Chapter 355, The Evil Sword
The Guild was already investigating the reason behind Wu Heng's suspension and the false accusations.
Today, he was ambushed.
Both Imiro and Moya instantly thought of a carefully planned conspiracy.
Imiro put the documents aside, "How can you be sure it was 'Keramu'? Have you met him before?"
Wu Heng shook his head and replied directly, "Yesterday, when I was chatting with Deputy Steward Sheila Grey, she mentioned that 'Keramu' had landed on the island, and she described his characteristics. He has previously killed a deputy steward and went unpunished."
"Tell me the whole story in detail," Imiro said bluntly.
Wu Heng took a deep breath and described the battle's location and outcome in detail.
Honestly, there wasn't much to say.
He returned from the Guild, was followed the entire way, and a fight broke out.
But when Wu Heng mentioned that the opponent had escaped severely wounded.
Imiro's expression showed slight disbelief.
"You seriously injured him, and then he escaped into the crowd?"
"Yes, his movements were quick, and there were too many people around, I couldn't kill him," Wu Heng explained.
Imiro's eyes showed even more surprise.
Keramu, who had killed a deputy steward and never appeared on a wanted list, had gained quite a reputation outside.
No one below the fifth tier had ever survived being targeted by him.
Yet Wu Heng, a newly assigned deputy steward, didn't just escape but drove him away.
Almost killed him on the spot.
If it were anyone else, Imiro might have thought it was just about saving face, but Wu Heng had numerous records of killing fourth-tier professionals.
Such strength had already surpassed the scope of a deputy steward.
From his words, there was no reason to doubt its truth.
Imiro nodded and said, "Moya, issue a wanted notice for 'Keramu', and notify the port to conduct checks on Keramu, ensure he doesn't leave the island."
"Yes, Steward!" Moya nodded, filled out a form, and immediately left.
It was evident that Imiro was also infuriated.
Coming from afar to kill a deputy steward, what a reckless person.
Imiro continued, "It seems they framed you and got you suspended to set up this assassination."
Wu Heng nodded, "There's no other explanation."
"Hmm, Sheila Grey will continue investigating, regardless of whether she finds the culprit or not. Once we catch 'Keramu' and interrogate his corpse, I'll reinstate you," Imiro said decisively.
"Thank you, Steward!" Wu Heng thought for a moment and then added, "Steward, during the battle, I managed to get a piece of his clothing, there's a high chance we can track him."
Imiro understood his intention.
"Try it, I'll go with you."
"Alright."
Wu Heng took out the [Tracking Pendant] from his spatial ring and retrieved the torn sleeve from Keramu.
He dripped a drop of fresh blood onto the pendant and brought the cloth closer.
The skull on the pendant started moving, biting off a piece of cloth and began to chew.
Then, a ghostly blue wisp flew out of the skull, struggling towards a direction.
"Steward, it's effective!" Wu Heng looked up.
Imiro stood up and donned his leather armor, "Go prepare a carriage."
"Yes!"
...
In a private room at a tavern.
Keramu, covered with a heavy cloak, barged in.
His face was pale, and a faint bloody smell lingered on his body.
The gunshot wound had nearly severed a limb, and the negative effects of necromancy had caused the wound to become infected and fester, weakening the healing potion's effects.
The captain inside the room jumped up at the sight of him, "What happened?"
Keramu glared at him angrily, "Did you dare deceive me?"
Feeling the killing intent, the captain's expression changed, "What do you mean?"
"That kid is a high-level professional." Keramu growled, taking a step forward with his sword.
The captain recoiled in terror and quickly explained, "What good would it do me to deceive you? If you were killed by him, the Guild would investigate me too. Why would I risk implicating myself?"
Keramu still stared at him coldly, not saying a word.
The captain hesitated and asked, "You mean, his level is high?"
Keramu said, "He has strength comparable to mine. How could he be a novice who changed classes less than a year ago? Either you set me up, or the one who sold you the intel deceived you."
The captain's eyes widened.
He kept recalling the information he had gathered.
Then, he argued back, "Impossible, I got the intel from reports sent back by the Secret Cult across regions. I knew where he was at every point in time... How could it be wrong!"
"Hmph! Go back and check for yourself. Prepare a ship for me to leave the island, if the Guild catches me, you won't escape either."
Seeing his expression, the captain no longer tried to persuade him, "Here is today's ship ticket and the reward I promised you, not a penny less, but I hope you won't disclose this incident. Go somewhere far."
Keramu took the money and said coldly, "If I find out you deceived me, I'll come back for you."
With that, he turned and left.
The captain stood there, his face dark.
...
At the port.
This place remained the busiest area on the island, with ships of all sizes docked, workers carrying various goods.
Keramu adjusted his hood and walked quickly towards the dock indicated on his ticket.
Just as he stepped onto the boarding ramp.
Keramu's expression suddenly changed, turning to look behind him.
He saw a Guild carriage slowly stopping on the road outside the port, two figures got off one after another.
Besides Wu Heng in his mage's robe, there was also the golden-haired, magnificently armored elven steward.
"That's Steward Imiro!"
