Chapter 119: Movements
Although none of them knew what the consequences might be, they decided to do it themselves rather than hire a group to do it. While that was an option, it wouldn’t earn them any points, and since it was an urgent mission, the instructor might not take it well.
So, after getting ready, they went to the area where Mr. Henry’s mansion was located.
Edward used to live nearby, so it was very easy to find. It was a huge mansion—much larger than the Merchant family’s mansion.
Edward had always suspected that he was involved in some kind of drug trafficking. The amount of money he had wasn’t normal for someone who was merely a local boss of a small area.
But now it was his turn to assassinate him for treason, so he had to push those intrusive thoughts aside.
"Don’t you feel like there’s not much security?" Aurora asked as they approached cautiously through the darkness.
"Well, that’s to be expected." Edward smiled as he recalled that he had killed many of his guards and wounded one. Although Mr. Henry was wealthy, he wasn’t allowed to have too many guards, so killing a dozen was quite significant.
"In fact, there are no guards beyond those at the entrances. I think this mission will be pretty easy," Edward said after confirming what Aurora had said.
"Then let’s just go in. Let’s not waste time waiting for this guy’s reinforcements to arrive." Arnold was the first to step forward and leap over the wall.
Edward and Aurora followed closely behind him.
In less than a minute, they were moving through the mansion windows, avoiding the light and slowly approaching Mr. Henry’s room.
He was in the largest room. It was rather foolish of him, since his loyal warrior, Six Fingers, wasn’t close enough to assist him if anything happened.
When Edward saw Six Fingers walk past him without noticing, he immediately ran, followed by the other two, to a room dozens of meters away, where they finally disappeared.
Six Fingers turned, frowning. ’Am I being paranoid?’ he thought, slightly confused. He thought he’d heard something. But after checking that there was nothing there, he resumed his guard.
Inside the room.
Mr. Henry trembled with fear when Edward’s sword touched his neck.
"It hasn’t been long since we last saw each other, has it?" He smiled. "In fact, it’s been so little time that even I’m impressed. You have such a huge mansion, yet at the same time, it has no security whatsoever. You’re quite foolish to sleep so soundly like this." He sneered.
"You... Bastard... Showing up right at this moment..." Mr. Henry’s eyes suddenly flashed with rage. He sensed something. "Damn... damn Alric Dorne, it was you! You betrayed me! Our target was clearly Lux!" He roared, but those words didn’t come out as a sound, for they were cut off by a cold blade that sliced his neck in two.
"Alric Dorne? Betrayed? What the hell is going on here?" Arnold and Aurora spoke in shock.
Just then, Edward crouched down to pick up something that had fallen from Mr. Henry’s body. It was a token with a piece of paper attached.
"Cave of the Red Moon..." The token was made of bronze, but it had a design in the middle that was clearly distinguishable as a "black dot with a red crescent in the center." It wasn’t at all flashy.
"Do you know anything about this?" he asked, puzzled.
The three of them had just clearly heard two names: Alric Dorne and Lux. Given the repeated assassination attempts against Edward, that Lux must be him and not his father. Edward and Aurora were more than certain of this because of what had happened the day before.
"Red Moon Cave... I think it was a criminal organization from the province. I once ran into one of them on my early expeditions," Arnold replied to the question.
"A criminal organization... Maybe this guy really was involved in drug trafficking," Edward sighed. "Let’s get out of here. This is strangely suspicious. Let’s avoid running into any trouble."
His words were as simple as the mission. The three of them left the mansion without looking back, unconcerned about the news that would soon break.
Edward felt he had closed a small circle of revenge... Although Mr. Henry hadn’t personally struck his father, he had allowed Joel to do so openly and had even given him the power to do it even more. Yesterday he killed those who had caused the harm, and today, without meaning to, he killed the one who had allowed it.
He felt strangely good... but something was wrong.
