Chapter 261: Frost Messenger

Chapter 261: Frost Messenger



"Miss, I think you're being a little too pessimistic. The Rain I remember isn't that kind of person." Shadiya recalled the boy he once was and spoke up.

Kraya shook her head, "You don't understand. When someone gains power, temptations like honor, authority, and wealth will inevitably follow. Do you think he won't change?"

Shadiya fell silent for a moment.

Undeniably, Miss Kraya's words held a lot of truth.

The old acquaintances and subordinates of the Earl had always been adept at reading the situation, and Miss Kraya was merely Rain's mentor during his early knighthood. It was unrealistic to hold out too much hope.

In the city of Minster.

On the tree-lined avenue, at the entrance of the Swordsmen Squad.

A short distance away, a mobile vendor selling nuts noticed Rain's return to the Swordsmen Squad. His expression changed, and he quickly turned around, jotted something down, and discreetly released a pigeon from a wooden box behind him.

Minutes later, in the third-floor study of Axson Auction House in Minster, a merchant named Asani was reporting to Viscount Fabien. He received another pigeon at that moment.

Why was this the second time?

It was because a few spies, who had been keeping an eye on Rain, had already sent a message to Asani when they saw Rain leave the Swordsmen Squad for his villa.

"Hmm? He went back again?" Asani glanced at the note in his hand, his expression changing as he looked up at Viscount Fabien, who sat behind a large rosewood desk, with a hint of unease.

"Huh? Didn't you just say that Rain had left the squad? And now he's back?" Viscount Fabien's expression froze, and he became noticeably displeased.

It wasn't just that he felt played, but he had also just informed Grant Savage, the 'Coldflame Cult' official who had just arrived from the Imperial Capital.

Asani was left with no choice but to go and explain the situation to Grant Savage.

"Umm, okay, Viscount Fabien. I'll go and report to Grant Savage." Asani's forehead broke out in a sweat, and he quickly stood up to take his leave.

He hoped that Grant Savage hadn't left yet, as he didn't want to face his wrath.

Oh well! Half an hour ago, he had been delighted to receive a message from his subordinates who were tailing Rain, and he had immediately come to report.

He never expected Rain to return!

At that moment, Rain had arrived at the Quest Hall.

"Hello, sir. How may I assist you?" A young and beautiful female staff member noticed Rain's arrival, stood up, bowed, and smiled sweetly.

"Please help me search for tasks related to the Darkflame Cult within the Meyster County," Rain said as he handed over his Golden Emblem.

"Yes, sir. Please wait a moment," said the female staff member, her face showing respect as she quickly accepted the Golden Emblem with both hands.

"Sir, there are eleven tasks in total. Do you wish to view them all?"

So many? Rain's eyebrows rose slightly.

After thinking for a moment, Rain asked again, "How many are Gold-level tasks?"

"Sir, there are three Gold-level tasks. Do you need to view the details?"

"Yes." Rain nodded.

"Okay, sir. Here you go. Please check the Wisdom Slate." Soon, the female staff member displayed the Gold-level tasks related to the Darkflame Cult within Meyster County on the Wisdom Slate in front of Rain.

Rain immediately began to review the tasks.

"Task: Eliminate Lacus, the mastermind behind the Flashgold Town Massacre (Gold-level). Lacus, originally from the Darkflame Cult, is one of the leaders and organizers of the recent attacks on Meyster County. He is also the planner and executor of the Flashgold Town Massacre, earning him the nickname 'Bloodburner.'

"A rare Shadow Wizard with formidable power.

"According to the latest intelligence, Lacus was last seen in Wolf Hills.

"Task Requirements: Eliminate Lacus within half a month. Recommended team size: One Swordsmen Squad. Fixed rewards: 2 Gold Medals, 300 points.

"Note: It is advised to exchange for a replica Imperial Staff before engaging in combat with high-level Darkflame Cultists."

The very first task made Rain's eyes widen in surprise! He had expected that investigating the mastermind behind the Flashgold Town Massacre would take a long time.

But now, he felt like he had 'searched high and low, only to find it right under his nose.'

Lacus, the planner of the massacre? A Shadow Wizard? Hmm?

Exchange for a replica Imperial Staff?

Rain suddenly remembered something.

Previously, when the Rock Squad's Battista and Rain came to Meyster for a task, Battista had used a silver-white staff that seemed to be a replica Imperial Staff, and with just one strike, he had dispelled the aura of a Darkflame Cultist and interrupted the ceremony of a Darkflame High Priest.

