The entire tavern fell silent once more.
"Dean?"
"Big Dean? Bald Dean? "
Ricky stroked his chin and said with sudden realization, "The Dean in Dante's Greatsword who is quick-witted, skilled, and has a bright future?"
Lasalle was silent, while Stake nodded in agreement.
"Your informant … really hid it well." Ricky clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Hmm, Dante's Greatsword?" Tampa frowned and scratched his chin.
Ricky raised his eyebrows.
'Wait.
'That means …'
At that moment, the gazes of many mercenaries, including the tavern owner Tampa who was held hostage, followed Ricky and turned to the other side in unison. Their gazes gathered on Thales, who widened his eyes, and Quick Rope, who had a dumbfounded look on his face.
'What's going on?'
Thales thought in a daze as he became the center of attention again.
"Hey." Marina turned to Shawn with a suspicious gaze and whispered, "I remember that these two people are in Dante's Greatsword …"
The mercenaries began to whisper among themselves.
Ricky stared at the two of them with great interest. He seemed to have understood something.
In the face of everyone's scrutiny, Thales could only show a subtle and awkward smile.
"You really came up with a good idea." Under everyone's gazes, Thales maintained his expression. Without moving his lips, he hissed at Quick Rope in dissatisfaction, "Are you looking for a 'professional' to deal with the corpse?"
He desperately controlled his gaze to avoid looking at … the human-shaped sack by his feet.
"What do we do now?"
Beside Thales, the former Prince of Eckstedt's face was also twitching. He put on an awkward expression, as if he did not know whether to laugh or cry.
"Calm down, calm down." Quick Rope wiped his sweat and put on a fawning smile at the fierce mercenaries around him.
"There will always be a way."
The guests outside Blood Whistle noticed these small changes, but they obviously did not have the spare energy to care about these small matters among the mercenaries.
Lasalle coughed.
"In short, that is our target. Even though we lost our initial clue, we still have reliable information from our informant …"
But at this moment, Ricky shifted his attention away from Thales and Quick Rope and raised his hand.
"Wait, this is Mister Lasalle Weider."
The leader of the Disaster Swords said faintly.
Following his voice, the lights in the tavern swayed slightly, bringing up the shadows of people.
Ricky looked up and smiled.
"We haven't agreed to cooperate with you yet."
Lasalle was stunned.
The man, who had the air of a noble, put on a stern expression and looked at Stake.
"When you informed me … I thought you had convinced them?"
Stake spread his hands and put on a helpless smile.
"The road to happiness is strewn with setbacks."
Lasalle's brows furrowed and relaxed, perfectly suppressing his dissatisfaction.
"We didn't reach any agreement, Mister Weider," Ricky said with a smile, "In fact, we suddenly welcomed you uninvited guests on the eve of our operation. You wanted to 'cooperate' with us … Even now, we are still very 'surprised'."
Clay snorted softly, echoing Ricky's words.
The mercenaries around him pressed down on their weapons, looking displeased.
Stake waved his hand at Lasalle. "So you must be there in person. I alone am far from enough."
When he saw the hostile expressions on the Disaster Swords' faces, Lasalle came to a realization.
He understood the atmosphere of the scene.
"Alright."
He nodded and quickly sorted out his emotions. His taut face revealed a sense of competence.
Thales found it strangely familiar.
"Blood Whistle, or should I say, Disaster Swords." Lasalle raised a finger.
"I think we must come to a consensus."
Ricky showed an interested expression and gestured for him to continue.
"You intend to rob the Prison of Bones." Lasalle looked around and raised a second finger. His expression was stern. "And we aim to capture the Prince of Constellation.
In Blade Fangs Camp, these two things cannot be done separately. "
Ricky narrowed his eyes slightly.
"If you invade the Prison of Bones tonight," Lasalle said solemnly, "then in just a few hours, the entire Blade Fangs Camp will be startled awake.
"Then, in just a few hours, all of Blade Fangs Camp will be alerted. Thousands of regular armed forces of the kingdom will flood this place like a tidal wave. They will bring with them cordons, search teams, patrols, and all the trouble you can imagine. After that, it will be impossible for my people to deal with the Prince of Constellation. "
Lasalle gestured at Stake, and the latter nodded humbly in agreement.
Thales was even more puzzled about their relationship.
Lasalle changed the topic. "Similarly, if we kidnap the Prince of Constellation tonight, before dawn, the alarm in the camp will ring. Any suspicious forces, gatherings, and even mercenary groups will become the first targets of the Constellatiates. At that time, if you want to attack the Prison of Bones again, it will be even more difficult than ascending to heaven.
"The conclusion is very clear. We are like two people tied to the ends of a rope. If we don't exert our strength in one direction, if we do our own thing regardless of the consequences …" Lasalle turned around. His words were full of force.
"That will just be two futile efforts. No one will get what they want."
