Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Seeing that no one seemed to object, Isadel nodded to the clerk and followed his lead to sit at a table.

Pastries were already set out on the table. Pelan picked up a small piece of red velvet cake, savoring the exquisite dessert.

Just then, a voice suddenly called out from among the adventurers: "Miss, I'll pay a thousand gold coins for information related to the golems!"

Pelan: ?

Did he hear that right? A thousand gold coins just for a piece of information?

This voice instantly cut through the surrounding noise, reaching the ears of every adventurer present.

Isadel, already the center of attention, now became the focal point for the entire crowd.

Curious, Pelan looked up to see a man dressed as a mage pushing through the crowd and bowing to Isadel with a smile.

This man looked very familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before... Pelan's gaze shifted past him, landing on the girl in white-gold mage robes standing not far behind him, along with several other warriors who also seemed somewhat familiar. After a moment's thought, he recognized the man.

The man noticed him at the same time.

"Your... Excellency?"

Fred blurted out in surprise, catching himself mid-word as he realized the setting was inappropriate.

He never expected to see him in Kaiva City, and even more so, he couldn't believe the esteemed Mage Saint had joined an adventurer party!

No wonder this previously unknown adventurer team was the first to complete the golem hunting mission. With a Magic Saint on the team, the entire process must have been very smooth.

Pelan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, then ignored them, focusing on enjoying the dessert on his plate.

"You know each other?" Isadel didn't hide her curiosity, as Pelan almost never left Sade Town and certainly wouldn't actively befriend people from the Church of Light.

Fred glanced at Pelan and, seeing no objection, replied briefly, "You could say we're acquainted."

Isadel didn't press further. She didn't give a direct answer regarding the transaction, simply stating, "I need to discuss the golem matter with my teammates. I'll give you an answer after tonight's events conclude."

Her words immediately made those around them who wanted to inquire think twice.

They weren't like this noble scion, with money to burn. Since someone was already willing to pay such a high price, as long as the other party wasn't foolish, they wouldn't easily share the golem information with others.

Information known to everyone loses its value.

Pelan breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Fred was clever. Right now, they were like a pile of tempting gold coins; the way these adventurers looked at them was like starving people seeing a lavish feast.

Suddenly, he once again felt a malicious gaze, the same one he had sensed when he first entered the hall.

This gaze, mixed among so many others, still carried a distinct sense of malice and venom that made him uncomfortable.

"No need for discussion." A voice brimming with arrogance immediately rang out, accompanied by the sound of a chair scraping.

An exquisitely dressed young noble stepped to the front of the crowd, his gaze settling on Isadel. He chuckled and said, "Isadel, don't you know that tonight, the five major forces, including the Church, will announce a joint conscription order to resist the Golem Legion of the Anbesal Empire?"

Even the Church of Light, which had always maintained a neutral stance, was getting involved?

Had they already discovered traces of Secret Cult members within the Golem Legion?

Field's gaze swept coldly over Pelan and Lou Guanyue as he spoke in a condescending tone, "This is a joint conscription order issued by the five major forces. Countless mages and warriors have already received the mission and are on their way to Kaiva City. The matter of the flesh golems concerns the safety of the Hoplar Kingdom. If you know what's good for you, you should just share the golem intelligence."

Isadel frowned slightly. Her father hadn't mentioned anything about the five major forces interfering in the war between the two kingdoms. It seemed this decision had been made hastily.

She didn't immediately respond to Field's question. Instead, she nodded to Pelan and the others, then smiled at the nearby clerk, "Could you find me a quiet room? I have something very important to discuss with Mr. Corker."

The clerk was momentarily stunned. Corker was the branch head of the Kaiva City Mercenary Guild. How did this beautiful young lady know him?

Despite the many questions surfacing in his mind, the clerk didn't refuse Isadel's request. He replied politely, "Of course, please follow me."

Seeing Isadel ignore him, Field snorted lightly, "Go ahead and verify it. This is a warning from multiple diviners' prophecies. Our God will also deliver a divine oracle. Allowing the Anbesal Empire's puppet legion to attack the Hoplar Kingdom will have disastrous consequences. It must be strictly controlled."

"Hmph, it won't be long before the Church sends people to investigate your adventurer team. After all, being able to hunt down lone golems at a time like this is itself an incredible feat... Without a reasonable explanation, you might even be branded as spies for the Anbesal Empire! It would be better to tell everyone the information related to the golems in advance to prove your innocence!"

Isadel still didn't spare him another glance, quickly leaving the first-floor hall.

Field's voice carried obvious anger and resentment. He turned, pointing at Lou Guanyue and Pelan, "And you two! I look forward to seeing you beg for mercy on your knees!"

Lou Guanyue, who had remained silent and observant since arriving at the Mercenary Guild, glanced at Field indifferently, "If you don't need that hand, I can help you cut it off."

Field shuddered violently, quickly retracting his hand and taking two hurried steps back to his original position.

