Chapter 108

Chapter 108 The Grieving Person

Hope Lane, the Anemilya family.

The small castle made of white stone bricks was built halfway up the hill. The long walls surrounded the land, and inside it resembled a park with dense tree canopies and blooming flowers everywhere. Even in autumn, the courtyard wasn’t cold because of the geothermal heat circulation underground.

The ancestors of the Anemilya family were fond of flowers and had spent a large sum hiring alchemists to excavate geothermal pipes. The water flowing underground and returning to the surface brought some heat, ensuring a certain temperature even during the coldest winter months.

Inside the elegant building on the hill, the lights were brightly lit.

Winds wore a bright yellow dress and walked through the corridor where guards were stationed. She knocked on a door and soon it opened, revealing a lively scene inside. Dozens of high-ranking members of the merchant guild sat in a small hall, with Head of the Family Noises sitting at the head.

Noises was only in his early forties and in the prime of his life. He handled the affairs of the merchant guild well on a daily basis. If not for the recent Westwind civil unrest, the Anemilya family would have been thriving these years, which led to Winds’ carefree personality. After all, her father had taken care of everything, leaving her no need to worry.

“Father, I’m here.” Winds curtsied and then entered the hall with some curiosity, sitting down in the chair at the lower end.

“Lord Noises, the Nisoss family has fully mobilized. Lord Fenerton has also deployed personnel as agreed to the eastern districts and sealed off the East Gate of Hope Lane.”

“Very good. How is Tisiphone?”

“Tisiphone has also sent people to control the North Gate. The northern districts are mostly workshops and slums, so they will use stronger methods there.”

Winds was confused hearing this. What were they doing? Why seal the city gates? And when did their family become so close with the Nisoss and Tisiphone families?

Just as she was about to ask, Noises spoke. He had short crimson hair, and his dark brown eyes shone brightly under the candlelight.

“Adding to that, we have sealed the West Gate of Hope Lane and the patrol teams from the three families on the city wall, now the only exit from Hope Lane is the southern dock.”

“Yes, my lord. There aren’t many ships at the dock, and few are large ones. Even if someone leaves by boat, not many people can depart,” a guard in armor responded.

“But why don’t we seal the dock as well?” a steward asked puzzled.

“No need,” Noises shook his head.

“Our ultimate goal is to control Hope Lane. Those who do not comply and are strong enough,

A few people could just leave by ship.

This could also reduce bloodshed and conflict. After all, we still need to develop with Hope Lane as our base for the long term, so we can’t go too far.

“Your Excellency is wise.” The几位管事 present began to flatter again. After the initial tension subsided, the crowd in the small hall relaxed slightly.

“Father.” Wind finally waited for a moment of free time and asked.

“Can you tell me what happened?” Her long, light red hair fell over her exquisite dress, the ends curling in spirals, giving her an overall look of noble elegance.

Nois looked lovingly at Wind and then explained the situation, as well as their current alliance with Tisiphone and Nisos.

“Tisiphone?” Wind frowned.

Recently, Nois had invited Edri several times, and Edri had changed a lot compared to before. He even showed off his cooking skills, which made Wind’s perception of him change quite a bit.

But today’s events made her start to feel disgusted again. Does Tisiphone really enjoy plotting? The little bit of goodwill that was beginning to grow was completely gone.

“What about the Kallithea and Helios families?” Wind asked further.

Nois did not answer immediately; instead, one of the senior executives of the merchant guild answered Wind’s question.

“If they are willing to cooperate and do not resist, we will not make things difficult for them.”

“But if they are unwilling?” Wind was a bit worried about her friend, Mereu.

“In that case, it won’t be up to them.” A captain of the guards responded in a low voice.

“Wind, are you worried about Mereu?” Nois looked at his only daughter.

“Yes, a little.” Wind nodded, looking at her father pleadingly.

She and Mereu had been playing together since childhood, although they often quarreled, their relationship was actually very good.

“I know, that’s why I instructed them not to harm Miss Mereu. After everything is settled, we can send Mereu to live in another country and ensure she lives comfortably. How does that sound?”

“Thank you, Father~”

Wind breathed a sigh of relief, putting aside her worries. Her father had never let her down before; whatever he promised, he would surely fulfill. As for the other matters discussed later, she didn’t pay much attention to them.

Unlike Mereu, who had always borne the burden of the family from a young age, Wind’s growth had been relatively smooth, with no significant setbacks. The indulgent and leisurely life she led gave her plenty of time to pursue her personal interests, and she naturally possessed a kind of confidence and pride.

Like a flower blooming, like a gem shining brightly.

Throughout the former metropolis of Vergha,

Within the Guild, she was also a highly renowned young lady, pursued by many successors of merchant guilds, her reputation spreading far and wide, becoming a natural spokesperson for her family’s jewelry.

—

Narcissus Street, ‘Lake Shield’ Alchemy Workshop.

In the dark, dripping basement, a young apprentice was tied to a pillar. The dim blue alchemical lights illuminated the bloody laboratory, his mouth stuffed with a piece of cloth, allowing him to only make simple muffled sounds.

The alchemy master Zanep, who had previously conversed with Lolan希尔, stood in the laboratory. He was quietly standing before a massive gray golem, watching its thick, towering body slowly move. The golem’s eyes flickered with blue light as he excitedly shouted:

“Finally, I finally succeeded, hahaha, hahaha.”

The eerie, crazed voice echoed continuously in the dark underground. Then, with his left hand loosening, a bloodied head rolled to the ground. This fresh head belonged to one of the previous shopkeepers, who was also his own apprentice.

The deceased head had wide, uncomprehending and terrified eyes.

Seeing this scene, the young man bound beside him struggled even more violently.

But the alchemist facing away from him did not pay attention to such trivial matters. He slowly walked forward, gently stroking the hard gray golem, as if it were his most beloved lover.

“They all looked down on me back then. I originally thought we were all good friends, until that day when I realized they truly despised me, just holding their tongues out of face-saving.”

“I was so foolish, so foolish. Their families were hundreds of times better off than mine. After playing with them for so long, I really believed we were friends.”

“It was I who didn’t deserve it, following behind them like a clown.”

“But I must prove myself, even if I am expelled from the academy and cannot graduate smoothly, I will still prove myself. In the end, it is you who are wrong.”

“And I am right.”

“The secrets of the Mercury Dynasty unearthed from the ruins back then will surely spark a new revolution. This new type of golem will sweep everything away.”

“And I must teach those people a lesson!”

“On what grounds, on what grounds, they humiliated me so much back then, reducing me to such a lowly and despicable state, sob sob sob.”

He spoke while crying, tears streaming down his face, as if he were venting the frustrations, grievances, and hatred he had harbored for years.

The gray golem standing quietly in front of him glowed with radiant patterns flowing across its body, starting from its chest and spreading outward, covering its entire form until it finally illuminated a set of golden swords behind it.

—

Thank you, Scarlet Snow Moon, for your support.

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(End of Chapter)