In the outskirts of City of Datura,
On the roof of a building a cold faced man was standing and looking upwards, he was viewing the ever magnificent night sky filled with stars. He was standing there silently, his aura reserved, cold light in his eyes could be hardly concealed.
His thoughts couldn't be read. Some may think he was appreciating the beauty of moon and stars for some he was calculating the deepness of darkness. His blood red hair draped around his shoulders, a hint of cruelty can be seen in his face.
Behind him a thin but tall man man was standing there. He now didn't have any of the past leisure aura and was filled with cold brutality.
"Rain, Did you find him?" An emotionless voice asked.
Rain was unperturbed and immediately said.
"No, we found no trails or any kind of activities these days."
After hesitating a bit Rain continued.
"Captain Hawk, is….is it necessary to fight here and now."
After Rain asked his question only silence followed. The remaining sound in the world was filled with humming and buzzing sound of insects.
After a while, the Captain of Blood Hawk Mercenary Group, Hawk lowered his head and in a low but extremely clear voice spoke, "It's our best chance to get the key from him. We may never get an another chance like this again. He will surely come, he also know that this is his best opportunity to get rid of us."
"Still what if they go back on their word." Rain couldn't help but say."It is true that the Arslns promised non-interference but what about the others. If others came to know abou-"
"Shut up" Captain Hawk sharply berated.
Rain hurriedly apologized. "Sorry Captain."
Hawk turned around and coldly looked at Rain. Rain didn't avoided his gaze and firmly faced him.
After heaving a sigh, Hawk said.
"As time passes things will get more and more complicated. It's already been 2 months. Arsln Family will use their guards and give a basic isolation. We can fight without care, Antonio doesn't know that, he still believes that the presence of Arsln Family will limit our offense."
"And more importantly I don't think any of those great clans or families will covet possessions of a mere mercenary. As for the others who try to interfere." Captain gave sneering look and said. "The organizer of the Underhood Market owes me a favour. He will deal with them. And…"
Hawk gave a deep look towards the Sky Imperium Palace for a brief moment and continued.
"There are already some people who are starting to nosing around."
Rain instantly narrowed his eyes. "Who? Did someon-"
Hawk cut off Rain's words, "No, they don't know anything. They are only suspicious. Only our most core members know about it. Antonio will not recklessly spread information too. For him, his has many things that he couldn't afford to lose."
Rain gave a solemn look and asked Hawk. "What about th-?"
Hawk again cut off Rain immediately.
"I believe him, even if he was tortured by great specialists of Federation, he will never give me up. I believe in his loyalty. And you have also investigate those three's death. If they leaked that means the one who got the information was a Shaman of higher three realms and expert in soul manipulation."
Rain slightly nodded and said with a cruel smile.
"We are all prepared and covertly set the ambush, if he dared to come, he will not walk away alive."
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Antonio paced around his room. His eyes was brightly glittering. Cautiously Antonio picked up the delicate potions and pill bottle.
His eyes had a craze that was hard to put in words.
"Finally the day has come, you think you are so clever. You are just a mere mercenary, just a Core Level Warrior. As long as you haven't touched the true reality. It's easy to take care of you all."
Antonio slowly closed his bag and looked towards a photo on wall, on the screen there was Antonio standing with a beautiful woman with blonde hair and she was holding a boy about 10 years old.
Antonio's loving and gentle gaze slightly transformed into a determined and resolute look.
Lowering his head Antonio hastened his preparation for the upcoming battle.
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Among the crowd of people walking from the auction, some had a face full of joy, some sad and some indifferent.
Lucas quietly observed them, through system Lucas understood that most of the people in the auction were people he once met in his 16 years of life.
'Identifying everyone one by one is quite difficult.'
After thinking for a while, an idea flashed across his mind.
'Yes, there is a simple solution!'
'System can you place the name of people above their heads like you see in the games.'
[Ding! Affirmative!]
System immediately gave a response. In the next second he could see many names hanging over the heads of people, and those people he didn't knew there was '???''.
Observing closer or concentrating on the names above, Lucas automatically got a brief explanation on the said individual.
'Good, System keep it up until I get the complete memories.'
"Lucas!"
Lucas was mildly startled and looked towards to where the sound came from and saw his Uncle Merlin waving.
On the side of the hall two old men was laughing and talking with Merlin while walking towards Lucas. Looking over Lucas didn't find Ivan. After exiting the hall, Ivan has separated from Lucas and Merlin.
One of the men had an air of nobility and his stride was strong and powerful, he wore a azure robe with blue patterns and golden linings. The other old man wore a bright red robe filled with golden patters and golden linings. He looked much more easy going but still had emitted a faint dangerous aura. Both men had an intense but calm aura. Lucas couldn't fell any type of energy fluctuations but he still felt some kind of pressure pressing on his spirit lightly.
Lucas bore the pressure without any change in expression and politely greeted them.
"Greetings Elders"
"Haha, not bad, not bad, bearing the combined pressure of mine and Nel's together and still keeping your presence of mind, admirable, you deserve praise." the man in red robe laughed loudly and patted Lucas strongly.
Azure robed man also approvingly nodded lightly.
"Hmm, it seems in future our Arsln Family will have another pillar. "
Merlin delightedly smiled. Lucas understood both of them are elders from the Family, so he instantly pretended to be excited.
"Lucas this is Elder Nel and Elder Sein, they are both your grandfather's friends. For many years they were out due to mission, that's why you haven't yet met them."
Elder Sein looked kindly at Lucas and said.
"It's not like I have never saw him. When he was born both of us were there."
Lucas smiled and blinked his eyes. He just quietly listened and didn't interrupt them.
"I have heard from Merlin that tomorrow you are going to the University. You will likely go through East Willow harbour, right?"
Merlin hurriedly shook his head at Elder Nel's question and informed him.
"No, Lucas will go to Skyline City for International Merchant Conference and after two weeks he will board an airboat from Sealink City."
Both the elders were surprised and they looked at each other.
Elder Nel suspiciously asked, "I heard Lucas studies Runes and he is quite good at it."
Lucas quickly answered. "Uncle Merlin thinks I should get somewhat familiar with business."
Surprised Elder Sein gave Merlin a appreciative look. In response Merlin just smiled back.
Elder Nel was confused, "Isn't he too small to mind the business. Especially in a place like International Merchant Conference."
It was Elder Sein that helped Elder Nel in dispelling his confusion. He send a secret energy voice transmission. 'Lucas won't have any huge responsibilities. Merlin is sending him there for broadening his vision and training his people skills.'
Lucas knew what they were thinking without any difficulty. But he still cast a doubtful look at Merlin.
"Haa, We are getting off-topic. We have a friend Brian Nihen, he is someone important at Sealink City. I don't remember what his status is at this time. But it should be high. Hey, Nel do you remember?" knitting his brows Elder Sein asked.
"I don't remember much, I was completely drunk with Fire Dragon Wine. Before drinking he did say something like that." Elder Nel scratched his head but he couldn't remember much.
With a sigh Elder Sein spoke to Merlin, "While coming back we met talked and drunk, he told he has some good contacts and status at Sealink City…well whatever I will give you a letter, let Lucas find him and give it to him. He will find you the fastest safest and the best airboat available for you."
After a brief conversation Merlin and Lucas parted with the two elders.
While exiting Sky Imperium Palace Merlin met many acquaintance and he introduced Lucas to many.
Lucas was looking forward to meet other ancient families like Longinus, Creed or Jainus. But fortunate or not, he didn't encounter any.