Chapter 1049 - Mutation (1/2)
“It seems like Dwight is useless in there.”
Gazing at the Grians’s gathering place in the distance, Joey curled his lips and said. Upon hearing his comment, Randolf twitched his brows and stared at the area in front him. It was noon on the second day. The entire gathering place for the Grians was completely sealed off by well-equipped guards patrolling and watching over the area. It was apparent that the Grians had no intention of packing up and leaving in accordance to the ultimatum. On the contrary, they seemed prepared for a deadly battle against Rhode’s side based on their behavior, but Randolf doubted they were capable enough. With the powerful might of the ‘magic spears’, the guards even didn’t need to get close and could blast their cannons from a distance. The Grians’s blunt weapons and crude armor wouldn’t stand a chance against them. Of course, just in case, Randolf had sealed off the entire area and announced to the public that this was a military exercise. Fortunately, the Grians refused to interact with outsiders, which was why nearby residents didn’t know there were people living there. It was due to this that Randolf had no restrictions in launching their attacks. Besides, he also wasn’t worried that his men couldn’t bear to attack because they were the remaining mercenaries who survived the journey in opening up the Void Territory with Rhode back then. They had left blood and sweat all over this territory.
Randolf was initially concerned that the Grians would escape during midnight. But now, it seemed like they intended to fight to their death against them, which was rather unimaginable for Randolf. He couldn’t understand what was going on in their heads. First, they were a group of weak nomads. Taking a step back, so what if they were as powerful as Anne and could utterly crush his men? If his men were defeated, stronger reinforcements would arrive immediately. Once that happened, Rhode could summon Celestina and Celia, or let Marlene and Alice step in and wipe out the Grians entirely. Even if the Grians hadn’t personally witnessed Rhode’s strength, they should also know that they were going up against the entire Void Territory. Would they even survive putting up this struggle?
Just what is going through their heads?
Randolf knitted his brows at this thought. Then, he cleared his mind and turned to Joey who stood beside him.
“How’s Dwight?”
“That guy was tied up after being knocked out by those people. According to my intelligence, those people down there are busy with something bizarre. I feel like something isn’t right. Do you think we should take action earlier?”
“Something bizarre?”
“I’m not too sure.”
Joey puckered his brows at Randolf’s doubt, rubbing his chin and recalling the intelligence he heard.
“I heard from my men that those people seem to be preparing for something. Overall, many of them were seen coming and going, but we have no information as to what they are doing exactly. The Grians are sharp; my men tried to sneak in and were almost spotted. In this situation, we shouldn’t take the risk… How about… I seek help from Madam Alice?”
Joey spoke, his eyes lighting up. In fact, he prostrated himself in admiration toward Alice’s ability in recording history. As long as he told her a name, she could immediately present all information of the person since birth. It was simply amazing to Joey. Even though he didn’t know what had happened here, wouldn’t it be clarified quickly after he reported it to Alice?
But after Randolf thought about it, he eventually shook his head and denied Joey’s suggestion.
“… There’s no need to; it will take some time to contact Grandia. By the time you receive Madam Alice’s reply, time will almost be up. Don’t forget that it was His Majesty who left this matter in our care. Can’t we handle such a small matter?”
“Ugh… This…”
After hearing Randolf’s opinion, Joey forced out an awkward smile. Indeed, even though it was much more convenient to get Alice’s help, Joey also knew that it wasn’t a smart decision to bother Alice and Rhode over such a small matter. Joey had followed Rhode for a long time and was aware of his thoughts. But despite that, Joey reconsidered the situation and still felt like the situation was tricky as the Grians were acting too strangely. For the sake of safety, Joey wasn’t willing to commit any irrecoverable mistakes. After pondering for a few moments, Joey spoke.
“I still don’t feel confident; let me go and check on them, Randolf. You stay here according to the plan. I will inform you immediately if anything comes up.”
“… Okay then. I suppose that’s fine.”
Randolf hesitated to Joey’s words. After all, it seemed to him that Joey was making a big fuss over a minor issue. Besides, the reason why he objected was since Rhode had given the order, he must have investigated the Grians beforehand, which was why he decided to send Randolf and Joey to handle the situation. If the Grians were too powerful for them to handle, Rhode would have summoned Celia and the others and wouldn’t need them to lead soldiers instead. It was due to this reason that Randolf felt like Joey was doing something unnecessary. But eventually, he nodded in agreement with Joey and hoped that nothing would turn out badly. If anything were to happen… at least they could still be mentally prepared, wasn’t it?
“By the way, what do you intend to do about Dwight’s situation?”
“He’s tied up in a small house in the center and I can’t do anything about it. But I’ve told my men to save him if they find a chance. If they can’t, I don’t have other ways around it. I can only hope that guy is lucky enough. Oh, by the way, Randolf, he is locked up in the third house in the middle. You have to look closely when you strike. If not, those people will laugh their heads off if we kill him by accident. Well, just play it by ear. Anyway, that guy… Sigh. He’ll need to depend on luck to save him this time. If he’s killed before we manage to rescue him, he can only blame himself for it.”
After the brief, Joey smiled and gestured to Randolf, before turning around and leaving quickly. As Joey blended into the darkness, Randolf shook his head with a forced smile.
This rascal… instead of learning the proper stuff, he picked up the strange terms and expressions that Madam Bubble uses and is always coming up with some weird words…
Randolf shrugged helplessly at this thought. Then, he turned around and gazed at the gathering place sternly with knitted brows. The sky darkened gradually and it was only one night left to the ultimatum. If those people didn’t leave tomorrow morning, only destruction would greet them. Randolf sighed at this thought. He put up a solemn expression and gestured. Shortly after, a guard scuttled toward him.
“Pass the order: get ready for battle and stop the Grians from taking any desperate actions. From now onward, we will be in a state of emergency; seal off all routes outside the perimeter and prohibit anyone from entering and exiting. If anyone is to attack us, we will retaliate immediately. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir.”
After hearing the command from Randolf, the guard nodded quickly and turned around to leave. Randolf turned over and looked at the scene below once again. Everything will end the next morning.
Of course, Randolf also had a hunch that perhaps the end would also come earlier.
Choking, thick smoke billowed with specks of sparks and a burning sensation. Dwight opened his eyes and saw the burning bonfire in front of him. He instinctively moved back, only to discover that he was tied up by thick ropes around a stake. He couldn’t even budge.
“Where am I…”