Chapter 171: The Rebel's Plot

Chapter 171: The Rebel's Plot

Previously, he had wanted to participate in the Black Flame Prayer Ritual, but only with the intention of slightly borrowing the power of the gods to enhance himself.

Alonso had no intention of fully accepting the transformative power of the gods! Although it would grant him immense strength, he was also well aware of the dangers.

He would not choose this path until the very last moment.

Additionally, the previous Black Flame Prayer Ritual had not gone smoothly, so even if he wanted to accept the power of the gods, he could only wait for the next ritual.

Therefore, this time, Alonso was going to meet a hidden person in a certain place.

Under normal circumstances, he would also be reluctant to meet such a person.

This person was a spy for the Zaral Resistance Army, operating in secret within Master County, and went by the name 'Magis', but it was clear that this was a fake name.

On the other hand, meeting with a rebel spy also posed a significant risk for Alonso.

If his mother were to seek him out, it would be like sending a lamb to the tiger's den.

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Although Rain didn't know if he was the target, he also had no interest in experiencing the feeling of being ambushed.

"The target should be on the road from the south, near Rosby County, heading towards Shangjin Town. It's not far from here—Rosby City."

"This is thanks to the well-informed people in the city, otherwise, we wouldn't have known that such a valuable vintage was being transported by an inconspicuous caravan."

At this moment, as he set off on his return journey, the winter sun shone warmly on the path ahead, and the winding trail through the forest was no longer dark and damp, but instead, it seemed like a road strewn with gold fragments.

In a moment, a middle-aged man dressed as a prison guard captain appeared, followed by a trusted guard. Upon seeing Alonso's arrival, he smiled slightly.

Rain's heart immediately flared up at the man's response.

He quickly realized what was happening and jumped off his warhorse, dodging into the nearby forest.

"Don't you all want to weaken the Empire's strength? This is a good opportunity to eliminate a promising young knight." Alonso thought for a moment, and to prevent any further complications, he revealed Rain's latest information.

"Mother, let's wait a little longer and see. Perhaps Rain will return soon," Jenny comforted.

"However, out of concern for the rebels, I hope you can send capable people to handle this matter. Otherwise, if they have a chance to grow stronger, they might become a big problem for you in the future." Alonso shrugged.

Fortunately, Rain was at most a Master Knight! With the strength of the nearby forces, they should be able to handle it.

He had just felt like he had fallen into one of Alonso's traps, where he had readily agreed to the other party's request, only to be led by the nose and faced with increasing challenges.

Immediately, a rustling sound echoed through the forest, and a group of burly men armed with various weapons and clad in chainmail and leather armor emerged from the thicket.

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Just a few days ago, the Crowley family had prepared to transport this batch of Bordeaux Vintage from the Fishing Harbor Town to the county, but it was unexpectedly hijacked.

Master County had also attempted to eradicate these bandit groups but failed due to the complexity of the terrain.

Seeing that Rain was unharmed, the forest seemed to echo with sighs of regret.

She knew that Alonso harbored ill intentions towards her mother.

"Perhaps, I'll have to seek out Baron Alonso," Baroness Crowley said, her brows furrowed. As Jenny heard these words, she felt that the baroness was trying to reassure herself.

Jenny immediately closed the office door.

"The rest of the wine can still be sold and exchanged for weapons and military funds."

"It seems I'll have to make a trip outside the city."

At that moment, a gray falcon landed in a nearby cage.

To the east of Master City, there was a vast expanse of rolling hills, with a slightly muddy forest road leading eastward.

Shangjin Town.

Rain politely declined the invitation from Viscount Norman and Evelyn to stay longer, mounted his sturdy black horse, and began his return journey.

A gray falcon swiftly flew into the depths of the mine! If one could follow the falcon's gaze, they would discover a hidden wonder within the mine.

A group of people gathered around a knight clad in plate armor, listening intently.

Rain immediately spotted the four or five men holding matchlocks and the four or five burly men in plate armor leading the way.

The two escorts were the only remaining capable servants of the Crowley family, both in their forties or fifties, one dead and the other severely injured.

Baroness Crowley, despite her extensive experience, found this situation exceptionally challenging.

The rebels, on the other hand, excelled in this regard.

At this moment, Rain had reached the outskirts of Shangjin Town.

The gray falcon flew through the dimly lit mine, and a vast underground hall came into view, with bonfires lit all around, and groups of mercenaries gathered in small clusters.

