Chapter 434: The Reason

Bugo Torres sat on the main seat, his potbelly sagging over his thighs, fat fingers idly twisting a gold ring, his face bored.

Virgil, the half-elf supreme authority of the Scattershield Axe Beach branch, stood calmly and straight beside the puppet lord.

His white-brown patched leather padded coat revealed his public identity as a top fighter in the lord's private militia.

He waited until Virgil finished listening to the report from the overseer who should have been stationed at the White Dragon Tomb.

His expression remained calm as he coldly asked, "So? Why did you come back?"

The seventh-rank human broke into cold sweat: "The land naga's strength exceeded our estimates, and due to demonic interference, they demanded higher pay. I couldn't decide on my own, so I came personally."

"You wasted time coming back for this trivial matter? Do you know how much time a round trip consumes? Where are your animal messengers?"

"This is no trivial matter. I feared I couldn't explain it clearly in a letter. The naga mother and daughter aren't ordinary—they're dangerous, especially the daughter, who may possess an artifact capable of activating eighth-rank power."

"You think I'm afraid of them? A mindless land naga?"

"That's not what I meant."

The seventh-rank subordinate buried his head lower, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Virgil narrowed his eyes slightly.

"The demons found the White Dragon Tomb because your six overseers failed to clean up their traces. As team leader, you're to blame—go below and receive fifty lashes."

"Thank you, my lord, for your mercy."

"Ignore the land nagas. Agree to all their demands—it doesn't matter."

Virgil noticed the subordinate's hesitant expression—he still wanted to plead despite accepting punishment.

His expression softened slightly.

This was Scattershield's first incursion into the Jianwan region, even if it was only Axe Beach, nestled between the two pearl-tier cities of Deepwater and Bor's Gate. But since it lay along a major trade route, it held some developmental potential.

It was also ideal as Scattershield's first occupied territory.

Yet, in truth, it was extremely distant from their main base, Moon Sea, with severe shortages in resources and personnel.

As the pioneer, Virgil had been forced to cooperate with the demons of Dragon Serpent Fortress.

This left behind a mountain of unfinished tasks even after seizing control of Axe Beach.

And this seventh-rank subordinate before him—

Though not particularly clever, he was loyal and usable.

After this matter is settled—

Give him more responsibilities.

Such was Virgil's thought.

"Since you're involved, I'll tell you something ahead of time—save yourself from reporting every little thing. Do you remember the Pweir family's treasury?"

The seventh-rank subordinate nodded: "It was a false rumor we spread to conceal our actions at the White Dragon Tomb."

"That's one part. The other is to deceive the demons of Dragon Serpent Fortress. Our original agreement with them was this: after securing control of Axe Beach, we would gather the wealth, while the demons would harvest all life within Axe Beach."

As long as the treasury remained sealed—meaning Scattershield hadn't gathered the wealth they wanted—the demons would never get their due.

The human subordinate's eyes widened in horror.

This agreement was tantamount to making a pact with tigers—and it contradicted Scattershield's own goals.

Virgil let out a soft snort:

"Of course, I have no intention of fulfilling the wishes of these scattered demons. Axe Beach will be our first foothold in Jianwan. And the so-called Pweir Treasury can serve as the perfect excuse to deal with both the demons and the land nagas."

The subordinate paused, then suddenly understood:

"After the White Dragon Tomb, we'll spread the false rumor that the Pweir Treasury can't be opened, luring the land nagas with their greed—they'll fall for it. Meanwhile, we'll request the demons' help, promising to fulfill the agreement, and they'll agree too. Then the two sides will clash and destroy each other, and we'll reap the benefits!"

"You're not entirely stupid. Those two mother and daughter are quite valuable as nagas—if they survive, they could be trained and sold for a good price."

"My lord's wisdom is divine, your foresight rivals that of the gods!"

He stared in awe and immediately began lavish praise.

Virgil was pleased with his expression and encouraged him: "Go soothe the land nagas and get them working—break open the White Dragon Tomb as soon as possible. There's much more work ahead for you."

"I shall not fail your trust!!!"

Fueled by adrenaline, he instantly became energized.

"Hmm. Dismissed."

"Understood! I'll have the land nagas start work immediately!"

Saying this, the subordinate exited the reception hall, thrilled.

Not long after—

Through the large right-side window, one could see his brisk figure walking away across the garden before the Gubao.

And once he was completely out of sight—

Bugo Torres, seated on the main chair, seized the moment when Virgil seemed in good spirits and asked curiously:

"My lord Virgil, what's so valuable in the White Dragon Tomb? I recall it only holds a dead dragon."

"A dead dragon has its uses. You've heard enough secrets—know when to stop, my lord. And who calls their own garrison commander 'my lord'?"

Virgil gave him a slow, piercing glance.

At that single look, Bugo Torres broke into cold sweat, shrinking his head in fear and dared not ask further.

He quickly changed the subject:

"By the way, Mr. Virgil, someone from the militia bypassed the private militia and wrote me directly about Wenna Pweir's condition. Should I find and punish them?"

"No need. Tell me about Wenna Pweir's condition. Even if the White Dragon Tomb is no longer needed, executing this man will boost your authority."

"Understood. According to the letter, this morning the writer was chosen as a 【Hero Candidate】 by a passing half-deer. He sought the half-deer's prophecy to locate Wenna Pweir."

Virgil was surprised: "Huh. Axe Beach has 【Hero Candidates】 too?"

Bugo Torres smirked: "I inquired—turns out he's an old man in his sixties, a militia captain for over a decade. His strength and spiritual energy have long decayed. The half-deer's hero prophecies aren't reliable anyway."

"Stick to the point."

"Right. The letter says Wenna Pweir possesses an artifact that masks prophecy, making her location untraceable. But the man who rescued her does not. The half-deer used the residual spiritual energy left at the scene to craft a guiding magical item."

Saying this,

Bugo Torres pulled from his robe an old, brown, short wooden stick.

Both ends were rotted and broken, yet the middle bore a branch sprouting emerald leaves.

"But the man's abilities are no less formidable—the magical item cannot pinpoint his location accurately, and it only works when he's within one hundred meters."

Virgil took the stick, his eyes dismissive: "One hundred meters? Ridiculous. What use is that?"

"Exactly. That's what I thought too."

Saying this,

The emerald leaves on the stick suddenly emitted spiritual energy—a green vine grew forth, coiled a few times, then pointed toward the shadowed corner of the ceiling above them.

(End of Chapter)