Chapter 302

Inside the central fortress of the wall.

It wasn't as spacious as imagined; instead, it was somewhat narrow and cramped. On both sides of the hard stone floor walls, at certain intervals...

Wall lamps injected with "Everlasting Light" magic were placed. Even so, the entire interior remained oppressive and dim.

Tang Zheng, Guild Master Chairman Bo Tejin, and Pavel, the "Black," stepped on the stairs of the spiral staircase and walked downwards.

Every time a footstep fell, a faint echo reverberated between the walls.

And at this moment...

Tang Zheng finally knew the identity of the person who issued the second "Steel-Rank" commission task.

"'Wu Wang' Go-Gin?"

Tang Zheng's voice was surprised, and he looked at Guild Master Chairman Bo Tejin, who was deliberately lagging a step behind, with astonishment:

"The Adventurer Guild also accepts commissions from demi-humans? I mean... in a place like the Holy Kingdom."

Pavel, the "Black," remained silent, seemingly indifferent to Tang Zheng's description.

"Normally, it's impossible. Let alone the Holy Kingdom, even in other countries, it... well, probably wouldn't happen."

Guild Master Chairman Bo Tejin's expression was somewhat complex as he spoke slowly:

"This matter is indeed a special case. We are not clear about the specific situation and terrain of the Abelion Hills, so we need the assistance of demi-humans in this matter."

Tang Zheng waved his hand.

"That's not what I meant. My relationship with that 'Wu Wang' Go-Gin isn't as good as you all imagine," Tang Zheng responded.

"But that 'Wu Wang' Go-Gin specifically asked to see you." Pavel, the "Black," suddenly spoke, his pace slowing down, his tone worried:

"Demi-humans don't trust us humans, and likewise, we humans don't trust demi-humans."

"And this 'Wu Wang' Go-Gin took the initiative to fight his way out of the hilly region to seek help and brought detailed intelligence—it's worthy of admiration."

"We need the assistance of demi-humans; otherwise, that vast hilly region would be a dead zone for us."

"He stayed in the Baharuth Empire for 10 years. Perhaps there are people in the Empire whom 'Wu Wang' Go-Gin trusts more, but there is no time left."

"Now, only you and Go-Gin have known each other for a long time, and only the two of you can barely maintain the fragile cooperative relationship between humans and demi-humans in the upcoming situation."

After knowing it was Go-Gin, Tang Zheng already understood the cause and effect and appeared to be deep in thought about these words.

His eyes, however, were very calm.

From the very beginning, Go-Gin was a card Tang Zheng used to connect with the "Free Will" adventurer team.

"Such a big matter shouldn't be something you can decide, right?" Tang Zheng looked at Pavel, the "Black," on the side.

"Yes."

Pavel, the "Black," nodded slightly and responded earnestly: "This is a strategy determined by Her Majesty, the Holy Queen."

"Otherwise, even with the status of the 'Nine Colors,' I would have no ability to bear the influence and consequences of humans cooperating with demi-humans."

"I see." Tang Zheng sighed, "Your Majesty is indeed as gentle and kind as the rumors say."

Pavel, the "Black," glanced at Tang Zheng with his narrow eye sockets, opened his mouth wanting to say something, but eventually swallowed it back.

Using "gentle" and "kind" to praise a King wasn't a good description. He knew Tang Zheng didn't mean it that way, and besides, such rumors existed within their own country.

Pavel, the "Black," couldn't help but have a headache.

"If you said those words just now in front of Her Majesty's admirers, you would definitely be challenged."

Pavel, the "Black," still chose to offer a reminder.

Tang Zheng smiled lightly.

The direction the three were heading was the prison cell where Go-Gin was being held. To be precise, Go-Gin had voluntarily let himself be imprisoned.

This was a way to show sincerity, although it was a bit clumsy.

Tang Zheng didn't think that using this method could quickly gain the Holy Kingdom's attention. The reason they mobilized elites so quickly should be due to a reminder from the Slane Theocracy side.

Before they even reached the location of the prison cell...

Tang Zheng heard faint arguments echoing in the air.

"Lord Orland, you can leave the guarding to me from now on. You've been sitting here for a day and a night; you need a good rest."

A steady voice rang out.

"—Hey, I've already said it, I'll guard this demi-human myself!"

