Lame Laut curiously took the parchment from Lynn and skimmed through it, an expression of surprise appearing on his face.
It wasn't that what Lynn was looking for on the parchment was exceptionally valuable. Quite the opposite, the parchment contained a list of readily available materials, even some items considered worthless.
"Can you tell me, what's the purpose of these things?" Laut asked, thoroughly perplexed.
Lynn didn't give a direct answer but instead suddenly asked, "Mr. Laut, have you ever seen the beauty of fireworks?"
"What's that?" Laut frowned in confusion and shook his head.
"It's something that can send the entire town guard soaring into the sky. I guarantee it'll be the most spectacular sight you've ever witnessed!" Lynn said with a smile.
Laut's expression froze, his face filled with disbelief. Initially, Harbor Town had an eight-hundred-strong guard, and Archbishop Anluke had brought three thousand elite guards from the Northern Lands. He couldn't fathom any force that could obliterate such a massive army in a short time.
Could it be related to the materials needed for a potent alchemical array?
Laut immediately considered this possibility. Kora had once told him that some wizards proficient in alchemy could amplify the power of certain spells through an array. If that were the case, they might have a fighting chance.
With this thought, Laut lost interest in probing further, as the secrets of magic were typically closely guarded by wizards.
"Besides these materials, I also need a map of Harbor Town, the patrol routes of the town guard, and most importantly..." Lynn paused and continued gravely, "I need to know the appearance, personality, and daily routines of every clergy member in Harbor Town, the more detailed, the better."
Laut contemplated for a while, without immediately responding. Maps and patrol routes were easy enough to obtain, but uncovering the secrets of the priests wouldn't be an easy task.
"Sometimes, to survive, one has to pay a price, isn't that so?" Lynn reminded.
"Alright! I can provide you with all that you've asked for. But I need to know how you plan to rescue that wizard's apprentice," Laut finally agreed. The harbor was sealed off by the church, and creating sufficient chaos was necessary for a successful escape. The rescue mission was a part of that plan.
Lynn no longer withheld information and explained the entire plan, with the specific role Ship Gang would play being the most detailed part.
After listening to Lynn's account, Laut couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. However, the relief was that the most dangerous part of the rescue operation was Lynn's responsibility. Ship Gang was only tasked with assisting, and, most importantly, it didn't require his personal involvement in most scenarios, meaning he would mostly be in a safe zone.
"So, here's to a fruitful partnership!" Lynn extended his hand casually, and Laut didn't hesitate to shake it. Their palm-to-palm contact was brief, but it left a faint tingling sensation, causing Laut to instinctively withdraw his arm and inspect it. He found a fiery mark on the back of his hand.
"What's the meaning of this?" Laut demanded, covering his hand, his tone stern.
Lynn retrieved his hand with a casual smile and replied, "I've heard from Rabel that you never trust anyone around you."
"That's a good habit!" Laut retorted.
"Well, it just so happens that I'm the same," Lynn replied with the expression of finding a kindred spirit.
Laut's face darkened, and in his mind, he was already planning to give Rabel, that scoundrel, a good talking to.
The sight of the fiery mark on Laut's hand reminded him of the horrors outside Ur Town. He had sent an intelligence operative who had accidentally caught a few embers and was subsequently sentenced to death. Even jumping into the river couldn't save him from the devouring flames of hellfire!
"By the way, your subordinate Rabel is left in a secluded house within the port. It's Ship Gang business, and I won't interfere," Lynn said as he rose to his feet, bidding farewell.
After Lynn's departure, Laut's suppressed emotions finally erupted, and he angrily swept valuable vases and utensils from the table to the floor.
The guards outside heard the commotion and rushed in, standing in bewilderment as they watched their leader lose his temper in the room.
After several minutes of venting, Laut, out of breath, sat back down and looked at the guards in front of him.
"You, go and bring Rabel back to me immediately!"
"I'm going to skin him alive!" Lame Laut gritted his teeth.
***
As Lynn left the dilapidated house, the midday sun hung high in the sky. Successfully convincing Lame Laut and gaining the assistance of the entire Dockside Gang had lifted a great burden off Lynn's shoulders. At least now he didn't have to go it alone, and there was a good chance of rescuing Dove and Jonny.
As for the magical mark he left on Laut's hand, it was merely a ruse and had no real effect. However, Lynn was aware that the recent battle outside Ur Town had already demonstrated some of his capabilities. This was undoubtedly a form of deterrence! People like Laut would never trust him, even if he spoke the truth. Instead, they would believe that their lives were in his hands.
This was precisely what Lynn wanted to achieve, as when the real action began, the most critical parts needed to be handled by him personally. Laut would always remain behind the scenes, and the risks on both sides weren't balanced, a significant concern in their collaboration!
So, some balancing measures were necessary!
In the following two days, the news of the public execution of Devil's Disciples by the Tribunal, scheduled for after Monday, had spread throughout the entire Harbor Town. Almost everyone was discussing the topic.
Lynn reaffirmed his previous assessment. Aside from sparring with Ivana in swordsmanship during the day, he spent the rest of his time dealing with the materials that were transported to him.
Within seventy-two hours, he had released the "Elementary Material Deconstruction" spell thousands of times, and he was on the brink of exhaustion.
Each time he returned to the mansion, the Baron's steward would cast a strange look at him. Unable to resist one day, the steward advised him not to deplete his body at such a young age.
Lynn brushed off the advice casually, as he couldn't find a better explanation for why he was out all night.
After all, it was Lotte who would ultimately suffer the embarrassment and disgrace.
The smooth progress of these events was largely because Baron Pedrol was often absent from the mansion, busy attending various noble banquets. It was a good thing to show his face in front of these important figures.
Amid this orderly bustle, Harbor Town welcomed the final night of Moonrise.
TL/n -
You can think of Moonrise as some kind of celestial phenomenon