Ricky, Klein, and the others exchanged glances. They saw the wariness in each other's eyes.
"So, everyone, do you understand why we came here uninvited and late at night?"
Lasalle ignored the weapons around him and said loudly,
"Do you also understand the need for us to work together?"
No one answered him. Only Stake patted his left wrist with his right hand and smiled in support.
Ricky stared at the new guests with a solemn gaze. He did not speak for a long time.
Then, Lasalle coughed impatiently and urged him to speak.
"You are very eloquent." Ricky gestured with his chin and said faintly, "You don't look like someone from Shadow Shield.
"Vida … Who are you?"
Lasalle immediately froze. He did not answer.
But Masked Man beside Ricky spoke.
"I remember now."
Masked Man cast a sidelong glance at Lasalle and snorted coldly. "Klein, you just said that this man's surname seems to be from a small family in Dragon Clouds City?"
Klein snorted in response.
Ricky turned to his companion.
Masked Man said faintly, "Six years ago, King Nuven appointed a rather virtuous low-level noble as Eckstedt's envoy to Constellation. He entered Renaissance Palace to seek justice for Prince Moriah, who died in a foreign land.
"That envoy's name is the same as this man's."
At this moment, Lasalle was slightly shocked!
But he was not the only one who panicked.
On the other side of the tavern, Thales hid his surprise in a low cough. Beside him, Quick Rope had an aggrieved expression that said, "Why is it me again?"
Thales remembered now.
Him, Thales Jadestar, and Lasalle Vida.
It was indeed not the first time they met.
'So …'
Thales stared at Lasalle in a daze, then at Stake.
Eckstedt, Shadow Shield.
The people who were here today were all his' old friends' from six years ago.
And the only thing that could link the two of them together was …
"King Nuven and King Chapman entrusted you with an important task at the same time, but you failed.
"Tell me, Baron Vida."
Masked Man said in disdain, "For a Northlander, a failed and humiliating diplomatic mission must have troubled you a lot, right?"
Lasalle Vida's face instantly turned livid.
Stake coughed and came out to calm his cheeks. "Can we —"
But Lasalle interrupted him.
"I don't deny my failure."
The former Eckstedt envoy clenched his fists and said solemnly, "That is indeed a stain in my life."
His voice trembled slightly.
"And I have paid the price: I am no longer a baron."
Masked Man snorted and shook his head.
"I'm guessing that Dragon Clouds City did not deprive you of your title for no reason. And Black Sand Region could not give you any more compensation. "
Masked Man walked slowly to Lasalle and looked down into his eyes.
"After all, no one likes a traitor who appears to be loyal to Dragon Clouds City on the surface, but secretly colludes with Black Sand Region."
He said coldly.
The moment he said this, Lasalle raised his head abruptly.
The former envoy glared at Masked Man in anger.
But Masked Man did not seem to notice. He continued to chuckle and said, "So you can only come to a foreign country and be in charge of some shady affairs."
Lasalle clenched his fists tighter and tighter.
Ricky, Klein, and the others watched this scene with indifference. But Stake frowned by the side.
"A Shadow Shield assassin who betrayed the Shadow Master, and a Northland noble who betrayed the former king," Masked Man continued to mock him. "Traitor and traitor, what a good combination."
Lasalle snorted loudly.
"It's not up to you to judge me, mercenary."
He gritted his teeth and glanced at Blood Whistle in the tavern.
"Based on what you said …" Lasalle said angrily, "Tonight, no matter which side we are on, we are all shameful traitors.
At the end of the day, you are just traitors of the Tower of Eradication! "
Before his voice faded away …
* Clang! * * Clang! *
More than one sound of weapons being unsheathed rose at this moment!
Marina already had both swords in her hands. Shawn also gritted his teeth and pulled out his axe. More mercenaries took a step forward in unison and approached the insolent emissary with malicious intent.
Murderous intent immediately filled the tavern.
The uneasiness was so strong that Thales resisted the urge to reach for his weapon.
"Take it easy, everyone!"
Stake's voice rose among the murderous mercenaries.
"We are not here to fight."
At the moment when swords were drawn, Ricky raised his right hand gently, as if he was used to it.
He shook his hand gently.
The mercenaries of Blood Whistle felt indignant, but they obediently withdrew their weapons and returned to their original positions.
Their gazes on Lasalle became increasingly hostile.
"I understand now."
"A noble who no longer has his glory, but is indignant. He can only do some unimportant general affairs at the borders," Ricky said calmly. "He wants to rely on a rare achievement to win back his master's trust."
Lasalle inhaled softly, as if he was unwilling to admit this fact.
"So, Lasalle Weider, you represent Chapman the First.
"Eckstedt's Kinslayer King."
Ricky's tone was slightly solemn.
And the content of his words caused quite a commotion among the mercenaries. They whispered to each other, and the shock on their faces was clear on their faces.
