Chapter 188: The Mysterious Crystal
Chapter 188: The Mysterious Crystal
At the crack of dawn, Nina rose from her soft bed, habitually stretching her limbs, and her brows furrowed slightly.
The discomfort in her lower body made her face pale, and the empty space beside her made her eyes sink.
She went downstairs.
The newlywed Harvey was practicing his swordsmanship in the courtyard, his blade flashing with each agile movement, and the occasional sword howl echoed.
Now a legendary knight, with the support of his family's resources, he could rival a first-rank early-stage wizard.
"You're up so early to train?"
As Nina approached, her expression became complex.
"You've just gotten married. You should spend more time with your wife and not work so hard."
"Grei is still resting, and I can't sleep," Harvey paused his movements, his knight's sword pointing to the ground. "Grandfather's revenge is yet to be fulfilled, and the Walker family's situation hasn't improved. How can I dare to rest?"
Nina fell silent, then asked, "Is Mr. Conn gone?"
"Not yet," Harvey replied.
"He's having breakfast in the side hall, and he's preparing to leave, but I saw him and stopped him."
"Well done!" Nina's eyes lit up. "I'll go find him."
On her way to the side hall, Nina rubbed her pale cheeks and organized her thoughts.
'Karl is a disciple of the Sixth Circle Tower, but because he offended Gold, he can't go to the Calim Continent.'
'If the Walker family befriends him, they can establish a connection with the Sixth Circle Tower.'
'And...'
'His strength is exceptional. Although I don't know what method he used, he has killed a late-stage first-rank wizard.'
'The Perro Clan considers him a deadly enemy, which aligns with the Walker family's stance.'
'I slept with him, and Harvey is his disciple...'
Side Hall.
The soft glow of morning light filtered through the frosted glass, casting a veil over everything in the hall.
The tall Karl held a knife and fork, savoring the delicacies provided by the Walker family.
White bread, ale, and cheese ham made for a perfect combination, complemented by a carefully prepared soup.
His appearance wasn't particularly handsome.
But in Nina's eyes, he exuded a power that set him apart from other wizards, as if his mere presence could calm her restlessness.
"Ka—"
"Conn," Nina corrected herself.
A smile tugged at Nina's lips uncontrollably. "You're truly heartless. Is it that you don't even want to see me once before leaving?"
"You're awake," Karl said expressionlessly. "The white bread is well made."
"Heh..." Nina gave a soft laugh, then spoke straightforwardly without beating around the bush.
"I want you to help me deal with the Perro Clan!"
Karl's eyes narrowed in surprise. "Miss Nina, it's true that I have a grudge against the Perro Clan, but your father also almost killed me."
"What makes you think I would help you?"
Just because they slept together?
Because he was her first man?
"Conn," Nina said, not angry but speaking softly. "My father did wrong, but he has paid the price for his actions."
"And the Walker family will offer a reward."
"Hmm..."
She took a deep breath, glanced around to ensure no outsiders were present, and then spoke seriously.
"You should know that the clan leaders of the four great families have certain privileges in the Dream Marketplace, but they certainly don't know where these privileges come from."
Karl raised an eyebrow.
The Dream Marketplace prohibited killing, and anyone with excessive mental fluctuations would be expelled, even second-rank wizards.
Only the clan leaders of the four great families could take limited action.
"Where did they get these privileges?" Karl asked.
"About two hundred years ago, someone discovered the Dream Marketplace," Nina sat down across from him and spoke softly.
"Later..."
"The elders of the four families jointly occupied the place."
"The core of the Dream Marketplace comes from a special crystal, suspected to be a part of a high-rank heritage magic tool."
Nina knocked on the table and continued, "No one knows the exact details of what happened back then. We only know that the four families reached an agreement, and each family obtained a fragment of the crystal, gaining control over a portion of the Dream Marketplace's abilities.
"It is said..."
"That if the four fragments were combined, the owner would become a powerful Second Circle Wizard."
"In the Dream Bazaar, they could even rival a Third Circle Wizard!"
"Even if one were to obtain just a fragment, the owner would receive the Bazaar's blessing, making them unafraid of Second Circle Wizards, ensuring the Four Great Families' survival over the past two centuries."
Karl slowly nodded.
The Four Great Families did not possess Second Circle Wizards.
Without a Second Circle Wizard to safeguard them, a family would struggle to endure two hundred years in the outside world.
Similarly, the Dream Bazaar's resources being divided among the four had prevented the birth of a Second Circle Wizard within the families.
A double-edged situation!
Mysterious Crystal?
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
Is this the key to the Four Great Families' longevity?
"So..."
Karl spoke, "There have always been conflicts within the families, each desiring sole ownership of the Dream Bazaar, aspiring to become a Second Circle lineage?"
"Yes," Nina nodded, "But the conflicts weren't as intense before, only escalating over the past decade or so."
"Vaughn killed my father to obtain the crystal fragment he possessed..."
"But he never expected that my father, knowing his time was near, had already passed the item to me. With the seal on me broken, I learned all the secrets of the Four Great Families."
Vaughn was the head of the Perro Clan.
"Hmm..." Karl narrowed his eyes, thinking of something, "Is this a secret of the Four Great Families that can be shared with outsiders?"
"No!" Nina shook her head, "Only the head couple knows, and even their own children are not supposed to be told, in principle."
"I only learned of this after my father's death."
"So you're telling me..." Karl was taken aback.
"As a couple, you're my only man." Nina smiled, placing a crystal-like object on the table, "And..."
"It's yours now."
After a long pause.
"Why?" Karl was perplexed, "We barely know each other."
Having only slept together once, they were indeed not that familiar, especially considering the entrustment of an item crucial to a family's survival.
Absolutely surreal!
"Vaughn won't let the Walker Family off the hook," Nina turned her head towards the door, her eyes filled with complexity, "The Four Great Families are interconnected through marriage, and my aunt, sister, and several girls from my uncles' families are married to Perro men, some of whom were my childhood playmates."
"Now..."
"Some have been branded with slave marks, their minds controlled, while others have been killed and hung outside the Perro Clan's gates."
Nina clenched her teeth, her voice a low growl, "Even if I die, I'd rather give this to you than let the Perro Clan get their hands on it. The Walker Family may perish, but they won't get what they desire."
"I understand." Karl comprehended, "You plan to deal with Vaughn, the head of the Perro Clan?"
"Yes!" Nina nodded firmly, "The Perro Clan will never expect me to make my move on Vaughn the day after Harvey's wedding."
"If Vaughn is killed, the Perro Clan's fragment will be mine, ensuring the Walker Family's standing in the Dream Bazaar."
"And if Vaughn can't be killed, I'll die..."
"I want you to protect Harvey. After all, he is your disciple, and their marriage will continue the Walker Family's bloodline!"
"I've done all I can, including finding a man. Now, I'm ready to fight to the death for my family, without regrets."
"You've got guts," Karl couldn't help but praise, then asked, "Do you think you have a chance?"
"Heh..." Nina chuckled, slowly releasing the suppressed mental energy, "Thanks to your Demon Vine, I've reached the late First Circle, and I've also found a few helpers."
"Additionally..."
"Karl, since you've killed members of the Perro Clan, they won't let you off either. So, I want you to help me deal with them."
"Rest assured!"
"Not Vaughn."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