So, there were two types of replica Imperial weapons, a staff and a sword? He could check the Exchange Hall later.

"Investigate the truth behind the Meyster Attacks (Gold-level)."

In the recent attack on the Black Flame Church in Myister, the true purpose remains unclear.

"Mission Objective: Investigate the situation within a month. It is recommended to deploy a full Swordsman Squad. Mission Reward: 3 Golden Medals and 5000 Merit Points."

"Note: If there are additional discoveries or the mission is completed sooner, the reward will be increased."

"Protect the Governor of Myister County (Golden Rank). Myister County has experienced a series of recent attacks, and the local governor has been repeatedly targeted.

"Mission Objective: Within half a month, protect Governor Ryan of Myister. It is recommended to deploy three or more personnel. Mission Reward: 1 Golden Medal and 1000 Merit Points."

"Note: If multiple Black Flame Cultists are killed during the protection, the reward will be increased."

After reading these three missions, Rain's eyebrows furrowed.

On the Wisdom Slate, these missions were all Golden Rank, but the recommended number of personnel in the mission requirements was consistently a full Swordsman Squad.

And he was alone.

Additionally, according to regulations, a Swordsman Squad could only accept one mission, but he wanted to take on all three missions.

"Oh right, is Deputy Administrator Olena available?" Rain thought for a moment and decided to look for her.

"Yes, sir, do you know Administrator Olena?"

"Yes, you can tell her that Rain is looking for her."

"Okay, sir, I'll go and inform her for you." The young female clerk quickly stood up and hurriedly jogged towards the back of the hall.

Soon, the efficient and smiling Olena walked out of the office.

"Rain, why don't we discuss this in my office?" Olena was perceptive and suggested as soon as they met.

"Okay, thank you." Rain smiled and stood up.

Inside the office.

Rain and Olena sat facing each other.

"Administrator Olena, I want to accept the Golden Rank missions, but they all require a full Swordsman Squad, and currently, I'm alone."

"Oh? Rain, do you intend to undertake the Golden Rank missions alone?" Olena's eyes sparkled with surprise.

"Yes."

"Rain, I don't doubt your capabilities, but this regulation is something I cannot change."

Rain's eyebrows furrowed at Olena's words.

He hadn't expected that even the Deputy Administrator couldn't allow him to accept squad missions alone.

"However, Rain, do you have any close friends among the new Swordsman batch?"

"If so, Rain, you might consider forming a squad directly."

"I have that intention, but my two friends are already on missions and currently not in the Swordsman Division."

Olena smiled slightly and said, "Rain, as long as the other party doesn't object, I can help you with the squad formation.

Rain was slightly taken aback and understood.

Even Olena couldn't help with the regulation of accepting squad missions alone.

However, a flexible approach was to form a squad and accept missions under the squad's name, the Swordsman Division wouldn't inquire further.

Of course, the prerequisite was that squad members wouldn't expose this matter.

Veronica and Evelyn naturally wouldn't object, as they had previously expressed their willingness to be in a squad with Rain.

"I understand, then I'll trouble you, Administrator Olena."

"Rain, you're too kind."

Rain took the quill and paper from Olena and began filling out the squad registration information, but he hesitated when it came to the squad name.

At this moment, Olena glanced at the paper and smiled beside him.

"Rain, 'Myister War Hammer' seems quite fitting as your squad name, representing your origins and combat power."

Huh?

Rain was a bit speechless at the name.

Well, whatever!

However, naming was indeed difficult for him, so he wrote it down for now.

"Oh, and Administrator Olena, this time, I want to accept the three Golden Rank missions related to the Black Flame Cult in Myister County."

"Rain, if you truly intend to do so, I can approve these as a series of missions. For powerful Swordsmen, this is allowed." Olena thought for a moment and came up with a solution.

"Series missions?"

"Yes, these three missions are in the same location and related to the Black Flame Cult, so they can be considered a series of missions."

"Then thank you, Administrator Olena."

"Rain, you're too kind."

After accepting all three Golden Rank missions.

Rain then arrived at the Exchange Hall.

This time, he planned to rent a Replica Imperial Scepter like Battista did before.

"Hello, sir, how may I assist you?"

"I want to rent a Replica Imperial Scepter." As he spoke, Rain handed over his Golden Emblem to the other party.

