Chapter 26: Dividing the Spoils |
“The Light has betrayed me!”
Allen, who was dreaming about playing a dirty priest deck in Hearthstone from his past life, suddenly sat up while shouting in his sleep.
He was met with the familiar ceiling, and when he turned his head, Morgan looked slightly awkward.
Morgan could feel the Light around him practically buzzing, eager to cleanse this black wizard who had just spouted such heretical words.
But he didn’t act on it. He simply handed the newspaper in front of him to Allen.
Allen nodded awkwardly, took the newspaper, and pretended nothing had just happened.
The newspaper was the Stormwind Times Darkshire special edition. The headline was printed in bold letters:
The de Montmorency Massacre Case Solved!
Evil Black Wizard Stalvan Mistmantle Executed!
[Our Special Report from Darkshire]
The sensational de Montmorency family massacre case has been solved. According to reports, the murderer was Stalvan Mistmantle, the family’s hired tutor. This man appeared cultured and polite on the surface, but in secret, he studied evil necromancy and even forbidden shadow sorcery. He even transformed himself into an undead creature. His crimes are utterly appalling!
After killing all seventeen members of the de Montmorency family, Stalvan fled to Darkshire. To cover his identity, he murdered several more innocent people, including Clerk Gray of Darkshire and Sheriff Old Thomas Westwind, piling sin upon sin.
Fortunately, the brave and righteous King Varian Wrynn, along with the kind-hearted noble Mr. Allen Prestor from the Kingdom of Alterac, stepped forward and engaged Stalvan in a fierce battle on the outskirts of Darkshire. After a thrilling struggle, they finally eradicated this demon completely and brought justice for the victims!
This newspaper extends its highest respects to the two heroes!
Allen finished reading the newspaper and was silent for a long time.
He set the newspaper down with a sigh of deep emotion and looked out the window.
Would the “Legend of Stalvan” quest no longer exist in the future of this world? There would be no more players receiving that damn chain quest in Duskwood, no more newcomers being tortured and killed by Stalvan, and no more poor banshee wandering in Lion’s Pride…
He closed his eyes.
Then he froze.
Several shadow spells appeared in his mind. No incantation needed, no spell components required. It was as if he had been born knowing them, as if he could cast them at will.
His eyes snapped open.
Damn it.
How had he switched classes to Shadow Priest?
He had wanted to become a Grand Mage!
Feeling that he had become too sinister, Allen looked apologetically at Morgan, the paladin, and his hidden guilt was plain to see.
But Morgan didn’t blame him. He just started talking on his own.
“Mr. Allen, Gray—the clerk—was my uncle. I never thought the suspect you mentioned back at the inn would actually come to us.”
Allen was stunned.
Morgan’s gaze drifted to the window, as if recalling something.
“When I was a child, my father passed away early. My uncle taught me to read, taught me swordsmanship, taught me how to be a man. He always wanted to be a scholar, but his family was poor, so he could only work as a clerk at the town hall. But he never complained. He always said, ‘Being able to read and write is already good enough.’”
He paused.
“And there was the sheriff. He watched me grow up. When I was a mischievous kid, he always covered for me when I got into trouble.”
Morgan’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
“They’re both dead. Just because Stalvan wanted to cover his tracks… They were both such kind, such good people…”
He took a deep breath, then turned to look Allen straight in the eye.
“Regardless, you saved my life. And you avenged Uncle Gray and Old Thomas.”
His gaze was firm and clear.
“I believe in you.”
Allen was silent for a long time.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
Morgan nodded and didn’t ask any further.
“By the way,” Allen suddenly remembered something, “What about Wen Lei, Stella, and Ma… His Majesty the King? Is everyone safe?”
“Mr. Wen Lei and Ms. Stella will be back shortly. His Majesty has… already returned to Stormwind.”
At the time, the powerful shadow energy that had erupted had even attracted the night watchmen of Darkshire.
To protect Allen, Varian had no choice but to reveal his identity and pin all the evil traces at the scene on Stalvan.
When Mathias suddenly transformed into Varian Wrynn, King of Stormwind, even the ever-unflappable Wen Lei was somewhat surprised.
This kid Allen… what kind of magic did he possess? That Mathias, whom he had tricked into joining their reckless scheme, was actually King Varian…
Stella was beyond words. She had stuttered. She had never met such a big shot in her life.
Morgan had been dumbfounded on the spot. The… the King? He had fought side by side with the King?
The entire kingdom had been alarmed. Darkshire had immediately entered a state of combat readiness.
Some had raised objections at the time, saying that the Alterac nobleman showed traces of Void corruption, that he would unconsciously scream when being treated with the Light, and that he didn’t seem right no matter how you looked at it.
It was Varian who personally vouched for Allen Prestor.
Everyone else who had been present had silently agreed not to mention that day or that strange dagger.
After everything had settled, Varian was quickly escorted back to Stormwind.
Allen hesitated for a moment, then finally asked, “So… we eliminated the evil villain. Did King Varian or Darkshire mention any reward or anything?”
Before Morgan could answer, Wen Lei’s voice came from outside the door.
“The Stormwind royal family and Darkshire have jointly rewarded us. Stormwind gave five gold coins, and Darkshire gave a precious ring.”
The door pushed open, and Wen Lei strode in. Stella followed behind him, the little gnome beaming with joy, clutching a bulging money pouch, practically strutting.
Wen Lei seemed to know what else Allen wanted to ask and continued, “Of course, there are also the spoils we looted from Stalvan’s hiding place. All of them are for us to distribute.”
He flicked his wrist, and a ring arced through the air, landing precisely toward Allen.
Though Allen was weak, his eyes were sharp and his hands fast. He caught the ring.
Ring of Forsaken Spirit
Finger «Fine Quality»
+2 Stamina
+3 Shadow Resistance
Equip: Increases damage dealt by your Shadow spells by 3.
Allen looked at the stats and a small smile crept onto his lips.
Wen Lei continued, “As your personal attendant, I won’t participate in the distribution. Varian made it clear that, as compensation for deceiving us, he wouldn’t take anything either. These five gold coins and some loose change from Stalvan’s body will be split three ways between you, Stella, and Morgan.”
He glanced at Stella and Morgan.
“As for this ring, we all discussed it. Since you were the one who just woke up after fighting until you passed out, it goes to you.”
Stella nodded vigorously beside him, her small eyes full of anticipation. This was the first time she had ever gotten so much money—a whole gold coin! No, wait, including Lupos’ bounty and the loose change, that was two gold coins! Two gold coins!
She was already mentally calculating how many engineering parts she could buy.
Morgan repeatedly waved his hands and said seriously, “I already told you, I can’t take it. I didn’t do much.”
Allen slipped the ring onto his finger, feeling the cool touch and the surging power, and said, “Don’t say that. You helped us with genuine sincerity. At least you saved me, right?”
He looked at Morgan with sincere eyes.
“Take it. Think of it as for your wife and daughter. You’re out here fighting for justice alone, and they’re working hard at home waiting for you. This money can buy them some good food, some new clothes. What’s wrong with that?”
Persuasion Check: Success
Morgan opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he just sighed and silently took the money pouch Wen Lei handed him.
Wen Lei watched this scene and inwardly nodded. Allen really knew how to persuade people.
“But before that,” Wen Lei said, pulling a letter from his chest, “take a look at this.”
On the envelope was a drawing of a weeping eye.
It was exactly the same as the letter they had seen at Lion’s Pride.
Allen’s pupils contracted. He grabbed the letter, tore open the seal, and opened it.
---
#