Chapter 177 - Rumor (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“We were betrayed” was Hank’s opening remark.

It wasn’t complicated. Last evening, Serena brought them to Blackhills Town to collect a lot of supplies. However, their carriage was ambushed just as they were halfway through their journey. Hank vividly remembered that it was Rode who had attacked them.

It was simply too much of a coincidence—just as if it had been planned. It happened when Serena brought only a few of them to Blackhills Town for the handover.

Serena took only six people at that time, including Hank, all of whom were low-level adventurers below level-ten. Moreover, Serena did not bring the Gryphon along. The Silver Hand had suffered a big loss in this sneak attack. The battle was almost one-sided; the men that Rode had brought along were all around level-ten, and it was a surprise attack to boot. They had killed two of Silver Hand’s men upon appearing.

Fortunately, Serena’s reaction was quick. Once she saw that the situation was far from good, she led the rest of them back to Blackhills Town immediately.

While escaping, Serena also laid several traps, which helped to leave Rode and his men behind for the time being.

After the party from the Silver Hand fled to Blackhills Town, they immediately found an inn and hid in it. They had planned to wait until after dark to sneak back into the Fire Plume Ridge. However, n.o.body expected that the men from the Rising Sun Mercenary Corp were lurking in Blackhills Town. Although there were only two bandits, they immediately informed Rode of the Silver Hand’s whereabouts.

When Serena discovered the two bandits, it was too late. Hence, they had to play it by ear and pretend to know nothing. They continued to stay in the inn, but at the same time, Serena slipped out and found Aragon and others nearby.

However, perhaps even Serena did not realize that, this time, not only Rode and his men came, but also the Rising Sun Mercenary Corp’s most famous figure—Thuzadin, the Necromancer!

If it weren’t for Lin Li’s abrupt help, the Silver Hand would be in big trouble this time…

Lin Li nodded his head when Hank finished speaking, agreeing with his earlier speculation.

The matter was too obvious. If someone hadn’t let the cat out of the bag, how could Rode’s men be so smart, blocking them on the road? Furthermore, they could even foresee their escape, and planted two bandits in Blackhills Town on watch duty…

“What’s the origin of that Thuzadin?” However, how the two mercenary corps fought had little to do with Lin Li. He did not even ask Hank why the Rising Sun Mercenary Corp was so bold to fight against the Silver Hand.

What he wanted to know the most was about the Necromancer, Thuzadin. The words left by that fellow before his death were so frightening that Lin Li feared he would not be able to sleep soundly if he didn’t figure it out.

However, it was obvious that Hank did not know much about Thuzadin. He frowned and pondered for a long time, but still could not explain it. “This Thuzadin is very mysterious. Many people know that he is a member of the Rising Sun Mercenary Corp. However, no one knows when and for what reason he joined them. We, the Silver Hand, investigated him two years ago, but the results of the investigation are not very clear to me…”

“Oh…” Lin Li nodded, and did not continue his questions, because he knew that even if he continued to ask, he wouldn’t get anything out of Hank—after all, he was only a junior member, and was far from getting access to the core secrets of the Silver Hand.

It seemed that he should find an opportunity to inquire Serena about it.

Lin Li was hesitating on what excuse he’d use to look for Serena when someone else entered the tent. Lin Li looked up, and saw that it was Captain Elijah, who hadn’t paid back the money he owed!

“You’ve finished the discussion?” When Lin Li saw Elijah come in, he knew that this fellow had to have come to standardize their stories. He said nothing, but smiled and motioned him to find a place to sit first.

“I’m just running errands, and what to do depends on Captain Serena’s opinions.” Elijah found a place to sit down, then looked at Hank hesitantly.

Hank was not a fool, either. He saw Elijah’s hesitant look, and knew they had something to talk about to each other alone. He stood up quickly, and said, “Mr Felic, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave first. If you need anything, you can come to me anytime. My tent is just in front.”

“Mhm, go and do your stuff. I’ll come to you later if I need your help.”

“Then, see you later.”

“This… Mr Felic…” After watching Hank leave, Elijah paused for a while, then asked with a bitter smile, “How much should I owe you?”