Mt. Ordas was extremely high above sea level, and its peak was shrouded in mist and clouds. The Dark Mantle's headquarters was located in the belly of the mountain and was guarded by various Dark Mantle experts. Its defenses were even tighter than the imperial palace's.
Han Shuo passed through the transportation matrix with his identity token in hand and entered the belly of the mountain without any obstructions. After a few turns, he stood on the transportation matrix leading to Candide.
"Please wait a moment, Lord Candide isn't in the headquarters at the moment. I'll go inform him, he should be returning in a while." One of the Dark Star Envoys leading the way took Han Shuo to the transportation matrix that led to Candide before explaining in a neither hurried nor slow manner.
"Is that so? Alright then." Han Shuo nodded, indicating that he understood.
"Mm, then I'll send you to the waiting area first. When Lord Candide returns in a while, I'll immediately inform you!" The Dark Star envoy spoke and spun on the transportation matrix.
A beam of white light flashed past, and Han Shuo appeared in an extremely wide stone room. The entire stone room was the size of four basketball courts, and was arranged in a square shape. There were many soft tables and chairs placed around it, and a dazzling array of desserts, fruits, and books were placed on the tables. There were many people of different appearances around, patiently eating and flipping through the books on the tables. They seemed to also be waiting.
Apart from the transportation matrix where Han Shuo was standing, the ground around him was covered in soft carpets. A dozen or so colored glass lamps hung above his head, brightly illuminating the entire stone room.
"Hi, hello. You look very unfamiliar, is this your first time here?" In front of Han Shuo was a young and beautiful girl with short hair that reached her ears. She greeted him enthusiastically.
"Mm, it's my first time here. Hello!" Han Shuo wore a smile on his face as he walked towards this young and lively girl, planning to inquire about some information regarding the Dark Mantle headquarters.
"I'm called Chrissy, a fire journeyman mage. I'm currently a Third Star envoy. Nice to meet you." The young lady called Chris seemed to be quite talkative and greeted Han Shuo with a smile that wasn't the slightest bit unfamiliar.
"Heh heh, I'm called Brian, a Third Star envoy like you. I study necromancy magic." Han Shuo explained his identity with a smile as he walked towards Chrissy.
In actuality, when he left Valen City for the Valley of Sunshine, Han Shuo had already understood that he had advanced to the rank of First Moon through Emily's explanation.
However, since Han Shuo was in charge of Candide, Han Shuo's identity token could only be changed by Candide. Thus, Han Shuo hadn't reported to the Dark Mantle in half a year. Although he had advanced to the rank, it hadn't been officially activated yet.
"Ha, so you're also a Third Star envoy. Which sire are you with?" Chrissy chuckled as she casually handed a chair to Han Shuo.
"Chrissy, can't you just sit around when you don't have a mission? Why do you have to look for people to join you? Are you trying to harm people again?" A robust journeyman swordsman beside Chrissy rolled his eyes at her.
"Ali, what nonsense are you spouting? Who's trying to harm people again?" Chrissy turned around and glared angrily at the journeyman swordsman called Ali.
"You're still trying to deny it? Your fire magic went everywhere and burned half a village during our last mission. My mission was ruined and I was even harshly reprimanded by the sire. I'm in deep trouble because of you, so don't harm others." Ali shook his head with a wry smile and winked at Han Shuo, as if reminding Han Shuo to be careful.
Han Shuo raised his head and grinned with a friendly smile. He frowned as he looked at the contents of the books in his hands. The books on the table were actually the latest intelligence circulating within the Dark Mantle. They included major information on all aspects of the Empire in the recent period of time, ranging from major battles on the borders to minor quirks of a noble.
With Han Shuo's current mental capacity and intellect, he only needed to flip through the book once to memorize its contents. Han Shuo didn't pay much attention to the other scattered contents, but some news about Valen City and the Valley of Sunshine did attract Han Shuo's attention.
The commander of the Empire's Gryphon Legion, Bob Ascher, had finally betrayed the Empire. From the Dark Mantle's internal intelligence, Bob Ascher had long since colluded with the Kasi Empire. After betraying the Empire, Bob Ascher had brought along a group of trusted aides and joined the Kasi Empire, becoming a high ranking officer.
