Chapter 229 Conspiracy
"That guy sometimes talks like a jerk, and when he's sarcastic to me, he's even more devilish than the devil." Ole carefully observed the red-haired girl's expression and whispered soothingly, "So girl, this isn't your fault, either then or now. Don't push yourself too hard. You're a warrior, and rushing for success will damage your foundation. If I really can't get enough of this, I'll steal all his coffee."
The worst that could happen is that he would be viciously scratched by the enraged tyrant, the assassin thought righteously, he was used to it anyway.
Maxine was amused by him: "If you really do this, His Majesty will be very angry. Even Azuka won't be able to save you then."
"I was a little angry, but it was mainly directed at myself," she said calmly, a hint of fatigue in her expression that didn't suit her age. "He was just telling the truth, and he was absolutely right. I was letting my emotions get the better of me."
The red-haired girl raised her head and stared at the leaden sky. Beneath the white circling flock of birds, the lonely scream of a skua could be heard.
Her voice gradually lowered, like a dreamy mumbling: "I just couldn't help but think over and over again about everything I saw that day. I kept telling myself, like a man possessed, that this was the only chance fate had given me to save everything... No, I'm really fine."
Looking at her companions' worried eyes, Maxine took a deep breath. Her green eyes, like the early spring wheat fields, became resolute and bright again. "I've thought it through. Instead of dwelling on the past and feeling sorry for myself, I'd rather kill all the bad guys who might harm my friends and family. That's the best way to protect the ones I love."
"Good girl."
Ole finally breathed a sigh of relief. Worrying about his friend's condition was one thing, but why was he also concerned about Tyrant's relationships? Could he have been infected by someone?
His best friend seemed even more relaxed than he was. He didn't know if it was because of his confidence in the Big Devil's tear-jerking emotional intelligence, or because he had faith in the two of them's ability to self-regulate... So, what on earth was he worried about?!
The savior he secretly criticized had already returned to Spiral Bay with his nemesis, bringing along Maxine's brother. Upon learning that his beloved Miss Nightingale was actually a terrorist who engaged in illegal religious activities through the large-scale distribution of hallucinogens, this fervent fan of the drama troupe had gone through a series of denials, doubts, anger, and heartbreak, and was now visibly withered.
Mrs. Melda looked blankly at her adopted son, who had been so cheerful before leaving home but now looked listless, and then at her daughter's two friends who had returned early. Before she could say anything, she saw the surprisingly handsome young man standing outside the door, his eyes slightly lowered, and he raised his hand gracefully, pointing it at the old house that was tilted and almost collapsed.
The caster's golden hair floated, and his loose collar and cuffs were filled with wind from nowhere. Mrs. Melda's apron was lifted by the sudden gust of air. She watched in shock as countless intricate and mysterious patterns appeared under the blond youth's feet. From the young man's feet, these patterns rapidly climbed up the soil and along the old house's mottled exterior walls. Even the cracks in the wood emitted a faint light, until the magic power permeated every corner. She almost heard the old house creaking with joy.
The young man lowered his hand, turned to the stunned Melda family, smiled and winked, "Please forgive this renovation that was carried out without their permission - but now, nothing can harm Melda, who once lived on this land beneath my feet."
...This man was like one of those great beings in the bard's tales, bestowing blessings and protection. York stared at him blankly, hesitant for a moment to approach. His brothers and sisters ignored him, leaping for joy as they rushed to catch the remaining points of light.
"Children, is there any danger next?" Mrs. Melda wiped her hands on her apron and looked at the two young people in front of her with a serious expression. She didn't seem frightened by the identity of the warlock, perhaps because her daughter was also not an ordinary person.
"It'll be okay," the professor reassured her calmly, "Azuka is very strong. As long as everyone stays home and doesn't run around, I swear nothing will happen."
...But what about you? And little Marcheline? Mrs. Melda's lips moved, but she said nothing in the end. She just loudly told the children to close the doors and windows, and then announced to everyone's cheers that there would be omelets for lunch today.
…
Skua Wharf is located at the end of the Casa Strait, which is the narrowest and most critical head and tail area of the entire sea channel. If you go further, you will sail into the endless ocean.
"If I were the rebel leader, I would also choose Jaguar Wharf as our new base." Knight Commander Yialos unfolded the map. "Pirates are rampant in this area, and the traffic is mixed. The target could very well infiltrate them and confuse the enemy. Be careful to search passing ships."
