Carlos has barely slept these past few days.
The mission he was carrying out was classified as "Top Secret," the highest level of mission, and of great importance; he was under immense pressure.
It is said that in SI:7 in Stormwind City in the south, missions of this level are carried out by high-level assassins with more than ten years of experience. In other words, the Lordaeron Royal Assassins are rare, so they are carried out by mid-level assassins like him.
He wasn't afraid of death, he was afraid of failing his mission.
Death is nothing, just a life. But if his negligence leads to mission failure, the consequences he faces will be far more terrible than death.
The Assassins' Order is the kingdom's most important intelligence organization and assassination agency, rife with darkness and bloodshed. Each member's family is under the surveillance of the others, and he shudders to think what his family will face if his negligence leads to mission failure.
Assassins don't believe in tears, they have no sympathy or pity; countless bloody lessons are right before their eyes!
For someone like him, dying on a mission would be the best ending.
Carlos knew this mission would be difficult, because a mid-level assassin of equal skill to him had already been eliminated. And with Earl Nicholas personally intervening, he dared not be careless.
These past few days, he's been doing what a real merchant does, except he hasn't let Renault Mograine leave his sight for more than half an hour.
It was difficult, but he still managed to do it.
For the past few days, Renault has been operating normally, without any unusual activity.
But now, he saw a guard walk into Renault's room.
The guard looked normal, and was a familiar face; he was Renault's personal bodyguard, responsible for Renault's safety.
But Carlos still noticed something amiss.
Although it had only been a few days, he had still managed to figure out the habits of even the lowest-ranking guard around Renault:
For example, this guard named " Davis " had been whipped by Renault before and lay in bed for three whole days. He was somewhat afraid of Renault, so every time he came to Renault's room, he would pause for more than ten seconds before he could finally decide to go in.
Without exception.
But this time, he walked in without hesitation, and didn't seem to be in any hurry; he didn't appear nervous at all.
Others might not notice these details, at most finding them a little strange, but he felt something was amiss.
Before his death, the previous executor of this mission told him some top-secret information: the most important thing to watch out for is a demon called the " Dreadlord," which can manipulate other people's bodies without showing any outward signs of abnormality.
But manipulating someone will definitely be different from usual; for example, some small details are easy to overlook.
Carlos dared not make a move.
Because the Dreadlord was very cunning and powerful, he knew that if he showed any abnormality, it would be easily detected. So he continued to do what he was supposed to do and did not dare to get close.
Then he heard an argument!
"No! I can't do that!"
This is even more unusual, because the angry voice came from Renault.
It's impossible for a commander to get so angry at a mere guard. If the guard had really angered him, given Renault's temper, he would probably have carried out a whipping immediately!
Yes, caning.
According to information obtained by the Assassins' Order, Renault greatly enjoys flogging. He always binds offenders with ropes and then personally carries out the flogging.
It's said that this is related to Jimmy Wishaw, the infamous interrogator at Tirisfal Monastery, who is Renault's sidekick. But some believe it's more likely related to Renault's girlfriend, the priestess Sally Whitemane.
In short, the voice quickly lowered, as if not wanting anyone to hear it, and Carlos did not hear the screams of agony from the whipping.
It seems that the guard held a very high position, even higher Renault!
Ten minutes later, the guards came out.
Carlos watched him leave without following.
If that guard was Dreadlord, following him would be certain death. He left quickly; this matter had to be reported to Darion!
He walked toward the woods to the west, but after only a few steps, he suddenly felt ice cold all over.
A hand landed on his shoulder, and a cold voice rang in his ear. "I've been watching you for a long time!"
Without turning around, Carlos could tell who it was just by their voice.
It's that guard!
He really has a problem!
Carlos wanted to escape, but he couldn't move at all;
He knew he was going to die, but he had to warn Darion and the others. There were quite a few members of the Fenris People's Army in the town; he could warn them with a single shout.
But he couldn't shout out, he couldn't even open his mouth.
He's already under control!
The Dreadlord's Mind Control was too strong. He felt his consciousness begin to blur, and he knew he was doomed. The mission had definitely been exposed, he would be killed, and then the Dreadlord would directly retrieve all the mission information from his memory.
It doesn't matter if he dies, but what about his family if he causes the mission to fail?
Carlos was powerless, even incapable of worrying. He began to drift into drowsiness and was soon to be completely Dominate by the Dreadlord.
Just then, he saw a panda face.
Bang!
A chubby panda paw turned the guard " Davis's " left eye into a panda eye, then a chubby panda leg swept across like a scythe, severing both of " Davis's" legs, and finally, with a side ram, sent the guard flying!
Old Chen withdrew his fist, placed his right hand on Carlos's shoulder, and a surge of Xiantian Chi transformed into icy, Eviscerate cold, waking Carlos from his reverie.
Carlos recognized the Pandaren before him, knowing that he was Chen Stormstout, an assistant left behind by Lord Nicholas, and that he had a close relationship with the lord. He immediately wanted to tell him about his discovery.
But Old Chen waved his hand, then with his chubby hand, he shoved him aside like an empty wine glass, raised his left hand, downed a glass of wine in one gulp, shoved the glass into his arms, let out a burp, and muttered:
"I knew Nicholas's liquor wasn't that good! Kid, go find Darion and tell him what you have to say! Uncle Chen can't be bothered with your petty squabbles!"
Carlos jumped in surprise, clutching the large wine glass that could hold two liters of wine. He thought to himself that this seemed to be Uncle Chen's personal wine glass, just like the wine gourd on his bamboo cane and the wine barrel he often carried. He dared not throw it away, so he rushed towards the grove of trees with the wine glass in his arms.
Old Chen's wine barrel, gourd, and bamboo cane are all left at the inn; he's empty-handed now.
He looked at the guards lying on the ground a few meters away, feeling somewhat displeased.
Before leaving, Jiang Jie asked him to look after the Fenris People's Army, but he found it uninteresting. Instead, he found this guy named " Carlos " quite amusing.
He was clearly an assassin, but he disguised himself as a merchant, and he did it very well; it was quite interesting.
If he hadn't been observing Carlos closely, he wouldn't have noticed " Davis's" abnormality, and he wouldn't have realized that this guard, whom he had met a few times, had actually been possessed by the Dreadlord!
The Dreadlord's ability to conceal himself was too strong; even he hadn't noticed! It was only when he landed a punch and his inner Chi entered the guard's body that he discovered another soul hidden within him. Having fought Tichondrius and Anetheron, he immediately realized it was the Dreadlord!
"Stop pretending, tell me, which one are you?"
Old Chen frowned. Jiang Jie had told him the names of several Dreadlord before, but he had just drunk some alcohol and his mind wasn't quite right. After thinking for a moment, he asked, " Detheroc? Varimathras? And what was it called again? Balnazzar?"