***IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: This chap has been corrupted. Along with tomorrow’s, chapters, I will repost this chapter as well in its uncorrupted state.***

——-

As they neared where Reana told them the city’s lrax was, the members of the group couldn’t help but notice the guard presence increase exponentially.

Unlike what Tyr imagined, the base of operations of the lrax wasn’t embedded deep in the center of the city, away from all danger.

They had to exit the spike walls toward the right side and were joined by a random guard all the way to the base which was over an hour away after already leaving the walls.

There was a dirt path or torches that led the way. It was a pure forest. Most would get utterly lost just by venturing a few feet in.

“I’ve heard of explorers getting lost for days and dying of dehydration or mental trauma while being minutes away from society. Jungles aren’t anything to underestimate.” Malon said, slightly freaked out by the idea.

“You’re right.” Reana replied, “Mycopolis isn’t so dense. The mushroom trees are also much bigger compared to these, so it’s easier to tell where you came from and where you go. But… that’s why a Zasean native had to join us.”

Tyr squinted his eyes, looking at the guard that was running in front of them.

Although Rudra wasn’t moving at full speed or anything, he still found it impressive that the guard could keep up with his pace.

‘They are smarter than they look.’ He thought to himself.

Finally, a few spikes in the distance revealed the fact that they had almost arrived at the base.

As they neared it, they noticed that the place was quite small. There were guards walking around, patrolling the premises.

As they made their way inside the spikes, Tyr questioned: “It’s funny how they let us in so easily, despite not knowing our intention.”

“No, that’s not it. This is a relief center as much as it is a base of operations. Although citizens aren’t allowed in any buildings, those wish to come and ask questions are free to do so.”

Tyr was taken aback by this, “Ask questions? Freely? The lord of the city of all people? What a super weird system…”

“Its the only way to gain the trust of people slowly, while still continuing to work as hard as possible to stop this establishment.”

They were ordered to get off of their mounts and walk whilst inside. Led by Reana, Tyr and the others approached a small group of Zasean natives standing before a slightly elevated platform.

On the platform, behind a small podium, stood a tall Zasean native. He had a single feather poking out from his hair, his body bulging with muscles, and his stature no less than Tyr’s.

They joined the small group listening to him as he continued to seemingly pour his heart out.

“So hear me, my people! I will continue to stay here until my bones rot if that is what it takes, in order to help keep this city alive! I want this city to return to its roots! To its glory and strength!”

Tyr instantly understood the passion the man had for his city as he heard this. Of course, the others couldn’t understand a lick of what they were saying except for Reana who had studied the language before.

She was also less in touch compared to Tyr, however, who could fully hear the emotion behind the words.

“Lrax! Why have you not launched an infiltration mission in so long!?” A young Zasean native said, standing right next to Tyr.

He was a couple inches shorter, but looked healthy and optimistic.

“Well… that is…” The lrax paused, “I’ll tell you what I can! We are preparing,” The lrax smiled, “And when we hit, its going to work this time! This time for sure!”

Tyr’s eyes waved through the crowd as everyone cheered. There were only about 15 people there in total.

Something caught his attention. A single old woman who wasn’t cheering, or even appeared to be happy.

After the cheers died down, she was the one to speak: “Lrax! My three sons died during your last mission… and with that too, you promised victory! What do you have to say? Why do you insist on lying, and throwing lives into the gutter.” She suddenly screamed, breaking down into tears in the middle of her speech.

The crowds excitement was instantly sapped away from them, as dread once again filled their eyes–similar to the Zasean natives walking around in the city.

They all looked at her, whispering slightly with a somber tone. Tyr and his group also observed this situation, Tyr’s brows furrowed as he stared at what the lrax’ reply was going to be.

After a long pause, the old woman walked forward, reaching into her robe and pulling out something wrapped in cloth.

She placed it on the platform, next to the lrax’ feet, before opening it up to reveal a severed arm that was rotting.

Its putrid smell quickly blasted out and filled the air, its aroma making everyone cringe with disgust.

“That…” The old woman cried, “That was what you personally gave me after your last mission. The arm of my oldest son Hermiel.” She paused, crying uncontrollably.

“He was a good boy… my oldest, who listened to everything I said and never doubted the feeling of hope, and faith that he had in his heart. Not for God, not even in himself nor you, the lrax… but the hope that he had for a good future!”

As she paused, everyone gasped slight, hit with the reality of the situation.

“Now, I will never see him again. I will never have a conversation, never cry or laugh with him… never get to embrace my baby again.”

The lrax picked the arm up with a sincere look on his face, as the crowd began to tear up slightly despite wanting to hold it in.

“I can only describe Hermial from what I know of him.” The lrax started off by saying this, making the old woman snarl with anger.

“He was an amazing solider. Never did he turn his back… and never did he doubt that we would win. And maybe that was why he died.” He spoke in a very low tone, calm and almost silent.

The crowd was even more quiet, so much so that one could hear a pin drop from several meters away.

“But… what he did was not throw his life in vain. Far from it. What he did, and what the rest of the soliders that died that day did for us, was not comparable to being in vain… no, what they did was show us that we still have something left to fight for.”

His tone increased slightly, his eyes widening.

“The deaths of those before us… told us, who continue to fight, what we are fighting for. Their lives are not meaningless, because we the living will fight until whatever they fight for is ahcieved!” His tone became even louder as people began to get goose bumps on their skin.

