Chapter 2291 - 96: An 'Invitation' (Part 2)

Fang Hong raised his sword, glancing from side to side. But he definitely wouldn't think like Xiangzi, assuming the sword was stuck due to rust. Most likely, some form of magic was used on the sword, allowing only specific individuals to extract it from the sword sheath.

Just like the famous Holy Sword Morning Light, only those with the bloodline of three royal households, or those recognized as its guardian, could pull it out.

However, after examining it for a while and finding no solution, he reluctantly placed the sword back. For some reason, it reminded him of what Hilveld had recently told him about—the Clevo Family and the Magic Sword they had protected for generations.

But he quickly shook his head, certainly not considering any connection between this sword and that Magic Sword. How could the world offer such coincidences? Xiangzi strolled through the streets and was mysteriously gifted a legendary Magic Sword?

Even the most bizarre novels wouldn't dare spin such tales.

If it were indeed so, he couldn't help but suspect some grand conspiracy might be lurking behind it. Yet, Fang Hong couldn't make heads or tails of it temporarily, and this might really just be a coincidence, similar encounters have indeed happened in Eteliria.

Perhaps the Native simply found you pleasing and decided to gift you something nice; after all, different people have different personalities, and some are uniquely unconventional. Fang Hong could only sigh that people's fates are distinct, some are truly favored by the heavens.

He closed the box and then advised Xiangzi, "If you can't use it for now, just keep it well and avoid letting too many people see it."

He had other matters at the moment and couldn't spend too long here. Although the sword's origin was questionable, he couldn't divert his attention to investigate it now and would have to handle it as such for the time being. He couldn't discard the sword simply due to uncertainties; the Seven Seas Travel Group wasn't that timid.

Besides, a Magic Sword capable of designating its owner—regardless of whether it's a Magic Sword or not—was certainly extraordinary.

Xiangzi merely nodded at his instructions.

Watching Xiangzi leisurely head towards his room, the winter sunlight poured through the hallway windows, crossing the youth's shoulders and leaving a faint shadow on the plank-covered floor, Fang Hong couldn't help but marvel at the purity of it all.

He had forgotten how there was a time when he was just like this.

Saying goodbye to Xiangzi, Fang Hong descended the stairs to the hall, where Luo Hao was approaching, "He left," he said right off, unobtrusively slipping a note into Fang Hong's hand. "You came down slower than I expected, did you see Xiangzi?"

Fang Hong nodded, shifting his gaze to the Crow's Claw Knights in the hall. They were low-rank Knights, lacking the gray feather shoulder pads and crow feathers on their helmets, quietly interrogating the innkeeper, mostly attempting to wrangle some free drinks.

"Someone gifted Xiangzi a sword," he replied, "I asked about it; the sword is somewhat uncommon, possibly a Magic Sword."

"Magic Sword?" Luo Hao expressed slight surprise, "You're talking about the box he just held?"

Fang Hong nodded. "Let's set that aside for now; tell me, what happened here?"

Luo Hao, too, turned to look at those Crow's Claw Knights and said, "It's not convenient to talk here. Let's discuss it while we walk." As he spoke, they moved forward, only pausing at the base of the stairs after losing sight of the Crow's Claw Knights, where Luo Hao turned back to continue, "They want us to cooperate in their investigation, and seem to want you and Hilveld to visit their Holy Temple."

"That's impossible," Fang Hong immediately shook his head, refusing without a thought, "I'm always suspicious they have designs on Hilveld, we mustn't heed their demands, besides, we haven't determined if they're friend or foe." As he spoke, memories of the previous afternoon's events crossed his mind, "Furthermore, we don't plan to stay here much longer, we might leave as soon as tomorrow."

"I feel the same," Luo Hao replied, "We should minimize our interactions with them."

Fang Hong raised his right hand, clutching the note Luo Hao had given him earlier, asking, "What's this?"

"That's why I needed you down here," Luo Hao answered, ascending the stairs and turning back to continue, "After those Crow's Claw Knights left, someone peculiar approached me, stating their 'master' knew us and had something to pass on to you."

"To give me?" Fang Hong was a bit surprised.

"Exactly, they mentioned you by name, or I wouldn't retain something with such ambiguous origins," Luo Hao responded, "They said: 'Deliver this note to the esteemed Mr. Ade; my master has crossed paths with him before and knows of what you're investigating. If you wish to know more, refer to the contents of the note.'"

Fang Hong pondered for a moment, wondering how someone here recognized him. Instinctively uneasy, he quickly composed himself, then opened the note to read. If the sender were an enemy, it wouldn't be a note that arrived, but a legion of foes.

Such mysterious methods implied they weren't enemies or required something from him, or maybe there was potential for cooperation between them.

Reflecting on the acquaintance mentioned, Fang Hong's mind raced with thoughts of who among his past encounters might reach out to him this way.