"Yes, go on …" Lin Li nodded. The disaster that year was very famous, and even an outsider like him had heard about it. It was said that half of the residents had lost their lives after the plague, and the remaining survivors had scrambled to escape the cursed land. The prosperous Syer Town had turned into a wasteland overnight, and even now, 20 years later, no one was willing to step foot on this land that was shrouded in death.
But Lin Li had never thought that the militia of Syer Town was the predecessor of the Syer Bandits …
"I heard that Vanskore was the first person to discover the spread of the plague …" Duke was probably the kind of person who had a natural talent for telling stories. He told a series of old events that were pieced together from his mouth, and it made one feel as if they were in the same place.
While listening to Duke's narration, Lin Li gradually gained a deeper understanding of the disaster.
It was said that Vanskore had immediately sought out the mayor of Syer Town when he discovered the spread of the plague, hoping that he could think of a way to stop the spread of the plague. Unfortunately, Vanskore's suggestion was not taken seriously, and the plague that could have destroyed Syer Town was treated as a normal infectious disease. A few doctors came to check on it, but nothing happened. The anxious Vanskore refused to give up, and went to Roland City to report the situation to the castellan. But Vanskore was only the head of the militia at that time, and had no right to meet the castellan of Roland City. He did not even have the chance to enter the gates of the castellan's mansion before he was chased out by a group of guards …
Then, a tragedy happened.
The plague spread at a terrifying speed, and took thousands of lives in less than a week. The entire Syer Town was shrouded in fear and despair, and everyone wanted to escape from this cursed land. There were healthy survivors among them, as well as the unlucky ones who had already been infected …
Their desire to survive was so strong that no one was willing to imagine what kind of disaster they would bring to Roland City if they were to escape. On the seventh morning of the outbreak of the plague, a large-scale escape began, but what awaited them was the army of Roland City …
Thousands of people infected by the plague were slaughtered overnight. Most of the residents who were lucky enough to escape were thrown into prison. What awaited them was endless isolation and observation. Only when it was confirmed that they were not infected by the plague would they have the opportunity to be released from the cold prison.
Vanskore and the militia under him were undoubtedly one of the few survivors of the disaster. Thanks to Vanskore's timely warning, they were not infected by the plague, and managed to escape from Syer Town in the midst of the chaos.
Then, a bandit group called Syer's Bandits was born.
The original nest of the Syer Bandits was located in the Star Moon Forest in the north of Doland, where they grew from a group of just a few dozen people to one of the top ten bandit groups in the Breezy Plains. Under Vanskore's leadership, the Syer Bandits grew stronger day by day, and could even fight against some regular armies today. What was more frightening was that the Syer Bandits had been infiltrating and hiding under Vanskore's orders, and their influence had spread to every corner of the Breezy Plains, from the castellan's mansions to every Adventurer's Guild. Traces of the Syer Bandits could be found in almost every corner, and even the castellan of Roland City, who had always viewed the Syer Bandits as a thorn in his side, could not uproot them with his powerful army …
"This Vanskore is a talent …" Lin Li could not help but be impressed by the bandit leader. In a short span of 20 years, he had grown from a few dozen bandits to a bandit group of thousands, and from a wanted criminal to a bandit who collected protection fees from others. This was not something an ordinary person could do.
"What about them now? Is their nest still in the Star Moon Forest? "
"No …" Duke shook his head. "Ever since they wiped out the biggest bandit group in the Dragon Mountains 10 years ago, they moved their nest there. Mage Felic, do you need a map of the Dragon Mountains?"
"How did you know that I need a map of the Dragon Mountains?" Lin Li glanced at Duke suspiciously. The more he looked at Duke, the more he felt that he was behaving abnormally today. It was suspicious enough that he told the story so vividly just now, and now he even had the foresight to prepare a map for Lin Li. Since when did Duke become so observant? If he really had such foresight, he would not have been so dumb as to strike in front of Norfeller that day in the Mission Hall …
"I … I guessed it." Duke glanced at Lin Li cautiously. In order to make himself appear more composed, he even tried to force a smile on his face. Unfortunately, his trembling voice betrayed him completely.
