Chapter Fifty-Seven: Teammates Are Meant to Be Sold Out

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Through a series of disguises, Elat managed to slip unnoticed into Brandon Stone City, seizing the opportunity during the city’s guard rotation. Fortunately, though Brandon Stone City belonged to the gray dwarves, mercenaries of various races had always gathered here. Thus, Elat needed only slight alterations to his appearance to blend in without drawing much attention.

Yet, as soon as he entered the city, Elat immediately sensed the tense atmosphere pervading Brandon Stone City. Aside from the gray dwarf warriors with bloodshot eyes, ready to hack down anyone who irritated them, the mercenaries on the city walls gripped their crossbows with vigilance, eyes sharp as they surveyed the surroundings. The entire city seemed to brim with the ominous air of a coming storm.

On any other day, witnessing his enemies in such a state would have secretly delighted Elat. Unfortunately, he could find no joy in it now. He knew well enough that this heightened defense was not aimed at him. That could only mean the rumors of humans entering the Underdark must be true.

But what truly unnerved Elat was the looming black stone tower that stood just outside the city walls.

At this moment, the vampire count observed the interior of Brandon Stone City with care, his narrowed gaze fixed on the distant, towering black spire. He had already learned most of what there was to know about the necromancer from his spies. If the rumors were true, Elat had to admit that this necromancer was an opponent not easily dealt with. If that were the case, Eliss might indeed fall into his hands.

The only solace Elat could cling to was the hope that the necromancer had not turned Eliss into an undead slave. According to his spies, the dark elf who had previously accompanied the necromancer was still very much alive and had not become an undead creature. That meant his daughter should still be unharmed... at least for now.

No wonder Elat was so anxious. As a half-vampire, he’d always been cunning and calculating, but towards his wife and daughter, he was exceptionally devoted. Especially after his wife’s death, he had poured all his care and hopes into Eliss. When disaster befell her this time, Elat was the one who suffered the most. He had only recommended Eliss to lead the patrol squad so she could gain experience and not become a hothouse flower in Onyx Stone City. Sending her out was meant to temper her with real battles, never expecting things would turn out like this.

If he’d known it would come to this, he would have let her grow slowly within the patrol squad instead... Wait—?!

Just then, a graceful silhouette flashed before Elat’s eyes, snapping the distracted vampire count to attention. He stared in shock at the scene ahead—there, not far away, was a girl in a purple robe and sleeping cap. Was that not his beloved daughter, Eliss, whom he missed day and night?

How could this be possible?

Elat rubbed his eyes in disbelief and looked again. There was no mistake—it was Eliss! At that moment, his daughter was walking beside a man garbed as a mage, speaking to him softly. The two of them then turned and entered a tall building nearby. Elat was no stranger to this place—it was the residence of the city’s governor… Wait, what was going on?

Staring in astonishment, Elat furrowed his brow. Naturally, he did not believe his daughter would betray them for the gray dwarves, but what was happening? Who was that man?

Elat, whose tension had just eased a little, now felt his nerves tightening once more. Concealed in the darkness, he fixed his crimson gaze on the entrance to the governor’s mansion, his mind racing with questions.

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Kardek greeted his guests with a warm smile.

"Welcome, Master Mage. I truly did not expect you to honor us with your presence. I must say, I am surprised indeed."

“It’s nothing,” came the cool reply. Wrapped in shadows beneath his robe, Jan maintained his usual air of detached indifference. In truth, he had only come to Brandon Stone City at Kardek’s invitation, supposedly to discuss matters of great importance. Still, even if Kardek had not asked, Jan could guess what this was about.

Sure enough, after a few pleasantries, Kardek’s face split into a beam of enthusiasm as he rubbed his hands together.

"By the way, I forgot to thank you, Master Mage. With your help, we gray dwarves were able to rid ourselves of those troublesome goblins. You did us a great service! At our last celebration, you did not attend. This time, please, allow us to express our gratitude properly..."