His racing heart told him that something didn’t add up in this whole scheme. He felt like he was being watched. He felt like he was under observation and didn’t understand why.
Back at the academy, Edward stopped by to hand the mission over to Alric Dorne and then went to Owen’s office to report to him.
"That was really fast. I only issued that mission yesterday," said Owen, genuinely surprised.
"Strangely, it wasn’t difficult, Elder Owen," replied Edward without giving too many details.
Not because he didn’t want to, but simply because he was trying to create an opportunity to do it without putting himself in danger.
Owen nodded. "Some missions will be like that. How did you feel during this mission? Since it involved a direct assassination, it tests several of your abilities."
"I felt nothing but annoyance that it was too easy, Elder Owen. The mission lasted less than 10 minutes."
"Less than 10 minutes?" Owen raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Was the mansion unguarded?"
"There were only four. Two of them were watching from a distance, and Henry’s room was unguarded."
"Well, so Mr. Henry didn’t expect the attack and wasn’t prepared." Owen smiled.
But Edward sensed that he was trying to hide something. ’I’m sure there’s something behind this,’ he thought.
"Student Edward, don’t dwell on it. You completed an important mission despite having only three members. The three of you have improved, so I’ll be keeping an eye on you. By the way, there’s someone who wants to speak with you, and I’ll put you in touch when the time comes. For now, you may go."
Edward had no choice but to nod. "Goodbye, Elder Owen. If you need me, don’t hesitate to call." He replied like a robot and turned to leave.
But as he did, his eyes caught a strange symbol, followed by some words.
’Cave of the Red Moon...’
It was among the files Elder Owen had been reviewing when he walked in. Seeing that name on such a high-level desk immediately piqued his interest.
"Is this a new guild you’re creating, Elder Owen?" Edward asked, playing dumb.
Owen quickly caught on to what he meant, so he smiled. "It’s just a rat’s nest—don’t worry about it. The day I decide to start a guild, I’ll send you a letter inviting you to join."
"Haha, I get it. I’ll be going now." he immediately walked out the door.
The moment he closed the door behind him and took three steps forward, he had to look up when he realized he’d bumped into someone.
"Oh. Young man, I’m sorry. I was distracted by the flowers outside." It was a beautiful woman who smiled and apologized gracefully with a bow.
’Lyssandra Vire?’ His eyes sparkled with interest.
The most respected woman in the province. A member of the Vire family, sister of Duke Vire. Although she is no longer part of the nobility, having decided to move to Lor to forge her own path to greatness.
In Lor and throughout the region, she holds the title of Richest Woman, surpassing even the counts in wealth.
Her form-fitting red dress highlighted the unusual and elegant beauty of her slender figure. Although she was already in her 40s, she retained the beauty of her youth.
Her calm aura also suggested she was a gentle woman... though a dangerous one.
"I’m sorry, ma’am. It was I who wasn’t seeing clearly." Edward stepped aside.
After a calm smile, Lyssandra stepped forward and knocked on Owen’s door, which he opened shortly after.
’A high-level meeting, huh.’ Edward turned and left, still wondering what that Red Moon Cave was...
---
"Is everything ready?" Count Hazzard’s voice echoed among his subordinates, all gathered at a mansion on the outskirts of Ashford’s territory.
"It’s ready, sir. The news has been sent to each of the local leaders. In about an hour from now, everything will come to light."
"Very well. You’ve done a good job." Count Hazzard turned and looked out at the darkening horizon. It was late at night, but the Western Region was about to be hit with big news...
It was time for the Hazzards to rise.
Count Hazzard let out a sly, dangerous smile. "Theodore Ashford... You have been a worthy opponent. I am amazed at how skilled you are. But you have smiled far too much in my presence. Have you never heard the saying that he who smiles last laughs best? Today I will show you just how true that saying is."
"Come, my dear Royal Guard in the service of the Hazzard Bloodline. It is time for us to become high-ranking nobles so we can trample those who oppose us."