Book 11: Chapter 56: Peculiar

“The Silvermoon City was normal a month and a half ago, but the Zhentarim might have started planning even earlier.” The bartender lowered his head in thought and spoke slowly. “Actually, over four months ago, the last Alliance Lords’ meeting did not go smoothly.

Everyone in the Silver Marches now knew this land could become a unified country in the future. But during the merger negotiations between the major alliance cities, disagreements were still unavoidable. At the lords’ meeting over four months ago, perhaps to gain more autonomy and status, the two lords from Elward and Quelva created obstacles during the talks, making everyone part on bad terms.

Some said Lady Elastor held the grand celebration early this time, hoping to mend the relationship between both sides so the founding negotiations could continue. The Zhentarim might have started scheming after that incident, planning assassinations and sabotage during the celebration.”

Qin Lun nodded, quickly realizing where his judgment of the timeline had gone wrong. The Zhentarim members’ search for Deathbloom in the Death Lands did happen a month and a half ago.

However, causing trouble at the Silvermoon Celebration was a major event. The Zhentarim probably would not assign the task to a branch near Baldur’s Gate. Instead, they would send people directly from headquarters to prevent leaks.

The Zhentarim headquarters were on the northern shore of the Moonsea—Zhentil Keep and the Citadel of the Raven. It was about seven to eight thousand kilometers from the Death Lands. Even riding flying mounts safely without any dangers would take two months to reach the Baldur’s Gate area. Calculating the time, they likely set off about four months ago.

“So, since then, have there been any unusual situations in Silvermoon City?” Qin Lun’s eyes flashed as he cautiously asked.

“I’m quite sure there were none inside Silvermoon City.” After discussing for a while, the bartender also got into the flow. Pieces of intelligence and news from the past few months filtered through his mind one by one. Finally, he narrowed his eyes as if remembering something. “But on a farm not far from the eastern outskirts of Silvermoon City, I recall something happened that was neither major nor minor.”

“Oh? Whose farm was it?” Qin Lun pressed.

“It was just a farm cultivated by ordinary farmers. They were attacked by gnolls at night. Everyone died; there were no survivors. After receiving a report from a passing merchant caravan, Silvermoon City sent a team of Silver Guards to exterminate the gnolls occupying the area and collect their remains.”

The bartender said calmly, “Because the incident was resolved smoothly and it happened outside the city, our Hand of Light did not send any brothers to investigate this event.”

The Toril World was different from ordinary human worlds. This magical world had many sapient races, and the strength of wilderness creatures was formidable. Although humans held the leading role of the era, they were not a dominant race.

Incidents like savage races such as gnolls attacking settlements of sapient races happened frequently, especially in remote wilderness areas without any strong protection. Every year, Silvermoon City received several such attack reports. Besides mourning the victims briefly, most people had become accustomed to it.

“So, does anyone live on that farm now?” Qin Lun slightly narrowed his eyes.

“No one lives there. Although Silvermoon City would return the farm to the original owner’s relatives or auction it off, such legal processes were usually very slow. It would take at least a few months to determine the inheritor. Before that, the farm would remain vacant.” The bartender rubbed his chin and said indifferently.

“So, from that time on, that place became the best hiding spot for conspirators!” Qin Lun sneered and shook his head. “It seems the Zhentarim really are skilled at playing dirty tricks. I think I should go and give them a gift, to congratulate them.”

“You’d better not act rashly. The Zhentarim assassins are very powerful. Don’t alert the enemy and lose your own life.” The bartender frowned slightly and advised.

“No need to worry about that!” Qin Lun’s smile remained, but the refusal in his words was very clear.

“Thank you for the information. What price do I need to pay for this intelligence?” Qin Lun asked with a smile. He did not ask for the farm’s specific location again. Since this matter had been circulating in Silvermoon City for a while, many people could probably give him directions.

“No need. Although I don’t know your identity, you are, after all, working for the safety of Silvermoon City. If I still took your money under these circumstances, then the Hand of Light would not be the Hand of Light.” The bartender glanced at Qin Lun’s elf face and spoke with a somewhat proud expression.

Hearing the bartender’s words, Qin Lun had to admit that this peculiar rogue organization indeed had its unique charm. They had less funding than other rogue organizations, yet they still managed to recruit new members and establish themselves in various famous cities across the continent. Their bizarre philosophy clearly played a significant part in that.

The members of the Hand of Light were different from other rogues. Even if they were caught by the city guards during a theft, they would proudly lift their heads like paladins of the radiant church and say, “I am justice!”

Although it seemed somewhat funny for a rogue to say that, many people bought into their act.

