Chapter 399: Torture for Five Years, Raise for Five Years
Both were Deputy Stewards.
But Wu Heng's displayed combat strength far exceeded the standard level of an ordinary Deputy Steward.
"It's still thanks to my weapons. You've seen them, haven't you?" Wu Heng said directly.
When involved in Sheila Grey's battle,
It was mainly through the use of firearms.
Sheila Grey did not question further. She looked at him and said, "Thank you for saving me again."
When facing the pirates' pre-arranged trap, anyone would leave under the guise of passing on a message if they saw no hope of victory. In the end, all would perish here.
The guild would have no grounds to criticize such an act.
When Wu Heng left, Sheila Grey and the other squad members believed he had escaped.
But the truth was different from what they thought.
Not only did Wu Heng kill those five level-15 pirates, but he also returned directly.
He pulled everyone back from the brink of death.
And killed all the pirates.
One person killed six level-15 pirates and several level-10 pirates.
If word got out, it would be the biggest news in the Emerald Sea.
In the future, besides Imiro driving out the Gold-Silver Island pirates, there would be another legend.
"No need to thank me. We agreed to help each other, never abandon or give up," Wu Heng said with a smile.
Sheila Grey also smiled, tied her hair into a ponytail, and said, "You're right. Next time there's danger, I'll risk my life to save you."
Wu Heng was stunned. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I hope there's no danger at all."
"That's not what I meant. Let's hope we all stay safe."
"Agreed!"
Sheila Grey continued, "What's the plan now? You killed so many villagers, even if they were pirate-affiliated. It might be hard to explain and could cause problems."
The guild had strict rules
To prevent anyone from using the guild's name to act recklessly.
Wu Heng's profession carried inherent biases. If this incident reached the guild, it could have severe consequences.
"There was no other choice. You saw the situation. If some of them didn't die, we'd be the ones dead," Wu Heng said.
"I understand. That's why I came to discuss how to explain it better," Sheila Grey said, propping her chin on her hand.
Wu Heng thought for a moment before standing up. "Come, I have evidence. Let's head out."
"What evidence?"
"Let's check on the others first and bring everyone along," Wu Heng said as he walked outside.
Sheila Grey followed, muttering, "So mysterious."
...…
Stepping out of the room,
The courtyard was filled with skeletons and a few guild members.
Before anyone could speak, the local Deputy Steward stepped forward and said urgently, "Deputy Steward Wu Heng, these villagers are problematic. Please give the guild some time to investigate."
The massacre of villagers had genuinely terrified this accompanying Deputy Steward.
He had stayed outside all day, fearing that the Necromancer Deputy Steward might display more ruthless methods out of lingering resentment.
"What do you think their problem is?" Wu Heng asked him.
The man hesitated briefly before saying, "It's obvious they have connections to the pirates, but the specifics and reasons need further investigation."
Wu Heng nodded and said, "Follow us. I'll give you an explanation."
"Oh, okay!" Relieved to hear no mention of killing, the man sighed with relief.
Following behind, they headed to another house.
Opening the door, they found two investigators lying on beds, one on each side.
This profession was clearly unsuited for combat.
Even residual force could injure them.
"Greetings, Deputy Stewards," the two investigators said stiffly.
Wu Heng approached and sat by the bed. "How are your injuries?"
"Manageable, but some bones are hurt."
Wu Heng sighed. "Your injuries are our fault for not protecting you. I'll submit a report to the guild to ensure your records reflect this."
"Thank you, Deputy Steward," the two said with a trace of gratitude in their eyes.
"Can you move?" Wu Heng asked.
"Probably not from the bed."
"There's evidence nearby that needs recording. I'll have someone carry you there," Wu Heng said.
"You, carry them. We're heading east," he ordered.
Two squad members lifted the investigators.
The group set out in a large procession toward the village's eastern side.
All the villagers were under guard, leaving the village eerily empty.
They arrived at a cage holding a beggar.
The stench was overwhelming.
Inside the cage, the beggar was still asleep, oblivious to the crowd outside.
"Is this the beggar from yesterday?" Sheila Grey asked.
"He seems connected to the guild," Wu Heng explained and added, "Open the cage and search it."
Creak~!
The cage opened, startling the beggar awake.
Screaming and flailing, he was quickly subdued by several squad members.
Kavina led others into the cage, rummaging around until they found the cloth strip spotted by the ghost 'Glenda.'
Kavina stepped out,
Shaking off the dirt on the cloth and reading aloud: "Pirates massacred the village, slaughtering men, women, and children."
She shivered after reading it.
The others stared wide-eyed in shock.
The villagers had been pirates, and the entire village had been massacred.
If this cloth had been discovered earlier, few would have believed it.
After all, a village connected to the outside world couldn't just disappear and be replaced.
But the villagers' actions last night, encircling the guild members and shouting about the captain,
Left no room for doubt.
Scratch, scratch, scratch~!
The investigators began recording the details and preserved the cloth.
The situation was shocking.
Even reading the words sent chills down their spines.
"Was he running to us to deliver this message?" Sheila Grey asked, looking at the deranged beggar.
"Maybe, or it could just be a coincidence."
The others looked at the beggar.
Treated so harshly yet still holding onto information to deliver, he was no ordinary person.
Wu Heng thought for a moment and said, "Bring him here. I'll try something."
Two guild members dragged the beggar over.
Wu Heng pulled out a round wooden staff. "This relic can restore clarity of mind, but its effect on this case is uncertain."
The others nodded in understanding.
Wu Heng swung the staff directly at the beggar's backside.
Whack~!
The sharp sound echoed.
The beggar jerked forward, crying out in pain.
After two more strikes, the beggar stopped screaming, peering through his long hair at the group with piercing eyes.
Sheila Grey spoke directly. "We're with the guild. Who are you?"
The beggar stared coldly, his hoarse voice rasping, "Whisperer, Wilhelm!"
Whisperer!
So the message was meant for the guild, but it never reached them.
"Why are you here?" Sheila Grey pressed.
"Where is the Devil's Hand?" the beggar retorted.
"Dead. We took over this place, and the villagers are under control."
Hahaha~!
The beggar laughed maniacally, the sound grating on their ears.
When the laughter subsided, he crouched on the ground, silent.
Sheila Grey repeated, "What happened to you?"
After a pause, the beggar lowered his head and said, "I joined the Devil's Hand, but they found out, imprisoned me for five years, and tortured me for five years."
"Is the village massacre true?"
"Yes!"
Scratch, scratch, scratch, the investigators recorded again.
Wu Heng interrupted Sheila Grey, worried about the beggar's unstable emotions. While the relic restored clarity, it was already a miracle for such effects.
Pushing too far might drive him mad again.
"Let's go. Come back with us. We'll need your testimony to punish these pirates."
"Alright!" the beggar agreed.
The group began their return.
The local Deputy Steward arranged a carriage to return to 'Lopez City' and request reinforcements from the guild.
...…
Inside the room,
Wu Heng retrieved the corpse of the Devil's Hand captain.
A foul stench filled the air instantly.
"What profession did he belong to? Does the guild have records?"
Sheila Grey shook her head.
The beggar spoke up, "A Sorcerer, demon bloodline."