Jan said nothing, merely twirling his cane and fixing Kardek with a silent stare. This so-called governor looked more like a merchant than a ruler. In the Underdark, any leader who managed to make a name for themselves was inevitably ruthless and cunning. The notions of reputation and virtue prized on the surface meant nothing here. The only standard for leadership in the Underdark was simple: if you were more devious, stronger, and more merciless than anyone else, then you were free to savor the supreme delights of power.

After delivering his flowery speech, Kardek shifted the conversation.

"Speaking of which... Master Mage, we have encountered a small problem and hope to receive your assistance once more."

“Oh? What sort of problem?”

A glint flashed in Jan’s eyes as he leaned forward to inquire.

"Here's the situation..." Kardek hesitated, as if reluctant to air his city’s dirty laundry. In the end, he sighed and lowered his voice.

"You may recall, during the campaign against the goblins, one of our gray dwarf patrols was attacked by humans. We have investigated thoroughly, and it is clear these humans are up to no good! Their assault on our people was but a prelude—they mean to attack Brandon Stone City and plunder our wealth!"

Kardek clenched his fist and grit his teeth, the very picture of outrage. Jan inwardly laughed; he knew full well for whose benefit Kardek was putting on this show. Jan himself still had no idea what those humans actually wanted, yet Kardek had already decided they were enemies of the dwarves and the city. How amusing.

Still, every performance needs a partner. So Jan merely pushed up his glasses and stared at the governor, wordless.

Sensing Jan’s lack of reaction, Kardek was not surprised. In front of the gray dwarves, Jan was always cold and forceful—exactly why Kardek did not dare provoke him.

But now...

"But what you may not know, Master Mage, is that things are not so simple."

“Oh?” Jan’s eyes narrowed with curiosity. He wondered what story the governor would spin next. Sensing Jan’s interest, Kardek pressed on.

"In fact, these humans have targeted Brandon Stone City for the sake of an ancient and mysterious magical artifact!"

“Is that so?”

"Yes!" Kardek nodded eagerly. "You see, hidden in Brandon Stone City is an artifact from ancient times—the ‘Book of Cain.’ Legend holds that this tome, penned by the great archmage Cain himself, contains powerful ancient spells and incantations. The founders of Brandon Stone City hid it in a secret place, so secret that even I do not know its location..."

He paused, looking up at Jan with innocent eyes, hoping the mage would question him further. But Jan sat as still as a statue, unmoved, which left Kardek feeling somewhat unsatisfied. Nevertheless, he pressed on.

"But my men discovered that these surface dwellers possess the very staff once owned by Archmage Cain. It must have guided them here! If they breach Brandon Stone City, we will all suffer!"

"Are you certain it was that staff which led them here?"

Finally, Jan spoke. He had to admit, Kardek’s tale was creative: knowing Jan was a mage, he had invented a magical tome to pique his interest, then claimed ignorance of its location to avoid responsibility, shifting all blame onto the humans. If Jan coveted the book, he’d just have to drive the humans away!

"I cannot say with absolute certainty, but the reports from my spies make it highly probable," Kardek replied, clenching his fists in anger. "Those devious, cunning humans..."

Heh. What right does a gray dwarf have to call others devious and cunning?

"So, we hope to secure your assistance, Master Mage!"

At last, Kardek got to the heart of the matter.

"You know well, Brandon Stone City lacks spellcasters. Among the humans are mages, and even paladins! We cannot face them alone. We hope you will help us to defeat and destroy these wretched surface invaders. Of course, you will be handsomely rewarded... If you help us thwart their evil ambitions, you shall receive a tenth of Brandon Stone City’s annual revenue as payment!"

A tenth?

At this, Jan raised an eyebrow. He had to admit, Kardek’s offer was tempting—a tenth of the city’s yearly income was no small sum, more than enough to support Jan’s own dungeon. If he didn’t know he’d never actually receive such payment from the gray dwarves, he might even have considered it.

But as things stood… how could a mere tenth compare with the allure of the city’s entire wealth?

With that thought, Jan rose to his feet.

"An excellent proposal, but I would like some time to consider it."

"Of course, Master Mage," Kardek replied, his smile unchanged. "We trust you will make a wise decision."

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