"Is that so …" The smile on Lin Li's face turned cold. "Seems like you really miss that little trick that could roast you …"
"It's not like that, Mage Felic, p-p-please listen to me …" Duke took a step back subconsciously, but just as he lifted one leg, he suddenly remembered that he was facing a real mage. If he wanted to kill him, it would be useless even if he retreated to the outskirts of Doland City.
"Alright, I'll give you a chance to explain."
"This … This was actually told to me by Mr Basel from the Doland Library …"
"Mr Basel from the Doland Library?" Lin Li frowned subconsciously. He knew about the Doland Library.
Because the Supreme Council had never established a Guild of Magic in the Breezy Plains, the mages of the Breezy Plains would choose to discuss issues in the library most of the time. Over time, the libraries of the major cities became the most popular places for mages, and Doland was no exception. In fact, Lin Li had always paid close attention to this place, because it could possibly represent the highest level of magic in the whole of Doland.
However, the name Basel was rather unfamiliar to him.
Before coming to the Breezy Plains, Lin Li had done a lot of preparation, such as looking up information and asking acquaintances. He had been using various channels to increase his understanding of the Breezy Plains, but no matter which channel he used, he had never heard of a person called Basel.
"Yes, Mr Basel is the librarian of the Doland Library. He used to be my father's friend, so he has been taking good care of me all these years. That day, after I left the Adventurers Guild, I went to the Doland Library to ask for Mr Basel's opinion on this matter …"
"And that Mr Basel told you this story?"
"Yes, Mage Felic …" Duke nodded, and took out a roll of parchment from his pocket. "Oh, yes, this map was also given to me by Mr Basel. He said that you might need it …"
"Is that so? Then I'll have to trouble Mr Basel. How about this, Duke, help me ask when Mr Basel is free, and I'll treat him to a meal to thank him in person."
"Alright …"
After sending Duke away, Lin Li locked himself in his room, and studied the map on the parchment carefully. From the fresh ink on it, it was obvious that this map had been drawn in the past one or two days. It was even possible that Mr Basel had only started drawing it after Duke went to look for him. However, the routes on the map were rather clear, and every place was marked in detail. It was hard to imagine that this map had been drawn in a hurry just by looking at it.
Because it was too detailed, from the size of a forest to the size of a ravine, and even the grass and trees of the Dragon Mountains could be found on this map. To Lin Li, this was an impossible task. The only reasonable explanation was that this Mr Basel had known everything about the Dragon Mountains for a long time. Otherwise, he would not have been able to draw such a detailed map in such a short time.
If that was the case, things would be interesting …
For a librarian to know the lair of the Syer Bandits like the back of his hand … Even a fool would not believe that there was no story behind this.
"Seems like I really have to have a meal …" Lin Li smiled, and put the map back in his pocket.
Duke was rather fast. It had only been two hours, and he had already brought back Basel's reply.
"Mr Basel said that there's no need for a meal, but if Mage Felic has time, you can look for him in the Doland Library."
Hehe, it seems like Mr Basel can't wait any longer … Lin Li thought to himself as he let Duke lead the way to Doland's library.
The library was near the Castellan Mansion, and had the best environment in the whole of Doland. The surrounding streets were spacious and clean, and a circular square paved with marble faced the entrance of the library. A clear fountain and fluttering white pigeons added a holy aura to this treasure trove of knowledge. Mages in long robes walked to and fro in the square, most of them holding thick books in their hands. From the High Elves Print on the covers, it seemed like the books recorded some high-level spells.
The three of them passed through the circular square, and stood outside the library. Before they could explain their purpose, a guard had already greeted them respectfully.
"Greetings, respected Mr Mage, Mr Basel has invited you in. He is waiting for you in the guest room on the second floor of the library."
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