Chapter 2210: Poet and Knight [1v1]_4
Chapter 2210: Poet and Knight [1v1]_4
Thinking this way, they advanced.
Then, they were defeated by the old knight in an instant.
To be precise, being defeated instantly is a bit of an exaggeration, because the old knight took two strikes to deal with them, one of which knocked out all six people along with all the puppets, leaving only the Spirit Energy User’s spirit guide looking around in horror, until the knight’s second strike knocked out the guide as well.
"Is that enough?"
After incapacitating the group, the old knight turned to the poet and said, "Although they did foolishly attack you as planned... Are you sure they will accept your terms?"
"Of course, teacher, I’m sure."
The poet said lazily—did he intentionally lure this team of elite adventurers to attack him from the start? But how could this be possible, how did he know those half-true and half-false information could provoke this group of adventurers to take action, and how did he know about the hidden entrance of the labyrinth deep within the Ushetaraf Mountain Range?
The answer is, he is Ian!
Soon, the six adventurers, tightly bound, awakened within a cave deep in the Ushetaraf Mountain Range, a place no person or detection instrument could find.
"Ugh, I admit defeat, whether you want to kill me or skin me, I accept!"
The dwarf bowyer, who was the earliest to awaken and the mastermind of this raid, shouted straightforwardly, "But the main responsibility lies with me, my companions were merely swayed by me, if possible, please spare their lives!"
Sitting on a rock, leaning against the wall, the ballad poet watched him with a smile but didn’t respond.
Only after some time when everyone had awakened did he slowly speak: "You all came for the treasures in the ruins; whether attacking me or your previous explorations, it was all about this."
"So now, I want to ask, what do you wish to do with the treasures?"
Although Ian did not express any threat, the adventurer team detected a serious tone from his voice—if they didn’t answer this question properly, their outcome would probably not be very pleasant.
Anyway, being captured, with their lives in someone else’s hands, telling the truth isn’t really disgraceful.
"Engineering mechanisms are costly," said the Elf, while the Ironfolk Puppeteer nodded in agreement: "Improving puppets is also challenging, it requires a lot of money—and I have to pass on my craft."
"I want to marry several wives and expand my family," said the Tiger-man Psychokineticist, whose thoughts were old-fashioned and aligned with Azure Sky Royal Court, while the Descendants of the Sea Heavy Armor focused on himself: "Although it’s unlikely, I must prepare for the Third Energy Level."
"My family is in debt." The Golden Folk Wanderer’s reason was the simplest, leaving only the initial planner, the dwarf.
The dwarf opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something, but hesitated to speak in the end.
Ian raised an eyebrow, while behind him, the old knight drew his gleaming longsword.
"Come on, brother, just say it!" The other five got anxious, urging him with many voices, while the dwarf hesitated with a bitter face for a long time before speaking the truth: "I... have no reason."
"I just can’t accept the thought that the treasures hidden in the labyrinth for ages remain unseen by the world, I feel compelled to uncover them all... It’s really that simple."
This reason was indeed too simple, causing the other five to be momentarily stunned, while Ian nodded with satisfaction: "Yes, exactly, just tell the truth."
He knew this already, dwarves are technocrats who seek secret treasures and aim to uncover long-sealed and lost ancient technical devices. Elder Prude’s father was such a dwarf, which is why most dwarves are a staple in major adventure groups, not just because they are skilled at dealing with the subterranean labyrinth environment, but because their pure desire rarely leads them to betray their teams for money.
"As you can see."
After everyone had explained their reasons for exploring and adventuring, poet Ian calmly said, "I have no strength to bind a chicken, and my physique makes it difficult to explore the labyrinth, so I have a commission to entrust to you all."
"Like Tyr’s distant gaze that I sing about, this commission can only be carried out in winter; recently, among adventure groups capable of completing it, only yours remains, and I hope you will accept this commission."
"As long as you bring back and deliver the ’treasure’ I demand, I will surely give you rewards rich enough to ensure each of you fulfills your desires."
The adventure group realized they clearly had no right to refuse; although thoughts like ’how can you guarantee we will complete the task rather than running away or shirking?’ lingered in their minds, in the next moment, Ian’s extended hand made them all cry out simultaneously.
Ian’s hand was slender and fair, comparable to the finest White Jade Sculpture, but from the palm of such a hand, silver-white tentacles slowly emerged, cold, moist, gleaming with a metallic chill and bearing an extremely dangerous aura.
At some point, the black mysterious creature, constantly shapeshifting, uncertain whether a kitten or puppy, had also arrived in the poet’s embrace, its eyes a unique crimson seven-pointed star shape, within its flowing dark body myriad bizarre tentacles, sharp teeth, and grotesque joints entwined.