Chapter 408: A Dead Man
Returning to the study.
Andviel was grooming her owl's feathers.
She looked back and smiled, "Master."
"Andviel, could you check if Kavina is in the lounge?"
"Of course, Master."
Andviel left and soon returned, accompanied by Kavina, now clad in new armor.
Her equipment was noticeably upgraded compared to before.
It seemed her rewards had also been delivered.
Tasks like the pirate village mission granted accompanying squads rewards different from deputy stewards, unless they showed exceptional performance.
The records categorized it as a secondary merit task, with slightly lower rewards.
Distributed as third-grade rewards.
After all, accompanying missions weren't typical capture operations.
Even so, for an ordinary squad, six selections of third-grade items were no small sum.
"You needed me?" Kavina's demeanor was noticeably improved compared to when she first arrived, even speaking with a smile.
Wu Heng asked, "Do you have any tasks on hand?"
"No, I just returned to the guild."
Wu Heng said directly, "Tomorrow morning, have your squad gather at the gate. We're investigating a case."
"Alright, is there anything we need to prepare?"
Wu Heng thought for a moment, "No need. It's just an island matter. If anything arises, we can temporarily return to handle it."
"Understood," Kavina nodded.
Leaving the study, Wu Heng tidied up.
He instructed Andviel to head home early, then hired a carriage to return to his residence.
...…
Opening the courtyard gate.
He saw Minnie training her abilities in the yard.
Fireballs flew and exploded against a distant stone pillar.
Fiery debris scattered in all directions.
Unlike her initial struggles to release or throw fireballs, her control had steadily improved.
While advanced manipulation was still beyond her, she could now reliably form and throw fireballs.
Spotting Wu Heng entering, Minnie waved energetically, "Master."
"Hmm, keep practicing but don't overexert yourself."
"Got it."
Wu Heng first visited the bomb skeleton's laboratory. Some gunpowder and alchemical powders were spread across the table.
The bomb skeleton was busy crafting rolling bombs.
Wu Heng approached a shelf holding completed products. Several rolling bombs were displayed.
[Poison Smoke Bomb], [Wind-Fire Bomb].
Poison Smoke Bombs were common and easy to find even in towns, suggesting they weren't difficult to make.
Wind-Fire Bombs were higher-grade rolling bombs with more dramatic effects.
Wu Heng stored them all in his spatial ring.
He then left the room, returning to his residence.
...…
As night fell.
Wu Heng stood in the fourth-floor hallway, supporting Shanaila, dressed in a pale blue nightgown, as she descended cautiously.
She moved as stealthily as an inexperienced thief.
"Your two little maids didn't cling to you?" Shanaila dusted off her gown.
Wu Heng scooped her up, heading towards the bedroom, "Tonight, it's your turn to cling to me."
Shanaila playfully bit his chest, "I'll leave a mark. Let's see how you explain it."
It didn't hurt, only tickled.
"Then I'll just expose you, so you can come openly next time."
Shanaila instantly hesitated, "I'm not ready yet. Maybe later."
The bedroom door opened.
Shanaila's clothes slipped off as she lay back on the bed.
Wu Heng kissed down her neck, eliciting waves of pleasure.
Their bodies intertwined, sharing warmth and intimacy.
Shanaila placed her hands on his chest, her soft moans punctuated with questions, "Why's the port so chaotic lately?"
"What happened?"
"I saw several groups of workers fighting, delaying many ships from departing," Shanaila explained softly.
"The faction managing the port workers is having issues."
Shanaila nodded, "Have your people check it out and restore order."
"Got it. I'll handle it tomorrow."
They pulled a thin blanket over themselves and fell silent.
Focusing on the moment at hand.
...…
Lighthouse Street, Old Barrel Tavern.
A carriage stopped in front of the tavern.
Wu Heng and a few members of the 11th squad disembarked, gazing at the closed establishment.
It was early morning, and faint torchlight still flickered nearby.
About five or six burly men stood at the tavern entrance.
Seeing the carriage, they eyed it warily, "The tavern's closed. Go elsewhere."
"11th Squad of the Guild." Kavina displayed her badge. "The Guild sent us to assist in investigating here. Inform your leader."
Hearing they were from the Guild.
The men's hostility lessened slightly. One of them said, "Wait here," before heading inside.
Shortly after, he returned with another bald man.
Wu Heng recognized this man, one of McIntosh's trusted aides, who had relayed messages to him several times before.
The bald man scanned the group, his gaze stopping on Wu Heng.
He stepped forward, "My lord."
The guards at the door hadn't expected such respect for the man behind them, realizing he wasn't an ordinary member of the Guild.
They quickly followed suit with slight bows.
"What's the situation?"
The bald man sighed, "It's not looking good."
As he spoke.
Footsteps echoed from across the street.
A man on horseback approached, followed by a squad of silver-armored soldiers.
Their uniforms matched those of the island master's guards seen during his last return.
The bald man frowned and hurried forward, "Commander Fulvio."
The commander glanced at him before shifting his gaze to Wu Heng's group.
"Who are these people? Are they involved with the port issues? Arrest them for interrogation."
Clang~!
The soldiers moved in unison.
The bald man wiped his sweat, hastily explaining, "Commander, they're from the Guild, here to assist with the investigation."
"The Guild?" The commander gestured for his troops to stop but continued scrutinizing the group. "Never seen you before. Newcomers?"
Uninterested in banter, Wu Heng addressed the bald man, "Take us to your leader."
"Damn, got some nerve," the commander sneered. "You're lucky you're pardoned; otherwise, you'd be in pieces."
Kavina rested her hand on her sword, returning his glare, "You're the lucky one."
"Damn, girl, you're not my type."
The bald man, sensing rising tension, feared an incident.
He opened the tavern door, "Gentlemen, let's discuss this inside."
With that, he led the group inside.
Both sides ceased their bickering, prioritizing the task, and entered the tavern.
...…
Inside, the tavern was eerily silent.
In a corner, a few figures sat motionless.
Scanning the room, Wu Heng followed the bald man's lead.
"This way, sirs. You'll understand once you see," the bald man urged.
They descended stone steps, passing through a cellar into a semi-subterranean space.
Beyond the final door.
Their eyes widened slightly at the sight before them.
In the center of the room stood a coffin.
McIntosh was dead?