Chapter 231


    "Father, we must take action with haste, for vin is more intricate than we anticipated."


    In the dead of night, Dainis cautioned her father, having initially assumed vin was but a newly


    empowered youth,cking support and background. If the Rocke family granted him a favor, they


    thought he would be eternally grateful and obedientlyply. But they had sorely misjudged. The


    lad was far from simple. Today, the Mollen family and the Botanic Haven Elite Protégé paid him a


    visit. Who knew who else woulde tomorrow? Should the daye when vin had amassed


    a following and the dynamics within Stormcast grewplex, they would miss their chance to


    strike.


    Lawren''s countenance was dark with concern. "Indeed, vin is no simpleton. I''ve managed to


    extract tidings from themon guards of the Mallister family. It seems vin might be in deeper


    cahoots with the Mollen family, and he has a close friend, Cedrick, of the Iron family!"


    Felir spoke up. "We''ve underestimated vin, but he doesn''t suspect us yet, and he appreciates


    our gestures. That is our advantage. I concur with my sister. We should act swiftly and not dy any


    further."


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    "Daman is in the city. It''s not wise for us to make our move now."


    "Then we must circumvent him!"


    "Do you have a n?" Lawren truly wished not to startle the quarry, for even the slightest misstep


    could lead to exposure. If Cobalt Strike were to unearth even a hint of their scheme, Golden Scorch


    could spell their doom, an end far worse than that of Stormcast. If not for this concern, he wouldn''t


    be thick-skinned, ying the good Samaritan here. He would have already seized the Mallister


    family and interrogated them thoroughly.


    "We could bypass the others and seize Helna or Korb. We''ll take just one to test the waters."


    "Just take them? That''s unwise!"


    "Of course not directly. We must first devise a ruse to distract the townsfolk. My n is..."


    As the townspeople finished their day''s toil, they returned to their humble abodes for rest. Although


    their living conditions were much like the same as those of the mining districts, their spirits were


    entirely different. They worked with vigor, filled with passion, and looked forward to a brighter future.


    The Mollen family had delivered a bounty of food that day, and with the game brought in by the


    Mallister family''s guards from the forest, their meals were quite satisfactory. The men even had a bit


    of ale to ease their fatigue.


    The atmosphere within the town’s keep was harmonious, and the arrival of the Mollen family


    bolstered the spirits of the Mallister folk, bringing smiles to every face.


    Korb and the others marveled at the Lord vin’s charm, for he had managed to bring the famed


    Thousand Treasures Commerce of the Nortnds. There would no longer be fear; they could sleep


    soundly atst.


    In the still of the night, vin knocked on Mari’s door. “Mari? Have you retired early?"


    "What is it?" came Mari''s icy voice from within.


    "That... you know." vin grinned sheepishly.


    "I do not," Mari replied bluntly.


    vin scratched his head. "I mean the matter I discussed with you the other night. Has your mentor


    agreed?"


    "Let''s talk tomorrow."


    "Oh,e now, I can''t sleep."


    "I can."


    In the courtyard nearby, Helna, Oda, and the others pressed their ears to the windows, listening with


    rapt attention. Eh? What were those two whispering about?


    vin paced outside the door. "You''re surely not asleep. May Ie in?"


    "No!"


    "At least give me a clear answer. Your vagueness leaves me uneasy." vin was eager to know the


    Botanic Haven Elder''s decision, whether there were any conditions, and how they would deal with


    the Chained Spirit.


    "Why did you not attend to this earlier? We''ll discuss it tomorrow."


    "It''s just a few words. You don’t have to be so..."


    "Tomorrow it is, then."


    "Is it good news or bad?"


    "The day after tomorrow."


    "What? You..."


    "The day after that."


    "Please, no."


    "Postpone it another day."


    vin mped his mouth shut, outmaneuvered. He rubbed his face vigorously and sighed,


    preparing to leave.


    Helna shook her head in disappointment. s, thed was too upright. Any other man would have


    barged in by now.


    Suddenly...


    A series of hoarse screams echoed through the darkness, carried by the cold night breeze from the


    north of the city. Soon, there was chaos, shouting, calling, an amalgam of discordant sounds.


    vin spun around, frowning toward the southern quarter. Then, the tumult erupted from the west,


    the east, and all other districts, threatening to engulf the entire city.


    "What''s happened?" Mari flung open her door, with Helna, Korb, Oda, and the rest darting out in


    panic. What had brought such sudden disorder?