Chapter 16 - Actually, I Have a Cheat Too

Translator's Note:

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Captain Locke Takes the Bait

 

 

Rex retrieved two swords from his storage ring, one of which Carlos had used the night he tried to kill him, still marked with dried blood.

 

At the time, Ge Yan hadn't known why he'd kept it, but now he understood it was for this exact moment.

 

He tossed Carlos's sword near the forest entrance, letting the tall grass partially conceal it. The second sword, which belonged to Ariel, was still clean, scabbard and all, as Ariel hadn't even had the chance to draw it. But leaving it in pristine condition wouldn't fit the scene Rex wanted to stage, so he smeared a bit of dirt on it and tossed it nearby, crafting the illusion that something had happened but they might still be alive.

 

Watching Rex finish his work, Ge Yan counted the swords and found only two. Three young noblemen had died, all of them swordsmen. So what had Rex planned for the third sword?

 

An hour later, someone spotted Carlos's sword in the grass, its hilt engraved with the emblem of the Strych Family—Carlos's noble lineage.

 

The Strych Family was one of the prestigious clans of the Arslanka Empire, well known even in a border town like Tris. Combined with the recent bounty posted by the Black Wolf Mercenary Corps, the swords soon made their way to Captain Locke.

 

The bloodstains seemed to repeatedly emphasize to Captain Locke that Carlos and his friends had met a grim fate. Alarmed, he dared not wait and demanded to be taken to the spot where the swords had been found. There, they encountered several "eyewitnesses" who claimed to have seen numerous magic beast corpses and bloodstains near the entrance that night, along with scraps of torn clothing—a gruesome scene.

 

Commander Locke's expression darkened. He could already imagine the fury awaiting him once news reached Carlos's family and the other nobles—and he'd surely be dragged down as well.

 

"Captain, don't worry. We still have a chance to redeem ourselves."

 

The one who spoke was Marvin, Locke's trusted lieutenant, unlike his deputy, who was always eyeing Locke's position. Locke immediately grasped Marvin's meaning.

 

"You're talking about the Sacred Beast?"

 

"Precisely. If we can capture the Sacred Beast, the Duke may still reward your achievement and spare you some blame. Besides, we found only Carlos and Ariel's swords—there's a chance they may still be alive. If we locate Cecil and Jimmy, we might learn what happened that night."

 

Captain Locke found the reasoning sound and immediately ordered a search for Sein and Jimmy. Meanwhile, he took the rest of his men to hunt the Sacred Beast. Finding it mattered more than locating the others, for even if they were found, he could hardly escape responsibility. Only by capturing the Sacred Beast could he secure his position.

 

After a day and night of relentless travel, Ge Yan and Rex finally reached the vicinity of Moonlight Ridge. Along the way, they'd encountered several high-level magic beasts, but thanks to Rex's skill, they managed to survive the journey.

 

Speaking of Moonlight Ridge, it was home to the Gale Demon Wolves, rare, formidable Level-Seven beasts that typically resided only in the forest's depths. Meeting such a creature near Tasha Forest's outskirts had been like winning an unfortunate lottery.

 

Intent on completing the scene they'd staged, they had traveled this far.

 

Rex threw Cecil and Jimmy's swords into Moonlight Ridge, leaving more clues before they moved toward their next destination: Darkwind Ridge. The vast ridge divided Tasha Forest into northern and southern halves, and it was a hub for high-level magic beasts, including those of legend. This was the last known location of the Sacred Beast they sought.

 

Breathless, Ge Yan lagged behind, his barely recovered body worsened by the lack of rest. Pain flared in his chest, a sharp, stabbing sensation. Unable to continue, he leaned against a nearby tree, his forehead damp with cold sweat, his face pale as a sheet.

 

Noticing the silence behind him, Rex turned back to find him slumped there, his face drawn with pain. His otherwise impassive features creased for a moment before he turned and approached.

 

"My wound is acting up… I need a break. You can go on ahead if you like." Ge Yan assumed Rex was there to urge him on, not realizing how his suggestion might sound. If Rex still distrusted him, this attempt to send him away might only invite suspicion, erasing any trust he'd built so far.

 

Rex studied his face, his gaze sharp and focused. This man had held out longer than Rex expected; he'd thought Ge Yan would have faltered well before now.

 

Under normal circumstances, Ge Yan would have noticed Rex's scrutiny, but he was too distracted by the pain.

 

A soft, platinum light appeared in Rex's hand, sinking into Ge Yan's chest. Just as before, the pain slowly faded. By the time he realized, his internal injuries had completely healed.

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