A rough voice followed, carrying a thick sense of impatience in its tone:

"Or are you trying to do something? Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. That look full of resentment towards demi-humans can't even be hidden!"

The rough voice let out a roar.

"This is a powerhouse who defeated me, a true warrior I acknowledge. How can I hand him over to you?"

"Heh."

"Those filthy nobles who were stripped of their territories a while ago and barely survived—are they trying to vent their anger on a powerhouse who is a true warrior!"

"Lord Orland, please watch your words!"

"We don't have that intention, and you're not the only one who insists on the so-called 'warrior spirit'!"

"We are soldiers, we obey orders. Even if we have personal resentment, we won't put it on this!"

The sounds of intense arguments became clearer and clearer, reaching the ears of Tang Zheng and the other two who were approaching.

Pavel, the "Black," whose gaze was already sharp and dangerous, turned cold and couldn't help but speed up a few steps.

Soon...

The three arrived at the location of the prison cell where Go-Gin was held.

They saw a man wearing a horned helmet, with a strong and burly build, sitting at the entrance of the cage, confronting a squad of soldiers.

With the appearance of Tang Zheng and the other two, the arguing stopped.

The soldier squad was the first to see Pavel, the "Black," walking quickly at the front. Their expressions changed in unison, and they quickly lowered their heads respectfully:

"Soldier Captain!"

"............!"

"Soldier Captain!"

The burly man also turned his head, looked at Pavel, the "Black," and a beast-like smile appeared on his face: "You're back."

As he spoke...

The burly man's gaze turned to Tang Zheng, looking him up and down, his eyes full of curiosity.

"Orland! Is this the attitude you have towards your superior? How many times have I told you!"

Pavel, the "Black," spoke with a cold face, making the soldier squad on the side shrink their necks in fear.

"Disrespectful, Soldier Captain!"

Orland then climbed up from the ground, looking standard in his movements, but saluted somewhat casually.

Orland—one of the "Nine Colors" of the Holy Kingdom, a powerhouse who was granted the "Nine Colors" title by the previous Holy King based solely on his strength.

Although he belonged to the "Nine Colors" along with Pavel, the "Black," in terms of the Holy Kingdom's soldier rank status, he was only at the "Squad Leader" level.

This situation occurred because Orland didn't like to obey orders. To command him, one had to be stronger than him.

This repeatedly led to frequent conflicts with superiors and nobles, resulting in him being demoted dozens of times.

In the entire central fortress, the only person who could make him obey orders was Pavel, the "Black," who had defeated him once.

"'Red' Orland, is it."

Tang Zheng felt a stir in his heart when he heard the other party's name.

In his view, given the other party's personality and way of doing things, he was actually more suited to be an adventurer rather than a soldier who needed to follow rules and obey orders.

"You guys go back first."

Pavel, the "Black," spoke to the soldier squad on the side.

"Yes, Soldier Captain." The squad leader responded respectfully and led the squad away quickly.

"Tell me, what exactly is going on." Pavel, the "Black," had a cold face.

"Hehe."

"Red" Orland chuckled, "I just felt that these young soldiers might cause unnecessary trouble."

"This cage can't trap that guy."

Once any fool among these soldiers who had a grudge against demi-humans provoked Go-Gin, things would become troublesome.

If any accident really happened, in the absence of Pavel, the "Black," only he could stop Go-Gin.

"You are the adventurer Go-Gin cares about. Our Soldier Captain has mentioned you before. It looks like your strength is very strong."

"Want to have a fight?"

After "Red" Orland responded, he immediately looked at Tang Zheng and spoke with great interest.

"Alright, Orland, leave this to us." Pavel, the "Black," interrupted.

"Alright, alright."

"Red" Orland shrugged, patted the dust off his pants, yawned, and said: "Then I'll go back and rest for a while."

"Heh."

"You don't have much time to rest now. Prepare yourself; we'll be heading to 'Kalinsha' in a while." Pavel, the "Black," reminded him with a serious tone.

"Oh, okay." "Red" Orland touched the stubble on his face, grinned, turned around, and left quickly.

Pavel, the "Black," shook his head, looked at Tang Zheng and the other, and said apologetically: "Sorry for the embarrassment, follow me."

As he spoke...