Thales felt Quick Rope tremble beside him.
'Wait.'
Thales subconsciously felt that something was off.
'Something doesn't seem to match up.
Lasalle is King Chapman's envoy, and his informant is Dean.
Dean discovered Thales' tracks, so he informed Lasalle.
'And Lasalle noticed that something is wrong from Dean missing his appointment, so he wants to save the situation?
'That's not right.
Something is definitely wrong! '
Ricky sized up Lasalle and said, "Your king intends to draw us to his side?"
Lasalle raised his head and showed a faint hint of arrogance.
"If you can work with us," Lasalle said softly, "and bring valuable spoils of war back to Eckstedt together to prove that you are a force that can fight, His Majesty will definitely not be stingy with his rewards and rewards."
Ricky raised his eyebrows, as if he was a little surprised.
But soon, he, Klein, and Masked Man looked at each other and laughed.
The mercenaries also sneered.
As they laughed, Lasalle's expression became more and more tense.
Finally, the Disaster Swords had enough of laughing.
"Stake, no wonder you have the confidence to play these tricks behind Teng's back."
Ricky shook his head and sighed. "When did you and your Shadow Shield get together with that cold-blooded king who killed his own brother?"
'When did they get together?'
Thales suddenly remembered the day six years ago, when he and Saroma saw the Archduke of Black Sand Region talking to Stake while they were in Lampard's carriage.
Lasalle frowned hard.
But Stake was grinning from ear to ear. He did not seem to be offended at all.
"As I said, I can not only provide you with a way to break out of prison." Stake raised his hands and turned around to greet everyone in the tavern so that they could see his smile.
"I can also bring you a way to escape from the threat of Constellation. Perhaps it will also be your choice to rely on for protection in the future. From then on, you will no longer need to hide, hide, run for your lives, fear, and worry."
The mercenaries began to whisper among themselves again.
Ricky muttered and repeated, "Rely on for protection?"
Stake nodded.
By his side, Lasalle straightened his clothes solemnly.
"Once it is done," Lasalle said sternly.
"I promise you that you will definitely have a place under His Majesty's command, and with Eckstedt's protection and support, you will not have to be afraid of Constellation's threats and revenge, no matter how big the trouble is."
Ricky pondered for a moment.
"The prerequisite is that we must submit to him and become Chapman Lampard's watchdogs and shepherd dogs?"
He looked straight at Stake. His smile was still on his face, but there was an undisguised chill in his eyes.
"Tell me, Stake, what price did you sell yourself and Shadow Shield for?"
His words were blunt, and even someone as thick-skinned as Stake could not help but stiffen.
But Stake quickly reacted. He coughed softly and rubbed his hands together.
"This has nothing to do with the price, but with the market and demand."
Like the most professional businessman, Stake said with a smile, "Eighteen years ago, Teng claimed that he wanted to create a land suitable for Shadow Shield to survive, so he led the assassination that shocked the world."
Masked Man snorted in disdain.
Thales clenched his fists.
Ever since he stepped on the path of becoming a prince, many signs had shown that the Jadestar Royal Family's assassination during the Bloody Year was strange, had far-reaching implications, and affected the fates of many people.
And the source of that assassination …
Was right in front of him.
"But Teng was wrong."
Stake said resolutely.
"The most suitable era for us assassins is not a chaotic world filled with starving people, and neither is it a peaceful age of wisdom." He raised his voice, and his expression was stern. "It is an era where peace and conflict alternate, where opportunities and dangers coexist, and where employers and targets coexist."
Ricky furrowed his eyebrows.
"Everyone knows that we are assassins. We are warriors who take risks and face death with equanimity," Stake said calmly. "And you are mercenaries, swordsmen who wield swords for others, or sellers of swords. It doesn't matter what you want to call yourselves."
The mercenaries looked at each other at a loss.
"Assassins and mercenaries, apart from everything else, are both living with their specialties and working for other people. That is the only way to maintain their normal operations. But what do you think supports the survival of the two of us?"
"Money, desire, hatred, enmity, ideals, future, hope, or love and justice?"
Stake's words caused many mercenaries to have strange expressions on their faces, but more of them began to think in silence.
But Stake immediately turned around with large strides and said resolutely.
"None of them!
"What truly supports our survival," he said in a callous tone, which was rare for him, "are the needs that call out to us."
Stake's expression was stern as he said in a low voice.
"It is power."
He stretched out his right hand and slowly clenched it in the air.
"Power is the foundation of our survival, just like how war is to heroes, and bones are to famous generals."
Ricky's expression became more and more solemn.
Stake turned around, as if he wanted to convince everyone in the tavern.
"Those without power want to seize power and seize it, while those with power want to expand and centralize it. So they come to us. They either hire or bribe us, and we use methods that break the rules to fill the power vacuum, or consume too much power.