Silvermoon City was fortified tightly by the Silver Guard. Over all these years, could Elastor and her followers really be unaware of the Hand of Light’s existence?

Of course not. The fact that the Hand of Light could set up a secret base at the “Golden Oak” showed that the Silverymoon City Lord never intended to shut them down.

Perhaps in Lady Hope’s view, rather than handing the city’s underground network to gangs and other rogue guilds, it was better to let the Hand of Light take charge. At least these chaotic good rogues would not cause major damage in the city.

Before leaving, Qin Lun suddenly turned back and said, “I am Firal Moonlight. We’ve talked for so long, but I haven’t asked for your name…”

“Conan Rondo at your service, esteemed guest!” The bartender smiled and raised a hand. A silver streak flashed in the air as the silver coin token Qin Lun had given him earlier was tossed back. “Take care. I hope to see you again next time!”

Watching Qin Lun leave the secret room, the bartender frowned and muttered to himself, “Firal Moonlight… if I remember correctly, that very famous Saophila Elf Prince from some time ago was also called that name. If something happened to him here, I’m afraid Lady Elastor would have a headache.”

After leaving the secret room, Qin Lun did not immediately return to his room. Instead, he sat in the main hall of the underground bar, ordered a pot of ale and some roasted meat, and ate slowly while waiting in his seat for Hill and Rand to return.

After Qin Lun went out, the bartender returned to the bar counter a while later. However, the two did not converse again; not even their eyes met.

About an hour later, as the night grew deeper, Hill and Rand finally returned from outside. Silvermoon City was different from Neverwinter; there were some banquets and dances every night here, so there was usually no curfew. The two had spent two or three hours touring the entire city.

In fact, to be precise, it was Hill accompanying Rand on his tour. Firecracker, who came from a firefighter background, had an astonishing memory and sense of direction regarding urban road networks. After just a rough walk-through, he already formed a complete and detailed traffic map in his mind.

This talent clearly played an extremely important role in an Apostle’s adventurous life. Sometimes even Qin Lun, who possessed the Death Notice, felt quite envious.

“A setup at a farm outside the city four months ago?” After receiving Qin Lun’s news, both of them felt a bit surprised by the Zhentarim’s meticulous planning. If Old Butler Mason had not accidentally obtained that Zhentarim secret letter in the Death Lands, it was hard to imagine what consequences the Zhentarim’s actions might have caused.

“Wait!” Hill frowned slightly, his eyes flashing as he said, “If even a local power like the Hand of Light hasn’t detected the Zhentarim’s conspiracy by now, then regardless of what the Zhentarim intends to do, excluding our influence as Apostles, this plan’s success rate is very high.

Since the Zhentarim spent nearly four months arranging this, it’s evident they must believe this operation can disrupt the harmonious atmosphere between Silvermoon City and the various alliance cities, causing the Silvermoon founding to fail or even plunge into civil war.

But the problem is, we all know that in this world’s true history, the Silver Marches would inevitably become the Silver Marches Federation. So, what unexpected factor caused the Zhentarim’s conspiracy to fail?”

Faced with Hill’s question, Qin Lun and Rand fell silent.

After a long while, Qin Lun suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing. “The specific situation probably only becomes clear upon contacting the Zhentarim. However, one thing you reminded me of: why must we assume the Zhentarim had a successful conspiracy in history?”

“You mean… there are also Apostles helping the Zhentarim?” Hill and Rand immediately understood. “But the plan from four months ago… no Apostle team could stay in a Quest World for that long, right?”

“It’s possible. Think about my situation!” Qin Lun revealed a slight smile. “It would work if they entered the Toril World in two separate instances, just like I did. The last time I entered the Toril World was exactly over four months ago!”

“That’s true!” Hill and Rand were momentarily speechless, then smiled at each other. “No wonder the task content hinted that this might be a competitive mission.”

“Qin Lun, when should we go check out that farm?” Rand cautiously asked.

“Sooner is better than later; let’s go now!” Qin Lun’s eyes flashed as he said with a smile.

Although Silvermoon City’s gates should have been closed by this time, the city was nestled by mountains and rivers. With the skills of the three of them, there were many places where they could sneak out of the city.

“Let’s bring Iristin and Idria along!” Hill asked with a smile. “We don’t know how many people the Zhentarim have stationed at that farm. Having them with us would be safer.”

“Alright, I’ll go upstairs to notify them. You two go to the River Rauvin first and find a spot where we can wade across.” Qin Lun nodded. None of them mentioned Mastashia, Linda, or Great Sage Laini.

In fact, although those three were also in the team, they might not necessarily cooperate with Qin Lun. Especially the two Candlekeep members; they still hadn’t revealed their true purposes.