War Fog

Having stayed in the Temple Tribe for several months, Rein naturally knew that the sinkhole was the temple of Divine General Morogos, one of the Seventy-Two Divine Generals knights of the Monkell Civilization.

Even the shaman Mafat said that no one has ever come back alive after going down there; it's a "dead zone."

Rein also knew that Ymir had come for the temple.

Regardless of whether His Highness possessed "Divine Power Crystal," even if he did, he felt he should persuade the Her Highness the Eldest Princess not to go and die.

Moreover, in this forest, no one can escape the perception of the Kolman Tribe.

Kolman's priests not only tamed magical beasts to serve as scouts, but also various insects, plants, and even rainwater.

When the "elder-level" experts are mobilized, regardless of who wins or loses, the fight will definitely result in mutual destruction.

Both sides are allies, and Rein is unwilling to see them fight to the death.

Then, he volunteered to take on the task of "persuading people to quit".

Rein, Bazel, along with "Ghost Mushroom Elder" Dahle and a group of Warcraft Knights, headed to the area where the "enemy" had been discovered.

After traveling for two days, they finally stopped in an area where there was clearly a "War Fog" deliberately set up.

Clearly, Ymir and his group had made ample preparations for their arrival.

"Doctor Rein, those people are currently in that wetland. But they are extremely vigilant and highly skilled; we haven't pinpointed their exact location."

"I understand. Let's go in with Senior Bazel next."

"Yes, Doctor Rein, please be careful. If anything seems amiss, please take care of yourself. Our soldiers will rush in immediately."

"Good."

After a brief conversation, the large contingent of Kolman Warrior disappeared into the forest.

Rein walked into the mist.

"War Fog" is a type of artificial fog, essential for military operations and a favorite tactic of assassins.

In the pitch-black fog, assassins move like elusive ghosts, easily severing their enemies' throats. For a werewolf like Bazel, skilled in stealth and reconnaissance, the fog is also the perfect disguise.

It's obvious that there are high-level assassins lurking on the periphery.

There's no need to actively seek them out; once the "prey" enters the ambush zone, the assassins will naturally come knocking.

Rein didn't dare to be careless, and was afraid of causing a misunderstanding, so he put the emblem that Ymir had given him on his finger and held it in front of him, just in case no one could see it.

Rein brought Bazel along because he was afraid he might be wrong. If it wasn't Ymir, he himself might be in danger.

The Kolman weren't invited in because their imposing figures would surely trigger a major battle upon first sight, leaving no opportunity for negotiation.

Rein had received a year of professional assassin training, and he knew very well that assassins not only knew how to lie in wait, but also how to set traps.

Therefore, instead of cautiously sneaking in, it's better to have someone come to him.

He ventured as far into the fog as he could, and then shouted, "I am Rein Hermes, here to negotiate!"

He only gave his own name, but did not mention the Princess's name, just in case she was an enemy, so that there would be room for maneuver.

His actions quickly attracted the attention of a high-ranking assassin lurking somewhere.

Before Rein was even aware of what was happening, a dagger appeared at his feet.

This is a warning: Private camp. State your purpose. Trespassers will be killed.

Rein held up the ring and called out, "My name is Rein. If you recognize this emblem, please take me to its owner."

Unsure if the other person could see it, Rein deliberately lit a torch, making the golden rose ring sparkle.

The words had barely left his mouth when he saw a slight ripple in the mist not far away, and a wisp of mist rapidly coalesced into a human figure. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a leather-armored assassin wearing a grey-white hood and a mask.

"What brilliant stealth techniques!"

Rein thought to himself, "This Transcendent ability that blends into the mist is truly bizarre."

The assassin examined the ring on Rein's hand closely, a hint of surprise in his eyes hidden beneath his hood. He said in a low voice, "I find your friend dangerous. I need to know who he is."

This was a perception circle set up by the other party. Even though Bazel was a legend, he didn't think it was possible to hide it from them.

He revealed his true form, removing his mask to show a bearded, wolf-like face.

The assassin was clearly taken aback, not expecting it to be one of the "Ten Great Legends".

But since we know each other, there's no point in asking any more questions.

"Please wait a moment, I'll go report."

As soon as he finished speaking, the assassin's figure disappeared back into the mist.

Upon hearing this, Rein and his companion stopped wandering around and waited where they were.

Bazel looked in the direction the assassin had disappeared, clicked his tongue, and said, "A fifth-tier court assassin, the Blackwater Platform's secret stealth ability [Shadow of Mist], very strong."

Rein breathed a sigh of relief. Since the other party recognized the emblem ring, it was Ymir herself was inside.

They didn't stay in the fog for long.

The assassin returned, his voice ethereal, as if he were coming from nowhere. "Come with me, His Highness wants to see you. Don't step on anything, there are traps."

As soon as he finished speaking, Rein could no longer see the person.

But Bazel chose a direction and followed it inside.

