A Core Ship From The Start Chapter 898

Chapter 898: Chapter 631: Phantom of the Ghost City Chapter 898: Chapter 631: Phantom of the Ghost City Here, I must first explain the history of Deepwater City.

Deepwater City was not originally a city of humans but of elves and dwarves. Later, due to a conflict between the two, the elves left the city, and the dwarves disappeared without a trace by digging tunnels.

So when humans came to the Northern Land, they were thrilled to find such a fully functional and uninhabited city with no owner–naturally, they claimed it for themselves.

It turns out that the decision of the elves and dwarves was correct; since humans settled in Deepwater City, there have been frequent incidents, with little monsters coming to destroy them every other day.

Okay, I digress.

After humans occupied Deepwater City, they naturally discovered the underground tunnels dug by the dwarves, which spread throughout the city. No one knew where these tunnels actually led. Once, a mage named Haer Falson and his apprentices ventured into these tunnels to investigate, but they vanished without a trace. There were rumors that he got lost in the depths of the Dark Region and became a mad mage. Since humans settled in Deepwater City, countless adventurers have explored the depths of the Dark Region, but very few have returned alive.

Some people also say that these tunnels lead to Hell because there are many monsters down there that have never been seen before, and they can come to the surface of Deepwater City through these tunnels at night and slaughter the residents–not that it's anything more than a legend.

Well, that is all for the background. The commission brought by Amelia is also related to the tunnels spread throughout Deepwater City. In short, an adventure squad disappeared deep in the tunnels, and Master Kelben hopes that you adventurers can find them and bring them back.

Of course, as one of Deepwater City's Masked Lords, Master Kelben wouldn't bother with a common adventure squad. His interest in this particular squad was because it included his student–also his nephew–Danilo Sain.

Given Kelben's status, he couldn't possibly leave Deepwater City to go to the Dark Region, but he couldn't casually ask others for help either. After all, one of his identities was as a Masked Lord of Deepwater City, and the disappearance of his nephew and apprentice could attract unwanted attention from certain interested parties.

So when Amelia, representing Neverwinter City, came to visit and express gratitude for delivering the plague antidote on behalf of Kelben's Black Wand, Kelben immediately thought of this solution.

He asked Amelia for help, to lead an adventure squad deep underground to find his missing nephew.

As a Sacred Knight of Tyler, Amelia naturally felt obliged to accept. What the others thought was yet to be determined.

“I also agree, plus I have never been to the Dark Region before,” said Kasim, touching his swollen face from Roxia's slap–indeed, the Dark Region was one of the legends passed down among adventurers, after all, with Gray Dwarves, Spirit Absorbing Monsters, Drow… all of them were well-known.

Not to mention Barto Hell.

Although from a physical standpoint, it is impossible to dig all the way down to Barto Hell no matter how hard one digs.

Roxia looked at Kasim with some worry, then huffily turned her gaze away and nodded her head.

“Alright… I don't have a problem either.”

“Then, Mr. Duanmu…”

“I'm not really keen on going underground, but I'm idle anyway…”

Duanmu Huai also didn't object. In fact, he was quite excited at the moment–after all, he wanted to test if his Pink Book was truly useful.

“But I must declare beforehand, as a Judge, I will not let those heretics underground get away. They will have only one path–death. Even their cities must be utterly destroyed.”

Whether it was Gray Dwarves, Drow, Spirit Absorbing Monsters, or any other chaotic beings, as far as the Tribunal was concerned, they were all heretics who must be exterminated on sight.

“Ahem…”

Hearing Duanmu Huai's response, Amelia felt somewhat uneasy. Of course, as a Sacred Knight of Tyler, she also wished for justice to prevail, but… to be honest, she did not have the confidence to wipe out the entire Dark Region.

After all, there were only five of them.

“But we only have five people, with limited power. If we do this, wouldn't it be a bit…”

“A bit what?”

Duanmu Huai glanced at Amelia.

“What, you think we shouldn't fight just because we are outmatched? As Tyler's Sacred Knight, would you kneel and surrender to a Balrog?”

“Of course not!”

With the conversation getting to this point, as a Sacred Knight, Amelia couldn't hold back any longer.

“I just think that our mission is… Okay, I won't back down either.”

If Amelia said it was impossible at this juncture, then she might as well not be a Sacred Knight at all.

“We want to help too!”

Kasim, who was on the other side, fully embodied the fearless spirit of a rookie.

“Although the Dark Region is terrifying, as adventurers, we will definitely not shrink back!”