“Each day we strive to fight, so that we may not forget what our previous men did for us! Each day we ride into the battle field, maybe not even for our goal anymore… but because we refuse to forget them to died for us! Who… THE HELL ARE WE, TO DISHONOR THEM BY FORGETTING THEIR SACRIFICE!?” He suddenly roared with passion.

“We may die as well, entering that horrible battlefield… but those after us will not forget our sacrifice, and fight for us as well! We will not stop, until we achieve victory!”

*

Her eyes seemed to glow as she spoke.

“That look in someone’s eyes when they read a newspaper and see that front page title. The impact the entire society has… the murmurs of suspense and awe. I live for that.” She grinned.

Tyr chuckled on hearing this, “I believe you… but is that why you are doing this right now? Risking your life for a few reactions?”

Reana quickly replied: “What this? No, definitely not! Exposing this gang, which is the largest underground criminal organization in the world, is going to be my way to catapult myself into the continental scene. This is going to be my first big thing. After I am known by many, then I can continue publishing without any risk, capturing the world’s attention each time.

Right now though, I need to get onto the world stage first.”

“Ahh… that makes sense,” Tyr replied.

A short pause ensued, after which Reana looked over at her table.

“So… you guys have come here to eradicate the Black Merchant Guild huh? I will say this, even the largest of snakes die after you cut off their heads… but their remnants will still exist.”

Tyr exhaled before replying: “I understand that, but eventually those remnants will rot and disappear.”

Reana paused, seemingly thinking of something in her mind.

Finally, she turned to Tyr and said in a genuine tone: “There’s one problem here, however.”

As Tyr and the others heard this, they furrowed their brows in slight confusion.

“Problem? What problem?” Tyr quickly retorted.

“I know you all want me to give you the information of the Black Merchant Guild so you can eventually destroy the guild… but I can not do that. If I do, I will have no story to publish. What’s the point of revealing the location if they are already wiped out? No one cares about a long gone artifact.”

The others paused, taken aback as they hadn’t thought of it in that way. Reana continued:

“If I help you, my entire plan to stardom will be ruined. I have worked a day in and out for years for this one opportunity. I’m sorry but… I can not help you.”

There was pure silence in the room. And then, Hanzo spoke up.

“Reana…” He said in a stern manner, staring into the young woman’s eyes.

“I’m sure you’re no fool, nor are you evil. I know you care about the smallest of details as well.”

“How exactly do you know that…?” Reana interrupted, questioning about that past part of Hanzo’s statement.

“From the fact that, despite having the location of the Black Merchant Guild, you still haven’t published a single story. You are waiting patiently, gathering information until the perfect story is created. Like a gator on the lake surface, or a diamond-fingered merchant… you are waiting for that opportunity to pounce.”

Reana stayed silent, knowing Hanzo had read her like a book.

After a pause, Hanzo finally said, “If you don’t help us now, your selfish desires will lead to the death of many.”

Reana’s eyes widened slightly as she heard this, gasping slightly on accident.

“No… I–” She tried to refute the accusation but was quickly interrupted.

“Right now, people are dying due to that guild’s influence across the continent. Maybe even in this very city.” Hanzo was being honest.

“But who’s to say they will stop? Their loyalty can not be thought of as being so measly.”

“Yes, it can,” Hanzo replied, dismissing Reana’s statement entirely. “Most members of the Black Merchant Guild are thieves. Criminals and thugs of the past are now acting on their dark and evil, hidden desires. And they are doing it all under the veil and protection of the Black Merchant Guild mantle. Without that name, they are nothing but measly criminals again who hold no standing.

Without that self-confidence, they will fall fickle like infant chicks without their mother.”

Reana was left speechless.

Malon finally added: “We don’t dismiss your life’s work entirely. Do what you want to do, we will not stop you. But please, just give us the information you have… not for you, and not even for us, but for the sake of those suffering out there right now.”

*

The group left Reana’s cottage empty-handed… however, they did have all the information about the black slugs in their brain–which Reana decided to give them in the end.

Despite having their differences, Reana and Tyr’s group also decided that working together would be the best option.

Though their end goal was different, the path to get there was the same–and that path was the investigate and eventually infiltrate the black slug hideout.

Until then, they decided to remain allies with one shared goal in mind.

There was also another figure that Reana had told Hanzo and the others to go and meet, but right now, there was nothing they wanted to do more than take a good night’s sleep…

***

They spent the night at a small tavern, waking up in the middle of the day after catching up on missed sleep for several days.

Afterward, they met up with Reana again to meet this figure that she had spoken about the day prior.

“So… who exactly are we going to see? You still haven’t even told us his or her name.” Tyr asked, confused on the matter.

“Fine… I guess this is the right time to tell you. His name is Helas, and he is the lrax of this city.” Reana replied, her brows furrowed.

“Oh… that’s right, the pub owner was saying good things about him too. I heard he really cares about this city.” Tyr said, thinking back to yesterday.

“That he does.” Reana said instantly, “That’s why he let me work with him as well.”

“Huh?” Tyr exclaimed in slight confusion.

“He understands that if my story is published, it will bring a lot of awareness to this city, and potentially even help it recover. Of course, that’s not a guarantee.”

Tyr paused before saying: “Well… I think we will be happy to meet us.” He smirked.

***IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: This chap has been corrupted. Along with tomorrow’s, chapters, I will repost this chapter as well in its uncorrupted state.***

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep