CHAPTER 274: Who Dares To Act Wildly?

"The Imperial Weapons Factory has developed a new type of chariot that can fire bolts thousands of miles in a row. This secret arsenal was located in the wilderness north of the city and was originally under the jurisdiction of our Northern Guard. However, one night about half a month ago, a group of assassins sneaked in and killed the guards and a dozen of the inventors. They also took the blueprints for the chariot.

"His Majesty the King was furious when he heard the news and gave me one month to arrest this gang and recover the blueprints at any cost. This matter is really bothering me. If you help me solve it, I guarantee you'll get the title of Baron easily! Boris turned sombre at the mention of this matter, his hearty laugh from earlier had long since disappeared.

"Hm, I am also thinking of a way to solve this. If we don't catch these people and get the blueprint back within a month, it could affect my uncle's career!" Lawrence sighed softly and turned to Han Shuo as he spoke, a little worried. Boris was his backer. In his struggle for the throne, Lawrence's success or failure depended largely on the power of his supporters.

First Prince Charles currently had the most influence and the most supporters. Lawrence's power was weakest because he was an illegitimate child. His status would certainly be affected if the people closest to him lost their standing.

Han Shuo furrowed his brow and thought for a moment before opening his mouth to say, "If it's been half a month, wouldn't they have left the capital by now? If they really did, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack trying to catch them!"

"They shouldn't have done that. I reported it to His Majesty as soon as it happened. Master Candide, one of the three heavyweights of the Dark Mantle, took note of it and ordered the guards to reinforce the defences of the four gates and not to let any suspicious characters leave. I'm sure they haven't been able to leave Ossen City! Boris said in a low voice, his face solemn.

"I see. Then has Master Candide told you who is in charge of this mission?" Han Shuo asked. Everyone of high rank knew of the existence of the Dark Mantle. Candide was the most mysterious and hard to reach figure. Han Shuo understood the protocol of the Dark Mantle. An enemy country would have to be pulling the strings on such an important matter, so the Dark Mantle couldn't afford not to send someone. Boris smiled wryly and shook his head as he replied, "I only know his name, but I haven't had the honour of meeting him. I received this information from someone higher up. Even though I tried to find out afterwards, I couldn't find out who was in charge."

Han Shuo nodded with a faint smile and said, "I understand. I will try my best. When I see Master Candide, I will ask him what's going on.

Boris was shocked, he asked urgently, "You, you know Master Candide?"

"I forgot to tell you, Uncle, but Bryan has another identity as a member of the Dark Mantle!" Lawrence turned to explain to Boris, then asked with the same shocked expression, "Bryan, I only know that you're a member of the Dark Mantle, but can you really meet that old monster Candide directly?"

"He is directly responsible for me!" Han Shuo nodded with a smile.

Lawrence was immediately ecstatic upon hearing this. He looked at Han Shuo with excited eyes, "I really didn't think that you had such a special position in the Dark Mantle to report directly to that old monster. It looks like I really did make the right choice!"

"Very good!" Boris was also overjoyed. He gave Lawrence a grateful look and said to Han Shuo, "Then I'll leave this matter entirely in your hands. As long as you can handle it, I'll see to it that you get a baron title!"

"I'll do my best!" Han Shuo didn't dare to guarantee anything. After all, he didn't know the details of the situation. The Dark Mantle might have a wide network, but it wasn't omnipotent.

"Alright. Uncle Boris, Bryan is only a member of your magical corps in name only, so you don't need to assign him any tasks. He won't come to the Northern Guard if there's nothing else. We'll go now." Lawrence stood up and spoke plainly. He wasn't going to mouth empty pleasantries in front of his uncle.

"Rest assured, I know what I have to do. To help him is to help you and to help myself. I understand that perfectly!" Boris obviously didn't want to keep Han Shuo in the camp to do petty chores after knowing his identity as a member of the Dark Mantle. He understood that Han Shuo had only joined to gain military credit and rely on the Northern Guard for a quick promotion. Han Shuo would definitely not stay for long.

Lawrence and Han Shuo left the Northern Guard together. As they walked out of the city gates, Lawrence asked Han Shuo, "Are you sure you can handle this? This matter concerns my uncle's career, I'll leave it in your hands!"

