The End of the Thieves' Guild

[Congratulations! You've completed over 40% of the strategy!]

[Received reward "Person Lydia Most Wants to Save": Bella]

"Bella? Who is that?"

"Why don't you want to save me?"

"Oh, I don't need saving either."

Sitting in the carriage on the way to Nadia Manor, Robert thought idly.

...

The once bustling tavern hall now had only a few scattered enforcers and a few thieves who had just walked in and were about to leave.

The individuals in the Gray Realm valued information greatly because sometimes a slight difference in information could determine the outcome of a battle. Whether it was the ownership of a street, the dominion over the dockside prostitutes, or even a brawl involving hundreds of people, information was key.

Moreover, the events of last night couldn't be concealed. A knight of the Holy Order passing judgment, the Duke's son being kidnapped, followers of the Dark God, and the appearance of the Crown Princess – with hundreds of nobles involved, not to mention the numerous servants – there was no way to keep this information under wraps.

So, Ellena decided to let everyone go. She announced openly that all the nobles should prepare to eliminate the Thieves' Guild tomorrow night. Those who heard the news didn't dare to come here directly; instead, they lurked nearby, planning to take advantage of the chaos.

The bar owner, dressed as a bartender, had lost his usual smile today. He stared grimly at the few henchmen left in front of him, wishing he could chop up the person who had given him that job that day.

It was supposed to be a simple task, at most leading to some covert retaliation, nothing significant...

How did it end up involving the Crown Princess, who served as the commander of the Temple Knights? And getting mixed up with followers of the Dark God???

Shaking his head, trying hard to calm himself, Gideon took a deep puff from his pipe and then spoke:

"... What did the person who commissioned that day say? What was to be obtained?"

Turner looked around nervously, ultimately hesitatingly pushed a letter toward the enraged leader, then quickly retreated. Gideon, placing the pipe down, slowly looked at the seemingly ordinary letter.

"I didn't expect you would really believe me!"

"Since it's like this, I have to tell you the truth of the matter."

"The secret is..."

"Kanggrif is not the Duke's biological son!"

"Shocking, isn't it?"

"In reality, if things go as expected, this secret might not be a secret by now!"

"Angry? Happy?"

"Well, I'm certainly quite happy!"

"Thanks for your generous assistance."

"Oh, by the way, even though Kanggrif won't bother with you, his real father has the energy."

"I also want to use your miserable experience to find this viper. Please resist to the end."

"I will recount your tragic tale to the next Thieves' Guild."

"Thanks for your assistance without charge!"

"Where there's light, there's shadow, the world is divided into two poles."

"Your dear friend sends his regards from the side of light."

...

This letter was written by Robert yesterday. He had intended to revise it in the morning, but at that time, there were more pressing matters and he couldn't spare the time.

So, he didn't bother changing it. After all, he was quite satisfied with what he had originally written. The outcome should be good!

"Ah, ahhhh!!!"

Although Gideon had thought that this might very well be the outcome, he hadn't anticipated it would be this infuriating!

That damned bastard!!!

"I will definitely kill you! I will definitely kill you!"

He wildly thrashed at everything in front of him, and the counter stocked with various alcohols was directly smashed with a stool.

Looking at the wine spilled all over the floor, his eyes revealed tiny bloodshot veins.

From an orphan abandoned by a mother working as a prostitute, Gideon was taken by the Thieves' Guild at the age of two and subjected to hellish thief training.

From a street pickpocket to a gang leader, and finally to the head of the Thieves' Guild, Gideon had been through so many battles that he himself had lost count.

"I haven't had enough! I can't fall here!"

"Go! We must go!"

His emotions calmed down, and he looked at his subordinates huddled in various corners, speaking in a solemn tone:

"Pack up and prepare to leave!"

"Leave immediately!!!"

Watching Turner and the others, who seemed like they were about to cry, Gideon had a bad feeling and shouted:

"Speak up! Are you all dumbfounded? What's going on?"

The squad leader with a keen intuition spoke hesitantly:

"We didn't want to come back..."

"But after escaping the city, we were all knocked out and thrown back here..."

"Turner had it the worst, knocked out four times."

Looking at Turner's swollen head, Gideon slumped onto one of the few remaining stools nearby, seemingly deflated.

Gideon stared blankly at the ceiling, where he had once hanged three traitors.

Then he looked at the counter, where he had executed many of his subordinates who dared to rebel.

Drawing confidence from these memories, Gideon's eyes lit up, muttering to himself:

"They've gone too far! They've gone too far! They're pushing me! Pushing me!!!"

"You're saying we colluded with those followers of the goddess of suffering?"

"Then let's collude!"

"Turner!"

Turner, rubbing his sore head, looked at his boss and saw the glint of ambition in his eyes again. Turner's expression became determined.

"Go find those cultists of the dark god. They will be purged too! They won't refuse us; we'll be their downfall!"

"Yes!"

...

"Captain, someone from the Thieves' Guild has come out again!"

Ellena kneeled in prayer in front of the idol, and upon hearing this, she didn't rise, asking calmly:

"Are they heading outside the city again this time?"

"No, he sneaked into the noble district."

"Keep an eye on him. He's going to find the followers of the goddess of suffering."

"Yes!"

The knight quickly left the temple, while Ellena maintained her praying posture.

"Hiding in the sewers, just rats with this much ability."

"Hmph, it's fine this way, don't need to overthink it."

...

"Is this where we're hiding?"

A figure with a hood glanced at the map, then swung the sword casually, cutting a gnoll in half that was crouching in the bushes ahead.

"An evil presence..."

Muttering to themselves, the figure continued running in a certain direction.

...

Back at Nadia's manor, Robert, guided by the steward, arrived at Nadia's study.

Looking at the elegant and beautiful woman sitting by the window, Robert felt his anxious feelings calming down.

As if just noticing Robert's presence, Nadia turned her head to look at Robert at the door and spoke gently:

"Robert, you're here."

Glancing at the half-elf woman standing beside Nadia, filled with fear and anxious questions,

Robert spoke:

"Respected Lady Melissa, it's been a day since we last met, no..."

"Should I say, it's been a night."

Nadia: "?????"

Her calm and gentle expression almost broke, and ripples danced on the tea cup in Nadia's hand...

How did you know???

Explain yourself quickly!!!