"Where are you from, and what’s your business in Black Lion City?"
Little John watched as the Black Lion City patrol questioned the people at the next table. He had just been interrogated himself, but perhaps because he could produce proof from the "White Shell" merchant guild, the patrol members hadn’t given him any trouble.
He’d only been here for two days, but he had already heard the news that a member of the Storm Brotherhood had defied the Count, escaped from the dungeons, and was now wanted throughout the city. And taverns were the patrol’s favorite places to visit.
’I wonder how much that person revealed. Will it affect the boss?’ Little John chewed his bread, his eyes discreetly scanning the tavern’s patrons.
He had rushed to Black Lion City as fast as he could, afraid that word of what happened at the fortress would spread like wildfire. If that happened, all the boss’s hard work would go up in flames. However, it seemed no one yet knew why Young Master Philip had led his men out of Black Lion City.
’Maybe the news hasn’t spread yet.’ He took a sip of Light Beer, pondering how to find the fugitive from the Storm Brotherhood.
’He broke out of prison right after Philip left. It takes some skill to escape from the dungeons of the Count’s Mansion.’ Little John felt a headache coming on as he thought about how to find the man. He hadn’t taken on many surveillance or spy-related commissions.
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE! A burst of urgent hoofbeats sounded from outside the main door. Everyone in the tavern ran out to watch. Little John also stood up, pretending he was just going to see what the commotion was about.
Soon, the hoofbeats faded into the distance. The crowd returned to their seats, their chatter growing louder and louder.
"It looks like the Count himself led the Knight Order out of the city."
"They left in such a hurry. I wonder what happened?"
"I counted 40 members of the Knight Order."
Little John speared a piece of roasted meat and stuffed it into his mouth. The food in Black Lion City was definitely a notch better than in Yangjiao Town. Chewing his food, he thought, ’They left in such a hurry... could they be heading to Yangjiao Town? That gate does lead in that direction.’
’Could something have happened at the boss’s place?’ He put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth, feigning composure. ’What do I do now? Rush back immediately, or stay in Black Lion City and keep tracking that man?’
Little John picked up his mug and took a big gulp. He had originally planned to find an opportunity to buy information from the local Black Market, but now he was caught in a dilemma.
’I’ll go back first.’ He finally made his decision. ’The boss needs me more. Black Lion City is huge; even if I stay, there’s no guarantee I’ll find the escapee.’
"What do you do for a living?" a loud shout drew the attention of everyone in the tavern.
Five patrol members had surrounded a table in the corner of the tavern. Only a single customer was seated there. He now put down his knife and fork and slowly stood up.
"Don’t move," the patrol members said, drawing their iron batons.
These patrol members were second-class soldiers from the Count’s domain. They underwent regular combat training, and in the event of war, they would be immediately conscripted as official soldiers.
Little John, like everyone else in the tavern, stared at the corner. But he had a feeling that the middle-aged man—well-dressed, tall, with a thick beard and short brown hair—looked dangerous. He even seemed to exude a hint of a beastly aura.
’I’ll wait and see how this plays out.’ He reached for his waist and gripped the hilt of his Short Sword.
Just as the patrol members were slowly approaching the bearded middle-aged man, the man sighed. Then, in the blink of an eye, two of the members were sent flying.
Little John’s eyes widened in shock as he watched the scene, not even noticing that the bread in his hand had fallen onto his plate.
Immediately after, the two remaining members charged at their opponent, while the last one ran straight out of the tavern, blowing a whistle. TWEEET! TWEEET!
With a series of crashes from overturned chairs and shattering plates, the middle-aged man knocked down the patrol members. He then bolted out of the tavern in a few quick strides. Little John ran to the doorway with the others to get a look. He frowned, staring intently at the humanoid monster on the street, now covered in black fur. Its head had completely transformed into that of a wolf, and the long claws extending from its five fingers could easily tear through walls.
"Could this be the Ricardo from the wanted posters?" Little John muttered under his breath. "But the age doesn’t seem right."
In no time, the transformed, bearded middle-aged man had knocked down a dozen more patrol members. Then, with a few successive leaps, he jumped onto a rooftop and soon vanished from sight amidst the shouts of the crowd.
’This guy is incredible.’ Little John watched the man’s beast-like movements, secretly amazed. ’Black Lion City is full of all sorts of people.’
He was certain he couldn’t defeat this person. Even with his "Eye Superpower," he wouldn’t be able to win.
’I need to finish eating quickly and head back to Yangjiao Town immediately.’ Little John turned, went back into the tavern, and returned to his seat. ’I paid for this. Can’t let it go to waste.’
He speared another piece of roasted meat and began to chew on it heartily.
...
"Your Lordship, is this the place?" The Knight Order’s commander drew his Longsword and asked Count Valentine, who was beside him.
