The friends quickly browsed through the various letters found by Silver Blade. Most of them were exchanged with a person nicknamed 'Dust', seemingly a noble of the Southern Light Kingdom. Liam recalled that it has been this Dust who has been cooperating with Canter from the beginning.
However, not all letters were addressed at Dust. Others documented exchanges between Canter Jourtale and various nobles of the Duchy of Galebend and the Southern Light Kingdom. Even officers of both nations' armies were communicating with Canter.
After sorting everything out, the puzzle finally formed a complete picture. The friends understood Canter's plan.
"Let me summarize this…", said Balm puffing an imaginary pipe. "Canter Jourtale, a great magical scholar, highly revered within the Southern Light Kingdom, eager to become guardian. In order to achieve this, he conspired with some nobles to cause chaos. Both the king and the guardian, Therim, should be branded as incompetent until they abdicate. Kidnapping people, letting the chaos faction attack towns and villages, even placing the leg of a void dweller, they really stopped at nothing."
"Under these circumstances it is actually quite commendable that the Southern Light Kingdom is so stable. Therim is doing a good job. Everything but incompetent…", added Silver Blade. Balm nodded in agreement and continued:
"But creating chaos is only one part of the plan. After the king is crowned and recommends Canter to be the next guardian, Canter wants to swoop in with an army, originally one made up of the nobles' private troops, now setting his sights on the Gale Army. He wants to kill the infernals, which are only there because of him in the first place, and become a hero, gathering so much merit that no one dares to oppose him."
Everyone took deep breaths after Balm ended her summary. Canter was incredibly ruthless and ambitious. Could someone like that really have a chance to become guardian? Did he think no one would be able to find out what he had done?
"Perhaps, after stabilizing his position, he planned to get rid of his former collaborators? Although the new king probably wouldn't go without a fight. This would only bring back the chaos…", theorized Silver Blade.
Everyone appeared a little thoughtful. Even Silent Acacia and Quickstep showed some interest. However, it was only a little. Silent Acacia soon stopped paying attention to the story and grabbed the stone plate which appeared earlier. A quick [Inspect] revealed its purpose.
[Sigil of Blue Ephiruim
Category: Quest
Effect: Once activated can locate objects marked with the juice of a Blue Ephirium leaf.
Blue Ephirium is translucent, tasteless and odourless, perfect to create secret marks. Canter Jourtale created this signal to track his marks, a great assistance in many of his dealings.]
"Hmm, what good is this thing?"
Silent Acacia's puzzled voice woke up his friends. Silver Blade took the sigil from him and looked it over. She quickly understood its purpose:
"This is the key to find Dust! When we interrogated Autumn, he said that Canter left a mark on a carriage. We should be able to use this sigil to track down the mark."
"Great! So, not only can we interrupt Canter's plans, but we can even find the noble working together with him!"
As Balm exclaimed happily, she noticed that there was a change to their quest. The task of finding evidence was marked as completed. Now it was time to relay everything to Therim and let the guardian decide how to proceed.
Their mission completed, the friends didn't stick around any longer. The room had been looted clean. They exited, ready to leave the city. However, as soon as they stepped outside, they were swarmed by a group of fans. Liam and his friends were thankful for these people coming to help. They didn't leave immediately and instead made some pictures together with their fans.
As it turned out they weren't delayed for too long. A large part of the players waiting outside were members of Dream Avenue. They naturally didn't feel the need to bother Hotpot with taking pictures. They could do so at any time. Furthermore, many of the players who came to attack the manor this time were still fighting. The guards could provide EXP and loot. And not only that, the manor in itself was also hiding quite a few treasures.
In fact, this event was somewhat like a revelation to many players. In the future, large groups would come together from time to time to plunder NPCs, especially nobles, all over the world. However, in the process they would also learn that each city had a few figures who shouldn't be provoked. If the thieves didn't run fast enough, they often landed in jail, even if there were hundreds of players. C would find a way to accommodate them all.
However, this was a matter for the future. Right now, the manor was a playground for the players as neither Canter nor any other mighty figure showed up to stop them. Perhaps the reason for this was that the attack could technically be counted as part of the quest.
Liam and his friends didn't care. They made their way through the crowd and left the manor through the same door the old steward used earlier. Appearing at the back of the building they didn't waste any time. Only a few meters away was a gate leading out of the entire manor compound. In a blink the group was back in the public area of The City of a Thousand Gales.
The cold rain fell on their hair. The friends still didn't feel safe after leaving the manor. Rushing through the streets they did their best to avoid any guards, reaching the wide-open city gates. Since the guards were hiding from the rain there was no one watching the gate. The friends safely made it out, jumped on their mounts, and shot into the air.
"Huh, finally escaped. Let's quickly return…"
Cyclone sighed, feeling quite stifled inside the city, even though it hadn't been her who had spent time in prison.
"Boss, we're leaving!"
"Call us if you need something!"
"I'm looking forward to the next world boss!"
"Bye!"
Multiple voices reached the party. They came from Dream Avenue's members following behind, some in the air, some on the ground. Seeing that Hotpot had safely left the city, the guild members started to disperse. Liam and his friends leisurely waved goodbye, feeling quite gratified.
Soon, there was only the group of ten friends left. They didn't talk much, flying at full speed, eager to leave the duchy. Their return to the Southern Light Kingdom was even quicker than their arrival. Finally, the weather cleared up, and the friends enjoyed the feeling of the warm sun on their faces.
After another few minutes of flight, the party landed in front of Brobrity. They entered the city and rushed towards Therim's tower, soon arriving in the mage's study.
Therim had a strange expression as the group had suddenly increased by six people. However, he was quick to accept the change, listening closely as Silver Blade presented the evidence. When the young woman stopped, Therim didn't erupt into rage. He only let out a sigh:
"As expected. However, that he would go that far… truly a pity."
"Guardian, what should we do now?"
"Let's do it like this. I will take care of Canter. With the evidence you provided it is enough to officially apprehend him. I would be grateful if you could use the sigil you found to chase the rebellious noble. If they resist you… you have my permission to use force. I will explain to the king."
"Of course! You can count on us, guardian!"
Therim nodded with a gratified smile. He was amazed at the adventurers' quick growth. By now they had already reached a point where they could somewhat affect even the stronger beings. Given some more time and each adventurer might become a general, hero, or a guardian. If this power was used wisely, it might be a huge blessing for the order faction.
However, there was still some way to go. Therim dismissed his thoughts and told the party that he would set off now. Liam and his friends had nothing left to do and also started fulfilling their part of the mission. Taking out the sigil they followed the conspicuous red arrow pointing out their target.
Leaving the city, passing rivers and forests. After a flight of nearly ten minutes, they arrived at a spacious forest clearing. There was a large wooden house quietly nestled between trees, like the hunting lodge of a noble. In front of the house there was a black carriage pulled by black horses which neighed nervously. Although warm light came from the house's windows, it was surrounded by a cold, uncanny atmosphere.
"Perfect place to murder someone…"
Murmured Cyclone as a shiver ran through her bones.
"Well, can't turn around now. Let's go."
Silver Blade took the lead. Fearless, she jumped from her mount and approached the house. The metallic smell of blood seemed to reach her nose. Silver Blade breathed flatly and pushed the door open. She instantly froze. The eyes of a large, black bear head stared at her. And below its cut-off neck… there was a big pentagram painted with blood.