Chapter 261: The Ice Messenger
Chapter 261: The Ice Messenger
"Lady, I think you're being too pessimistic. Lord Rayn, as I remember him, wasn't that kind of person," Shadiya recalled the young man she once knew.
Kraya shook her head, "You don't understand. When someone gains power, temptations like honor, authority, and wealth will naturally follow. Don't you think he'll change?"
Shadiya fell silent for a moment.
Undeniably, Lady Kraya's words made sense.
The former associates and subordinates of Baron Rain were adept at reading the political climate, let alone Lady Kraya, who was merely Rayn's mentor in his early knighthood, and thus, it was unreasonable to have high hopes.
In the city of Minster, at the Swordsmen Branch gate.
"Yes, sir. You can find the tasks at the Task Hall," the Swordsman Branch staff informed.
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As Assani hurried towards the mansion where Grant was staying, his subordinates informed him that the Ice Messenger had just left.
"Alright, sir. That's 1,200 Merit Points in total," the staff member replied.
"Hmm? He's back again?" Assani glanced at the note in his hand, his expression changed, and he looked up at Duke Fabian, who was sitting behind a large rosewood desk, with a hint of unease.
The striking figure of the Ice Messenger, Grant, stood in the middle of the road ahead, while several meters in front of him stood Lord Rayn.
Rayn took the quill and paper from Olenna, filling out the squad registration information. However, when he reached the part for the squad name, he hesitated.
Sighing, Rayn had been delighted half an hour ago. After receiving the message from the surveillance team, he immediately came to report.
"Sir, there are three Gold Rank tasks. Do you want to view the details?"
Rayn didn't recognize the other party, but he could clearly sense their gaze fixed on him.
"Yes."
"Ice Shield!"
"Thank you, Baron Rain."
"Strange, why is the Ice Messenger, Grant, here in Minster? Shouldn't he be at the Aksen Auction House headquarters in the Imperial Capital?"
"Baron Rain, how about we discuss this in my office?" Olenna, being perceptive, seemed to sense Rayn's intention and invited him in.
Not far away, an elderly butler, seeing Kraya, greeted her with a bow, "My lady, good day! The carriage arranged by the Baron is ready. We can depart for Myester at any time."
Rayn and Olenna sat facing each other.
"Hmm," Rayn nodded.
Why did he say 'again'? It was because the surveillance team, upon seeing Rayn leaving the Swordsmen Branch for the villa earlier, had already sent a message to the caravan master, Assani.
He didn't expect that even the Vice Secretary, Olenna, wouldn't allow him to take on a squad task alone.
It was said that Grant had single-handedly escorted a treasure for the Aksen Auction House, engaging in a fierce battle with a well-known mercenary group disguised as thieves. This mercenary group included their leader and consisted of three Great Knights and twelve official Knights.
"Could it be that the Aksen Auction House has something important that needs escorting?" Kraya couldn't help but speculate.
But just after walking a short distance, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
After reading through the tasks, Rayn's brows furrowed.
A short distance away, a vendor selling nuts, seeing Rayn return to the Swordsmen Branch, changed his expression, immediately turned around, quickly wrote something, and discreetly released a carrier pigeon from behind a wooden box. Minutes later, at the Aksen Auction House in Minster, on the third floor, in a study room, Assani was reporting to Duke Fabian when he received another carrier pigeon.
He understood the situation.
"Okay, my lady," said the butler, Yodel, though puzzled. When did Lady Kraya make a friend at the Swordsmen Branch in Minster? However, as a servant, it wasn't his place to ask.
But they were all killed by Grant, earning him the title of 'Ice Messenger.'
"Whoosh!" In front of Grant, a layer of ice several centimeters thick formed over an area of several square meters.
"(Note: If multiple Black Flame Cultists are killed during the protection, the reward will be increased.)"
Rayn paused, understanding Olenna's intention.
The Ice Shield blocked the incoming short spear!
But the next second, he seemed to witness something unbelievable.
"I have that intention, but my two friends are currently on tasks and not at the Swordsmen Branch."
Unexpectedly, Rayn returned again!
"Task Requirements: Kill Lakusur within half a month. Recommended team size: One Swordsmen Squad. Task Reward: 2 Golden Medals and 3000 Merit Points."
Even the official Knights in the surrounding area would give the person a wide berth.
This was the Freeze Ray, a spell that was particularly effective against professions requiring close combat.
With an attack power of 32 degrees, how could it possibly be shattered by hand? This was what the Ice Messenger, Grant, witnessed.
And he was alone.
Hmm? Rayn was puzzled by the name. Well!
This noble's temper wasn't good.