"Yes. The Soul Guide indicates it’s inside." Valentine looked at a blue Crystal Stone in his hand. Within the stone, a white light pointed toward the passage ahead.
"It might be dangerous inside. Please stand behind us." The commander glanced at the passage and gravely advised the Count.
In the Fran Kingdom, Adventurers often form permanent mutual aid organizations. They start as fixed squads, and once they gain a certain level of strength, they register with the Adventurer Association, calling themselves a Brotherhood or a mutual aid society. Generally, members of a Brotherhood are required to be at the Black Iron Level or higher. When their strength increases further, they register with the Kingdom’s administrative body and officially change their name to a Knight Order.
These Knight Orders have a few Black Iron members, but they are primarily composed of those at the Bronze Level, with a few rare Silver Level members. They are usually employed long-term by Great Nobles or large merchant guilds. During times of war, these Knight Orders are also directly conscripted or hired by the Kingdom.
The Knight Order present now was one long employed by the Valentine Clan, mainly responsible for handling dangerous matters. Their name was the Black Lion Knight Order.
"Everyone, get ready. Don’t let your guard down." The commander struck a Shield with his Longsword and ordered his men loudly.
The order’s members nodded calmly and drew their weapons. Today’s battle should be an easy one. If the grieving Count Valentine weren’t right beside them, they would even be chatting and laughing about someone’s exploits with a Beautiful Person from the Red Light District, or about who had lost how much gambling.
"Follow me in!" the commander shouted, taking the lead as he walked into the underground stone chamber.
The stone chamber was pitch-black, completely devoid of light. Someone immediately used a Light Technique, instantly illuminating the surroundings.
"There are several bodies on the ground," someone called out.
"Approach slowly. See if the Young Master is among them," the commander ordered. At the same time, he had his men protect Count Valentine in the center of their formation.
The stone chamber was vast, covered in white spiderwebs. The ground was also scattered with many translucent objects that looked like insect wings.
"Commander, I hear something," one of the members reported. He sensed a multitude of malevolent auras around them.
Just as the Knight Order’s commander was about to order everyone to be on high alert, a member was suddenly pulled down by the webs at his feet, falling to the ground.
But he immediately swung his sword in a horizontal slash. SCREECH! A sharp cry rang out as he severed the two front legs of a Giant Spider in front of him.
Following the screech, a skittering sound arose from all around. SKITTER SKITTER SKITTER.
The members of the Knight Order were shocked to find huge, black spiders endlessly swarming toward them. Their massive size and sheer numbers immediately threw the knights into a difficult battle.
However, for the members of the Knight Order, who were well-trained and possessed refined equipment, this was not an insurmountable challenge. They quickly adjusted their tactics, changed formation, and barely managed to hold off the spiders’ assault.
"Don’t break formation! They’re easy to handle." The commander blocked a Giant Spider’s two chelicerae with his Shield, then thrust his sword forward. The spider’s viscous blood drenched him.
"Commander, what’s that sound?" a member shouted. The others around also heard a BUZZZZZ sound.
They glanced to the side, distracted, and were so shocked they almost forgot to swing their swords.
A dozen Giant Burrow Bees were flapping their wings near the ceiling of the chamber. From the distant, dim walls, even more Giant Bees were pouring out.
These Giant Bees immediately joined the fight. Moreover, the two predator species, which should have been fighting each other, tacitly agreed to target the "short" humans before them.
"Everyone, hold your ground!" the commander of the Black Lion Knight Order shouted to his men. At the same time, he had no choice but to arrange for some men to escort Count Valentine out of the underground stone chamber. But by now, even the entrance was swarmed with Giant Spiders.
The battle quickly descended into a stalemate, and casualties began to appear.
...
"Leader, they’re all fighting in there now," Lame Leg softly reported what his "Big Treasure" had seen.
"Mm," Shire nodded. He was currently holding a telescope, watching the entrance to the stone chamber from behind a tree.
Earlier, as soon as Valentine and his men arrived in Yangjiao Town, Mary had immediately sent an intelligence report. She hadn’t even needed to wait on the street for them. The moment they arrived, they bought a batch of potions and also sent men to drag all the Adventurers from the Ear-Cleaning Master Tavern to the town’s administrative hall for questioning, throwing the whole town into chaos.
So, after receiving news that the party had left town, Shire had immediately gone to the Ant Queen and instructed her not to send out any Worker Ants or Soldier Ants, to prevent them from being spotted by the Knight Order.
The plan was proceeding smoothly. Just as expected, they had rushed into the "dining hall."
In the past few days, Shire had discovered that the Giant Bees and Giant Spiders seemed to have reached a subtle balance and weren’t fighting much anymore, likely because many of their members had died. But now, the appearance of the Knight Order should be able to rekindle their "enthusiasm."
’It’s mealtime. Go on, eat like you’re getting revenge for me.’ He raised his telescope, his gaze fixed on the entrance.
"Hmm, three people are coming out."