519 Highly Capable Pawns (2/2)

If you say so. The dwarf Wilmot waved his short, fat hand and he yelled at the top of his lungs, Most importantly, how should you compensate me for my feelings? You know, last night I was looking forward to a night of drinking wine, but I waited all night, and only the evening breeze kept me company. Sir, you have cheated me of my pure and innocent feelings. Are all dwarves so pompous? Roland thought for a moment and said, Why dont we start drinking now? Call your brothers, and well drink all day.

Really? Wilmot tap-danced on the spot again. But its going to be a lot of money.

Roland laughed. We Mages, were all quite rich.

Good, then you get a private room in the tavern first, and Ill go get my brothers.

Roland nodded.

He turned around and immediately booked the whole Moonlight Stone Tavern for ten gold coins, drinks included.

Soon, the dwarf Wilmot came with a group of men.

Roland counted thirty-one people.

The group was a very mixed composition of men, women, and children, and all of them looked very distinctive.

For example, an old woman who had severe buck teeth and ate as if she were a reincarnated starving ghost.

A fierce, bald man with only one eye.

A hunchbacked old man who walked with a cane but moved fast, as if he were flying.

A pretty young woman with a golden nose ring.

Wait!

Roland really couldnt see Wilmot the red-bearded dwarfs level.

However, the levels of all the others, Roland could see.

They were generally between levels five and twelve.

In other words, there were no particularly weak people in this group.

This group of people was quite polite. Every person who entered the tavern, under Wilmots introduction, took the initiative to reveal their identity and abilities to Roland.

Not a single one concealed anything.

Then the revelry began, and the group of people mingled with each other, sparring over drinks and pigging out.

But after they drank for a while, one of them would leave.

Roland did not stop them.

By noon, Roland and the dwarf were the only ones left in the tavern.

You are a good man, much better than the First Princess. You are generous, willing to spend money on us subordinates, and your eyes dont yet have the First Princesss expression of looking at people as if they were inferior insects. Red Beard took a large wooden cup and drank slowly. All of us hidden pawns have approved of you.

If they acknowledged me, why did they leave one by one? Roland was confused.

Wilmot smiled. All of them went to find information. Whether we approve of someone or not, we dont need to talk about it, we just need to act.

Actually, Im a little curious. I can see that all of you are quite capable, but if you dont like the First Princess very much, why are you willing to be taken in by her? The question seemed a little harsh to the dwarf, and then, after a moment, he said, Because the First Princess, among the nobles, is relatively better.

Roland understood.

When all the options sucked, you could only choose the one that didnt look so bad.

Every one of us is a wanted criminal, and it was the First Princess who valued our abilities and took the bounty off our backs. The dwarf smiled. Since you know the First Princess, you will find out about these things sooner or later. The First Princess knows that we are not that loyal to her, so we are just hidden pawns that havent been used since we were established.

Roland realized something. She doesnt trust you.

The dwarf laughed. Isnt that normal? Among those big shots in high places, who would trust us?

Roland didnt pick up on this, because he didnt fully trust these people either.

This was obvious, and who would be foolish enough to trust a group of people theyve only known for less than half a day?

At this time, the dwarf was no longer as happy as he was when he was drinking and bickering, but he sat beside Roland and said indifferently, You are a Golden Son and the focus of the Red Magic Tower. According to our judgment, your future status may be much higher than the First Princesss, and you may even become the future Great Elder of the Red Magic Tower.

Roland waved his hand. Your intelligence is quite impressive, and you investigated me so quickly. The Red Magic Tower did invest some resources in me, but its not as exaggerated as you say. We hyenas at the lower rung are most sensitive to the atmosphere of the city, said the dwarf. When we looked into your matter, we found that all the forces in the capital had hidden their fangs, and at first we thought it was because the enemies you wanted us to look into were too strong, but then we discovered that it wasnt that at allit was the forces that didnt want to move at all. This simply refreshed our outlook.

This group of people was quite impressive, truly impressive. Both in their abilities and their view of the larger picture.

It was a pity that the First Princess took these people under her wing, but didnt use them.

Dont worry, since all the forces dont want to move, then in this situation, the people who move around are highly suspicious. I reckon that in less than a day, well be able to find some clues for you.

Just as the dwarf said this, an old hunchback came in from outside the tavern.

Roland had even toasted him before.