within them.
He looked at the other person: a thick gray cloak, a steel helmet and a long sword, layers of cotton clothes wrapped under the black leather armor, and a long scarf covering half of his face. What is this person trying to do? He felt the need to understand. "Who are you, a hidden person?"
"I don't mean any harm." The alley is very narrow, and visitors keep a considerable distance. "I know who you are, assassin."
This proves nothing because he has never hidden it. Anyone can guess his identity just by looking at the dead target. "This is probably an honor. But I have something to do, so I won't make a living from Nightingale for the time being."
"What, that commission? Someone took it. Are you still looking for him, Dalton?"
The night elf raised his head and looked at the other person again. This man seemed to know what was behind the Windrunner commission, which was far from unusual for Eastman. "Are you a wizard, or someone from the tower?"
"No. What I'm looking for is not Yasukawa, but you. There is a big shot who needs your help."
Big shot? Could it be a certain Lord Kong Jing? Dalton remembered what happened on the empty island. The great astrologer in the Tower had no use for him, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs...
After the demon hunting campaign, there was no news from Bai Zhizhi, and even his apprentices also lost their whereabouts. Dean Rubin, the Blue Envoy, took over his responsibilities and used the law enforcement team to protect the subject country and monitor the internal affairs, but ignored the Eastman Kingdom far to the south. When the Bain people's envoys left the Ice Territory and went north to expand the empire's tentacles, the tower did not send any reinforcements: the garrison's residence in Four Leaf City had been abandoned for a long time, and Uriel never went back.
Today, only York remains at Eastman. After DeWitt died, Dalton was leaving. His kin underground will soon return to Knox, which for the drow means that the last peaceful place will also turn into a battlefield. Noctura's people are born bathed in blood and fire. They are always warlike and tireless. Dalton couldn't convince himself that he liked this lifestyle.
Who else could it be?
Dalton thought of Roma, an apprentice in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who may have become an official envoy now. She has always wanted to take a walk outside the tower, and the commission about Anchuan was also initiated because of her. To be honest, Dalton has never seen this "Windrunner Yaskawa", and even if he accidentally appeared in front of him, he would not recognize him at all. Can……
I need to know who this guy is, he thought to himself. Roma recognized Yasukawa as his mentor, even though the latter was only a high ring. Dalton didn't know why the little lion chose him. On the way to Knight's Bay to find the child bought by the vampires, the man gave up halfway, but young Roma had the courage to go to the end. Most people thought she was bold, but in Dalton's eyes, Roma's ability to face her mistakes outweighed the critics who pointed fingers at her.
No. The night elf thought to himself. Not her. If there is really news about Yasukawa, she will definitely come in person. Although Roma, who is a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is regarded as one of his own by two great astrologers, is indeed a big shot.
"This kind of person needs my help?" Dalton asked, "I don't have the ability. To be honest, are you looking for a killer? Nightingale?"
"That's right. Unfortunately, among many suitable targets, your price is the only one we can afford."
Dalton was startled. Now his reward is an astronomical figure. Besides, what does "only" mean? "If you can really come up with this money, as long as you can make it in time, I have nothing to refuse."
"No, we have already paid the bill. As far as we understand you, pleasure and grudges are more important than wealth in your heart. We have provided you with help."
The night elves understood: "The loophole in the bottom of the ship..."
"This is the deposit." The visitor promised.
The life of the arrogant earl and lord of Knight's Bay, Dewitt Hearne, was only worth the down payment. Dalton began to realize the identity of the visitor: "You are an Eastman, not a member of the Fulcrum... Who do you serve? The Royal Party or the Western Party?"
"I am the Queen's man."
"Her Majesty the Queen will not harm her son." Dalton said flatly. During his days as a knight of the court, he had met the Queen of Eastman in person. When DeWitt left for the Territory, she insisted on seeing her young son off. No one present was untouched. "Waste no more time, no need to discuss employment."
"The Queen symbolizes Eastman. The stability of the kingdom is her honor. My master is determined to safeguard her honor. How can he be said to be not the Queen's person? As for DeWitt Hearne, he is not a real prince, but he is With unrealistic ambitions. He could find no help in Eastman, and everyone knew his situation... He went to Moniantoros and asked the Church of Gaia for help. Your friend intervened in the church civil war and also I smashed his conspiracy, but he accidentally slipped away."
"In my opinion, he won't let it go." Dalton remembered the count's eyes before he died.
"This man's return to the kingdom is still a factor of instability." The visitor agreed, "I'm afraid he will have his father's ideas. Sir Norman sent him to guard the bay. I don't know why, but my master It seems that this is tantamount to putting meat in front of a wild dog and hoping that the latter will not eat it. There is no benefit to the kingdom if he is alive."