As Alonso spoke, Magis' expression brightened, showing a more positive attitude compared to the last time they met.

However, when she searched for a mercenary group in Master County, she found none capable of taking on such a challenging task.

"For a new nation, we need to fight against the Empire without fear! Many nobles secretly support us, and with these matchlock guns, we can quickly bridge the power gap between us and the Imperial Army."

One of the organizations holed up in the abandoned mines was the Zaral Resistance Army's stronghold in Master County.

A gray falcon swiftly flew towards the mountains outside Master City.

"Of course!" Alonso stood up, ready to leave.

Four days later, Rayne embarked on the final stretch of his journey. After half a day's travel, he would pass through these hills and reach Shangjin Town.

"Look who's here! It's the esteemed Baron Alonso. Have you made up your mind to..." Magis said with a broad smile.

"If you can accomplish this, I might be able to help with the deal we discussed last time."

When the incident occurred, Baroness Crowley and Jenny visited Rayne's home, but they left disappointed upon learning that Rayne had gone to Rosby City for the enlistment examination.

As the deadline approached, the Crowley family would have to pay double the value of the goods to compensate these nobles. It was no exaggeration to say that this would significantly damage the Crowley family's finances.

"Oh! More news has arrived."

They never expected that just a few days ago, they would become the parents of a baron.

"Hmm? You've killed a Black Flame Apostle? Baron Alonso, are you sure it was an apostle and not a monk?" Magis, the Resistance spy, asked with a solemn expression.

Soon after boarding the carriage, Jenny frowned and said to the noblewoman inside, "Mother, Lord Rayne hasn't returned yet, and the delivery time is getting closer. What should we do?"

In the hall, at least four or five groups were gathered, discussing or listening to something.

Since the Crowley family had made their fortune in the wine trade, they were delighted when several nobles from Master County approached them, requesting a batch of top-grade Bordeaux vintage.

Due to the presence of the 'Wild Wolf Hills' bandits nearby, Baroness Crowley had visited the city guards and the county sheriff several times, but they couldn't convince them to dispatch troops to eliminate the bandits and retrieve the goods.

As for why they didn't hire assassins? The difference was that if assassins failed, Rayne would immediately realize it and the situation could escalate.

Alonso waved his hand impatiently, saying, "Listen, Magis. To prove your strength, I need you to kill someone, a newly-appointed knight named Rayne."

As Rayne stepped onto the path leading to Shangjin Town, he felt a sense of solidity and an urge to share his joy with his parents.

He looked around the room, confirming that only Alonso was present, then instructed his trusted subordinate to guard the room and not allow anyone else to enter.

"Oh, a senior knight? Haha, it's a small matter. Rest assured, Baron Alonso, we'll take care of this." Magis was relieved to learn that the target was a senior knight, which was why they wanted the Resistance to handle it.

The burly man walked over to the gray falcon, took a small bamboo tube from its leg, and removed a small note from inside.

"With the frequent occurrence of mysterious incidents, the final straw that broke the camel's back was the formation of the Zaral Resistance Army. Our goal is to overthrow the Empire's corrupt rule and establish a new, enlightened nation, just like the Eagle Federation, which considers the people's interests."

A few seconds passed.

It was indeed a matchlock gun!

Meanwhile, as Rayne walked along the path, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and pulled on the reins, stopping the black horse.

"Bang, bang, bang!" A series of gunshots rang out.

After a while, he turned to another burly man and said, "Malken, it seems we have a job to do. We're tasked with eliminating someone named Rayne in the city, said to be a tricky opponent with the strength of a master knight. So, we'll need to mobilize everyone."

A week ago, Rayne braved the freezing rain and cold, damp weather to participate in the enlistment examination in Rosby City. At that time, he had confidence in his path but still felt apprehensive.

Magis asked with a hint of cunning, "Baron, is Rayne just a newly-appointed knight?"

"Hmm... This operation was well-executed. Disguised as bandits, we managed to steal a cartload of valuable twenty-year-old Bordeaux vintage." The burly man with a beard laughed.

"Although the organization and Baron Alonso have their own interests, his contact with us is a taboo. Soon, he'll realize that there's no turning back after boarding our ship."

Suddenly!

He sensed something amiss. Twenty to thirty meters ahead, dozens of people were hiding in the dense forest on both sides of the road, indicating an ambush.

"By the way, I have another piece of news to share with you. Rayne recently participated in the enlistment examination organized by Minster Province and received an excellent evaluation, earning him the title of Baron.

