Carver's wealth seemed substantial to the residents of Goldshire, but it was clearly impossible for him to use money to persuade a Silver Raven Emblem wizard to come to this small town to solve his problems without sparing any effort. You should know that even in Brot City, few people could persuade a Silver Raven Emblem wizard to run errands for them. So this wizard was not here for him.
Donning took off his top hat, placed it on his chest, and bowed to greet.
The head sticking out of the carriage window grinned and let out a gloomy laugh, nodding. His voice was as low as a trickling spring on a winter night. "Young man, I think I'm lost. For God's sake, can you tell me how to get to Goldshire?"
Donning put on his top hat and replied respectfully, "Follow this path and take the left at the fork ahead. God bless you, sir."
There happened to be a fork in the road ahead. For outsiders, it was indeed a trouble. The old man placed his hand on his chest. "I'm so lucky to meet you in this dark wilderness at night. Otherwise, I would have to spend the whole night here in this damn dark. Who knows if there are wild beasts in this pitch - black wilderness?"
"It's really not safe for you to sleep alone in this dark night in the wild. Have a good sleep when you reach Goldshire." Donning just wanted to end this conversation quickly and leave. His words had a hint of urging the old man to leave.
The old man's cheek twitched, and suddenly he asked, "Young man, are you from Goldshire?"
The closest place here was Goldshire. If he said no, it was not very likely. After all, who would choose to travel a long distance in the uninhabited night? Donning nodded. He had changed his mind. Since this man was not from the Holy See, his plan could continue. He didn't need to turn back. He gently shook the reins and adjusted the direction of the carriage.
"Young man, I think you don't mind if I ask one more thing." The old man pushed the carriage door open and got out. His long purple robe was a bit dazzling in the moonlight. He walked tremblingly to Donning's carriage. His expectant expression made it hard to refuse.
Donning glanced at the Silver Raven Emblem again and held the reins. "All right, but I'm in a hurry. You have to be quick." He had to leave quickly, otherwise he would be exposed. The mottled potion he used to cover his supernatural power was about to lose its effect. By then, a Silver Raven Emblem wizard would surely notice something unusual.
"Has any stranger come to the town recently?" the old man asked.
Strangers? Donning would not say that he was a stranger. "Of course. Some prosecutors came to the town. It was a big event in the town."
"I mean strangers other than the prosecutors." The old man's gentle eyes suddenly became sharp, as if they could pierce Donning's heart.
Donning's heart beat faster, but he kept his face calm and thought for a while. "It seems not. If there were any, I would tell you truthfully."
The old man placed his somewhat gray - black palm on his chest, bowed, and stepped aside. "Good - hearted person, good luck to you. God be with you."
Donning held the reins and suddenly thought it was necessary to inquire about the purpose of this Silver Raven Emblem wizard coming to the town. Courtesy demands reciprocity.
He tilted his head. "Sir, what do you want to know this for?"
The old man smiled politely. "I have a friend. He owes me some money for quite a few years. Poor me, I don't have much spare money left. I've tried every means to find out his news, but he always avoids me. I chased him here. I'm sorry to mention this to you. I hope it hasn't spoiled your good mood."
This old man was lying. How could a Silver Raven Emblem wizard be short of money? Donning thought this matter was not that simple. His inquiry about the outsiders in the town was definitely not to find a debtor. His intuition told him that this matter was very likely to have a great deal to do with himself.
No, tonight's matter had to be postponed for a while. At least he needed to find out this old man's intention. He didn't want to be in an unknown danger. This was what Uncle Aegros taught him.
"Donning, remember, when danger comes, the most important thing is to save your life. Nothing is more important than being alive."
Recalling this sentence, Donning suddenly raised his left hand to cover his forehead. "Damn it." He looked back at the old man who had made way and said remorsefully, "I actually forgot to bring money. Thank you for the reminder. Otherwise, my long - planned journey would become impoverished and disgusting. Thank you so much."
He turned the carriage towards the town and said enthusiastically, "Sir, I have to go back and replan my journey. Now we are on the same road. If you don't mind, you can come with me. I'm willing to be a competent guide for you."
The old man bowed. "I'm very grateful. You must be the angel sent by God to guide me when I was lost."
The two carriages moved on the small path in the night. The sound of the horse hooves, "clip - clop, clip - clop", was like a delicate tune for this dark night, preventing it from being too lonely.
"By the way, what's the name of your debtor? Maybe I have some impression?" Donning wanted to inquire for more information. He had to seize this short journey together. The carriages were moving very slowly.
"Liszt, Liszt Fernando." The old man poked his head out of the window to answer.
This was a fake name, but a conversation always needed a topic. Donning pretended to think for a while. "Sir, I think there is no such person in the town. I'm quite sure."
The old man was a little surprised and murmured to himself, "Did I lose track of him?" He looked a little flustered, as if he had really come to collect the debt.
This old man was very talented in acting in a stage play, Donning thought as he looked back, while showing a concerned look on his face. "Don't worry. Maybe he just hid and I didn't notice. Everything will be clear when we get to the town."
The old man looked much better and said gratefully, "You are such a good person."
The two chatted casually. When Donning thought the relationship was close enough, he threw out the bait. "By the way, sir, some strange things have happened in the town these days. Some dirty things have been lurking around. You should be careful."
"Dirty things?" The old man was astonished, but a barely noticeable glint flashed in his eyes.
This couldn't deceive Donning. He showed a frightened look as if he was extremely reluctant to mention these things. "Yes. Several people in the town have disappeared without leaving any trace. It is said that someone has seen a figure in a black robe under the moonlight."
The disappearance of Alovera and the other two people had spread. Donning had seen the low - level necromancer in a black robe with his own eyes, so this was not made up.
The old man finally couldn't hold back his excitement and asked eagerly, "Hasn't the Holy See sent anyone to investigate?"
Donning sighed. "Maybe the Holy See doesn't care about these small things. They only solve problems for the big shots. I hope these things will pass quickly."
The old man fell into a long silence. Just as this young man guessed, Turan didn't come here to collect debts. He received a letter from the Cardinal in Brot City, hoping that he could come here to deal with a paladin, a paladin of the Holy See. It seemed that this paladin hadn't alarmed the residents in the town and had chosen to deal with things secretly.
Then when he got to the town, he must personally find out the paladin who had already come to the town. Cardinal Altot in Brot City wouldn't be so bored as to play such a joke on a Silver Raven Emblem wizard, making him travel a long distance here for nothing.
As for why this paladin came to Goldshire, the letter didn't explain. Now it seemed that it was because of what this young man had just said. Given his previous close cooperation with Altot, Turan was too lazy to ask why he had to kill a paladin who came from Brot to investigate this matter. He just wanted to finish this task quickly so that he could get more privileges from Altot, such as being able to get several living people to study witchcraft.
When they entered the town, Donning enthusiastically took this wizard to the other inn among the only two inns in the town. He didn't want to stay in the same inn as this wizard, otherwise his identity would be exposed.
"Sir, given our pleasant journey together, can you tell me your name?" Donning inquired before leaving.
"Turan." Turan replied politely.
After leaving the inn, Donning drove the carriage and wiped the sweat from his palms. Under the bright moonlight, the street became even more desolate. Turan, what was his purpose for coming here? He cared so much about those mysterious events. It was impossible that there was no connection. It seemed that before finding out Turan's purpose clearly, to be on the safe side, he had to stop for the time being.
PS: Thank you all for your monthly tickets. There is still a long way to go before reaching the top 20 of the monthly ticket list. I need to work harder!