"Knight Commander, why don't you contact the local garrison directly?" Jolini Batman frowned and questioned, "If the local garrison cooperates, it will surely be more efficient than searching one by one."
"No, that man is very cunning. The slightest disturbance could make him slip away. Her Majesty the Queen has also instructed us not to cause any major disturbance." Knight Commander Yialos shook his head. "Furthermore, the forces stationed in the Kasa Strait belong to Duke Kamu's faction, and the Royal Court Council has always been at odds with His Majesty. If we let them get involved, I'm worried that it will only lead to complications."
His fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the map. In the distance came the rough shouts of sailors, mixed with the cries of seabirds.
"Cast a Confusion spell on everyone." Knight Commander Yialos put on the hood of his cloak again and tightened the reins. "Pay attention to searching places where the lower classes gather, especially the local seamen's union. The target loves to deceive these fools. If necessary, interrogate suspicious targets, but make sure to deal with them thoroughly—"
The warlock of the Kite Heart Guard suddenly reported: "Knight Commander! We have detected the magic fluctuations of Ole Asaqi!"
Yialos was startled, but frowned slightly: "Where is it?"
"It points to the sea." The knight stared at the spell circling in the air. "Towards the direction of the Golden Reef."
This island reef not far from Skua Wharf is the default maritime trading place for some less legal businesses and a pirate's lair - a paradise for smugglers and criminals.
"What is Ole Asaqi doing there?" Jolini's brows knitted in disgust. "Do the rebels want to cooperate with those filthy pirates?"
"It could also be a deception." Knight Commander Yialos pondered for a moment. "Dispatch three people to Golden Reef, with Jolini leading. The rest of you will continue to focus on searching Spiral Bay and Skua Wharf."
But it wasn't long before they received a crystal ball communication from Jolini Bateman.
"Those damn pirates attacked us!" The other party in the crystal ball looked quite furious: "These despicable insects destroyed the ship we hired--"
"Why did the pirates suddenly attack?" Yialos snatched the crystal ball from his subordinates. "Did you meet Ole Asaqi?"
"No, but he set up a protective array that enveloped a dilapidated wooden ship in Golden Reef. We tried to break the array, but as soon as we stepped onto the ship, it suddenly exploded, and the explosion affected our ship. Among the three of us, only Dean was slightly injured, but it also alerted the Pirate King."
"The target has discovered us." The Knight Commander said in a deep voice: "Jorini, deal with those pirates quickly and decisively."
"Um, Knight Commander," the warlock beside him suddenly reported in a low voice, "Ole Asaqi's magic fluctuations have been detected again, this time in the direction of the garrison at Jaeger Wharf..."
“…”
"Knight Commander?" The knight in charge of tracking spells called out uneasily. His superior's expression was not pleasant.
An open conspiracy, a naked and even quite brutal one.
That guy had a very precise timing, and it was like "I'm kidding you" was written all over his face, but they couldn't ignore the only clue they had at the moment.
"...dispatch three people to investigate." Yialos closed his eyes. "Proceed with caution. Don't take action unless absolutely necessary."
"Some of you will go out on the streets to gather information and see if anything unusual has happened in the past few days." He quickly calmed down and continued his arrangements in an orderly manner. "The rest of you will come with me to the Seamen's Union."
"yes!"
Far away in Spiral Bay, the professor calmly watched the Savior set the trap. Before leaving, he asked for a lock of the assassin's hair. The sorcerer's hair also contained magical power, albeit very weak. However, for other high-ranking sorcerers, this level of magical fluctuation was enough to be detected and alerted.
"A common problem among warlocks is their habitual reliance on spells." Before parting ways, the Great Demon King harshly criticized the powerful beings from the other world. "So, whenever they detect a familiar spell, they will definitely dispatch personnel to investigate—and no fewer than three people, or risk their lives."
Those smoky gray eyes turned in the assassin's direction. "Ore is the one who has fought the Silver Helm Knights the most. They should be most familiar with your mana fluctuations, or have their own unique tracking methods. For example, last time near White Tower Town, the Silver Helm Knights successfully tracked you and Daniga."
Ole: “…”
It was impossible to refute. So, having been on the Kite Heart Guards' most wanted list multiple times before, was now a good thing?
"The highest realm of warfare is commanding the enemy." The black-haired young man twirled the tip of his pen, as if carelessly waving a baton, his eyes rational and penetrating. "But this also means that I need you to trust me wholeheartedly—trust that I won't allow any unnecessary sacrifice."
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