For Rain, the staff was like a hammer, which was naturally more familiar to him than a sword.

"Yes, sir," the girl respectfully took the emblem with both hands.

"Sir, borrowing the Imperial Staff requires 1,000 merit points. Additionally, if it is lost, you will be deducted 10,000 merit points and a Golden Medal as compensation, so please handle it with care." The girl said crisply as she operated something.

Hmm?

Using it costs 1,000 merit points?

Rain finally understood why Battista had looked so grim after using the replica Imperial Staff.

It was because he had wasted 1,000 merit points, but the mission wasn't completed. No wonder!

"Alright," Rain nodded.

"By the way, sir, I see you haven't borrowed any replica Imperial weapons before. Would you like me to briefly explain the instructions for use?"

"Sure."

"Well, sir, the replica Imperial weapon series is mainly designed to counter various evil divine powers and the creatures or objects contaminated by them. It has a strong killing effect on them but isn't very effective against ordinary wizards and knights."

Rain nodded.

He basically understood.

The replica Imperial weapons were prepared to counter various evil divine powers.

"By the way, do you have any Tempered Fine Gold Ingots?" Rain thought of something—the Tempered Fine Gold Ingot he currently had could transform and cover his plate gauntlets, but the weight was still slightly insufficient.

"Yes, sir. How many do you need?"

"Give me fifty pounds first."

"Yes, sir. Fifty pounds will cost a total of 1,200 merit points."

After completing the exchange, Rain quickly left the hall. He found a secluded spot and transformed the Tempered Fine Gold Ingot, covering it over his plate gauntlets.

However, this made his entire set of plate armor look a bit odd.

Except for the plate gauntlets, which were silver, the gauntlets themselves were a grayish-black color.

The airship from the capital to Minster finally arrived, and Kraya and her maid quickly disembarked.

Not far away, an elderly butler-like man saw Kraya and immediately showed a delighted expression. He hurried forward to greet her and bowed, saying, "Miss, good day! The carriage arranged by the Count is ready, and we can leave for Minster at any time."

After learning that Kraya insisted on returning, Count Habsburg had arranged for personnel and a carriage in Minster in advance.

"Let's find a place to stay first. I plan to visit a friend at the Swordsmen Division in Minster." Kraya thought for a moment and chose her words carefully regarding Rain.

"Okay, miss." Butler Yodel was puzzled, wondering when his mistress had made a friend in the Swordsmen Division in Minster. However, as a servant, it wasn't appropriate for him to ask too many questions.

Soon, a luxurious carriage with the Calibird Emblem smoothly headed towards the Swordsmen Division in Minster.

Kraya looked out the window, seeing a bustling flow of people on the road, showing no signs of any disturbance.

"Huh? What's this?" Kraya looked through the window and suddenly saw a middle-aged man in a white wizard's robe.

Amidst the bustling pedestrians, this middle-aged man stood out prominently.

Even formal knights would detour around him from a distance.

The middle-aged man held a short staff that seemed to be made of crystal, and his entire body emanated a chilling aura, exuding a powerful and intimidating presence.

Kraya knew this wasn't an illusion; it was his body that was genuinely emitting cold air.

The main issue was that she had seen this person once before, and the location was in the capital.

"Strange, why is 'Frost Messenger' Grant in Minster? Shouldn't he be at the Axson Auction House headquarters in the capital?"

"Could it be that the Axson Auction House has some important items to escort this time?" Kraya couldn't help but speculate.

Previously, she had attended an auction organized by the Axson Auction House in the capital at the invitation of a suitor from the Imperial Academy. There, she had seen 'Frost Messenger' Grant once.

According to sources, he was a rare ice-type wizard, and the offensive power of ice-type wizardry was well-known. Additionally, the defensive power of some ice-type wizardry was also very strong, so Grant was a wizard with almost no weaknesses.

It was said that once, when Grant was escorting a treasure for the Axson Auction House, he fought a famous mercenary group disguised as a band of thieves. This famous mercenary group included a total of three Grand Knights and twelve formal knights, including the leader.

However, Grant killed them all, earning him the title of 'Frost Messenger.'

At this moment, behind 'Frost Messenger' Grant by several dozen meters, the plump merchant master Assani was hurrying to catch up, his entire body shaking with fat.

He had no choice but to follow Viscount Fabien's instructions.

However, when he arrived at Grant's residence, his subordinates informed him that the Frost Messenger had just left. So, the anxious Assani rushed over.

