Chapter 227: Aftermaths (3)
The following evening, Karnak set out from the inn with Varos and Leven at his side. Their excuse was to inspect the remnants of the battle with the cultists and see if anything useful could still be recovered. Serati and Lapicel were left behind at their lodgings.
"There’s no need for too many people," Karnak told them. "You two stay and rest. If anyone comes looking for me, just take the message."
It was a reasonable order, so Lapicel didn’t find it suspicious at all.
"Yes, Lord Karnak."
Of course, Serati knew the real reason.
—You’re heading there, aren’t you?
—Yeah, best to take care of it tonight.
***
It was deep into the night, and the streets were nearly deserted, especially in the areas ravaged by the fire. The desolation felt almost eerie. With Varos and Leven in tow, Karnak walked past the scorched streets.
Eventually, they arrived at a mansion, its upper floors half-collapsed into charred ruins. It was the Tecas merchant guild headquarters. Varos led the way inside, as if he were familiar with the place.
They carefully made their way to a room that had suffered relatively less damage, where Varos pushed aside the broken furniture. The furniture moved easily, and clear traces on the floor showed it had been shifted several times before.
Beneath the cleared debris lay a hidden door leading to the basement. After briefly scanning their surroundings, Karnak and the others opened the door and descended. In the basement was a middle-aged man, bound and battered.