Pavel, the "Black," had already opened the prison door and walked in. Every certain distance, another prison door appeared. After opening three prison doors in a row...

A somewhat spacious prison cage appeared in front of them.

Go-Gin's massive figure, over three meters tall, sat quietly in the center of the cell, with some food and water placed beside him, though it didn't look like he had eaten any.

*Swish! *

Go-Gin opened his eyes, looked at the three people standing outside the iron bars, and his gaze fell on the white figure first.

"Your aura has become stronger than when we last met." Go-Gin said quietly.

Tang Zheng looked at Go-Gin, whose demeanor revealed a hint of fatigue: "It seems a lot has happened during this time."

"How did you know I was in the Holy Kingdom."

"Because of the 'Regeneration Potion'."

"I see."

After the brief conversation, the air became quiet again.

Pavel, the "Black," and Guild Master Chairman Bo Tejin looked at each other, neither of them interjecting.

Just from the conversation between the two, they discovered that Tang Zheng's previous statement that "the relationship between the two is not as good as imagined" didn't have a hint of humility.

"The two of us have only met once, why trust me?" Tang Zheng was indeed a bit curious.

"Trust?"

Go-Gin shook his head: "To be honest, I don't like you using demi-human blood to refine potions, but among all the people I've come into contact with, the way you look at demi-humans is the only one like Oskor's."

"In your human words, you are a good person."

Suddenly being given a "good person" card.

Tang Zheng was speechless for a moment and could only show a helpless expression.

"Since you can appear here, it means there's no problem on the Holy Kingdom's side. Can we go?" Go-Gin said.

"Of course."

Pavel, the "Black," first looked at Tang Zheng, and seeing Tang Zheng nod in response, he spoke and took out a key from his pocket to open the prison door.

"No need!"

Go-Gin stood up, a powerful aura overflowed from his body, and his rough palm pulled casually, tearing apart the seemingly sturdy iron bars in front of him.

Guild Master Chairman Bo Tejin's eyelids twitched!

With the confirmation of Go-Gin, the key figure among the demi-humans, everyone left together.

Midnight!

The rain outside had stopped.

A half-moon appeared in mid-air, obscured by faint mist.

When Tang Zheng's party came out of the central fortress, the sky had long since turned completely dark.

Everyone boarded the carriages again, except this time, two carriages left the central fortress, with Pavel, the "Black," "Red" Orland, and Go-Gin added.

Both carriages headed back towards "Kalinsha" at the same time.

*Clatter, clatter—*

*Clatter, clatter—*

The carriage wheels spun rapidly on the wet ground, making a rhythmic humming sound.

Tang Zheng sat by the window, looking out from time to time, his eyes filled with contemplation. He understood why everyone was so urgent.

According to the Adventurer Guild Master, the Holy Kingdom's elite Paladin Order and Priest Order would arrive in "Kalinsha" tonight.

As the top combat power of the Holy Kingdom, Pavel, the "Black," and the other would inevitably participate in this war to crusade against the undead.

Given the current situation...

At most, in a day or two, they would quickly set out for the Abelion Hills... perhaps even sooner!

At midnight...

"Kalinsha," the fortress city, reappeared in front of the two carriage teams.

"Guild Master, next is..." Tang Zheng leaned against the carriage compartment and spoke to Guild Master Chairman Bo Tejin on the side, but halfway through his sentence...

Tang Zheng suddenly reached out to pull open the carriage curtain and looked outside!

Dazzling white rays of light flew rapidly from the distant mid-air. There were dozens of them, exceptionally striking in the environment of the deep night.

"Their direction—is here!" Guild Master Chairman Bo Tejin exclaimed in shock.

"Angels?"

Tang Zheng narrowed his eyes. Guild Master Chairman Bo Tejin couldn't see clearly, but with his eyes, he could see clearly.

Those streaks of white light were summons similar in appearance to angels, shaped like Pegasus in silver armor.

"Third-Rank Angel Summon: Angel of Steeds." Tang Zheng knew this type of angel summon.

They didn't possess attack power but were special angels for long-distance travel, similar to mountable monsters.

In his field of vision, each "Angel of Steed" carried two strangely dressed figures.

That kind of attire...

"【Sunlight Scripture】, they came really fast." Tang Zheng thought to himself.

(End of chapter)