In the office, a young female staff member was busy operating a system while speaking in a crisp tone, "Sir, borrowing the Imperial Staff requires 1000 Merit Points. Additionally, if it is lost, you will be deducted 10,000 Merit Points and a Gold Medal as compensation, so please handle it with care."
Suddenly, Ren remembered something.
But now, he felt like he had finally found what he was looking for without much effort.
As Ren approached, the 'Ice Messenger' Grant remained calm, quickly chanting a spell and pointing at the ground in front of him. A white freeze ray shot out, creating a layer of ice.
"Sir Rain, I don't doubt your strength, but this rule is beyond my power to change."
However, the power of the short spear was greater than Grant expected. The spearhead had pierced through the ice shield, and the black short spear was stuck in the ice.
"Protect the Myester County Town Governor (Gold Rank). Recently, there have been multiple attacks in Myester County Town, and the local governor, Baron Habsburg, was seriously injured. The cultists' audacity has grown, and they are continuously creating a panic in the city."
After some thought, Ren asked again, "How many are there at the Gold Rank?"
Of course, the precondition was that the squad members would not expose this matter.
But this put him in a passive position.
"Task Requirements: Investigate the situation within a month. Recommended team size: One Swordsman Squad. Task Reward: 3 Gold Medals, 500 Merit Points."
"Okay, sir, I'll go and inform the others for you." The young staff member quickly stood up and ran towards the office at the back of the hall.
"If you have the funds, Sir Rain, you might consider establishing your own squad."
"Oh, and by the way, I noticed that you haven't borrowed a replica Imperial Weapon before. Do you need me to give you a brief introduction to the usage instructions?"
It wasn't just that he felt like he was being played, but just now, he had informed Grant Savidge, the 'Ice Messenger' who had just arrived from the capital's headquarters.
"It's possible." Ren nodded, feeling frustrated for wasting 1000 Merit Points on a task that wasn't completed.
"Oh, and is Undersecretary Olenna available?" Ren decided to look for someone.
"Yes, sir. How many do you need to exchange?"
On his way back, Ren found a secluded spot and transformed the Tempered Golden Ingot, covering it over his plate armor gauntlet.
"And also, Undersecretary Olenna, I'd like to take on three Gold Rank tasks related to the Black Flame Cult in Myester County."
Previously, when Bartista and Remil of the Boulder Squad came to Myester for a task, Bartista had used a silver-white staff that seemed to be a replica Imperial Staff. With just one strike, he had eliminated the demonic god's aura and interrupted and severely injured the Black Flame High Priest who was in the process of promotion.
Ren had arrived at the Task Hall.
"Undersecretary Olenna, the Gold Rank tasks I want to take on all require a full Swordsman Squad, but currently, I'm alone."
Regarding Duke Fabian's words, he had no choice but to comply.
His entire body was clad in plate armor, with a grayish-black gauntlet.
Ren nodded.
He would have to go and explain immediately, but Fabian changed his mind and said, "Assani, go and report this situation to Grant."
"(Note: It is recommended to exchange for a replica Imperial Staff or a replica Imperial Sword before engaging in combat with high-ranking cultists.)"
Earlier, when he left the Swordsman Branch, he had a hunch that someone was tailing him, and now it seemed his intuition was correct.
The crescent-shaped ice blade shimmered in the sunlight, appearing and disappearing.
Among the bustling pedestrians, this middle-aged man stood out.
However, the entire set of knight's plate armor now looked somewhat odd.
Ren finally understood why Bartista had looked so distressed after using the replica Imperial Staff that time.
"Well, sir, the replica Imperial Weapon series is mainly designed to counter various evil divine powers and the creatures or items polluted by them. It is highly effective against such forces but not against ordinary wizards.
"However, Sir Rain, among the new batch of Swordsmen, are there any friends you get along with?"
"Hey, what's this?" Kraya, through the window of the carriage, suddenly spotted a middle-aged man in a white wizard's robe.
Ren looked up and saw a middle-aged man in a white wizard's robe approaching him.
Shadiya, the maid sitting in the carriage with Kraya, furrowed her brows in thought, and the next moment, her eyes widened, and she pointed at the young man outside the carriage, saying, "Miss..."
"Okay, sir, it's done. Please check the Wisdom Stone Tablet." Soon, the young staff member displayed the Gold Rank tasks related to the Black Flame Cult in Myester County on the Wisdom Stone Tablet in front of Ren.
"I'd like to rent the replica Imperial Staff once." Ren handed over his Calibri Emblem to the staff member.
Suddenly, through the layer of ice, Ren discovered that Ren was right before his eyes. How was this possible!
Previously, she had attended an auction organized by the Aksen Auction House in the capital, where she had met the 'Ice Messenger' Grant.
