Chapter 102: Dark Stone |
Through the transportation of these information boxes, Jonas soon arrived at a new location.
It was a rather shabby-looking village.
Jonas was puzzled - how could the largest information trading guild be in such a humble place?
Could he have been deceived?
Jonas followed the box carriers into the village.
Most of the inhabitants were elderly.
There were many beggars... and even gaudily dressed prostitutes...
All were the lowest class of city dwellers.
The deeper Jonas went, the more confused he became.
...
When Jonas reached the inner area, he sensed a familiar presence.
Sand Tribe?
And an exceptionally powerful Sand Tribe member at that - this aura was at least Frost Silver-level.
Upon sensing this, Jonas couldn't help but smile. It seemed he had come to the right place after all.
Such a big target right from the start.
Moreover, any place that could host a Frost Silver-level Sand Tribe member must be extremely important.
...
The further into the village, the more refined the houses became.
In a clean, simple house at the village center...
A little girl sat on a stool...
An angelic little girl.
Anyone who saw her would be captivated and astonished by her exquisitely beautiful, almost dreamlike face. She looked like a fairy tale princess stepped out from a painting, utterly ethereal.
She wore a simple braided ponytail, resembling a porcelain doll.
She sat quietly, her glass-like eyes unfocused.
Her lips were tender, her skin pale - but anyone's first glance at her would bring heartache. Both her lips and face were too pale, almost completely devoid of color...
On the table before her were numerous slips of paper from the information boxes.
She was currently concentrating hard, writing corresponding contents for each slip along with the required magic crystals.
Jonas observed all this from the shadows.
What was this?
Did this mean all the supposedly obtained information was actually written by this girl herself?
Wasn't that a bit ridiculous?
Was the entire massive Dark Stone Guild supported by just one person?
Jonas was still pondering when...
A familiar swirl of sand came flying through the window.
The girl sensed the gathering sand before her.
She frowned involuntarily.
"I've already given you your magic crystals for this month. Why are you here again?"
Whoosh whoosh—
The sand before her gathered increasingly, quickly forming into a black-robed figure.
The black-robed figure gestured casually, smiling: "Miss Veldeline."
"We're not here for magic crystals."
"This time I come by His Highness's orders."
"There are many matters to discuss."
"First, we need you to investigate the origins of a man named Jonas Rejin."
"Hmph... So there's someone even you people fear?"
"Fear is too strong a word?"
"Though this man does possess the capability to warrant our assassination attempts."
"Three Sand Tribe elders fell by his hand."
"But I believe in your capabilities, Miss Veldeline. You'll certainly find what we need, won't you?"
Veldeline froze slightly.
Three Sand Tribe elders killed by one person?
She knew exactly how powerful each elder was.
And they were all killed by a single man?
Veldeline exhaled: "Someone that powerful... I may not be able to find information on him."
"Do your best then."
"I trust in your abilities. I hope to receive Jonas's information by my next visit."
"Otherwise... your sister might not remain so comfortable."
"You bastards."
Ignoring Veldeline's words, the black-robed figure continued: "Your Dark Stone members are embedded throughout the cities."
"As Hua Lier's daughter, you wield considerable influence."
"His Highness wishes for you to join him."
"He hopes you'll contribute to our future war efforts."
Veldeline: "They're just low-class people embedded in cities! Having them join a war would be sending them as cannon fodder!"
"Cannon fodder is too harsh - they'd be glorious warriors."
"Of course, when Postaya Province fully belongs to our prince, you'll be credited as the greatest contributor."
"And your illness... might even find a cure."
"I'll never join your war. I've seen your prince's methods."
"Selfish and cruel!"
"Tsk—don't be so absolute."
"Our Sand Tribe has a special torture method - extremely fine sand that can penetrate human flesh."
"And we Sand Tribe naturally possess sand manipulation abilities."
"Sand flowing through blood vessels..."
"The pain is unbearable for ordinary humans."
"Surely you wouldn't want your sister to endure such agony on top of her heart condition?"
"You..." Veldeline gritted her teeth.
"Think carefully. Most of Postaya Province already belongs to our Sand Tribe."
"Only by joining us can you have a bright future."
Having said this, the black-robed figure couldn't resist reaching out to stroke the girl's delicate face along her ear.
Terrified, Veldeline recoiled, teeth clenched:
"What are you doing?!"
"A maiden's skin remains so smooth and delicate!"
"Miss Veld, I mean no harm."
"I simply want you to understand - were it not for His Highness finding you useful..."
"You and your sister would fare no better than those tavern girls."
"Know your place."
The black-robed figure licked his fingers.
The next moment, he dissipated into windblown sand and departed.
But not without leaving final words:
"Think carefully, Miss Delin. His Highness grants you little time."
"When I return, I expect the right answer."
"Otherwise... I won't be so gentle next time."
Rustle—
Veldeline's unfocused eyes stared fixedly where the black-robed figure had vanished.
Both hands clutched tightly at her chest, her body trembling slightly.
The black-robed figure's icy threats echoed endlessly in her mind.
...
From the shadows, Jonas observed this young girl.
As he suspected - even in prosperous cities, the Sand Tribe had taken control.
Using these resources, the Sand Tribe had developed rapidly these past years.
Even Frost Silver-level experts had appeared in such numbers.
For this "Dark Stone" to warrant such threats from Sand Tribe elites suggested considerable power indeed.
As Jonas pondered...
Veldeline, still seated on the ground, suddenly looked directly toward Jonas's hiding place.
"Come out. How long do you plan to hide there?"