Rein could only follow behind the big shot, carefully stepping in the footprints and imitating the exact same steps to walk in.

After walking about one or two kilometers, the fog began to thin out, and then they saw a campfire.

There were several marching tents beside the campfire.

Six fully armed High-tier Extraordinary were looking at Rein and his companion with curiosity.

A standard exploration team consisting of a warrior, mage, assassin, hunter, and priest.

Several of the Rein had seen the portrait in various announcements, and the "Mind Core" instantly matched it with them.

Baron Askepa, formerly the commander of the First Mechanist Legion of Omar, also known as Storm General.

Rhine Lute, the former Knight Commander of Omartin [The Magic Swordsman].

Archbishop Friedel of the Oma Royal Abbey.

Each one of them is a renowned fifth-tier Transcendent, and each one is very strong.

Despite wearing a gas mask, Rein immediately recognized Ymir's beautiful long blonde hair and the court rapier at her waist.

He walked straight over, gave a gentlemanly bow, and greeted him, "Your Ymir, it's been a long time."

Ymir was also surprised to see Rein here.

Out of politeness, she also removed her mask, revealing her exquisite and flawless face, and replied, "Long time no see, Doctor Rein."

Her subordinates around her stared at Rein with curiosity.

They were Ymir's trusted men, so they naturally knew a lot of inside information and had also heard about Rein's existence.

Now that they've seen him in person, they can't help but be curious. How could this seemingly ordinary low-level Transcendent have such a high regard for Her Highness the Eldest Princess?

What surprised them even more was that they actually saw a low-level Transcendent being deep in the Ashen Forest.

Some of the plants and animals here can kill even low- to mid-level Transcendent.

But when they saw Bazel next to Rein, a hint of caution flashed in their eyes.

The fact that one of the "Ten Great Legends" could serve as a bodyguard tells them that the young man before them must be extraordinary.

Rein knew perfectly well why these guys looked at Bazel with such wariness; after all, Bazel had ambushed the Her Highness the Eldest Princess at Storm Lake, nearly killing her. Upon meeting, both sides felt somewhat awkward.

He quickly explained, "Mr. Bazel is my friend. He came with me to make sure I don't die in the mouth of a monster. He means no harm."

"."

Ymir didn't say much.

After all, in that situation, they were both the ones who were schemed against, so it can't be said that there was any irreconcilable hatred between them.

Although she knew back in the City of Radiance that Bazel seemed to be protecting Rein for some reason, Ymir was still quite surprised to see a legendary figure like him escorting someone deep into the Kolman Forest.

At that moment, she had countless questions in her mind, so she asked Rein, "Did you come here specifically to find me? And how did you know I was here?"

Ymir's operation this time was top secret.

In the dense jungle where trees towered higher than mountains, their group was as inconspicuous as grains of sand in the desert. She never expected that their precise location would be found so easily.

Upon hearing this, Rein did not immediately reveal his purpose, but instead said to Ymir, "I have something I'd like to say to you privately."

Ymir raised her eyebrows slightly and said calmly, "This is my most trusted subordinate. You can speak freely."

Undeterred by the risk of offending anyone, Rein insisted, "I'm sorry, Your Her Highness the Eldest Princess, this is a very important matter, and I can only tell you this."

He knew that Ymir was not truly careless when he said that.

This is the best choice from the perspective of someone in a superior position.

Any sign of distrust in this situation could easily lead loyal subordinates to think things like, "Her Highness the Eldest Princess doesn't trust me," or "There might be someone among my companions who isn't worth suspecting."

The team will be difficult to manage.

This kind of "bad cop" role can only be played by an outsider.

After all, this trip is of great importance.

Although Rein knew that those brought by Ymir must be her trusted subordinates.

But no matter who it was, he trusted Ymir, but not anyone else.

Last time at Storm Lake, this Her Highness the Eldest Princess was betrayed and escaped to the wasteland severely injured. It's no wonder that those around her would be in trouble if such a high-ranking princess were to suffer such a major assassination attempt.

It's something that can't be made public that we're not saying he's representing the Kolman Tribe in the negotiations.

Metternich's letter is also a very sensitive matter.

Rein now knows that the card-playing "Clemens F. Metternich" is from the Queen and the First Prince's faction, and is a political and mortal enemy of the Princess's faction.

Regardless of the contents or purpose of Metternich's letter, if a third party were to find out, it could cause trouble for all parties involved.

Hearing that Rein insisted, Ymir glanced at him but didn't say anything more. He got up and walked towards a tent behind him, saying calmly, "Come in and talk."

Rein's "black face" deflated a potential crisis of trust.

After all, he was an outsider, and a low-level Transcendent at that, so nobody cared about him.

The several High-tier Extraordinary standing to the side remained silent throughout.

They ignored Rein, who followed them into the tent, and instead focused their attention on Bazel, who was not far away, with a hint of wariness.