"And us? We are a group of vicious beasts that feed on power. We seek survival in the ambitions and grand plans of the rebels or rulers. Whether it is you or us, whether we are assassins or mercenaries, we are born to live in the cracks of power. "
Thales quietly listened to the Shadow Shield assassin's philosophy.
Klein frowned, and Masked Man spat on the ground even more straightforwardly.
"Teng might be a madman. His arrogance and overestimation of his own abilities brought about his own doom in the end." Stake was unmoved. He continued, "But the initial intention he used to convince us was not wrong. We, Shadow Shield, need an era that is suitable for us to live in, so we should take the initiative to create it instead of waiting for the era to eliminate us.
"And what we really need is power to demand us — a power that is powerful but still needs us. This is what can guarantee our survival."
Stake turned around again and faced the three Disaster Swords. There was an unusual fanaticism in his eyes.
"That is why we need such power. A ruler who has a country, an army, land, and people at the same time to buy and hire our services and maintain our existence.
"But he cannot be too strong, so strong that he tries to control us and annex us, just like how Constellation controls the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department. But he cannot be too weak, so weak that he cannot support us or protect us, just like the pitiful Vermillion Tail Guards of Anlenzo Dukedom."
Stake put up a finger, twitched the corners of his mouth, and nodded. "This is the secret that allows assassins and mercenaries to live forever."
The assassin ended his speech, but the mercenaries looked at him suspiciously.
"So, this is the power you found for us? The kinslayer king? "Ricky raised his eyebrows.
Stake exhaled in resignation.
"Thanks to Teng, Constellation is already our destined enemy, and Constellation is recovering and rising. This is really not good news for us. In this case, I guess that we don't have many choices left."
Stake showed a mysterious smile, as if he had remembered something.
"And I have to say, King Chapman is a very special king.
"Besides, Chapman the First fits our standards very well. He is strong and powerful. Not long ago, he completed the purge of Black Sand Region and became the suzerain of Eckstedt. Secondly, Eckstedt is in internal strife. Although he is at the peak of his power, he is also in trouble. The archduke is eager to fight, the enemies outside are eyeing him covetously, and the disputes in his territory are difficult to settle. And King Chapman's ambition is unfortunately all-encompassing. He will need us."
As Stake spoke, he exchanged a glance with Lasalle, who nodded.
"Have you solved your doubts?" Lasalle asked faintly, "By the way, the premise of all the above is that we can live up to expectations and complete the mission today and seize back our target."
But Ricky obviously had other opinions.
"Power is the foundation of our livelihood?"
He rubbed his chin. "Interesting way of putting it.
But you left out half of it, Stake. "
Stake raised his hand to show that he was all ears.
Lasalle frowned, as if he was dissatisfied with the group's lack of cooperation.
Ricky leaned forward and pointed his index finger at Lasalle.
"The kinslayer king, or any other power, will slowly seize our throats when they develop step by step. And when they become completely powerful, they will not leave us with too many choices." His gaze slowly became focused.
"He will turn you into the Secret Room and the Secret Intelligence Department who spread rumors, and turn us into the White Blade Guards and Royal Guards who guard the door and sweep the floor. If you are unwilling …"
Masked Man snorted angrily and crossed his arms.
"Also, once Chapman Lampard becomes so strong that he can ensure the stability of a region, the prosperity of a country, and the peace of an entire lifetime …" Ricky sneered. "It's just as you said, Stake, a peaceful and wise world is not suitable for assassins."
Stake smiled but did not say anything. Lasalle did not move.
"So, what you want is not loyalty or attachment." Ricky's tone suddenly changed, and his tone was cold.
"You want to be a parasite."
Stake's smile froze on his face.
"What you want is not attachment or belonging, but to live on King Chapman's body like a blood leech. While you serve him, you will use his power to strengthen yourself, and his shadow to protect yourself."
Ricky went straight to the heart of the matter and went straight to the point,
"And when he becomes strong enough to escape your control, when the muddle-headedness and lifelessness of this world is about to be broken by the growth of power, it will be time to abandon him. You will use the sharp blades and claws he created for you to fight against him, secretly help his opponents, join his enemies, find your new host, and always make sure that you are in between the cracks of power."
This time, even Lasalle's expression became very unpleasant.
"Just like that, you will live on, grow, move, become a parasite, and grow again. Repeat your cycle over and over again. Live with power, and live side by side with conflict. Wherever there is power, there will be Shadow Shield."
Masked Man snorted softly to show his approval.
"Be careful, Baron Weider," Ricky said coldly.
"When blood leeches suck too much blood, they will also suffer a backlash."
His tone made Stake and Lasalle's expressions turn solemn.
Ricky stared at Lasalle, who put his hands behind his back and furrowed his eyebrows.
A few seconds later, Ricky spoke again.
"But …"
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