Ren arrived at the Special Item Exchange Hall, intending to rent a Replica Imperial Staff, just as Bartista had done before.
"A series of tasks?"
This was clearly inconsistent with the intelligence he had received about the opponent's strength! Moreover, Ren had just sensed a fleeting energy particle fluctuation, likely a form of magic, but the opponent was only a Senior Great Knight. Could it be that the opponent was also a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice? At that moment, Ren tapped his toes on the ground, and the white paving stones beneath him suddenly shattered, sending a wave of air mixed with debris spreading out in all directions! In an instant, Ren disappeared from his original spot, and a silver line shot towards the Ice Messenger, Grant!
Ren calmly observed his opponent without saying a word.
Assani, with sweat on his forehead, quickly got up to bid farewell.
"What!" Kraya's beautiful eyes widened, and her small mouth hung open.
"Let's find a place to stay first. I plan to visit the Swordsman Branch in Minster to see a... friend." Kraya thought for a moment, carefully choosing her words regarding Ren.
The pedestrians around, witnessing the sudden Ice Magic and the drop in temperature, screamed and scattered in all directions.
Ren was about to accept a squad task, and even Olenna couldn't help with this rule.
Having completed the exchange, Ren exited the Swordsman Branch.
After learning that Kraya insisted on returning, Baron Habsburg made early arrangements for personnel and carriages in Minster.
Instantly, an oval-shaped thick ice shield enveloped Grant, protecting him tightly. It was evident that this was Grant's innate magic.
Olenna smiled and said, "Sir Ren, regarding this, as long as the other party doesn't object afterward, I can help you with this matter."
At that moment, several dozen meters behind the Ice Messenger Grant, the plump and trembling caravan master Assani was hurrying over, his entire body shaking with fat.
So many? Ren's eyebrows arched slightly.
According to the introduction, the opponent was a rare Ice Mage, and the offensive power of Ice Magic was well-known. Moreover, the defensive capabilities of some Ice Magic were also exceptionally strong, making Grant a well-rounded Wizard with few weaknesses.
At that moment, Olenna glanced at the paper's content and smiled, saying:
Two minutes ago.
"Sir Ren, if you truly intend to do this, I can approve it as a series of tasks. For powerful Swordsmen, this is still permitted." Olenna thought for a while and came up with a solution.
Apparently, the replica Imperial Weapons included both a staff and a sword. Later, she could go to the Exchange Hall to take a look.
But Kraya knew that this wasn't an illusion; it was the opponent's body, emitting a chilling aura.
"Hello, sir. How may I assist you?"
"Very well." The middle-aged man in the white robe lifted a finger, and suddenly, a nearly five-foot-long ice blade, thin as a cicada's wing, swiftly formed from his fingertip.
"Then thank you, Lady Olenna."
Although the tasks refreshed on the Wisdom Tablet were all Golden Rank, the recommended number of people in the task requirements column was generally a full squad of Swordsmen.
But before he could finish speaking, the situation on the scene suddenly changed! "Where's the fang?" the middle-aged man asked in a deep voice.
"Oh, okay, Duke Fabian. I'll go right away."
Ren immediately began to check.
Olenna's words caused Ren to frown.
Naturally, Vinonika and Evelyn wouldn't object, as they had previously expressed their desire to be in the same squad as Ren.
The middle-aged man held a seemingly crystal-made short staff, and his entire body exuded a chilling aura, giving off a powerful and intimidating presence.
"By the way, do you have any Tempered Golden Ingots?" Ren thought of something—he wanted to transform his Hardened Electrum into a dual warhammer, but the weight was still slightly insufficient.
The opponent's subsequent ice blades would rain down like arrows, creating a passive situation of being bombarded.
"Hello, sir. How may I assist you?" A young and beautiful female staff member noticed Ren's approach, stood up, bowed, and smiled sweetly.
"Yes, tell her that Ren is looking for her."
"Certainly."
"Yes, sir." The girl respectfully took the emblem with both hands.
"Yes, these three tasks are all in the same location and related to the Black Flame Cult, so they can be considered a series of tasks."
"(Note: If the investigation yields additional discoveries or takes less time, the reward will be adjusted accordingly.)"
Huh? Didn't Ren just return to the Swordsman Branch? How did he come out again? This unexpected turn of events delighted Assani.
Soon, the capable and smiling Olenna walked out.
"Sir Ren, I think 'Maister Siege Hammer' would be a suitable name for your squad, representing both your background and combat prowess."
Lacsur, the mastermind behind the Shangjin Town incident? A Shadow Wizard? Huh? Going to exchange a replica Imperial Staff first?
The Ice Messenger Grant was reluctant to set out, not wanting to bear the brunt of the other's wrath.