This time, Han Shuo's name had appeared in the Dark Mantle's internal intelligence. According to what was written, it was because of Han Shuo and Emily's efforts that Bob Ascher's deeds were exposed. After receiving the information, the Dark Mantle had rushed to Valen City at the fastest speed possible, taking control of the situation before Bob Ascher could start a riot.
Otherwise, if Bob Ascher had been allowed to use his authority to break open Valen City's defensive gates and allow the covetous Kasi Empire army to invade, then Valen City would very likely have fallen. Unknowingly, the name of the Three Stars Envoy, Han Shuo, had already become a new star in the Dark Mantle. There were even some descriptions of Han Shuo, including his first mission to expose wind archmage Duke's scheme from the Kasi Empire.
On the other side, there was also some information about the Valley of Sunshine. The Valley of Sunshine was currently a complete mess. The four great powers were constantly fighting in the dark, with bloodshed occurring from time to time. Even the Butcher and Janet's bandit forces seemed to have joined in, joining the power struggle in the Valley of Sunshine this time.
Among them, the Soul Destroyer mercenary band founded by Han Shuo and Trunks had slowly risen to prominence in this incident. Using Trunks' rallying power and abundant funds, they had taken advantage of the chaos to recruit experts from all over. Now that the name of the Soul Destroyer mercenary band had appeared in the Dark Mantle's internal circulation of intelligence, it was clear that the Soul Destroyer mercenary band had grown to a small scale.
While Han Shuo was engrossed in the booklet in his hand, Kris arrived in front of Han Shuo and asked again, "Oh right, Brian, which lord are you following?"
"Heh heh, I'm following Lord Candide." Han Shuo put down the booklet in his hand and raised his head to look at Kris, answering with a smile.
"Lord Candide, you're just a Three Stars Envoy, how could you be following Lord Candide? Oh, you're called Brian, could it be that you're that Brian? Oh my god! " Kris first shook her head in puzzlement, then suddenly recalled something. She looked at Han Shuo with wild joy and exclaimed.
Some of the Dark Mantle members who were patiently waiting in the surroundings all put down the fruits or books in their hands when they heard Kris's exclamation. They all raised their heads to look at Han Shuo in astonishment.
"So he's Brian, he's so young!"
"What a lucky lad to be chosen by Lord Candide. It'd be hard for him not to soar in life!"
"Heh heh, he's really not bad looking. If I can do a mission with him, it'll definitely be a profitable job!"
"… …"
Chatter and chatter came from the mouths of the idle members in the surroundings. All kinds of astonished, envious, and strange gazes were cast on Han Shuo.
"Oh my god, my luck is really not bad. Brian, if you're short of people on a mission, can you bring me along? Don't listen to that Ali's nonsense, I'm actually a pretty good fire mage. I promise I won't cause you any trouble! " Kris cried out in surprise and immediately reacted. She reached out and grabbed the corner of Han Shuo's clothes, begging pitifully.
"Brian, Lord Candide has returned. Please wait for the transfer at the transportation matrix!" A member who seemed to be in charge of sending messages suddenly shouted from the side of the transportation matrix.
"If I need more people, I'll consider you. Goodbye!" With a slight twist of his body, the corner of Kris's clothes slipped from her fingertips as if it had been coated with a layer of oil. Han Shuo smiled at Kris in a friendly manner and stood still at the center of the transportation matrix under everyone's astonished gazes.
A white light flashed and Han Shuo appeared in Candide's private room. Candide's face was as gloomy as ever. He didn't show any special expression after seeing Han Shuo appear. He opened his mouth and said in a low voice, "I remember reminding you a long time ago to report to the Dark Mantle at least once a month when you're not on a mission. You've disappeared for half a year, you really have no discipline at all!"
"I was delayed by some matters. I've obtained something during this half a year that I think Lord Candide will definitely be very interested in!" Han Shuo's expression didn't change as he looked at Candide and said with a smile.
