Chapter 155 (2/2)

Parson let out a long sigh before he continued to speak.

“There was indeed a plan called the Black Moon Conspiracy,” he finally said. “Its target was the East Cove Magic Academy, although I have no idea how they were going to implement the plan. All I know is that once the plan was successful the academy would be reduced to ashes.”

“Anything else?” asked Link, just as calm as he had ever been. No one could ever guess what was in his mind at that moment.

“Yes, you!” said Parson. “The Death Hand had put a high price on your head. They’ve announced it to the public that whoever could bring your head to them they would be rewarded with ten thousand gold coins! Not only that, but the Magicians of the Silver Moon Council and Prince Norigan had also contributed to the rewards as well. Now anyone who could bring your head back to Pralync would receive a tailor-made magic gear of epic quality along with the title of a hereditary duke that came with fifty acres of fertile land!”

“Who would’ve thought that this ugly head of mine would be worth so much?” Link said while rubbing his neck.

“Ha! You won’t walk this earth for much longer than I will,” sneered Parson. “Soon enough I will see you in hell. And don’t ever expect yourself to enter the gates of heaven after you’re dead, because the moment they cut off your head the servants of the Lady of Darkness will drag you straight down to hell!”

Link remained unmoved by these words. He was aware that powerful men had enemies, and as the saying went, only those who hadn’t stood up for anything made no enemies. Now that he had attracted such hatred from the Dark Elves, it must mean that they had finally acknowledged his power.

He should be proud of that, not afraid.

“Is there anything else?” Link asked again.

“No!” replied Parson, who then turned silent and would say nothing more.

Neither did Link have any more questions to ask Parson. He got all the information he needed for now. As for the Black Moon Conspiracy, he guessed it might have more or less the same objectives as the incident in the game. When it all came down to it, the only person who had the ability to reduce the East Cove Magic Academy was the demon who was captured and chained by Bryant – Tarviss.

The only question he had now was how the Dark Elves were going to release Tarviss without the Occultic Runes. Then, just as he was considering the matter, a notification popped up.

Mission Activated: Investigation

Mission Details: Find out the details of the Black Moon Conspiracy.

Mission Rewards: 80 Omni Points.

Naturally, Link accepted the mission. Parson was now no longer of any use to him. He then used the Magician’s Hand to float a cup of Green Hylia Wine towards Parson’s direction.

Parson took the cup of wine into his hands without any hesitation. He then defiantly stared at Link so intently that it seemed he wanted to engrave the image of the Magician who had defeated him onto his soul before he died. Then, Parson swallowed the wine in one gulp. Seconds later, a peculiar smile emerged on his lips, then his body was bent over and he fell down to the ground with a heavy thud.

Parson was dead.

Link ordered the prison guard to clear away the dead body. He then headed towards Hedel’s cell.

Hedel was now awake, but his wounds were too grave that he was writhing on the floor. Link swept his gaze all around the cell after stepping into the cell, wearing a merciless smile on his face while he was at it, although his body remained motionless.

“I’ve just killed Parson,” said Link.

“I didn’t expect you to keep him as a pet,” replied Hedel sneeringly.

“He told me many things before he died,” Link continued, ignoring Hedel’s jeers. “I find what he told me about the Black Moon Conspiracy especially interesting. He said that you were preparing to release the demon Tarviss so he would destroy the East Cove Magic Academy.”

Link’s ruse had once again brought results as Hedel’s eyes were widened suddenly and he stared blankly at Link with a puzzled look.

“But Parson wasn’t a member of the Death Hand,” Hedel said in a surprised tone. “How would he know anything about the Black Moon Conspiracy?”

As a notoriously powerful Assassin, Hedel must’ve been involved with the Death Hand before. Plus, he was a high-profile professional Assassin, so he would have slightly more access to secret information within the organization compared to Parson. He wasn’t a part of the members who would implement the plan himself, so he didn’t have the deepest knowledge of the details of the Black Moon Conspiracy. He knew, of course, that the demon Tarviss would be released, but as for the method of the release, Hedel had absolutely no clue.

The response Link got from the Assassin confirmed Link’s speculation of the connection between the Black Moon Conspiracy and Tarviss. He decided to play one last trick on Hedel.

“I was just kidding,” Link said. “Parson isn’t dead. He’d actually just sworn his loyalty to me!” He then broke out into a mischievous laughter.

“That’s impossible!” shouted Hedel. “You’re speaking nonsense! You’re just lying to me, aren’t you?” Yet somehow Hedel believed that Link truly knew what he was talking about. But the Black Moon Conspiracy was a top-secret operation, how could this human Magician ever find out about it?

Link burst out in laughter again. It was just as he expected. This Assassin was just another Norigan Familia retainer, so he wouldn’t know much more than Parson did. Link was satisfied with the information about Tarviss that he managed to winkle out, and he knew that there wouldn’t be much more to tease out from Hedel. Thus there was no point in keeping Hedel alive now, so he promptly unleashed a Whistle and blew the Assassin’s head clean off his neck.

It appeared that the Black Moon Conspiracy was now the most urgent matter that must be dealt with immediately. Although there was still some time before the set date of April 15, no one could predict what might happen before the time came, not to mention how clueless they were of the methods the Dark Elves would employ to release Tarviss. Link realized that he must inform Herrera of this matter as soon as possible.

After careful consideration, Link decided that he must rush back to the East Cove Magic Academy first thing the next day.