The Song Of Sword And Magic

Chapter 45: Shocking News From Hersey 

[Translator — Asuka]

[Proofreader — Karane]

The sky was completely dark outside the tower. Except for Niss and Hersey, the other three were seated inside a room. In the fireplace, the fire was crackling. All of them were seated on chairs as they sipped tea and chatted among themselves. 

At the moment, Fern and Stan were talking about the past of the Black Crows. Naturally, most of Stan’s questions revolved around Ril. Based on Fern’s descriptions, Stan could picture that Ril was a candid girl who could give up everything for her loved one. What happened in the Source of Magic proved that point.

On the other hand, Rae also asked about the Black Crows in detail. Fern saw through her mind and asked, “Do you intend to join a mercenary group one day after the trial?”

Rae didn’t admit it. “There are all sorts of people in this world. If there’s always someone like Will in any mercenary group, it’ll be unbearable for me.”

Fern and Stan guffawed. “This only proves that you’re charming. Moreover, Will was just being flirtatious. He was actually an upstanding man.”

“But I think there’s a downside to it when there are too many people in a mercenary group. Perhaps one of them could be a traitor.” Stan voiced his opinion, but he soon realized that he had said something wrong. “Oh, Fern. Please don’t mind it. I’m just talking about the matter as it is.”

Fern flashed a friendly smile at him. “It’s fine. You’re right. I also think that a small group is better.”

After taking a glance at Fern and Rae, Stan also looked in the direction of Niss. In a joyful tone, he said, “I think the four of us are the perfect combination. After we help Niss complete her trial, we should form a mercenary group on our own and help the underprivileged in Wallis.”

Fern and Rae looked at each other and smiled. “We’ll talk about it when Niss passes her trial. This trial is more complicated than we thought.” He heaved a sigh.

***

Just then, Niss and Hersey approached them. “Alright, we’re done with our talk. Let’s have dinner together now. I’ll tell you why you need to leave this place as soon as possible after the meal.”

The meal was simple but appetizing. There were toasted bread covered in butter, curry potatoes, and roasted lamb steaks. After Fern and his companions devoured everything, Hersey coughed to attract their attention and started his narration.

“Since dinner is over, all of you should get ready to leave Wolfsburg now.” Although Hersey had told them this before, they were still shocked when they heard it from him.

Perplexed, Stan questioned, “Why must we leave in a hurry? I think we should take a rest here for one night to recover our injuries we’ve suffered from in the Source of Magic. You also said that we should take some time to recuperate.”

As the aroma of tea permeated the room, Hersey sipped the tea. “Yes, you need time to recuperate, but you can’t stay here any longer. Just don’t expend too much of your energy and try to protect yourself.” He then put down the tea cup and stared at Stan. “Wolfsburg isn’t a safe place. There are secrets in this place you don’t know. Some of which are also puzzling for me.”

Stan’s mind buzzed as he recalled the conversation between Byron and the mysterious woman. At that instant, he was lost for words.

Rae broke the silence. “Have you discovered something? What kind of secrets are there?”

Hersey nodded in acknowledgement. “Yes. I’ve stayed here for two years and found out some secrets. The thing is…” Hersey adjusted his posture. “One of the reasons the Magician’s Tower has to send an archmage to guard the tower is that the Source of Magic is indeed unpredictable, but there’s another reason.”

“To keep an eye on Doyle?” Fern told them his guess.

“Yes.” Hersey’s reply shocked all of them. “Over the centuries, Doyle has always been the protector against the Dark Tide in the Northern border, so they’ve earned the respect of everyone else in Wallis. However, it’s also this reason that it’s a huge burden on their shoulders, so if something goes wrong, the entire Wallis will fall into danger. The Magician’s Tower has been trying to prevent that from happening.”

“So, what kind of secret is it?” Rae asked.

Hersey heaved a sigh, as though he wasn’t sure how to put it into words. Eventually, he shook his head and said, “I’ve discovered that a dark force has penetrated the castle in Wolfsburg. Since they can stay here, they must have gotten permission from Byron. It also means that…” He paused and crossed his fingers before placing them around his lips. “Byron has made a deal with this dark force.”

***

Feeling unnerved, Stan wriggled on his chair and stammered, “I-In fact, I heard something in the castle. I… didn’t have the courage to speak out at that time.” He then told them the conversation between Byron and the mysterious woman. After that, he leaned against the chair in relief. 

Fern and Rae traded glances without uttering a word. The mercenary clapped Stan’s shoulder and said, “Thanks for telling us this, Stan. It requires a lot of courage.”

Hersey also nodded at Stan as a gesture of gratitude. “What you’ve said has confirmed my speculation. I don’t know the background of this dark force yet, but I think they must have something to do with the demise of Sara.”

In an instant, Rae straightened up as she leaned closer to Hersey and stared at him. “Is there any secret behind the demise of Sara?”

Hersey gave her a look and motioned for her to calm down. “That’s just my speculation; I don’t have any proof yet. If my speculation is right, then Byron must be aware of what was happening to Sara at that time, but he chose not to help them.”

Niss exclaimed in disbelief. “This is so unbelievable. Doyle is the hero for all of us in Wallis!”

“Yes. That’s why I’ve never reported this issue to the Magician’s Tower because I have no evidence. If this news is spread, the entire continent will descend into chaos.” Hersey took a sip of the tea. “As you can see, if this is the truth, the entire order of Wallis will be rewritten, so I have to be careful in everything I do.”

At that moment, all of them were too astounded to even say anything.

***

The fire in the fireplace was crackling as it cast their shadows on the wall. 

Seeing that they were still reeling from the shock, Hersey went on to say, “I’m telling you this now because I want you to be wary of Doyle in your future journey and find out the truth behind it.”

Rae tucked her hair behind her ears and pulled herself together. “So, what do you mean by the dark force?”

Hersey frowned and ran his fingers through his beard. “Old colleagues of mine, who had chosen an evil path.”

***

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