"Why is he at the port? Is there another wanted criminal?"
"He's really good-looking..."
"Bro, you're a man, saying that is a bit weird!"
"Gender doesn't hinder true feelings."
...
On the boarding ramp.
Keramu watched the two approaching, his expression grim, his eyes filled with terror and regret. He cleared his throat and said, "Are you a child? Can't beat me so you called for backup?"
Wu Heng replied, "Scared? What happened to all your bravado just now?"
Keramu looked at Imiro and said, "Steward Imiro, Wu Heng is suspended. This is just a small dispute between us, according to Guild regulations, you have no reason to take action against me."
Imiro remained calm, "The Guild has issued a wanted notice for you, come with me to undergo an investigation."
Keramu looked down at the port, then glanced at the nearby sea, "There are too many people here. If you make a move, aren't you afraid of affecting the bystanders?"
"You can try!"
Keramu's face stiffened, and he immediately turned and ran towards the ship.
Below the ship, Imiro suddenly drew a golden longsword and swung it in Keramu's fleeing direction.
Several crescent moon-like blades of light flew towards Keramu instantly.
Before he could cast a skill, they struck him, bursting into a shower of blood.
Then, Imiro swung a second time.
The fallen body was decapitated!
Dead?
Wu Heng watched in shock, eyes wide.
He had called Imiro to prevent the opponent from escaping, not expecting him to be killed so easily.
He had even drawn his gun, but didn't get a chance to claim the kill.
...
"Collect the body, let's return to the Guild," Imiro said, walking towards the carriage.
"Okay." Wu Heng quickly boarded the ship and kicked the severed head back.
He rummaged through the body, taking a rapier and a spatial ring.
As for the armor, it had already been destroyed by the sword light.
Wu Heng's gaze fell on the slender single-edged sword.
[Mist Condensing Evil Sword (Curiosity)]
[Category: Curiosity]
[Effect: When in contact with mist, appear instantly behind the target.]
[Side Effect: Affects the wielder's mind.]
(Description: An evil sword passed down through generations. Each owner has died tragically by it.)
"Thought it was teleportation, turns out it was the sword's ability."
Before, in the mist, Keramu was able to teleport behind him, Wu Heng thought it was a skill.
Now it seemed it was entirely the sword's ability.
As for Keramu, his skills were mostly about practical combat.
Wu Heng approached the body, removed the scabbard from the waist, and sheathed the evil sword.
Taking out a straw mat, he rolled the body and stored it in his spatial ring.
Then, holding his spoils of war, he boarded the carriage.
...
Lighthouse Street.
Sheila Grey led her squad.
Still searching through taverns and shops on Lighthouse Street.
The squad members knocked on guest room doors, asking for names, professions, and the number of people traveling together.
The tavern owner stood beside Sheila Grey, whispering, "Deputy Steward, how could there be criminals in such a small place like ours? It must be that place across the street jealous of our good business, slandering us."
Sheila Grey remained silent, one hand resting on her sword hilt, guarding the stairs.
Knock, knock, knock~!
This time, the door to the innermost room remained unopened.
Two squad members approached, "Deputy Steward, no one is opening the door inside."
Sheila Grey looked at the chattering innkeeper and asked, "Is there a guest inside?"
"Yes, he just ordered dinner, how could he not be here now!" He knocked on the door and called, "Guest, are you there? Guest, are you still in? The Guild is here for an inspection, please open the door."
After calling for a while, no one answered.
Sheila Grey asked, "Who is the guest?"
"A gnome gentleman, well-dressed."
"What's his profession, how many people?"
"No idea about the profession, but he is alone. He surely has nothing to do with the fugitive you're looking for," the innkeeper continued.
From his height alone, he didn't match the target the Guild was searching for.
"Open the door, we need to check!"
The innkeeper hesitated but finally took out the key and opened the door.
The room was empty, the bed disheveled, and half-eaten food remained on the table.
It seemed the guest had indeed left suddenly.
"He must have escaped through the window," a squad leader glanced at the window and said.
"Record his appearance and match it with the wanted list when we get back," Sheila Grey ordered.
Seeing someone flee as soon as the Guild began inspecting.
Even if unrelated to this case, there must be something wrong.
A member began questioning the innkeeper for details about the guest's appearance, while Sheila Grey led the team to the next tavern.
...
A crowded street.
A gnome in a linen hood hurried through the crowd.
Along the way, he spotted a Guild carriage approaching, cautiously stepping aside and pulling down his hood.
After walking a distance, he looked back at the tavern and the disappearing carriage.
"Why are there Guild members everywhere?"
He pondered for a moment.
Leaving the bustling street, he moved towards a quieter area.
Crossing two blocks.
He finally set his eyes on a tavern named 'Nautilus'.
It wasn't crowded, and the decor looked decent.
He pushed the door open, went to the counter, "Any rooms available?"
"Yes, how many guests, how long will you stay?"
"One room, three days."
"We have a single suite on the third floor, 360 copper for three days."
The gnome paid directly and said as he went upstairs, "Prepare dinner and send it up."
"Of course, sir, please wait upstairs."