"At the office entrance, Magis stared at Alonso's departing figure, deep in thought.

'But Baron, don't forget the promise you made to us,' Magis said.

However, Rayne's keen perception detected a faint sizzling sound, and his level 3 'Danger Perception' also began to issue subtle warnings.

'That's a bit troublesome, but it's not a big issue. It just requires some effort,' Magis said, well aware of the Black Flame Church and the varying strengths of its members after living in Master County for nearly two years.

'The Empire, after over two millennia of rule, has become internally corrupt. Many nobles in various regions have started oppressing the commoners with heavy taxes and demands.'

Meanwhile, Alonso was also satisfied with Magis' words.

Inside the room, two burly men were guzzling red wine, and the red, crystalline liquid dripped from their mouths, down their necks, emitting a rich aroma. At their feet were about a dozen wooden crates, each adorned with a falcon shield and a rose-like floral pattern. Inside the crates were neatly arranged bottles of Bordeaux vintage.

A luxurious carriage stood at the entrance of Rayne's house, escorted by two cavalry guards in front and behind. The breastplates of the carriage and the cavalry bore noble emblems—a falcon shield with a rose-like flower.

'Thank you for your concern, Baron Alonso. Rest assured, we will take responsibility if any issues arise,' Magis said, his expression easing slightly.

'Baron Alonso, is there anything else you haven't made clear to us?' Magis asked, looking at Alonso with suspicion, wondering what his intentions were.

At this thought, a smile crept onto Rayne's face.

'Yes, an Apostle,' Alonso nodded.

In a corner of the underground hall, a single room had been created by partitioning off a depression that was originally part of the mine excavation.

It was rare for someone to be absent one day and return the next.

They themselves were a target that attracted firepower. Even if they failed, Rayne wouldn't be able to pin it on them, and instead, the Resistance could divert Rayne's attention away from him.

Who would release information about their target bit by bit like Alonso? It was enough to drive anyone crazy.

'That's all. Right now, Rayne is probably on his way back to Shangjin Town from Rosby County.'

However, Magis found it strange after a moment's thought. If the opponent was just a newly promoted Knight, the Baron in front of him shouldn't have any trouble dealing with him.

When the news first arrived, it was like a bolt of lightning striking the heart of Baroness Crowley.

The carriage made several turns and arrived at a low but heavily guarded building with the words 'Master County Prison' written on its gate.

Something was amiss; there seemed to be a Peak Knight among them, but that wasn't important! What mattered was Rayne's current foul mood. Anyone would feel the same if they were ambushed just before returning home.

Magis took out a strange stone block emitting a faint cyan glow from his pocket and whispered under his breath.

But the opponent remained hidden in the thicket, showing no reaction.

At Viscount Norman's mansion.

'Alright, then we'll wait one more day. Otherwise, even if Rayne returns, it'll be too late to retrieve the goods,' Baroness Crowley said, still unable to hide her worry.

A slender noble girl, Jenny, walked out of Rayne's house toward the carriage, her white dress hanging in her hand, and disappointment on her face.

This road was the only way to Fishing Harbor Town, but the area was lush with dense vegetation, providing cover for bandit groups.

Some people were cleaning matchlock guns, and if Rayne saw them, he would notice that they were almost identical to the ones he had seen on the Sunken Ship.

But just as he stood up, he added, 'By the way, I should remind you that the opponent has killed a Black Flame Apostle before. So, I suggest you don't take this lightly. If you suffer any significant losses, don't blame me for not warning you.'

Time was running out.

Five Knights?

'What?' Magis exclaimed, his expression changing.

This wasn't the only place where such a lecture was being given.

Alonso thought for a moment and said, 'This Rayne is exceptionally strong for his age. I believe he's at least a Senior Knight by now.'

After getting off the carriage and following the guard's directions, Alonso arrived at an office.

'Come out!' Rayne called out.

When Rayne returned to the place where he had met Harr, a mix of emotions flooded him.

Some people showed fervent expressions, while others looked enlightened.

Especially when the opponent used the same trick as before.

Rayne took out the pig-headed hammer from his back and muttered something under his breath.

Soon, the refraction of light in the air revealed something different within several meters of Rayne's body.

It was the magic 'Inferno Field'! The next second, Rayne charged out of the thicket toward the opponent!

At this moment, only a satisfying slaughter could assuage Rayne's anger!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end