Chapter 370: The Dark Side of the World (2/2)

The four red lizard mask wearing arcane masters quickly emerged from the surrounding streets and circled around the youth.

“Obediently give us the things around your neck and we will spare your life,” threatened the one eared arcane master from under his mask, his voice full of icy killing intent.

“How sneaky. Is this how all of you bandit gangs do things? Just a simple robbery, and you still try to throw the blame?”

A gentle voice abruptly rang out from a canopy behind the one eared arcane master. “You guys are obviously the Rippers, yet you have put on the mask of the Red Lizards.”

The four red lizard mask wearing arcane masters all turned and looked at the speaker.

Sitting atop the canopy was none other than Carter.

Rui, Donna and Minlur slowly emerged beneath three of the other booths.

“The Holy Dawn Evil Six! And Donna!”

Strong arcane energy fluctuations rose around the four masked arcane masters.

“Heh, making the first move? But do you truly think that you can defeat us with your strength?” Donna sneered.

The four masked arcane masters trembled as a cold sweat soaked through their thick robes.

“Eh?”

A light flashed through Rui’s eyes as he turned and looked towards a nearby street.

A cloud of smoke and dust silently rose from the ground.

“Donna, Carter. If there is a matter, let us discuss it peacefully, and not with swords drawn and bows bent.”

A deep male voice rang out as three arcane masters wearing tight fitting crimson robes walked out from the smoke.

“The Burning Corps?”

Carter immediately discerned the origins of these three newcomers from their robes. As they revealed their appearances, Carter couldn’t help but stiffen slightly. “Roy Wayne?”

“It’s been a while.”

The arcane master called Roy Wayne chuckled as he said in a voice which contained a trace of arrogance, “If you wish to deal with them, you must do so lightly. For they are now under us, which means they are also under our protection.”

By this time, Moss had already run to Carter’s side.

He quietly observed Roy Wayne, who seemed about the same age as Carter and the others. He had yellow hair which stood up like a porcupine’s and bushy yellow eyebrows, and a smile which seemed like it was never going to go away. He looked extremely wispy, as if he could be swept away by the wind at any moment.

“Teacher Carter, what kind of corps is the Burning Corps?” Moss couldn’t help but ask as he realized that these three arcane masters had quite a backing.

“They are the corps in charge of guarding the area north of the Graywater Lake region until it collides with the Forest of Wolves. It is one of the most powerful corps controlled by House Tyrell of the Nine Great Families,” Carter replied in a low voice. “Their purpose is to serve as a defense against House Stark to their north.”

“Why are you here, Roy Wayne?” Donna seemed to rather well acquainted with this arcane master as she immediately relaxed upon hearing his voice.

“Black market business,” Roy Wayne replied as he shrugged his shoulders and stepped forwards. “Much of the underground black market here is controlled by us. In fact, these four before you just happen to be some of our most important people in our black market operations. If these guys die, we will lose a lot and it will cause us quite some trouble. If I may ask why they have received your attentions?”

“Black market business?” Moss’ eyes widened in bewilderment. “Teacher Carter, they are a corps, yet they have stuck their hands into the black market?!”

“They are merely managing it for profit from the shadows,” Carter explained. “Due to endless demand for the black market, there is no way of getting rid of it. As a result, while the black market seems extremely chaotic and messy on the surface, there are actually many powerful forces at work behind the scenes. This applies especially to the corps because they have such high costs to maintain. Furthermore, you’d rather see the money in your own hand than someone else’s… so yes, countless corps run such operations.”

“Boy, are you Moss, the youth with a giant bloodline from Holy Dawn Academy?” Roy Wayne did not wait for a response as he, having seemingly heard Carter’s words to Moss, revealed a slight smile and said, “You are still young, so you might not understand, but most people do not have your level of talents. They, ordinary people, are stuck living a life of mediocrity without any accomplishments. Because of this, the will to train and improve eventually disappears. This is when the dark side of their mind emerges. They start dreaming of paying sums of money to buy better things, or things which can bring some stimulation to their boring everyday lives. For those who have always kept their dark desires suppressed within their hearts, the underground black market offers a place for them to obtain satisfaction when they otherwise would not have been able to. If you are interested, I don’t mind taking you the underground arena. It will allow you to see how crazy ordinary people can become. Your mind will be introduced to a whole other world. And then, perhaps, you will realize that the world is not as pure as you imagine.”

Moss stiffened. But before he could say anything, Rui had already furrowed his brows and asked, “There is an underground arena here?”

“Naturally. After all, this is the largest city in the Golden Roses Plain, it is the largest city in the kingdom’s most prosperous region. How could there not be one. So what do you say, boy? Are you interested? Only in the underground world can you can find the fiercest thugs, those who don’t care about morals if they receive enough money, and all kinds of crazy people. Do you want to take a look?” Roy Wayne continued to try and pique Moss’ interest as if he was trying to recruit Moss into his corps.

After a slight pause, he abruptly blurted, “Oh! That’s right! Would any of you be interested in participating? If several powerful newbies suddenly appeared, the audience will definitely go nuts.”

“I don’t know about the others, but we might want to change Belo’s plans,” Rui turned towards Carter and whispered.

“Since there is such a place… this kind of environment should suit him perfectly.” Carter nodded in agreement.

“Hey, are you really interested in participating?”

Roy Wayne seemed to be thrilled. But in the next moment, he suddenly shouted, “Wait wait wait… you guys still haven’t told me… why you have come looking for these four.”