Ⅴ
In the hills somewhere outside Xilond's Shallowwater Harbor.
"Silverhand" Aymot and his team were wrapping up their exploration of the ruins. All the traps had been dismantled, and the valuables had been loaded onto the wagons, but something could still have been overlooked.
So, of their eleven-man team, the deputy and three others stayed aboveground to guard the horses, luggage, and spoils, while the remaining six followed "Silverhand" Aymot on one final inspection.
Looking at the murals on the seamlessly fitted stone walls and the winged candle sconces, Aymot could not help sighing in admiration.
"The Holy Age deserved its criticism, but some of the art it produced truly takes your breath away."
"Yes, like the Holy Knight Ruins we found in Bette Territory. Even now, thinking of the treasures inside still leaves me amazed.
"If that bastard 'Gale Sword' De'erqiao hadn't interfered, we could have retired ages ago!"
The team's scout could not help grumbling.
His words drew repeated nods from the two men beside him.
"Exactly!
"That man really is an idiot. He actually dared to kill a noble!"
One of them spoke up.
The other laughed.
"And when he tried to make up for his mistake, he suffered an even greater defeat. I heard that after the Medium from South Los thoroughly humbled our old rival 'Gale Sword' De'erqiao, he announced he wouldn't take any more commissions. He's planning to go home and retire."
His mocking tone immediately set everyone around him laughing.
Even "Silverhand" Aymot was no exception.
"Silverhand" Aymot despised "Gale Sword" De'erqiao and remained constantly on guard against him.
They were rivals.
And in Bette Territory, as well as several neighboring territories, their reputations as explorers were neck and neck.
Humans were competitive creatures, after all, so naturally they had to compete.
In