Chapter 274: Who dares to act wildly?
โThe Imperial weapons factory has developed a new type of chariot that can shoot consecutive bolts thousands of miles away. This secret arsenal was located in the wilderness to the north of the city and was originally under the responsibility of our Northern Guard. However, one night about half a month ago, a group of assassins suddenly snuck in and killed the guards, as well as a dozen inventors stationed there. They also took the blueprints of the chariot.โ
โHis Majesty the King was furious when he heard this news and gave me a month to arrest this gang and retrieve the blueprints at all costs. This matter is really stressing me out. If you can help me resolve it, I guarantee that youโll easily receive the title of baron!โ Boris turned gloomy upon talking about this matter, his hearty laugh from earlier had long since disappeared.
โMhm, I too am thinking of a way to resolve this. If we donโt capture those people and take back the blueprint within a month, it could affect my uncleโs career!โ Lawrence sighed softly and turned to Han Shuo as he spoke, somewhat worried. Boris was his backer. In his struggle for the throne, whether or not Lawrence could stand out mainly relied on the power of his supporters.
First Prince Charles currently had the biggest influence and the most supporters. Lawrence had the weakest force due to him being an illegitimate child. His status would certainly be affected if the people closest to him lost their standing.
Han Shuo wrinkled his brows, thinking for a bit before opening his mouth to say, โIf itโs been half a month, wouldnโt they have left the capital already? If they really had, itโd be like finding a needle in a haystack if we want to catch them!โ
โThey shouldnโt have. I immediately reported this to His Majesty before anything else when this happened. Master Candide, one of the three heavyweights of the Dark Mantle, took notice of this and ordered the guards to strengthen the defense of the four gates, not letting any suspicious character leave. Iโm positive that they havenโt been able to leave Ossen City!โ Boris said in a low voice, his face solemn.
โI see. Then did Master Candide tell you who was taking charge of this mission?โ Han Shuo asked. Everyone with a high position all knew of the Dark Mantleโs existence. Candide was the most mysterious, most difficult to reach figure. Han Shuo understood the protocol of the Dark Mantle. An enemy country must be pulling the strings behind such a major matter, so the Dark Mantle couldnโt afford to not send anyone to handle it. Boris smiled wryly and shook his head as he replied, โI only know of his name, but didnโt have the honor of meeting him. I got this information from a higher-up. Although I tried to check afterwards, I wasnโt able to find out whoโs in charge of this.โ
Han Shuo nodded with a faint smile and said, โThis I understand. I will try my best. When I see Master Candide, I will ask him about whatโs going on.โ
Boris was shocked, he urgently asked, โYou, you know Master Candide?โ
โI forgot to tell you uncle, but Bryan has another identity as a Dark Mantle member!โ Lawrence turned to explain to Boris, then asked with the same shocked expression, โBryan, I only know youโre a member of the Dark Mantle, but can you really meet that old monster Candide directly?โ
โHeโs directly in charge of me!โ Han Shuo nodded with a smile.
Lawrence was immediately ecstatic upon hearing this. He looked at Han Shuo with eyes full of excitement, โI really didnโt think that you had such a special position in the Dark Mantle to directly answer to that old monster. It seems like Iโve truly made the right choice!โ
โVery good!โ Boris was also overjoyed. He gave Lawrence a grateful look and said to Han Shuo, โThen Iโll leave this matter completely in your care. As long as you can handle it, Iโll take care of obtaining a baron title for you!โ
โIโll do my best!โ Han Shuo didnโt dare to guarantee anything. After all, he didnโt know the specifics of the situation. The Dark Mantle might have a wide network, but it wasnโt omnipotent.
โAlright. Uncle Boris, Bryan belongs to your magic corps only in name, so you neednโt assign him to any jobs. He wonโt come to the Northern Guard if thereโs nothing else. So, weโll be going for now.โ Lawrence stood up and said straightforwardly. He didnโt mouth empty pleasantries in front of his uncle.
โRest assured, I know what to do. Helping him is helping you, and also helping myself. I understand this clearly!โ Boris obviously wouldnโt keep Han Shuo in the camp to do petty chores after knowing the latterโs identity as a member of the Dark Mantle. He understood Han Shuo had joined purely to accumulate military credit and rely on the Northern Guard for a quick promotion. Han Shuo absolutely wouldnโt stay for long.
