The Devil's Cage

"Sss!"

Luphus slowly woke up amid his painful gasp.

However, the 'wise man' immediately reacted to the situation. He tumbled up and saw Kieran, who sat opposite him, and the young man who knocked him out standing behind him. When Luphus saw that his student, Eden, was unconscious beside him, he heaved a breath of relief.

It was good enough that Eden was alive. As for the rest, Luphus still had ways to turn things around.

"Greetings Your Majesty. I am Luphus of Yort Fields. I've grasped many secrets of the lords that rule the fields. I know where they set up their outposts and the routes their patrols walk every day. Needless to say, I also know of hidden military camps and the factions they are affiliated with in the dark. If you require my service, I will reveal everything to you."

Luphus stood up after shaking his robe and spoke to Kieran with a serious look.

"You are very familiar with Yort Fields?"

Interested, Kieran looked at the old man who was seemingly honest but actually very cunning. Roffu told Kieran everything that happened between the old man and Doyl'er, including the tube of potion in his sleeve. Kieran checked it carefully—with his [Potionology] level, the tube of potion would, at the very least, require Master level to craft.

More importantly, from the moment Luphus woke up, he didn't ask about the potion. Instead, he took a glance at his student before he started to figure out a plan for the situation.

Cunning and skilled at improvisation.

Kieran commented on the old man in his heart.

As for more?

He didn't know whether or not it was an act, so he didn't want to comment about it anymore for the time being.

"I was born in Yort Fields and have served many lords, so I know more than others. I am also willing to serve you, my lord." A flattering smile appeared on Luphus' face.

"Em. Do you know about the contract between Yort Fields and Naveya City 300 years ago?"

After Kieran nodded noncommittally, he asked his question.

"300 years ago? The time period is a little long, and I am quite old…"

Luphus looked like he was thinking about the question, but actually, he was waiting for the right time to answer. He must at least get certain terms out of it before he answered.

However, soon enough, his thinking expression was replaced by panic and fear.

"Take him out and chop him in half," Kieran said calmly.

The young soldier behind Kieran drew his sword out without a second thought and walked over to Luphus. Frightened, Luphus shivered because he never saw a person with such direct means, especially those who were high in rankings. Shouldn't he care about his image and demeanour? How could he be so direct?

"Okay! I got it, I got it! 300 years ago, Yort Fields helped Naveya City before, thus, when the city formed, it provided the fields with a contract like this."

Panicked, Luphus spilled the beans, and it didn't slow down his talking at all.

"What kind of help?" Kieran asked as he tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair.

"Resources, armed forces, or maybe something else?" Luphus sounded unsure of his own words.

"Take him out and chop him in half."

Roffu's sword glared down once more and forced Luphus on the ground. He begged and cried out, "Your Majesty, I really am not sure about this part of the history. I never went into the details! But I know of a place that has the detailed records of that part of history."

"Oh? Where is it?" Kieran waved at Roffu.

"My hometown, Gordor Land, known as the library of Yort Fields. I can bring you there right now and go through every single book you wish to read. I assure you the answer you seek will be there."

Crawling on the ground, Luphus avowed.

"I hope you mean what you just said." Kieran looked down at the old man.

"Of course, of course! I know! If I lied to you, I will end my own life! But I also hope that you can spare me when the answers are revealed." Luphus shamelessly and carefully uttered his request.

"Sure. Tell Atrina, Luphus is not the military consultant of Arya Outpost," Kieran told Roffu before he passed the pen and paper to the old man.

The old man looked at Kieran with a puzzled look.

"Didn't you say you are familiar with the secrets of the lords of Yort Fields and know where they set up their outposts and patrol routes? And also the hidden soldiers they keep and the factions they are affiliated with in the dark? Now, write it all down," Kieran said slowly.

"But didn't you…"

Before Luphus even finished, he saw the sword in Roffu's hand again, and without a second thought, the old man started writing with his head down.

Men should follow their hearts before going after the things they desired.

Roffu had a deeper understanding of the saying at the very moment.

...

Einderson, the archpriest of Thorn Temple, sat on a chair. He tried to straighten his body to make himself look a little energetic, but spending this much time traveling and with no gaze of Lady Thorn, the tiredness on his face was inconcealable.

However, compared to the initial anxiety, the archpriest was better already.

He had received reports from Ryan's men.

Ryan and Atrina, along with Arya Outpost, were all fine.

It was really a blessing from Lady Thorn, as the thing he worried about the most didn't happen.

Still, it didn't change his original thoughts: he wished to turn the meritorious deeds of Ryan into songs and poems, and pass them down to the next generation. He wanted more people to know about Ryan, and how dauntless and valiant he was.

Hence, here he was in Gordar Land.

The place wasn't just the library of Yort Fields, but was also a gathering place for scholars, poets and minstrels. It was no doubt the most ideal place to spread a person's story.

Of course, some standard procedures must happen.

"Archpriest and Officiant Einderson, can you assure me what you said and recorded is the truth?" asked another white-haired elderly in plain clothing, looking up at Einderson after he put down the manuscripts prepared by the archpriest.

"I swear on behalf of Lady Thorn, what I wrote is the truth, not a word is mistaken or exaggerated," Einderson replied seriously.

"Very well, I understand. I will agree to your request," the elderly in plain clothings nodded.

"Very much appreciated," Einderson said happily.

A temple knight beside the archpriest had a box of gold coins ready in front of the elderly.

The songs and praises obviously weren't free—a fee would be charged.

Without a doubt, all the gold coins came from the believers.

Maybe many years later, the songs and poems might go on automatically, but that was a matter for the future.

Now?

The elderly in plain clothing counted out the gold coins and passed them to his apprentice.

"I'll accept your request. Thank you very much."

"No no, it is I who should thank you."

After some courteous chit-chat, Einderson left in his wagon. He hadn't forgotten about searching for Lady Thorn's temple in the north.

While looking in the direction where Einderson's wagon disappeared, the plainly clothed elderly smiled again, although a cold smile.

"I really have to thank you," he muttered to himself.