“I hope you won't blame me later, then. This isn't like hunting wolves in the forest, rookie.”

Duanmu Huai looked at an enthusiastic Kasim and pursed his lips. Rookies are all the same, always fantasizing about making a big kill at the beginning. But the truth is–in this team, the only ones who can really make a big kill are Duanmu Huai and Ogis. If the others were ambushed, they would face certain death.

Especially these two, who clearly appear to be the weakest links in the team. In a place like the Dark Region, it's odd if they don't end up in deep trouble.

However, this has nothing to do with Duanmu Huai, who already issued his warning.

“I will try my best not to hold everyone back!”

Even though Duanmu Huai doused their enthusiasm with cold water, Kasim did not shrink back. After all, he and Roxia had also managed to retrieve the lost ingredients for the plague antidote from Neverwinter City. Although the danger of their journey was unknown, it certainly wasn't as easy as finding kittens and puppies. It would seem that they did possess some measure of strength.

“Then give it your all.”

Since they had decided to go to the Dark Region, it was naturally essential to prepare food and various equipment. Therefore, the group decided to make purchases the next day before setting out.

Meanwhile, in the dark depths underground…

Mother Angeste suddenly opened her eyes wide and sat up. Her eyes were bloodshot, her body trembling, and she let out an almost inaudible roar.

“Mother Superior!!”

A Drow Elf Guard walked in through the door–however, the next moment, a beam of negative energy shot out from the woman's fingertips, striking the meddlesome guard and causing him to fall to the ground. He was quickly dragged out.

No one spoke, no one made a sound, and the entire room was quiet as if nothing had happened.

After a short moment, Mother Angeste dressed in her Priest's robe and then she stood up and walked out of the bedroom. There, fully armed Drow Guards quietly waited for her commands, like unsheathed longswords. Mother Angeste gazed coldly at the guards beside her, then averted her gaze.

“Summon everyone to the audience chamber.”

Having said that, she coldly strode forward.

The dim audience chamber felt as oppressive as it usually did, making it hard to breathe. Mother Angeste sat atop the throne at the summit of the Spider Statue, flanked by several High Priests.

“Mother Superior, as you have requested, we have all assembled.”

“Mhm.”

Mother Angeste nodded her head, then glanced at the people below.

“Just now, the great Spider Goddess granted me an oracle.”

At this point, the nearby High Priests quickly noticed that Mother Angeste's voice was not as stable and commanding as usual but was instead trembling slightly, even her body becoming tense.

“In the omen bestowed upon me by the great Deity, we saw destruction, the destruction of our family, and of this city. Everything will be engulfed and consumed by flames. No one shall be spared; even our souls will not return to the embrace of the great Goddess but will wail as they turn to ash in the fierce fire…”
“This …”

It must be said, upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

“Mother Superior? Are you certain…? No, I do not doubt the future foreseen by the great Spider Goddess, but… who could it be? Within this region, we are the most powerful family, this city is an incomparable, impregnable fortress, and also blessed by the Spider Goddess…”

“I don't need you to point that out!”

Mother Angeste abruptly slapped the face of the High Priest who dared to stand up and question her, knocking her to the ground. Witnessing this scene, the Chief Martial Artist slightly furrowed his brow. He could feel Mother Angeste's anger and fear–indeed, she was afraid and angry because of it. The Chief Martial Artist could understand Mother Angeste's thoughts. As the matriarch of the Bruce Family, she had ruled this family and this city for over five hundred years. Favored by the Spider Goddess, she had never felt fear or dread; she took pride in her status, her family, and her city.

But now, she felt fear, a feeling she should not have.

What exactly did she see?

Was it a disaster? An unavoidable catastrophe?

“Chief Martial Artist!”

It was at this moment that Mother Angeste turned her gaze to the Chief Martial Artist.

“I order you to lead the most elite squad and move to the surface at maximum speed. Go to an inn in Deepwater City called 'Black Oak Tree,' and kill everyone there, without leaving a single soul alive!”

At these words, the Chief Martial Artist's first reaction was disbelief because the implication of Mother Angeste's words was clear–the existence that would bring destruction to this family and this city was in Deepwater City.

“As you command, Mother Superior.”

However, the Chief Martial Artist did not voice his opinion. For the Drow Elves, the opinions of males were of no importance. He bowed his head to receive his orders and swiftly turned to depart.

But even then, the Chief Martial Artist could not shake his inner doubts.

What exactly–had Mother Angeste seen that terrified her so?

In that inn, what is it that lies within?

Chapter end

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