Chapter 262: Outsourcing?

Chapter 262: Outsourcing?



As Grant died, the massive ice shield formed by his innate talent in wizardry began to crumble instantly!

Meanwhile, Rain swiftly drew out his Tempered Fine Gold Spear, having already used Metal Morphing to straighten and shorten the spearhead.

"Plop!"

The sound of a heavy object hitting the ground echoed!

'Frost Messenger' Grant lay face up on the ground, his eyes wide open, gazing at the sky.

Rain's gaze remained calm as he surveyed his surroundings.

Although he had just committed murder in broad daylight, none of the onlookers, whether ordinary people or knights, dared to meet his gaze. Their eyes widened, and they felt a sense of awe.

The man who had just been killed was obviously a formal wizard, and anyone with normal eyesight could tell that he was a rare ice wizard.

But now, he lay on the ground, his face contorted in death.

This meant that the young man's strength surpassed even that of a powerful ice wizard, naturally instilling awe in the crowd.

At the sight of Rain's clean and efficient kill, Kraya's beautiful eyes widened in shock, leaving her stunned.

After a while, she muttered to herself, "If only our family had such a powerful expert..."

Shadiya, who had been about to speak, remained silent. Although the man looked similar to Rain, his strength was far superior, and it didn't seem like Rain.

Not far away, Assani was completely stunned.

He swore that he had never opened his small eyes so wide in his entire life!

But the body of 'Frost Messenger' Grant lay not far in front of him, forcing Assani to accept the reality.

In an instant, he thought of many things.

For instance, the death of this man here would undoubtedly bring trouble to their auction house, even though he was from the Imperial Capital.

In fact, when 'Frost Messenger' Grant first arrived in Myister, Viscount Fabien had subtly hinted during the welcoming banquet that it would be best to take action outside the city if they didn't have absolute certainty.

But Grant had brushed off the suggestion with a retort, 'Are you teaching me how to do my job?

Now look at the mess!

'Frost Messenger' Grant had a certain reputation in the Imperial Capital, and the Swordsman Division would quickly trace the incident back to Axson Auction House.

Assani immediately started waddling away, his fat body shaking as he hurried back faster than he had come.

Rain hung the tempered fine gold spear on his knight's arm armor, giving the impression that he had been carrying the spear all along.

This tactical misdirection could provide some cover.

During the fight, Rain hadn't used his most proficient hammer technique or the advanced technique 'Crushing Hammer'.

Throughout the battle, Rain primarily relied on Metal Morphing as his core combat strategy.

Especially at the beginning, Rain crushed the opponent's ice blade with one hand, stunning them momentarily.

Although it was just a fleeting moment, in a battle between experts, seizing that instant meant gaining the initiative.

Rain sensed that his opponent intended to suppress him, so he instinctively chose to counter that strategy.

In reality, when facing an ice wizard, if a close-combat professional chooses a defensive counterattack, they essentially fall into the opponent's attack rhythm, and subsequent powerful wizardry spells will follow one after another.

Because ice is not the same as water.

The unique low temperature of ice wizardry can cause stiffness in movement, and ice-covered ground can make close-combat professionals suffer, disrupting their combat rhythm and hindering their performance.

When faced with the incoming ice blade, Rain immediately decided, 'Since you want me to defend, I'll choose to attack instead, and I'll make you defend.'

Now, it seemed that his strategy had paid off well.

Rain bent down and picked up the crystal staff lying next to his opponent, which emitted faint energy fluctuations. It felt icy cold in his hands.

It was a valuable weapon, no doubt.

The guards at the Swordsman Division's entrance, located two to three hundred meters away, had just noticed the fight when it ended.

After the panicked crowd dispersed, the guards realized that the victim was none other than Rain, who had just walked out of the gate a short while ago.

They were shocked and furious that someone dared to assassinate a Swordsman right at their entrance.

"Sir Rain!"

"Go, contact Sheriff Logan of the Administrative District immediately!"

