Warlock One

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In the manor of the Lord of Giant Stone City, Viscount Macbeth had already shattered his third beloved crystal goblet.

Regarding the news of Donald Melina, he hadn't paid much attention at first. A mere mage apprentice—even one who had just advanced to a Black Iron Mage—was nothing more than a tiny bug he could easily crush.

He had assumed that dispatching assassins cultivated by his secret forces would be enough to resolve this minor issue. He never expected that the little bug from back then would not only turn the tables but suddenly transform into a young dragon, growing to such an extent that he had even hooked up with that old stubborn fool from the Mage Association.

He must be strangled before he can grow any further!

Viscount Macbeth now had only this single thought in his mind: to spare no effort in eliminating this future threat.

However, although his objective differed, he shared the same concerns as other factions. Targets that his own assassins could not handle required the use of power above the Bronze rank; should he succeed, there was no guarantee he wouldn't be traced back to himself.

Whether it was the attitude of the Royal Family, the Mage Association, or the group of mages led by Messer, none were things he could contend with through his personal strength alone. Thus, this matter required slow planning. It would be best to avoid using his own forces entirely, staying out of others' sight, and ensuring that even after the deed was done, no trail would lead back to him.

"It seems I must borrow external force!"

Stroke his beard, Macbeth pulled the bell rope beside his chair and summoned a grey-clad servant.

The man had an ordinary appearance with no distinguishing features, but from the calluses on his palms and joints and the rhythm of his gait, one could tell he was at least a high-level Black Iron warrior who had undergone rigorous training.

"Grey Hawk! Is that person who submitted the calling card a few days ago still in the city?"

"Yes, My Lord! That person has been lingering in a tavern. Aside from having relations with quite a few women, he has made no other moves."

Macbeth tapped the table and said, "That is good. Go and secretly deliver this letter to Black. Tell him that the leader of the Black Knight Brotherhood has agreed to meet with him!"

If any oblivious bard were hiding nearby to eavesdrop, they would surely be shocked to hear this news. Who could have imagined that the behind-the-scenes leader of the Black Knight Brotherhood—a bandit group that had committed numerous major crimes in the southern North Shire and along the borders of other Kingdom territories—was actually the North Shire administrator himself?

Macbeth then added:

"Also, while you're at it, go and invite two more people. I believe their goals should be the same as ours!"

Half an hour later, an adventurer dressed in ordinary attire walked into a tavern in the western district of Giant Stone City.

The western district was a famous red-light area in Giant Stone City. It was not only a place where adventurers often stayed, but also a spot where many wealthy merchants and nobles liked to indulge in a night of debauchery.

If Donald knew of this place, he would likely sigh and remark that no world is ever short of sex work!

The tavern the adventurer entered was only at the bottom of the second tier on this street. Most of the women inside were fallen women who were no longer young but still possessed some charm; their grade was only slightly better than the streetwalkers.

Although taxes in North Shire were not high, some nobles were exceptionally harsh toward the commoners in their territories. This was especially true for single women who had once come from decent families but had fallen into ruin for various reasons and lost their support. Most of them could not withstand the temptations of this flashy world and left their hometowns to engage in this shameful flesh trade.

The key to this tavern's thriving business was that these women were cheap, making them more suitable for the consumption of adventurers who lived by the blade. If they had to deal with the high-class ladies and noble-like women in luxury hotels, they couldn't afford it even if they pawned their pants!

When the adventurer walked into the tavern and found the person he was looking for, the man was sitting between two maids who were thrusting their chests and exposing their breasts, twisting their waists while whispering sweet nothings, as he took liberties with both his hands and mouth, indulging in debauchery!

The man appeared to be about thirty, with a fairly handsome and formal face. He had a tall, sturdy build, and though his lips were pale, his complexion was ruddy—truly a robust man. However, his expression was dissolute, and his pitch-black eyes revealed a sinister air; one look was enough to tell he was no good.

Although his laughter and play with the two women were the loudest in the tavern, clearly drawing the dissatisfaction of nearby adventurers, the black mage robe he wore kept everyone present from saying anything. Those who frequented Giant Stone City knew that the chaos caused by the previous assassination attempt on a mage had only just passed, and offending a mage who was like a devil was clearly not a wise move.

The regulars in the tavern had all seen the two unlucky fellows who had provoked this guy disappear inexplicably the very next day. This made everyone even more wary and fearful of this sinister mage.

The adventurer walked in, scanned the room, and headed straight for the table of the "mage" whom everyone avoided. The adventurer sat down quietly, made a gesture with his hand, and spoke a few words in a low voice before heading to the front desk to order an ale, facing the curious and fearful gazes of those around him. After finishing the drink, he pushed the door and left. The trembling bartender even forgot to collect the coins left on the counter!

Just as everyone was wondering what kind of relationship this mysterious yet ordinary young man had with the mage, they saw the black-robed mage suddenly push away the two women beside him, laugh twice, and then swagger out on his own.

The two left the tavern. The one in front looked hurried, and after taking several detours, he walked into a small alley behind. A black carriage was parked there, its windows and doors tightly covered by black curtains, not letting in a single ray of light.

"Sir, you know the rules. Our leader is prepared to meet you. Please, get in!"

"Black Knight Jack is certainly cautious! That assassination attempt on the mage a while back wasn't done by you, was it?"

The black-robed mage curled his lip in disdain and stepped into the carriage. He did not see the adventurer, who had his back to him, stiffen slightly at these words before returning to normal, climbing into the driver's seat, and steering the carriage out of the alley.

After the carriage circled through the city's streets and alleys several times, it finally stopped in the backyard of a horse-trading shop in the commoner district.

This method was intended to ensure that the organization's secret base remained unknown to outsiders. While it worked well for professionals like warriors, it was completely ineffective against spellcasters proficient in the application of mental energy. Mages could easily project their mental energy through the carriage and see the scenery they passed along the way with perfect clarity.

Any faction with a decent understanding of mages would know this, which was why the Black Knight Brotherhood had such a secretive history, rarely appeared before outsiders, and had never dealt with spellcasters.

However, the black-robed mage naturally had no intention of explaining this to them. Although he disliked mages, he belonged to the ranks of spellcasters himself, and when facing mortals who could not grasp mysterious powers, he naturally possessed the pride of a mage.

After stepping off the carriage and passing through a hidden secret door, they entered an underground passage.

Soon, the two arrived in a dark underground chamber.

The chamber was small, with only seven men in black standing inside. Although the one at the head had his face covered, it was not hard to tell from his exposed smooth forehead and shining eyes that he was a young man of at least under thirty.