"I can only try my best. After all, I don't know the details yet." Han Shuo replied. At that moment, as he was getting on Lawrence's carriage, Han Shuo suddenly frowned and whispered, "Lawrence, be careful on the way!"

Lawrence was stunned and asked in a low voice without a flicker in his expression, "Is someone trying to kill me?"

"You get in the carriage first, I won't go with you, but I will protect you from the shadows!" Han Shuo nodded, indicating that Lawrence shouldn't act rashly and alert the enemy.

"Alright, then I'll go first!" Lawrence said loudly, a smile flashing across his face as if nothing had happened as he got into the carriage and left.

As soon as Lawrence had left in the carriage, Han Shuo turned down another street. He walked dozens of metres before he saw a carriage around a corner. He called softly, "Chester, why are you here?"

Chester, wearing a coachman's outfit, turned his head at the familiar voice and exclaimed in delightful surprise, "Bryan, why are you here?"

Two small hands suddenly lifted the curtain. The touchingly charming Emily appeared, covering her mouth as she lightly exclaimed, "Rascal, what are you doing here?"

After a long time, Emily was still heartbreakingly beautiful. Her long hair was pinned up, she wore a long purple dress, her figure was elegant, and her solemn eyebrows revealed an inviolable sanctity. Her presence was completely different from the flirtatious manner in which Han Shuo had first met her.

"I went to the Northern Guard for a job. I spotted Chester looking around, so I came to check it out. What are you doing here?" Han Shuo wrinkled his eyebrows and asked urgently.

"The Northern Guard lost a chariot blueprint. I'm in charge of this mission and have sent people to inquire about the details of the situation." Because of their relationship, Emily told Han Shuo about the secret mission without hesitation.

Joy flooded his heart as Han Shuo said, "So that's why. Haha, we really are meant to be together! Okay, I'll talk to you when I arrive at the Dark Mantle's base in the northern castle of the city tonight. Now I have some things to take care of, see you tonight."

As he finished speaking, Han Shuo nodded to Chester and quickly disappeared into the night, paying no attention to Emily, who was full of confusion.

"Master Bryan is becoming more and more mysterious these days. I heard he has made a great achievement again, the Dark Mantle network is spreading legends of his power!" Chester couldn't help but say in admiration when he saw Han Shuo disappear in the blink of an eye.

"He's just pretending to be mysterious. Why hasn't that brat returned yet? We must deal with this matter quickly and return to the base in the northern fortress as soon as possible!" Emily was impatient when she saw Han Shuo appear. She began to envy her men who'd gone to the Northern Guard.

"Be careful!" Sitting in the carriage, Lawrence lifted the curtain to speak softly to the earth rider, Jino, who was riding a horse beside him.

"Rest assured, we will protect the young master well!" Jino rode a warhorse. He wore shiny silver armour, and his hand held a silver spear.

"Mm, just be very careful!" Lawrence was completely calm, but still advised repeatedly.

After his partnership with Han Shuo in Valen City, Lawrence knew very well about the latter's miraculous ability, so he had no doubt about Han Shuo's words. With Jino leading the experts in the open and the old assassin Lucky close by for personal protection, Lawrence wasn't too worried.

Moreover, Han Shuo had told him that he'd secretly protect him before he left, so Lawrence was even more certain, knowing Han Shuo's strength. After all, Lawrence had seen his terrifying power for himself.

As the group reached a long alleyway, a long, shrill whistle suddenly sounded. The ground shook violently before three metre long spikes of earth shot towards Lawrence's carriage. At the same time, the spikes ambushed Jino's party on war horses. The horses were punctured and killed in an instant.

Fortunately, Lawrence's party had been on the alert. As soon as the ground had begun to shake, they'd jumped from the wagon and their horses into an area free of the spikes.

Several archers shot a series of sharp arrows from the rooftops around the alley. The arrows howled through the air as they flew straight at Lawrence's group. Jino and the knights quickly spread out to surround Lawrence, raising their shields in defence.

"Pollak, keep releasing the earth spikes!" A black-robed mage shouted towards another rooftop.

"I am Bryan of the Northern Guard's magical corps. Who dares to act wildly in my jurisdiction? Are you tired of life?" Bryan came from another direction, laughing coldly, his hand holding a head dripping with blood.

"Pollak!" The black-robed mage screamed in shock as he saw the head in Han Shuo's hand.