"Secure the scene!"

The guards quickly surrounded Rain and the area, sealing it off.

Sir Rain?

Hearing the title from inside the carriage, Shadiya's eyes widened as she hurriedly shook Kraya, who was deep in thought. "Miss! Miss! That's Rain!"

"Hmm?" Kraya glanced at Shadiya with a look that suggested she thought Shadiya was being foolish.

The person who killed Grant, the 'Frost Messenger', with such prowess that even among Grand Knights he would be considered top-tier, couldn't possibly be Rain!

Moreover, the way he handled the initial engagement and the seamless transition between his three moves, Kraya had just carefully pondered, and she felt it greatly benefited her.

She had been pondering over something, but after a long while, she still couldn't figure it out.

If her eyes didn't deceive her, Grant had activated his Talent Spell, the 'Frost Shield', successfully defending against the opponent's attack, and he had even sidestepped to dodge the spearhead. How could he still be struck right between the brows?

Could it be that the short spear could bend? Kraya looked at the short spear Rain had placed on his arm guard, her eyes filled with bewilderment.

Although this was the Administrative District, the Sheriff and the City Guard were always a little late to arrive. According to the Swordsman Division's guards, a Swordsman Master had been attacked right at the entrance of their division.

Everyone was filled with righteous indignation, but after seeing the corpse, even Sheriff Logan fell silent.

The attacker was actually a Formal Wizard!

The force backing this was no ordinary one!

At this moment, Melanie, the Deputy Administrator of the Assistance Promotion Department in the Administrative Building, emerged with a team of guards.

She had just stepped out of the Administrative Building when she heard the commotion outside the gate.

As she approached, she saw the large patch of frost fragments on the ground and the white-robed body lying there, and her eyes narrowed. Her gaze towards Rain changed.

Although Melanie knew Rain was powerful, she hadn't expected him to be this formidable!

The opponent was clearly a rare Ice Wizard, yet he had died at Rain's hands.

"Your Excellency Rain, are you unharmed? The guards said you were just attacked," Melanie asked.

"Yes, Your Excellency Melanie," Rain replied.

"This is truly despicable, Your Excellency Rain. Leave the rest to me," Melanie said, noticing the replica Imperial Staff at Rain's waist and understanding that he was likely on a mission.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Your Excellency Melanie," Rain said after some thought, deciding not to mention the possibility of the attacker being sent by the Axson Auction House. Instead, he picked up his crystal staff and prepared to leave.

It was better to let others investigate certain matters.

At this moment, Rain's peripheral vision caught sight of a carriage parked not too far away, which seemed to have been there since the beginning of his battle. He could sense that the person inside the carriage had been observing him.

However, Rain was a bit surprised because this was the Habsburg family's emblem.

Why was a Habsburg family carriage here?

At this moment, the head maid, Shadiya, opened the carriage door and stepped out, her steps slightly hurried.

However, there was a hint of hesitation in her demeanor, so after getting off the carriage, she didn't approach but instead stared at Rain.

Head Maid Shadiya?

How did she get here?

Rain was slightly taken aback but then took the badger from the wolverine.

At this time, Shadiya was far more excited than Rain because from the way she looked at him, Shadiya could confirm that it was indeed Rain!

As for why Rain's strength had become so formidable, she couldn't figure it out and thus stopped pondering.

"Head Maid Shadiya, good day," Rain greeted, walking over with the aura of having killed a Formal Wizard.

"Rain, no, Rain Baron, it's been a long time," Shadiya replied, smiling slightly. "It's been a long, long time!"

For some reason, although Rain believed his strength far surpassed hers, facing the goddess of his childhood servant years, he still felt a bit uneasy or slightly nervous.

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar tall youth scratching his head, his genuine expression made Kraya cover her mouth and giggle.

Her full and firm body trembled slightly with her laughter, captivating all who saw her.

Kraya noticed that although the youth's strength had undergone a drastic transformation, becoming even more formidable than her, his physique was no longer small but had become tall and robust.