The current Han Shuo was no longer the same as before, whether it was in terms of strength or experience. After half a year of training, his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds, and he had improved significantly in all aspects. Even when facing Candide, who held great power, Han Shuo didn't feel any reverence. Instead, he spoke as if he were a friend of the same status.
"You seem to be very different from before, kid!" The wily old fox Candide had obviously noticed the changes in Han Shuo. He stared blankly at Han Shuo for a while before revealing a strange smile and said, "What is it? Would I be interested in it?"
The handwritten scroll from the forbidden land didn't contain any substantial magical knowledge. It only contained Ayermike Cotton's understanding of some of the profound mysteries of dark magic. Han Shuo had already copied a copy of the magical words written on it. He planned to give the copied handwritten scroll along with his magic staff to Emily when he met her in the future.
After careful consideration, Han Shuo felt that it would be best to give this handwritten scroll to the dark grand magus Candide. This was because Han Shuo couldn't understand the words written on it at all. This scroll came from Ayermike Cotton's understanding of dark magic and was indeed of no use to Han Shuo.
In addition, from his interactions with Candide, Han Shuo felt that this unkind looking old fellow was very protective of him. For the sake of his bright future in the Dark Mantle and the Empire, giving this handwritten scroll to Candide would definitely be of great benefit to his future development.
"Take a look." A mysterious smile hung on Han Shuo's face as he handed an ancient handwritten scroll to the dark grand magus Candide.
"What is this? It looks a bit old!" Candide took the handwritten scroll and asked in confusion. Then, a row of small words fell into his eyes. Candide felt as if he had been struck by lightning and was immediately dumbfounded.
The row of small words was the signature, Ayermike Cotton!
As one of the three heavyweights of the Dark Mantle and with the strength of a dark grand magus, Candide's hands were trembling incessantly as he held the handwritten scroll. His eyes almost popped out of their sockets as he wore an expression of extreme shock.
After maintaining this state for a few seconds, Candide suddenly glared at Han Shuo and said in a trembling voice, "This, this is?"
Nodding his head affirmatively, Han Shuo said, "Correct, this handwritten scroll is the handwritten scroll of the legendary dark magus of the Lancelot Empire, Ayermike Cotton, who possesses the strength of a demigod!"
Candide was wild with joy when he heard this. His entire body trembled incessantly as if he was having an epileptic fit. His mouth mumbled some inexplicable words that Han Shuo couldn't understand. His eyes could no longer move away from the handwritten scroll as he tremblingly flipped through the pages, sinking into a sluggish state.
After a long while, Candide repeatedly exclaimed, "Too profound, too mystical. The value of this handwritten scroll is simply immeasurable!"
Candide took a few deep breaths after he finished speaking. He waited for his excited emotions to calm down before looking at Han Shuo with sparkling eyes. He asked somewhat hesitantly, "You, you took out this handwritten scroll. What do you mean?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Han Shuo laughed mischievously and said, "It's obvious. I'm giving it to you!"
"Bribery! Dammit, this is despicable bribery! " Candide involuntarily cried out in alarm. He suddenly shook his head, then quickly nodded and murmured, "Forget it, I'll accept the bribe."
Candide forcefully grabbed his hair and said in a daze, "Alright, I'll accept it. What are your conditions?"
Shaking his head, Han Shuo smiled and said, "I don't have any conditions. It's just that this item belongs to the Empire. You're my superior, so giving it to you isn't considered bribery. You don't have anything to worry about!"
"Haha, that's right. This is Ayermike Cotton's handwritten scroll. Of course it belongs to the Empire. I, Candide, am one of the few dark grand magi of the Empire. As long as I explain it to His Majesty, of course I'll be able to view it. How can this be considered bribery! "
Candide laughed heartily as he muttered to himself. He suddenly flew over and landed in front of Han Shuo. He patted Han Shuo's shoulder in praise and laughed excitedly, "Good lad, not bad at all. You've done well again. I remember that you were a Dark Moon Envoy last time. Now, give me your badge. You'll be a Dark Moon Envoy soon. After finding Ayermike Cotton's relics, no one will dare say anything if you jump two ranks. Lucky kid, you're becoming the fastest legend in the Dark Mantle! "
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