Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Silhouettes Under the Night

That night, as Lolan Hill entertained the Argentilin family, the Tisiphone household was embroiled in heated debate.

“Why didn’t we have the alchemist directly attack and clear out Karithes’ fleet?”

Due to the bombing at the Anemii Chamber of Commerce headquarters, many were killed or injured. Fortunately, Feng had been transferred out in advance; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable if she had stayed at home.

However, Noysis was still dissatisfied. The Tisiphone household clearly had this ace up their sleeve, yet they did not take direct action that very night, allowing the problem to fester.

“Lord Noysis, there were reasons for not taking immediate action that night,” Wick explained beside him.

“Although the organization has arranged for this master to assist us, Master Zanep follows his own principles. Currently, openly interfering with Vergha in Rourna is not feasible. First, the timing is not right, and second, there are still many other experts from Snow Harmony within the city. Acting rashly would provoke their disapproval and resistance, as it would violate the alliance’s covenant that has lasted for centuries.”

“But since the organization has come this far, it is inevitable that the old alliance will be broken,” Noysis dismissed it with disdain.

“We will establish a new order.”

“The former alliance leader, the Windy Kingdom, is currently preoccupied and weak. This is the perfect opportunity for the organization to expand its strength and unify the countries through decisive measures, forging an unbreakable alliance like steel to counter and suppress the Verdant Empire,” Noysis did not approve of the current approach.

“I know Lord Noysis possesses a broad-mindedness and foresight, but others are not as rational and wise as you. It will take some time for the general populace to accept this reality and change,” Edli interjected.

“But you don’t need to rush too much. We’ve received word from the organization that an envoy with official documents will arrive in two days. Moreover, we recently learned an unexpected piece of good news.”

At this point, Edli’s lips curled into a playful smile.

“It might be possible to take both households without shedding blood.”

—

After seeing off the Argentilin family, Lolan Hill sat in her study, penning a letter.

Occasionally, the faint chirping of insects could be heard outside the window, but it was much less than in summer. On the candle stand, half-transparent wax dripped down, forming teardrop-like shapes along the candle body.

The candles burned quietly. Occasionally, the night breeze fluttered the curtains, causing the orange light to sway, casting the silhouette of the young lady onto the bookshelf behind her.

The hair draped over her shoulder was still slightly damp, emitting a faint floral scent. Occasionally, one or two water droplets would slide down along the strands, dripping onto her dress and the desk.

Lolan Hill was writing a letter to Ceres of the Southern Islands, informing him of recent developments and tasks that needed to be done. After finishing, she thought for a moment and then placed Angus’ last will into the envelope with the letter.

She then rolled up the envelope and placed it inside a bamboo tube, sealing it after closing the lid. Picking up a silver spoon, she took out several purple wax blocks from a box and placed them in the spoon.

Holding the spoon over the candle flame, the wax gradually melted, releasing a faint pine fragrance.

Lolan Hill poured the melted wax over the lid of the bamboo tube, filling the surface and edges to seal the gap between the lid and the mouth of the tube. Then, she picked up a metal stamp specifically used by the head of the merchant family and pressed it firmly onto the wax. She let it cool and solidify before removing the stamp.

Finally, a beautiful nightshade flower pattern formed on the sealed end, colored like violet. She handed the bamboo tube to the waiting蓑羽鹰 (蓑羽鹰 is a type of bird) on the windowsill. This creature had grown stronger and now possessed Sequence 2 strength, making it suitable for delivering important and distant messages.

After securing the bamboo tube, she fed this gluttonous creature a Primordial Gem as payment. It chirped happily and then flew off into the distant sky under the moonlight.

Putting aside her previous worries, Lolan Hill prepared to go to sleep. However, she heard a commotion coming from the entrance of the merchant guild not far away.

She stomped her foot slightly, annoyed that her hearing was so good, preventing her from sneaking away to sleep.

Listening to the intermittent pleas outside, Lolan Hill sighed and decided to go downstairs to see what was happening.

Outside the heavily guarded gates of the merchant guild, there were about seven or eight people kneeling and pleading for help.

“Please, save us,” they begged.

“The executioners from the Nisos family are searching for us all over the streets.”

“They want to take their anger out on us.”

“Kind-hearted Lady Lacy, please save these miserable souls.”

These people had injuries and dirt on them, suggesting they had been hiding and fleeing before reaching here.

The guards from the Carites family seemed impatient. Although these people were pitiful, their origins were unknown, and this was a tense and critical moment. They would not let anyone in out of compassion.

Moreover, could they just see Lady Lacy whenever they wanted? Lady Lacy was the only pillar of support for the Carites family. He dared not disturb her over such trivial matters.

They decided to rest.

“Perhaps you should leave. Although we are currently at odds with the Nisos family, they would not let you in unless…”

“Unless I permit it?”

Lolan Hill’s figure appeared at the entrance. Her light voice echoed in the night.

“My lady, I apologize for disturbing you,” several guards nearby quickly bowed, their responses tinged with anxiety.

“It’s nothing. Let me ask these people,” she replied.

Lolan Hill observed them before waving her pure white sleeve, signaling the guards to temporarily open the iron gate and allow them to enter for a conversation.

As the few individuals followed the young lady to a well-lit area, they finally had a clear look at the young mistress of the Calites family.

Though the pure white dress was beautiful, it seemed somewhat thin in the autumn night. Her golden hair shimmered under the firelight, and her face, as described in rumors, was both peerless and dreamlike. Her pale blue eyes were transparent like crystal and as clear as the sky.

“Now, could you tell me about your experiences?” she asked.

Following this, some guards brought chairs for them to sit and recount their stories, while Lolan Hill sat behind a small round table. On the table were teapots and cups that the maids had just heated.

“We are among the leaders who protested against the Nisos family some time ago,” one of them introduced themselves.

“But after that night, Grete went missing, and we were pursued by the Nisos family. Several of our companions were tortured by Nisos’ thugs.”

“However, it is said that an important thug and underling of the Nisos family all died, and those who betrayed us after receiving money from the Nisos family also disappeared.”

“Fentleton believes this is someone deliberately challenging the dignity of the Nisos family, so he has started sending people to pursue us again, those who participated previously.”

“He suspects it was us because we have a strong motive.”

“Although we didn’t do it, I must say, those beasts deserved to die!” one of them responded with agitation.

“But now, with the three merchant guilds sealing the city gates, we have nowhere to run and can only seek help from you or the Helius family.”

After these individuals finished explaining, they turned to Lacy for help.

“But what benefit would rescuing you bring to my Calites family? Furthermore, how can we be sure you are telling the truth, and not assassins who have sneaked in?”

Before Lolan Hill could speak, the cold voice of the head maid came from behind.

Thank you to Orange Chocolate and Little Mushroom Person, Tixi Eastern, xFrostyFeetx for your generous contributions~

(End of Chapter)