After listening quietly, Pelan thoughtfully whispered to Lou Guanyue, "The Church of Light is actually interfering in the war this time. Could it be related to 'Him'?"

This 'Him' referred to the suspected deity behind the Secret Cult.

Instead of answering, Lou Guanyue asked in return, "Teacher, are you planning to... leave Kaiva City?"

Kaiva City would soon become a key battleground. At such a time, the Church would certainly conduct strict searches for heretics within the city. Every extra day spent here increased the risk of identity exposure. What if the Church still had magical artifacts like Arnold's monocle? That would be troublesome!

Pelan was already worried about this. Hesitating for a few seconds, he said, "Yes, we'll leave after tonight."

"No!" Sipo, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, immediately blurted out. Realizing both were looking at him, he coughed twice and replied very seriously,

"Pelan, you can't leave this early! Remember the prophecy I made for you? This war is very important to you! The key to your success is hidden here. Don't you want to become the greatest... mage anymore?"

Pelan pressed his lips together tightly, saying nothing.

Sipo continued, "How can you achieve great things without taking any risks? Or do you not trust my prophecy?"

I really don't trust your divination much, since nine out of ten times it hasn't come true accurately... Pelan silently grumbled to himself.

"Don't worry, you have me and Izavel! Even if your identity is discovered, if we can't win, can't we at least escape without a problem?" Sipo patted his shoulder. "Izavel's Time Magic is very powerful. He'll definitely be able to buy you enough time to cast Spatial Magic and escape!"

Izavel: ...

Pelan: ...

He sincerely hoped he wouldn't need to rely on Izavel's Time Magic.

Pelan sighed inwardly, then heard his student say with great anticipation, "Good, I'd really like to see a deity other than the God of Light."

Sipo instinctively replied, "Haven't you already seen one?"

Only after saying this did he belatedly realize that Lou Guanyue meant this war might involve the level of deities?

Before he could ask more, heavy, orderly footsteps echoed from the corridor inside the guild. The previously noisy hall fell silent as all eyes focused on the heavy wooden door slowly opening.

Several knights clad in golden armor entered the hall first. They held halberds, their sharp eyes sweeping the surroundings. Following them, a man in the white robes of a clergyman walked out. Beside him was a tall, upright middle-aged man with a resolute face, graying temples, and a badge on his chest symbolizing a high-ranking manager of the Mercenary Guild.

Someone exclaimed, "Knights of Light! And President Corker!"

Pelan gave a slight blink. What was with running into so many "old faces" tonight?

The clergyman from the Church was actually Stevie, whom he and Yue had shaken down for a good chunk of change back then.

Stevie hadn't noticed them. He stood with President Corker on a makeshift low platform, his eyes sweeping over the crowd before launching into the night's important announcement.

Corker's voice was booming and steady, clearly carrying throughout the hall. "Adventurers, we've called you all here because we face a serious and immediate threat!"

He didn't mince words, stating directly, "According to intelligence we have just received, the mage corps and cavalry units of our enemy, the Anbesal Empire, have arrived at the northern battlefield. Furthermore, they have successfully infiltrated a large-scale Golem Legion into the area behind our fortress through a secret route! The purpose of this legion is to deliver a deadly blow from the rear during our frontal confrontation, destroying Kaiva City's defenses!"

"At that point, not only will Kaiva City Fortress fall, but the entire northern defense line will collapse. The flames of war will burn directly into the heart of the Kingdom!"

The hall erupted into an uproar. A Golem Legion had already infiltrated behind Kaiva City! Naturally, in a war between two nations, the Anbesal Empire wouldn't just send a few golems!

Corker's sharp gaze swept over the shocked and angry faces. He raised a hand to quell the commotion and continued in a grave tone, "We can't afford to wait any longer. We must locate the hiding place of the golem army and destroy them before they are fully prepared!"

His voice suddenly rose, his expression resolute. "Therefore, the Church of Light, the Mage Association, the Warrior Association, the Rhine Guild, and the Mercenary Guild jointly issue the highest-level emergency conscription order. All for the fortress, for the Kingdom—"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The whole structure shuddered violently. Craters were smashed into the ground, glass shattered in the nearby streets, the earth seemed to tremble, and everyone was stunned.

A large hole had somehow appeared in the ceiling of the Mercenary Guild. A sun-bright sphere of light pierced through the roofs of three floors and was about to crash onto the low platform.

Following it were countless fire-wreathed balls of light, raining down from the night sky like droplets.

Pelan squinted, making out countless dark flesh golems blending into the night, their presence only betrayed by the faint glimmers of magic they cast.

Lou Guanyue curled the corner of his lips. "It seems we don't need to go looking for the Golem Legion's location anymore."

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Author's Note: Mini Theater:

Sipo: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If we can't win, can't we at least run? Don't worry, be brave and go for it, young man!

Lou Guanyue: Looking forward to stirring up trouble.