Chapter 589, Waiting for Reinforcements
The next morning.
Iron Rock Village.
The Professional squad that had stayed overnight barely got any sleep.
The presence of a cult was like a heavy stone hanging over their hearts, suffocating them.
If they didn't investigate, the cult would continue its rampage, leading to more deaths.
If they did, they could be walking into danger. And given the current state of the Ekow Kingdom, summoning military forces would likely be impossible.
Their preparations were nearly complete.
Yuli, with dark circles under her eyes, lightly knocked on a room door.
"Aunt, everything's ready. We can set out."
"Send the beast scouts ahead first. I'll be right out," Madam Slater said from her desk, turning her head.
"Alright!" Yuli turned and left.
Madam Slater finished the last stroke of her letter.
She picked it up and gave it a glance.
"I hope I won't need this."
Taking a deep breath, she stored the letter away.
Then, she began packing up the pillows and bedding, stowing them into her spatial ring.
As she lifted a pillow, a blank envelope slid to the side.
Madam Slater's eyes narrowed.
Then, a mix of surprise, doubt, and joy flashed across her face.
She picked up the envelope and quickly unfolded it.
The words appeared before her eyes:
「Madam Slater,
The cause of Beni's death has been confirmed. The cult responsible is called the Church of Destiny, which was officially designated as a heretical sect by the Guild two months ago.
Their leader is named 'Fatih.' His level is above 18, but his exact class is still unknown.
Based on current intelligence, the cult likely has two 18th-level Professionals and multiple 15th-level Professionals.
I have arrived in Rentam City. Once I finish my work here, I will head to Blackstone Town.
Do not act recklessly before I arrive.
If the Church of Destiny directly threatens you, prioritize your safety.」
The letter was brief, mentioning only the Church of Destiny without any other details.
But after reading it, Madam Slater's forehead was covered in sweat.
Not just one but two 18th-level Professionals. And several 15th-level ones.
Even reading it in text made her spine tingle and her heart pound violently.
Why would such a force appear here?
Forget attacking villages—they could sweep through multiple towns unchecked.
If they continued tracking them, none of them would make it back alive.
"Aunt, are you still not ready? Everyone's waiting at the entrance!" Yuli's voice urged from outside.
Madam Slater took a deep breath to calm herself.
The words on the letter had already vanished, leaving behind only blank paper and an empty envelope.
She tucked it into her spatial ring.
Taking her golden leopard, she opened the door and saw Yuli waiting outside.
Yuli asked, "Aunt, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Madam Slater pinched her cheek.
"Hey! What was that for?" Yuli grumbled.
They walked together to the village entrance.
Madam Slater scanned the prepared wagons and the assembled squads.
Then, in a stern voice, she commanded, "Tracking is canceled. We will fortify Iron Rock Village. One team will send a messenger back to Blackstone Town. If reinforcements arrive, bring them here."
...…
"Hot news, hot news! Rentam Bulletin—Rentam Bulletin—!"
"The newspaper issued by the City Hall! Get all the latest news while sitting at home! Turmoil in the Ekow Kingdom! An 18th-level cult slaughters villagers! The death of the Blood Python Gang's leader! And the shocking truth—the culprit is among us!
Legendary City Lord, Master Wu Heng—from a nobody to an Guild Island Lord!
…It's all written in the newspaper!"
Loud cries of newspaper hawkers echoed through the streets.
The hawkers held up the papers high, shouting excitedly, attracting the attention of passersby.
No one knew what a newspaper was.
But from the way the hawkers were shouting, it sounded intriguing.
"These newspapers… are they free?"
A large beastman, egged on by his companions, stepped forward to ask.
The hawker stopped yelling and glanced at him. "65 copper coins."
"You should've said it cost money earlier! I wouldn't have bothered coming over."
"Give me one," a well-dressed merchant stepped up to buy.
Those uninterested backed away to watch from a distance.
Those curious enough dug into their purses and paid for a copy.
...…
Wind Sway Tavern.
A few scattered patrons occupied about a third of the tavern's space.
A human bard, after exchanging a few whispered words with the tavern owner, stepped onto a wooden stage at the side.
He tapped the counter lightly before announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, this morning, the City Lord's Office published something called a 'newspaper'—65 copper coins per copy.
It contains intelligence on neighboring cities, reports on local gangs, and, of course, the story of Lord Wu Heng.
I happened to have extra coin and bought a copy. Let me read it aloud for you."
All eyes turned to him.
The tavern was filled mostly with beastmen, few of whom were literate.
Hearing that it was something new—and that they didn't have to pay—smiles spread across their faces.
"Hurry up, read it already!"
"This is great! One person buys, and we all get to hear the news."
"Quick, start before I drink too much and can't understand anymore."
The bard chuckled and began reading aloud.
"First piece of news—The King of the Ekow Kingdom has died, sparking a power struggle…
On Gold-Silver Island, Lord Wu Heng defeated the prince of the Celtic Kingdom, the so-called 'Human Genius'—Luan Randolph—in a fair duel recognized by the Guild…"
...…
"Gold-Silver Island? Wu Heng? Why does that sound familiar?"
"He was the captain from the Guild! The one who drove out the Warhammer Gang—the real Lord of Rentam City."
"Ahh, that's why his name sounded familiar!"
"So he's an Island Lord now? And he defeated a prince?"
"No wonder he didn't want to rule this city—he had his sights set higher."
The tavern erupted into a clamor.
Patrons loudly debated Wu Heng's exploits, sharing whatever rumors they had heard.
The bard didn't rush to continue.
He waited for the crowd's discussion to settle—letting any outsiders learn who Wu Heng was and what he had done in this city.
Unlike Gold-Silver Island, Rentam City's bards were specifically assigned by the City Hall.
Each one was stationed in a different tavern, reading the newspaper for free.
This was because Rentam City was vastly different from Gold-Silver Island.
The region was more spread out, high-level Professionals were scarce, and literacy rates were low.
Expecting people to buy a newspaper or finding bards willing to read them aloud was unlikely.
So, they arranged it themselves.
Once people got used to the habit, taverns would start hiring their own bards to read the papers.
...…
After finishing the news, the bard continued with a story.
The entire tavern fell silent.
Only his voice echoed through the room.
"Wu Heng glanced over and immediately said: 'Are you watching that retired soldier?'"
"..."
"I planned to expose Wu Heng's conspiracy and disgrace him…
Then, by chance, the courier emerged, and I caught up, asking: 'Excuse me, what is your profession?'"
'I was once a soldier in the kingdom's army.'"
Wu Heng's theory was proven correct once again. I was shocked beyond belief and couldn't help but ask, 'How did you deduce that?'"
'It's simple,' Wu Heng explained with a smile,
'The courier had calloused hands, stood with military posture, and bore the insignia of the light infantry.'"
The patrons nodded in understanding—even the beastmen who didn't like thinking too much.
It made perfect sense.
The bard continued without pause, despite the crowd's admiration.
And then, he finished at the same point as Gold-Silver Island's first issue.
Just as the audience was fully immersed, he clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright, the story ends here. The next part will be in the next issue of the newspaper."
The tavern fell into stunned silence.
Then, they exchanged looks.
"That's it? You can't just stop in the middle!"
"Damn it! I hate it when people stop halfway through a story!"
"Screw this! I'm heading to City Hall!"
"That's 50 copper coins for breaking the mug."
"Damn it…."