But just as he arrived, he witnessed this scene.

The 'Frost Messenger' Grant, wearing a striking white robe, stood in the middle of the road ahead, and Rain was several dozen meters in front of him.

Huh? Wasn't Rain supposed to be back at the Swordsmen Division?

How did he appear again? Assani was surprised and delighted by this unexpected turn of events.

Two minutes ago, Rain had just left the Swordsman Division after exchanging some items. He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped.

Rain looked up and saw a middle-aged man in a white wizard's robe walking towards him. Although Rain didn't recognize the man, he could clearly sense that the man's gaze was fixed on him.

This meant that the man was looking for him!

Kraya and her maid, sitting in a carriage nearby, had also noticed Grant, the Frost Messenger, staring in a certain direction. When they saw a tall, young man in silver-white knight plate armor, Kraya felt a sense of familiarity.

Shadiya, the maid sitting with Kraya, looked thoughtful. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she pointed at the young man outside the carriage and said, "Miss..."

Before she could finish her sentence, the situation changed abruptly.

"Where's the fang?" the middle-aged man asked in a low voice.

Rain calmly stared at him without saying a word.

Earlier, when he had left the Swordsman Division, he had felt like someone was tailing him. Now it seemed his intuition was correct.

Additionally, Rain had already figured out the man's identity.

The middle-aged man in the white robe raised a finger, and suddenly, a nearly five-foot-long, thin ice blade formed from his fingertip.

The crescent-shaped ice blade shimmered in the sunlight, appearing and disappearing in an instant.

The surrounding pedestrians, startled by the sudden ice magic and the drop in temperature, screamed and scattered in all directions.

With a whoosh, the ice blade flew towards Rain at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.

Kraya, watching from a distance, felt a chill. If she were in Rain's position, she wouldn't have had time to dodge the ice blade. Her only options would have been to block it with her greatsword, either horizontally or vertically.

But that would put her on the defensive.

The man would then unleash a barrage of ice blades, like a rain of arrows, forcing her into a passive position.

"What?!" Kraya's eyes widened, and her mouth hung slightly open.

She saw that the tall young man didn't dodge or block the attack. Instead, he swiftly raised his hand, using his dark-colored knight gauntlet to grasp the razor-sharp ice blade directly.

With a snap, he crushed the hard and sharp ice blade with a single grip. It was a Level 1 Magic, Ice Blade Spell, with an attack power of 32. How could it be shattered by a mere hand?

Grant, the Frost Messenger, narrowed his eyes at this sight.

This didn't match the strength described in the intelligence report. Additionally, Grant had just sensed a fleeting energy particle fluctuation, indicating the use of some magic. But wasn't the man a Senior Knight?

Could he be a Senior Knight and a Level 3 Apprentice Wizard?

At that moment, Rain tapped his toes on the ground, and the white paving stones beneath him shattered.

In an instant, Rain vanished from his original position, leaving behind a silver line as he dashed towards Grant.

Grant, the Frost Messenger, remained calm. He quickly chanted an incantation and pointed his finger, shooting a white frost ray forward.

"Whoosh!" A layer of ice several centimeters thick formed over dozens of square meters in front of Grant, a useful move against close-range fighters.

But the next moment, Grant witnessed something unbelievable.

A black short spear suddenly appeared in Rain's right hand, and he took advantage of his momentum to hurl the spear towards Grant with great force.

With a hiss, the spear flew like a black lightning bolt towards Grant, propelled by Rain's innate strength and the force of his charge.

Grant's expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "Frost Shield!"

Instantly, a thick oval-shaped ice shield enveloped Grant, protecting him securely. This was Grant's innate magic.

"Clang!" The frost shield blocked the incoming spear.

However, the spear's power exceeded Grant's expectations. The spearhead had pierced through the frost shield, and the black spear was now stuck in the ice shield.

Suddenly, Grant realized something was amiss.

He looked up and, through the ten-centimeter-thick ice layer, saw Rain right in front of him.

How was this possible?

How could Rain have moved so quickly around the large ice layer on the ground?

But why was he holding a spear?

"Pfft!" The spearhead suddenly bent forward and grew twenty centimeters, its sharp tip now pointing directly at Grant.

In an instant, Grant's eyes bulged, his expression frozen, and his entire body trembled.

With just three moves, Rain had defeated Grant, the renowned Frost Messenger of the Arcadia Auction House, killing him on the spot.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end