Lawrence and Han Shuo left the Northern Guard together. As they exited through the city gates, Lawrence asked Han Shuo, โAre you certain you can handle this? This matter is related to my uncleโs career, Iโll leave it in your hands!โ
โI can only try my best. After all, I donโt know the specific details yet.โ Han Shuo replied. At this moment, when he was getting onto Lawrenceโs carriage, Han Shuo suddenly frowned and whispered, โLawrence, be careful on the way!โ
Lawrence was stunned and asked in a low voice without a flicker in his expression, โIs someone attempting to kill me?โ
โYou get in the carriage first, I wonโt leave together with you, but Iโll protect you from the shadows!โ Han Shuo nodded, indicating that Lawrence shouldnโt act rashly and alert the enemy.
โAlright, then Iโll be going first!โ Lawrence said loudly, his face flashing a smile like nothing had happened as he got into the carriage and left.
As soon as Lawrence had left in the carriage, Han Shuo turned down another street. He walked dozens of meters before seeing a carriage in a corner. He shouted lowly, โChester, why are you here?โ
Chester, wearing a coachman outfit turned his head upon hearing the familiar voice and exclaimed in delighted surprise, โBryan, why are you here?โ
Two small hands suddenly lifted the curtain. The touchingly charming Emily appeared, covering her mouth as she lightly shouted in joy, โRascal, what are you doing here?โ
After a long time, Emily was ever heartbreakingly beautiful. Her long hair was done up high, and she wore a long purple dress, That along with her elegant figure and solemn eyebrows revealed an almost inviolable holiness. Her presence was completely different from the flirtatious manner the first time Han Shuo had met her.
โI went to the Northern Guard for a job. I discovered Chester looking around so I came to see. What are you guys doing here?โ Han Shuo wrinkled his brows, asking urgently.
โThe Northern Guard lost a chariot blueprint. Iโm in charge of this mission, so I have some people inquiring about the details of the situation.โ Because of their relationship, Emily told Han Shuo about the secret mission without hesitation.
Delight flooded his heart, Han Shuo said, โSo thatโs why. Haha, we really are destined to be together! Okay, Iโll talk to you when I come to the Dark Mantleโs base in the cityโs northern castle tonight. Now I have some matters to deal with, see you tonight.โ
As he finished speaking, Han Shuo nodded towards Chester and quickly vanished into the night, not paying attention to Emily, who was full of confusion.
โMaster Bryan is becoming more and more mysterious these days. I heard he made a great achievement again, the Dark Mantle network is spreading legends of his power!โ Chester couldnโt help but say in admiration upon seeing Han Shuo disappear in the blink of an eye.
โHe only pretends to be mysterious. Why hasnโt that brat returned yet? We need to quickly handle this matter and return to the base in the northern stronghold as soon as possible!โ Emily was impatient when she saw Han Shuo appear. She began to begrudge her man whoโd gone over to the Northern Guard.
โBe careful!โ Sitting in the carriage, Lawrence lifted the curtain to speak softly to earth rider Jino, who was riding a horse beside him.
โRest assured, we will protect the young master well!โ Jino rode a war horse. He wore shiny silver armor, his hand grasping a silver spear.
โMm, just be very careful!โ Lawrence was completely calm, but still repeatedly advised.
After his partnership with Han Shuo in Valen City, Lawrence knew very well about the latterโs miraculous ability, so he had no doubt about Han Shuoโs words. With Jino leading the experts out in the open and the old assassin Lucky near him for personal protection, Lawrence wasnโt too worried.
Moreover, Han Shuo had told him heโd secretly protect him before leaving, so Lawrence was even more assured, given his understanding of Han Shuoโs strength. After all, Lawrence had personally witnessed his terrifying power.
When the group reached a long alley, a long, shrill whistle suddenly resounded. The ground violently shook before three meter long earth spikes shot towards Lawrenceโs carriage. The spikes also ambushed Jinoโs group on war horses at the same time. The horses were pierced and killed in the blink of an eye.
Fortunately, Lawrenceโs group had been on alert. As soon as the ground had trembled, theyโd immediately jumped out of the carriage and off their horses to an area free of the earth spikes.
Several archers shot a series of sharp arrows from the rooftops around the alley. The arrows howled through the air as they whizzed straight towards Lawrenceโs group. Jino and the knights quickly spread out to surround Lawrence and raised their shields in defense.
โPollak, continue to release the earth spikes!โ A black robed mage shouted towards another rooftop.
โIโm Bryan from the Northern Guardโs magic corps. Who dares to act wildly in my jurisdiction? Are you lot tired of living?โ Bryan came out from another direction, laughing coldly, his hand holding a head dripping with blood.
โPollak!โ The black robed mage immediately screamed in shock upon seeing the head dangling from Han Shuoโs hand.