Chapter 397: Calm Before the Madness II

CH397 Calm Before the Madness II

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"You’re a noble, are you?" Alex asked.

"Yes. I am the third son of a baron of the Lumeria Empire," Kron replied. "And don’t even think about it — I have no right to inherit my father’s title unless all my siblings die. I’m not going to help you kill my family to takeover the family for you. I’ll rather just die!"

"What do you take me for?" Alex’s eyebrows furrowed.

"A devil. And a deceiver," Kron answered reflexively.

His face immediately went pale with horror, but Alex only chuckled, unbothered.

"Whatever you think of me," Alex shrugged, "I’m not going to ask you to kill your family. I asked because if your father is a noble who travelled to the Celahan Empire, then he either knows the route there, or has contacts who can help us — or both. If your father can provide assistance, it benefits all of us. I hope I don’t need to remind you that you’re now in the same boat."

Kron clenched his fists, but after a moment, he nodded with resignation.

"Excellent." Alex’s smile widened. "How far is your family’s territory from here?"

"At least two weeks on horseback," Kron answered. "And since I don’t know whether my father will even be home when we arrive, the total journey could take up to three months."

Alex frowned. "That’s not ideal. We can’t afford to stay in Lumeria for that long."

Kron hesitated, then spoke.

"I’ve heard of a Wildlands in the centre of the continent. It’s a lawless place where all kinds of people gather. Supposedly, if you’re strong enough, you can even curse the deities there without consequence."

"Tell me more. How can such a place be allowed to exist?" Alex asked.

"I don’t know the details — only rumours," Kron admitted. "The Hollowcrest Wildlands is a central territory about the size of a duchy. It borders all the surrounding empires, yet none of them attempts to annex it. It’s widely believed to be barren and lacking in valuable resources, hence, the empires don’t see any benefit in attacking it."

"Instead, the Wildlands acts as a buffer zone where all manner of lawless activities take place beyond the reach of the empires. Smuggling, slave capture and trade, illicit commerce, forbidden research, blasphemous acts against the deities... it’s widely believed that every major illegal activity on the continent eventually leads back to the Wildlands.

"There, only strength matters," Kron finished.

"As tempting as the place sounds, what we need right now is a civilised centre of trade, knowledge and technology," Alex said. "We don’t have the luxury to roll around in the mud with savages for a territory we can’t even control."

The Wildlands would indeed free them from direct scrutiny by the plane’s Navi, but avoiding the deities wasn’t Alex’s main priority — not yet.

His focus lay in acquiring information on Sigils, the local ascension path, and the unique resources of this plane.

There were many ways to evade divine pursuit as long as they left this region and didn’t attract unnecessary attention — making it a secondary concern for now.

"I suggested the Wildlands because of BloodIron City," Kron continued. "BloodIron is the heart of the black-market trade across the continent. It’s a ’free city’ where anything and everything can be bought or sold.

"As long as someone has the wealth and the power to protect it, no trade is forbidden. In fact, it’s a central gathering point for knowledge and rare resources from all across the continent — things you may not find anywhere else."

"So instead of combing through countless kingdoms and empires for what I need... I can look for everything in BloodIron itself?" Alex asked.

"Exactly," Kron nodded. "If you can’t find it in BloodIron, then — as long as you have the coin — someone there will acquire it for you."

’I see... So that’s why the city is allowed to exist.’ Alex mused inwardly.

’Those with the power, wealth and influence to benefit from BloodIron’s... advantages are the same people who rule the empires.

’They create the rules and restrictions for the common masses, while ensuring they can secretly enjoy whatever they wish within Hollowcrest.’

’That’s the true reason why the province remains untouched. It’s not that the empires lack a reason to seize it — rather, they all have a much greater reason not to.’

Kron continued, "It’s said that adventurers, bandits, mercenaries, and every other kind of armed group are welcome there. And with a bit of effort, if you manage to establish a legitimate identity inside Hollowcrest, no one will question your origins."

’Mercenary before becoming a fiefholder, huh...’ Alex mused to himself.

’Looks like I’ll have to follow in the old man’s footsteps — just on another plane.’

He was already sold on the idea.

"So," Alex asked, "how do we get to Hollowcrest?"

Kron scratched his chin awkwardly. "I... don’t know."

Alex’s expression fell flat as he stared directly at the man.

A cold shiver crawled down Kron’s spine.

"Like I said, I’ve only ever heard rumours about it!" he blurted quickly.

Alex paused, then shifted gears immediately.

"A map," he said. "Where can I get a map?"

"Ah! Maps are rare items, only held by the nobility," Kron replied. "The closest place you’ll find one is in Baron Leland Halton’s fortress, just south of here. The fortress also serves as the Luxen Duchy’s southern border."

"So if we want to leave the Luxen Duchy — and get away from the Juror fanatics currently sniffing after us — we need to pass through that fortress?" Alex asked.

"Yes," Kron confirmed. "But they won’t let you through easily. The fortress should already have received word of the prophecy. The troops will mobilise instantly if you try to simply walk past."

"In that case," Alex said with a faint smile, "we’ll take the fortress. We’re in need of local supplies anyway. Securing a map at the same time will be useful."

"The fortress is said to have hundreds of soldiers manning its battlements at all times," Kron protested. "More on the ramparts, and even more inside the walls. Ordinary soldiers they may be, but you’ve only got a few dozen men! To think you can take that fortress—? That’s madness!"

But his warning didn’t dissuade Alex at all. Instead, the red-eyed, silver-haired devil smiled.

"What do you think?" Alex asked.

"We’ll need to see the fortress first," Udara answered calmly.

"Alright. Go get some food," Alex said.

His eyes darkened to a deeper, bloodier shade of crimson.

Calm Madness!

"We take that castle before sunrise tomorrow," he declared.

**3**