417 The Plan of the Duke of York (1/2)
In the envelope was a Surveillance Diary.
It was written by a Gnome in military service. The cover had the words, ”Thank you to my Gnome nanny, who gave me the diary.”
There was a signature, Anthony. The first page read:
”A record of my journey from Winterfell to the Northern Dukedom.”
”On day 56 after I left Winterfell.
We arrived at the tourist spot Black Volcano. There are many creatures here, especially at the mouth of the volcano. Creatures were falling inside like dumplings. It was a spectacular sight.”
”On day 57 after I left Winterfell.
The leader forced me to do things against my will. It was frustrating.”
…
”Day 62.
We stayed at the Black Volcano for a week. I don't understand why the leader wants us to stay here. If we don't leave, the active period of the Black Volcano is going to start.”
”Day 63.
Our leader betrayed us. He poisoned our food, and we were captured. In order to go home, I chose to collude with the leader. There were 2,490 of us who colluded with the leader.”
”Day 64.
Our leader deceived us. He and (the words were blurred by bloodstains) colluded to deceive us! They wanted the Dungeon Core!”
”Day 65.
I have to do something to warn the newcomers. But I'm unable to do anything because I'm dying. If I die, whoever has this diary, please avenge me. The perpetrator is…”
The writing stopped at the crucial part.
”This is making me impatient! Who is the murderer? Where is the Dungeon Core? Why was Cherry's name mentioned by the Gnome?”
Sylvanas looked frantic. She almost tore the diary to shreds, but NotWearingPants stopped her.
”I don't know, but at least it's a lead. Let's give it to Cherry and see if he can decipher anything.”
Everyone agreed with NotWearingPants, and they noisily took the diary to the Garrison Guard Station.
Tens of gamers were collecting intelligence at the station. A few days ago, this place was a calamity area due to the gamers collecting intelligence.
Cherry was in his office when he saw tens of creatures barging in and shouting.
”Let me see Cherry. We have an item from a Strange Encounter!”
”No, it's an important lead!”
…
”This diary… are you sure it's from one of the lost Winterfell guards?”
Cherry held the diary in his hand and was deep in thought.
”Most likely, it is,” BurningChestHair said confidently.
”Yes, Captain Cherry, did you think of anything?”
”Tell us what we should do next. We will capture all of these traitors and put them behind bars!”
”I can't restrain myself! Captain Cherry, did you think of anything?”
The gamers chatted wildly, clearly excited.
But Cherry frowned and said, ”Things are beyond my expectations. According to my knowledge, the escorts were all elites that were selected with stringent criteria. Most of them were from the Imperial Guards of the old Dungeon Lord, Onionhead. They were very capable.”
The gamers became grave, and Cherry continued speaking, ”They had the toughest Shields…”
The gamers raised their brows.
”Their Bows had the greatest range!”
Sylvanas shifted her finger.
”They had the most gorgeous Helmets with the best 360° view.”
Some gamers twisted their heads and discovered that they could, at most, turn 100° left and right. They were getting more excited.
”Pauldrons, Breastplates, and the most comfortable Chain Armor! Believe me, each piece of equipment was forged by a Master Blacksmith!”
The gamers were unable to control themselves and started shouting.