But the youth's clear eyes and somewhat familiar movements seemed to still be the same Rain she remembered.

"Rain, it's not very appropriate for us to chat here. How about..." Kraya calmed her emotions, glancing around at the eyes frequently assessing her and Rain. "We could go sit over there, not too far away."

"Very well, Baron Rain. Please lead the way." Kraya smiled lightly.

"Miss Kraya, just call me Rain, as before."

The three of them didn't board the carriage but instead walked towards the nearby villa.

Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for half a year, although they didn't feel unfamiliar, for a moment, both of them were at a loss for words.

At this moment, Kraya seemed to think of something, and her expression became solemn as she said, "Rain, do you know the background of that Ice Wizard you just fought with?"

Rain nodded.

"He should be from the Axson Auction House."

Kraya looked at Rain in surprise, not expecting him to know the background of the opponent.

It seemed that the young man before her and the Axson Auction House had some entanglements between them.

What were they up to?

However, Rain soon thought of something and asked again:

"Kraya, during your time in the Imperial Capital, did you learn about the background of the Axson Auction House?"

Kraya looked at Rain with approval, not expecting the young man before her to realize the key to the problem so quickly.

"The major shareholder of the Axson Auction House is Duke Ferdinand, but..." Kraya revealed a secret. "It is said that the Axson Auction House has the support of the Imperial Second Prince."

Hmm?

The Imperial Second Prince?

"No wonder they're so brazen." Rain muttered.

"Yes, but it's not that simple."

"Oh, Kraya, is there something else to it?" Rain couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Yes, including 'Frost Messenger' Grant and some others are actually employed by the Axson Auction House, but on the surface, they belong to another independent mercenary group."

"The Axson Auction House employs them through a service contract, allowing them to avoid many unnecessary troubles. At the same time, they can also do some more...sensitive tasks." Kraya explained slowly.

These secrets were something that could be more easily learned within the Imperial Royal Academy, where the children of the great nobles gathered.

So that's how it is.

Rain was stunned by what he heard!

Wasn't this the most common outsourcing he had heard of in his previous life?

When something happened, the contractors took the blame?

Who said the Dragong Empire was backward?

This aspect was quite advanced, wasn't it! Seeing Rain's expression change, Kraya couldn't help but smile and said, "Rain, it's not as exaggerated as you think. If the Axson Auction House doesn't shed some blood this time, it will be hard to explain."

"However, if you want to cause trouble for the Axson Auction House through Grant, it will be more difficult."

Rain nodded and said, "Yes, thank you, Kraya, for clearing things up."

Since the Axson Auction House had a deep background, he naturally wouldn't choose to press the issue at this time.

Of course, this also depended on how the Axson Auction House would handle this matter, otherwise

Soon, Rain and the other two quickly reached Rain's villa.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door, and a young, crisp female voice said, "Lord Rain, I heard you were attacked. Are you alright?"

The sudden appearance interrupted what Kraya was about to say.

"Alissa, what brings you here?" Rain was slightly surprised and stood up.

Kraya looked at the young, cute girl who appeared at the door and immediately realized that she must be from a noble background, and not just any noble, as the multi-layered corset dress she wore had several pure gold applique embroideries.

From the style, it seemed to be the latest design of the Calibird Emblem, with an expensive price tag.

Kraya took a closer look at the beautiful girl before her, and she seemed to have a scholar's wisdom.

Alissa, upon seeing Kraya, gracefully lifted the long hem of her dress and smiled as she gracefully performed a lady's curtsy.

Then, she turned and walked over, saying, "Lord Rain, this is a Rapid Healing Potion, given to me by my mentor - the Royal Apothecary."

"Thank you, Miss Alissa."

When Kraya heard the name Royal Apothecary, a flash of lightning crossed her mind.

She remembered the girl before her, the talented young apothecary with some reputation at the Royal Apothecary Academy. Even at the Imperial Academy, she had heard her friends mention this girl.