"Hmm? Weren't you just saying that Baron Rain had already left the department? And now he's going back?" Duke Fabian's expression froze, followed by a look of displeasure.
Additionally, according to regulations, a Swordsmen squad could only accept one task at a time, but he wanted to take on all three tasks.
"Oh? Baron Rain wants to complete the Gold Rank Gold task alone?" Olena's eyes sparkled with surprise.
"Help me check. The location is within Myester County, and it's related to the Black Flame Cult," Rain said as he handed over his Golden Emblem.
At the same time.
"I understand. Then, I'll trouble you, Lady Olena."
"Give me fifty pounds first."
After completing the exchange, Rain quickly left the hall.
"Investigate the truth behind the Myester attack (Rank Gold). The purpose behind the recent Black Flame Church attack in Myester is unclear."
Suddenly, he felt something was amiss.
"Clang!!!"
"Task Requirements: Within half a month, protect the Myester Governor, Count Habs. Suggested number of people: three or more. Task Reward: 1 Golden Medal, 1000 Merit Points."
"Sir, there are eleven tasks in total. Do you want to view them all?"
The main issue was this person, whom she had seen once before, and the location was in the Capital.
However, obtaining the name was too difficult for him, so he decided to leave it blank for now.
"Kill the perpetrator of the Shangjin Town tragedy, Laksool (Rank Gold). Laksool, originally from Wales County, is a High Priest of the Black Flame Church. He was sent as an envoy to Myester and is one of the leaders and organizers of the recent Myester County attack, as well as the mastermind behind the Shangjin Town tragedy."
The Replica Imperial Weapon was prepared to counter various evil divine powers.
Additionally, Rain already knew the other's origins.
The authentic version is available at 69 Book Bar! Read it first at 69 Book Bar!
Hmm? Using 1000 Merit Points at once?
So fast! Kraya, observing from a distance, felt a chill in her heart! If it were her, facing such an ice blade attack, she wouldn't have time to dodge. She could only hold up her greatsword horizontally or vertically to block the strike.
Rain's eyes narrowed at the first task. He had thought that investigating the perpetrator of the Shangjin Town tragedy would take a long time.
"According to the latest intelligence from the secret agent, Laksool was last seen in the eastern Wolf Hill Ridge area of Myester County."
Not far away, inside the carriage, Kraya and her maid noticed the direction that the Ice Messenger Grant was staring at. They saw a tall, two-meter-tall young man wearing silver-white knight plate armor, and Kraya had a strange sense of familiarity.
Soon, a luxurious carriage with the Calibri Emblem headed towards the Myester Swordsmen Department, moving steadily.
For Rain, the Imperial Staff was like a hammer, naturally more comfortable than a sword.
"Baron Rain, you're too kind."
The Imperial Flying Ship finally arrived at Minster, and Kraya and her maid quickly disembarked.
With a single move, he crushed the hard and sharp ice blade! It was a Level 1 Magic, the Ice Blade Technique!
Suddenly, a short, dark spear appeared in Rain's right hand. Using the momentum of his charge, he threw the black spear with great force! "Whoosh!"
"A rare Shadow Mage, with formidable strength, nicknamed the Bloodburner."
"Yes, sir. Please wait a moment." The female staff member, upon seeing the Golden Emblem, showed respect and quickly took the tasks with both hands.
"Alright, I won't disturb you further." Rain smiled and stood up.
After taking on all three Rank Gold tasks.
She saw the tall young man make no attempt to dodge or block the attack. Instead, he swiftly raised his hand, using his obviously dark-colored knight plate armor gloves to grip the incredibly sharp ice blade! "Clang!"
Kraya looked out the carriage window, seeing a bustling crowd on the road, showing no signs of disturbance.
But when he arrived, he witnessed this scene.
The next moment, the ice blade moved at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, striking towards Rain. "Swish!"
However, the flexible approach was to form a squad, accepting tasks under the squad's name, but in reality, the Swordsmen Department didn't scrutinize squad operations. He could complete the tasks alone.
Combining his charge's momentum with Rain's Giant Strength Talent, the spear flew with incredible speed, like a black lightning bolt towards Grant! Grant's expression changed, and he shouted in shock.
How could the other party move so fast, bypassing the large ice layer on the ground?
But what did it mean when the other party held the spear? "Pfft!"
The spear's tip suddenly bent forward, extending twenty centimeters, and its sharp point aimed directly at piercing Grant's forehead! In an instant, Grant's eyes bulged, his expression frozen, and his whole body trembled like a sieve!"
With just three moves, Rain had defeated the renowned Ice Messenger Grant of the Aksen Auction House, killing him on the spot.
(End of Chapter)
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