Dalton had no idea what DeWitt was thinking. The former captain of the guard would retort because he thought he knew the Earl of the Bay. Now, as the person who killed DeWitt with his own hands, he still couldn't understand him. He has seen a lot about conspiracies and struggles for power, but has experienced very little. Before becoming the Earl of the Bay, DeWitt Hearn was not even qualified to participate in the competition. "Oh, doesn't this count as me helping you?"
"You can't succeed without the help of the master. DeWitt Hearn is an earl after all."
"He's not a mythical creature."
"Yes, you are Gao Huan. There are few people like you in Eastman. Sir Norman asked you to be DeWitt's bodyguard, which is really overkill."
"There is no need to mention the past." Dalton heard the footsteps, and soon the guards of Silverdome City would search the store. Of course, he could kill them all without even leaving a trace, but he had no intention of letting these mortals be buried with DeWitt Hearn.
"Very well, let's talk about something practical: Mysterious creatures also need to eat and live. In addition to money, they also have spiritual pursuits. I can't tell you what you want to do next, but we can provide you with the former."
"I don't lack..."
"...I mean where the money is spent, my lord. In Eastman, you are a hunted criminal, and Her Majesty wants your head. But with our help, you can be cleared and become a guest of honor." "
Dalton found it interesting: "Then how do I clear my 'grievance'?"
"It's true that you were the one who killed DeWitt Hearn, but you were just a knife." The visitor said calmly, "The person who really provoked your rebellion was a pawn of the royal party. And the one supported by the royal party was Iraq." Prince Stir.”
"The Queen has lost one son and will not blame the other." It is difficult to say that the Queen's love for DeWitt can be better than that of Easter, and even Dalton can see this. "No matter how I justify it, it's ultimately my responsibility. I could have just walked away and never come back to Eastman." I'm happy to take it. "Your chips can't convince me."
The visitor also admitted: "I'm afraid that's the case. I don't know much about you."
"Then let's say goodbye." Dalton never thought about seeing these noble servants again. He used to be one of them, but now it seems that York's lifestyle is more suitable for him.
"No, now I have new leverage. You're following an old commission."
Dalton stopped. “This is not something the Eastmans can get involved in,” he warned.
"Really? Eastman can't compare to the mysterious fulcrum. He just has to stand by and obey orders? Expect the tower to pluck out a hair for us? I can't see it." The visitor sneered, "Times have changed, sir. Now it's our turn They are coming to fight for us, and the tower has long been unable to compete. It is not that the astrologers have given up on Eastman, but that we will choose another."
"I do not understand what you mean."
"Byrne has become an imminent threat, as the defeat of the Coalition proves. Daemons, well, nameless ones, these mysterious beings of destiny spread their tentacles, radiating shadows across the Lands of Order. Eastman is mortal. The kingdom is also the kingdom closest to Byrne. In order to win the support of Her Majesty the Queen, the Seven Pillars have sent descendants to the royal city."
Dalton had never heard of this, and the royal party must have blocked the news. He didn't know if this was the order of the "Adventor". In fact, he didn't know much about the "Advent", and the search for DeWitt Hearn involved most of the night elves' energy. After all, the Earl of the Bay is not a fool. After the last assassination failed, the Earl tried his best to cover up his itinerary.
"Eastman is going to fight again?" Dalton couldn't help but ask.
"The war has begun, my lord. The Bain people sent envoys to the Four-leaf Territory, the Royal City and the Bay, but what they sent to the White Gorge City in the west were swords, guns and iron armor. The borders of the kingdom are under attack."
For a long while, the night elf didn't know what to say. Before my people arrived, Nox was in the throes of war. "What are you going to do?"
"Defend the kingdom, what else can you do?"
"I won't keep your secrets."
"Yes, but... who should I tell it to? Your friends, Lord Garrison? As long as you can find him, I don't mind. The participation of the tower will only make the competition more intense, and it will also add another layer to the kingdom. Guarantee - when the motherland is in trouble, he will not stand by and watch.”
"I can't find him either." The other party was so honest that Dalton had to admit it. No matter what people wanted to do to Uriel, he would never betray his friends.
The visitor understood his attitude. "Everyone knows that Her Majesty is a tolerant person. That commission, which has existed for many years, is due to Her Majesty's kindness. She is the symbol of the Kingdom, and Eastman only wants your help, my lord. .”
Someone was pursuing the commission, and Dalton knew it. Only a few people know that Yasukawa is Roma's mentor, and Uriel issued a mission to the adventurers in order to appease her. He will no doubt be keeping an eye on this, because the Knights of Proverbs are sure to keep their word.
Dalton could not give up the commission and leave the Eastman Kingdom. This is the other party's new bargaining chip. "Just listen, who are you going to use me to deal with?"
"Laurence Norman."