After all, apothecary studies were a discipline that required years of accumulation. Throughout the Empire, apothecary geniuses were even rarer than those on the path of knighthood.

That's right, she remembered. Master Kavrela of the Royal Apothecary Association had taken in a talented apprentice named Alissa.

Kraya had also heard that she was the daughter of a marquis. She never expected that the girl would treat Rain so intimately.

For a moment, Kraya felt a sense of discomfort.

How to describe it?

It was as if a child had a toy that they didn't play with often, leaving it aside for a long time. Suddenly, one day, another child took an interest in the toy and started playing with it.

This realization also made Kraya aware that although the boy before her was still that boy, the people and things around him had completely changed.

At the same time...

Assani rushed into the third-floor study of Axson Auction House, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He spoke in a hurried tone, "Viscount, bad news. Grant was killed on the spot by Rain."

"What?" Viscount Fabien was leisurely sipping Yordun tea, but at that moment, his right hand trembled, nearly dropping the teacup.

"Are you joking, Assani? Even if Viscount Grant is no match for Rain, it's impossible for Rain to kill him on the spot!" Fabien immediately realized the absurdity of the situation.

"It's true! I don't know why, but Rain killed the 'Frost Messenger' Grant right on the street. I wasn't the only one who saw this; a whole group of people witnessed it!"

"Moreover, Viscount, you'll be surprised! Rain only needed three moves to defeat Grant!" Assani continued, his voice shaking.

"Three moves?" Viscount Fabien was stunned.

The more Assani spoke, the more absurd it sounded!

But wait, what did Assani say earlier?

That arrogant Grant actually attacked a Swordsman on the street!

What an idiot!

Was his brain made of ice?

Viscount Fabien quickly snapped out of his thoughts.

The problem now was that Grant was dead, but if the Swordsman Division or the Administration Bureau investigated, they would easily trace it back to them.

"Assani, contact the headquarters immediately! Report this situation at once!"

"Yes, Viscount."

Ten minutes later, a knock sounded.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

When the door opened, Viscount Fabien saw Sheriff Logan from the Administration Bureau, his face stern as he looked at Fabien. Beside him stood a capable-looking young woman leading a squad of guards.

"Viscount Fabien, pardon the intrusion!"

"This is Lady Melanie from the Swordsman Division. We are investigating an assault case."

"Just now, a Swordsman was attacked on the street. Although the assailant has been executed, there were witnesses who saw Axson Auction House receive this assailant."

Viscount Fabien was surprised at how quickly the investigation had arrived.

He looked at the portrait of the assailant presented by Sheriff Logan and fell silent. After a long while, he said, "Viscount Morgan, Lady Melanie, although we did receive this Wizard Grant, I don't know why he did this either."

"I think you can inquire with our headquarters."

---

Meyster, Wolfhill Ridge.

In a hidden location, a Darkflame Cultivator in a black robe with black flames embroidered on his cuffs and collar was reporting to a middle-aged man seated in a large, luxurious chair.

"Lord Bloodstained, we just received news that Countess Kraya, daughter of Count Hubert, is about to return to Meyster from the Imperial Capital."

"I think if we can capture her alive, we can use her to threaten the Hubert family," the Darkflame Cultivator said.

"Oh, when is she arriving?" The middle-aged man seemed quite interested in this news.

"She should be arriving in the next two days. I've arranged for people to keep watch inside and outside the county town."

"Very good. It's a good plan, but we need to further investigate the escort forces around her to ensure success in one go and avoid alerting them."

"Hmm, forget it. I'll handle it personally." The middle-aged man thought for a moment before speaking.

"That old Hubert has been severely injured by Baron Ryan. His daughter's return is likely to help the Hubert family maintain their position in Meyster."

"The foundation of the Dragong Empire is these feudal lords. Without their constraints, the loss of the Hubert family's Meyster County will soon be completely under our control."

"Now, the Limb Severance Sect is holding back a large number of the Empire's elite forces."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end