Water Magician

Chapter 423: Infiltrating Wingston

Editor: Tseirp

We were told to come to Wingston, but doesnt it feel a bit tense?

Yeah there are a lot of patrolling soldiers right?

Those are probably knights.

There are regular city guards too.

Swordsman Hector, spear-wielder Isaiah, scout Oriana, and priest Tarlow exchanged their impressions while surveying the city.

Kenzie, the earth-attribute magician, nodded silently after hearing their words.

They are all members of the former royal capital-based C-rank party Morning Star.

Currently, they are active as adventurers based in Acre, the capital of the Heinlein Marquisate.

Although officially a C-rank party, they often take on jobs from Marquis Heinlein and his eldest son Phelps A. Heinlein, who oversees almost all the affairs of the marquisate.

These jobs are not counted in the guilds completion count since they bypass the Adventurers Guild, so they remain at the C-rank level.

However, being C-rank adventurers means they are still top-tier and not to be underestimated.

The jobs from the Heinlein Marquisate come with exorbitantly high rewards

But they are often dangerous

And mostly involve traveling abroad

But the money is good!

Well then, lets get ready.

Yeah.

Swordsman Hector said, and scout Oriana responded.

The other three nodded as well.

This request is also extremely dangerous

So they needed to prepare thoroughly.

Hey, Scotty. Do you really think it was a good idea for both of us to come out?

Well, even if you say that. Only Zack can make the ID, but I suppose Im here as a sort of escort. Besides, its an order from Knight Captain Dontan himself, and even the Battalion Commander personally came and took charge of our squad. We dont have a choice but to go, right?

Royal Knight Company Commander Zack Cooler and his counterpart, Company Commander Scotty Cobook, are now within sight of Wingstons city gate.

It was too late to turn back now.

Indeed, it was too late, but Zack had been repeating similar questions since leaving Hafrena City.

It was quite unusual for Zack, who is generally seen as carefree, to repeat the same question so many times.

But Scotty, who has a long-standing relationship with him, knew.

Zack doesnt fuss much about himself, but he cares a lot about his subordinates and juniors.Ne/w novel chapters are published at wuxiahere.com

Not exactly a big brother figure, but somewhat similar

One shouldnt judge people based solely on appearances.

While they were talking, the two passed through the gates of Wingston.

The guards were standing, but they didnt particularly check the belongings or identities of those entering and exiting.

It was the ducal capital and also the largest city in the eastern part of the Kingdom.

Moreover, it was still in the process of recovery from the Kingdom Liberation War, so the pedestrian traffic was unusually high.

It wouldnt be practical to check everyone and everything.

Were in luck, Zack. Were disguised as merchants, but if they had investigated a bit, they would have seen through our lies immediately.

Well, theres no helping it. It wouldve been risky to enter as Royal Knights. Thats why entering as adventurers makes the most sense, but we cant forge those guild cards. It might look real at first glance, but if they check, theyll know its fake right away.

The adventurer guild cards of the Central Countries are said to be impossible to forge.

They are created through highly advanced alchemy, and theres even a legend that it was created by King Richard, the founder of the Kingdom.

Well, when it comes to highly advanced alchemy, its often said to be created by King Richard, so whether its true or not is unknown at this point.

However, because its true that they cannot be forged, Zack and Scotty disguised themselves as merchants.

There is indeed a merchant guild for merchants, and those who belong to it have merchant guild cards, but in reality, most merchants are not affiliated with the merchant guild.

The merchant guild can foster mutual support, but they are often required to pay membership fees and cooperate in ways other than financially

Therefore, younger merchants often do business without belonging to the merchant guild.

Even among the lords, many believe that encouraging competition leads to economic development, so whether one belongs to the merchant guild or not, there are no restrictions on doing business in the city.

For these reasons, Zack and Scotty entered the city of Wingston as independent merchants.

Their mission was to confirm whether the Shrewsbury Duchy had any connections to the Djinn.

Specifically, Zack, who faced a high-ranking follower, was tasked with confirming if they were entering and exiting the Dukes residence

Thats why the order was directly given to Zack, who actually knew the face of that high-ranking follower.

The two, combining lunch and a strategy meeting, entered a diner in the city and engaged in conversation.

To get to the Wingston Government Office, well, anyone can go there. But even though the Dukes residence is adjacent to the office, its not easy to enter the premises. Moreover, theres a restricted area within the Dukes residence called the annex, and they might be entering and exiting from there, right? Zack, you mentioned you had a good idea. Whats the plan?

To Scottys question, Zack solemnly nodded and replied.

Its risky to approach during the day. Well sneak into the Dukes residence at night to confirm.

We have no choice. Lets follow those four.

Well, it cant be helped The mansion is just the entrance to the underground passage leading to the Dukes mansion, as stated in the instructions. There should be another place where the Djinns minions gather. Finding that would be a jackpot.

Is that so?

Yeah Zack, read the instructions thoroughly next time.

Ugh

Zack couldnt say anything in response to Scottys words.

He knew it too.

He knew better and made sure to go through them thoroughly when leading his subordinates

I just glanced through them

Yeah, youve never been fond of reading.

Zack muttered quietly as he stood up.

Scotty sighed and stood up as well while speaking.

I admired Abel in that aspect.

Well, he was a prince in disguise. He skipped classes sometimes, but Abel often read books

Both Zack and Scotty remembered Abels love for reading.

In any world, it seems reading is important.

As the two left the tavern, they immediately noticed something.

Hey, is that

Yeah. Apart from us, there are others following those four from earlier.

Three people were shadowing the four from a short distance ahead of them.

Three people, huh?

Yeah, three.

Scotty confirmed Zacks observation with a nod.

The four who came out of the mansion.

The three following them.

And further behind, Zack and Scotty in pursuit.

The chase continued for a while.

As the largest city in the east, Wingstons size was considerable.

One could even say it was vast.

Near the center of the city were the government office, the Dukes residence, and the Wingston temple, with the city spreading out radially from there.

This time, the mansion was on the north side of the Dukes residence, and the group that came out was quickly moving northeast.

Indeed, its the largest city in the east but I think were getting close to the city walls, arent we?

Yeah. Theres hardly any big houses left.

When Zack asked, Scotty answered.

Suddenly, without a word, the two of them leaped backward.

Two swords swept down where their heads had been.

It was as if swords had come out from the shadows on both sides of the road

Damn it. They must have noticed our tailing.

Looks like were not the only ones.

Zack cursed, and Scotty looked ahead.

In front of them, the three who had been following them were quickly defeated.

This is bad.

Lets run.

Scotty said, and Zack made the decision.

Too late.

Clang.

Zack caught the sword that came down.

He had seen the man who swung the sword before.

They had come to confirm if that man was here

We meet again. Captain of Hafrenas squad.

It was Oranj.

Zack was able to confirm that high-ranking minions of the Djinn were indeed coming and going.

However, whether he could deliver that information to the right people was another issue altogether.

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