Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In the dark cage, a deformed man with multiple injuries lay on the ground motionless. If not for his breathing, anyone would have thought that he was dead.
Footsteps were heard outside, and soon, a fat Human followed behind a few guards as they came over from a dark tunnel.
Nobody spoke. The fat Human paced in front of the cage a few times and then asked the guard, âHow long has the situation been like this?â
âSince he arrived. Unless he wants to move, we have no way to make him move. When heâs sleeping, nobody can wake him. If heâs not willing, nobody can force him. Iâve never seen such a strong-willed person!â the guard explained in fear.
âHmm...â
The fat Human nodded and remained silent. After a moment, a guard came over and whispered, âMaster, the best Sword trainer in the city is here.â
âHmm, let him in,â the fat Human ordered. Upon his order, a tall, slim, and bearded man entered. He was the best Sword trainer in the city.
âGreat Lord.â
The Sword trainer bowed to the fat Human who nodded and said, âI need you to train this man. He has a powerful will and will become a powerful fighter!â
âI understand, Great Lord,â the Sword trainer said respectfully.
âOoo...â
âGreat Lord! Hoodlum is awake!â
As the fat Human was about to leave, the guard shouted. The fat Human looked excitedly at the wounded Hoodlum, whose face was filled with determination.
âWhat mission is it today? Is it a vicious beating?â
âNo lad, todayâs mission is to defeat me with all youâve got!â the bearded Sword trainer said.
...
Bond received the shocking letter from Cherry and conveyed the news to the Merchant Alliance. Before long, Nicholas received a letter from the Merchant Alliance.
âIâm supposed to investigate the treasure at the Sighing Wilderness?â
After becoming the Winterfell Dungeon Lord, Nicholas knew more confidential information and had more problems, such as this sudden suggestion letter.
Though Nicholas was supposed to investigate the treasure at the Sighing Wilderness, from the given intelligence, Lord Sherlock was also interested in the treasure. Was that the reason Sherlock took up this mission voluntarily?
Nicholas didnât want to become an enemy of Sherlock, who was a superior Devil with a formidable family background. Perhaps his dad was even one of the Devil Kings. The fight with Samael could be a family dispute with his uncle.
Moreover, Nicholas hadnât heard of the Sighing Wilderness before!
Most likely, the letter was sent to him to create trouble. If he didnât investigate the Sighing Wilderness, the Merchant Alliance would accuse him of siding with Eternal Kingdom instead of the Merchant Alliance!
But if he conducted the investigation, he could spoil his cordial relationship with Lord Sherlock. What should he do?
While Nicholas was feeling distressed, the always helpful Lord Sherlock arrived in his office.
âLord Nicholas, Lord Sherlock is waiting for your outside.â
Nicholasâ Orc assistant knocked on the door and informed him.
âWhat? Lord Sherlock is here?â
Nicholas quickly put away the letter and walked towards the door. He asked, âWhere is Lord Sherlock?â
He opened the door and saw the Orc assistant accompanying Sherlock outside the door.
âLord Sherlock!â
âIt has been a few days, and Dungeon Lord Nicholas looks as good as before.â
Sherlock looked at Baron Nicholasâ pale face and asked, âCan I come in?â
âOf course. Brew a cup of tea for Lord Sherlock.â
Sherlock walked into Nicholasâ office, and both of them sat down. Then, Sherlock said directly, âIâm here because I have a matter to inform Dungeon Lord Nicholas about. The mission to clear the Ogre Fortress is basically completed. Though thereâs a small group of defiant Ogres occupying the depths of the Fortress, they donât pose a serious threat, but...â
âAh, Lord Sherlock, donât you worry! Eternal Kingdom has paid a high price to clear the Ogre Fortress. The citizens of Winterfell and I will always remember that. Of course, Iâve prepared the death compensation. Lord Sherlock, donât worry about the money,â Nicholas said quickly.
âAh, Iâm relieved to hear that, but Iâm not referring to this matter.â Sherlock looked concerned as he said, âWhile Eternal Kingdom and the Ogres were fighting to the death, a group of Humans, Fairies, and Elves secretly built an outpost close to the Ogre Fortress.â
âI have the intention to exterminate the decadent Human Faction, but their leader is a Duchess Lilo, and she is very powerful. Our first wave of attack was neutralized by the Humans of Victoria City. Donât you worry, though, to protect Winterfell, we will fight these Humans to the death, and we wonât charge any death compensation.â
Nicholas was astonished and said, âYou, you wonât charge death compensation? But Lord Sherlock...â
âNo buts. I know your good intentions, Dungeon Lord, but this is no longer about Winterfell. This concerns the whole of the Underworld. As a reliable, ambitious, and young superior Devil and Dungeon Lord, I have a responsibility to help the Underworld fight against the Human Faction,â Sherlock said righteously and interrupted Nicholas, who was about to speak.
âDonât say a word, Dungeon Lord Nicholas. Just let me handle this! Of course, Iâll just be upfront. Is there a problem if Eternal Kingdom takes the loot from the Humans, Fairies, and Elves?ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âOf course thereâs no problem! Iâm moved by your gesture to sacrifice for the Underworld. I feel guilty. If I wasnât recently appointed as the Dungeon Lord and things werenât so unstable, Iâd fight with Lord Sherlock to chase the Surface World races out of the Underworld!â
Nicholas was welling up with tears. He took out a letter and swallowed hard, saying, âThe Merchant Alliance already knows about your recent moves, and they conducted an investigation. Donât you worry, Lord Sherlock, this isnât the decision of the majority of the Merchant Alliance, there are just some high-level officials who are jealous of me and want to scheme against me. Has Lord Sherlock seen any suspicious characters recently?â
Sherlock took the letter from Nicholas. He examined it a bit and stroked his chin as he said helplessly, âTsk, it seems quite logical at first glance...â
âAh? What are you talking about, Lord Sherlock?â
âI didnât expect the officials of the Merchant Alliance to be against you. They are certainly evil. Donât you worry, Dungeon Lord Nicholas, our relationship wonât be affected, and the alliance between Eternal Kingdom and Winterfell wonât erode.â
Sherlock smiled and reassured Nicholas.
âOf course!â Nicholas said confidently.
âI need to explain something. The Sighing Wilderness doesnât have any treasure. We named the plains near the Ogre Fortress as the Sighing Wilderness for convenience. The decadent faction of the Surface World intends to occupy the Sighing Wilderness as their base because of the availability of rich resources and the defenses afforded by the Fortress. Thatâs what Iâm guessing. Donât worry, they donât have large numbers, so Iâm able to deal with them.â
Nicholas was relieved. He said, âLord Sherlock, Iâm relieved to hear that. Iâll report this matter to resolve the misunderstanding. Donât you require the assistance of Winterfell?â
âItâs not necessary. As Winterfell has suffered several setbacks and things are unstable, itâs better for Winterfell to settle down first. Nobody is a good choice to be the Winterfell Dungeon Lord except for Dungeon Lord Nicholas. If you are implicated, it wonât be good news for Eternal Kingdom.â
âI understand. Lord Sherlock, you have to be extra careful. If you need additional troops, just inform me. Though you have declined my death compensation, I have decided to sponsor Lord Sherlock with some equipment. Please donât decline!â
Nicholas looked insistent, and Sherlock didnât wish to refuse his good intentions, so he nodded awkwardly.
âI canât refuse you anymore. I shall accept your kindness. Please provide more Orc Standard Equipment, as Iâm recruiting Orcs.â