Chapter 251: Becoming a famous person (1/2)
Chapter 251: Becoming a famous person
Mt. Ordas was at an altitude high above sea level and was covered in clouds all year round. The Dark Mantle headquarters were situated right in the middle of the mountain’s belly, guarded by all sorts of experts. The security here was even more strict than the Empire’s palace.
Han Shuo passed through the entrance using the magical transportation matrix. Identity badge in hand, he moved without impediment deep into the mountain belly. After a few turns, he arrived at the transportation matrix leading to Candide’s place.
“Wait a bit, Lord Candide is currently not in the headquarters. I’ll go to notify him, the Lord should come back in a short while.” Only at this point did the Dark Star guide, who’d led Han Shuo to Candide’s place from the transportation matrix, explained at a neither fast nor slow pace.
“Is that so?Alright.” Han Shuo nodded in understanding.
“Mhm, then I’ll take you to the waiting area and notify you immediately when Lord Candide returns!” The Dark Star envoy also nodded, then spun on the transportation matrix.
A white light flashed and Han Shuo appeared in a wide, square stone chamber that was as big as four basketball courts combined. There were many soft chairs and tables set up, with dazzling displays of various fruit desserts, plus some books on the table. Many people of different appearances surrounded these places, patiently either eating or flipping through the books on the tables, seemingly also waiting.
Except for the transportation matrix where Han Shuo was standing, soft carpet covered the surrounding ground. A dozen or so glass lanterns hung above, lighting up the entire stone chamber.
“Hey! Hello there, you look unfamiliar! Is this your first time here?” A short haired, young and pretty girl stood in front of Han Shuo, cheerfully greeting him.
“Mm, it’s my first time here. How do you do?” Han Shuo walked towards this lively young girl with a smile on his face, intent on learning about news within the Dark Mantle headquarters.
“I’m Chrissie, a fire journeyman mage. Currently, I’m a rank three Dark Star, nice to meet you.” This girl named Chrissie was quite talkative. She smiled at Han Shuo and warmly greeted him in a familiar manner.
“Hehe, I’m Bryan, also a rank three Dark Star like you. I’m a necromancer.” Han Shuo smiled as he walked towards Chrissie and introduced himself.
However, last time he’d left Valen City for the Valley of Sunshine, Han Shuo had already known from Emily that his rank was already Dark Moon.
However, since Candide was in charge of Han Shuo, only he could upgrade Han Shuo’s badge to officially confirm his rank as a Dark Moon. Han Shuo hadn’t reported for a half year already, so although he’d advanced to the rank of Dark Moon, it had yet to be made official.
“Hah! So you’re also a rank three Dark Star! Which Lord are you following?” Chrissie giggled, and pulled up a chair for Han Shuo.
“Chrissie, you’re on the bench with no missions. Why must you keep chatting up random people? Are you trying to harm them?” A robust journeyman swordsman next to Chrissie rolled his eyes.
“Allis, what nonsense are you spouting? Who wants to harm people?” Chrissie abruptly turned around, huffing and glaring at that journeyman swordsman.
“Yet you still deny it! You fire mages make a mess of everything. On our last mission, you burned half the village, throwing my mission down the drain. The boss furiously lectured me. I’m already miserable thanks to you, so don’t go around harming others.” Allis wryly smiled, shaking his head. He turned to Han Shuo and winked, as if telling him to be careful.
Han Shuo lifted his head and grinned with goodwill, then wrinkled his brow to read the book in his hand. As it turned out, the books on the tables were actually the latest secret intelligence reports circulating internally in the Dark Mantle. They included everything in the most recent period, such as news on every aspect of the Empire. The topics ranged from large ones, such as frontier battles, to the small petty gossip about some aristocrat’s odd quirks.
With Han Shuo’s current brain capacity, he only needed to flip through a book once to memorize its contents. He didn’t care about the small petty gossip, but those regarding Valen City and the Valley of Sunshine caught his attention.
One highlight was the Gryphon Legion’s chief, Bob Ascher, betraying the Empire. According to the intelligence network of the Dark Mantle, Bob Ascher had long since colluded with the Kasi Empire. After betraying the Empire, Bob Ascher had led a group of trusted confidants to join the Kasi Empire and became one of its senior military officers.
Han Shuo’s name once again appeared in the Dark Mantle’s intelligence network. According to the books, it was due to Han Shuo and Emily’s efforts that Bob Ascher’s misdeeds were exposed. After receiving the two’s report, the Dark Mantle arrived at Valen City at the fastest speed possible. They took advantage of Bob not yet erupting in rebellion to put the situation back under control.
Otherwise, if Bob Ascher had been allowed to abuse his power and creates holes in the defenses of Valen City for the Kasi Empire, who was eyeing the city like a hungry tiger, to invade, the city would have fallen quickly. Unknowingly, Han Shuo as a rank three Dark Star had become a rising star within the Dark Mantle. Han Shuo’s description was attached within, and it even included his first mission where he’d uncovered the plot of wind archmage Duke from the Kasi Empire.
In addition, this intel also included news regarding the chaos in the Valley of Sunshine. The four strongest forces endlessly fighting covertly and openly, leading to daily bloodshed. This time even the Butcher and Janet’s strong forces seemed to have entered the fray, joining the struggle for power in the Valley of Sunshine.
Amongst them, the Soul Destroyer mercenary band founded by Han Shuo and Trunks was gradually emerging from the fray. Under Trunks’ charisma, along with plentiful resources, they had taken advantage of the disarray to attract experts to join their mercenary band. Since the Soul Destroyer mercenary band was appearing in the internal intelligence of the Dark Mantle, it showed the band already had some standing.
As Han Shuo concentrated on the book in his hands, Chrissie stood in front of him and asked again, “Right, Bryan, which Lord do you follow?”
“Hehe, I follow Lord Candide.” Han Shuo put the book down and lifted his head smilingly to answer Chrissie.
“Lord Candide, but you’re only a rank three Dark Star, how could you possibly be following Lord Candide? Mm, your name is Bryan… can it be that you’re that Bryan? Oh my gosh!” Chrissie shook her head in confusion at first, then suddenly remembered something. She looked at Han Shuo and shouted with surprise.
When the patiently waiting members around them heard Chrissie’s shout, they all put down their fruits or books and looked at Han Shuo in astonishment.