The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 283: The wanted poster

Chapter 283: The wanted poster

"Don’t worry about the collapsed tunnel."

Lord Red Hare waved at Hex’s apology. "You took care of it and even managed to clear the things out in there. We have one thing less to worry."

"You sure? I know you want to retrieve the Devil’s crystal as soon as possible. What if the tunnels there led to it?"

Hex doubted it. The way the people around Lord Red Hare reacted showed they already found traces of their target. He believed the path was through the first tunnel.

"Lord Fateless, I have been searching for treasures ever since I was a Squire," Red Hare began. "That was two centuries ago. I am certain all three tunnels led to it. With two having collapsed, we can focus on the first one. I am sure our combined effort will make up for any time we lose going down a longer tunnel."

With a path on Hex’s shoulder, Red Hare gestured to his group to follow him. As they entered, Hex ordered the others to return. He told them that he needed to discuss the impact on their journey due to the collapse. After all, if he left, his earnings would be affected. Bashar and the others were glad to leave. With their lord present, they weren’t wary that Lord Fateless would try something.

Hex waited until he didn’t sense anyone near. Sterling waited patiently. He might not know about Hex’s superior senses but Hex had never observed him speak first. He suspected it was a trait of a merchant to keep the cards hidden, even if the gig was up.

"Are you only here to let the old man recover? Are there hidden agendas? And are you setting me up?"

Hex didn’t beat around the bush. He looked straight at Sterling as he asked his questions in one go. His directness worked. Sterling stared at Hex, his mouth agape. It took him some time to realize his mouth stood open. He closed it and gave Hex a wry smile.

"I knew you discovered Grandpa Perl but didn’t expect you to be so direct," he started. "I didn’t hide it perse, I just didn’t tell you."

"I don’t mind that. But I am sure there is more to it, right?" Hex seriously didn’t mind not being told about the old man’s business. The Silver Serpents didn’t owe him anything. Not that Hex did either. The things he took were the price Sterling agreed upon when he asked him for a favor to get the Queen’s Eyes.

Sterling nodded. "As soon as we crashed on the hill, Grandpa Perl sensed a source of water element nearby. But we would need time to search. As you seen, he isn’t able to remain lucid for long. And then we noticed Bashar. I was certain his discovery and our goal was the same."

"So, Red Hare gets his crystal, and you a recovered powerhouse. Everyone is happy and we continue our journey. Is that it?" Hex asked, showing on his face he wouldn’t believe if Sterling said yes.

"No," Sterling replied with a sigh. "I fear not. During and after the dinner we discovered a disturbing fact. Although Lord Hare indeed wishes to retrieve that crystal, it isn’t his true goal."

Hex expected something like that. He didn’t look fazed by the revelation. What he wished to know was, why Sterling seemed...worried.

"So, what is their true goal?"

Sterling hesitated for a second before replying.

"You."

Now, that wasn’t something he expected to hear. Sterling noticed that too. His ’o’ shaped mouth and wide eyes might have given it away.

"Yeah. I didn’t realize it immediately. I only suspected him to be up to something. He was too eager to welcome you and revealed the existence of a Demon crystal during his first meeting. Who does that?" Sterling spread his arms and snorted.

It seemed strange to Hex too. In the end, he chalked it up to his ignorance about the many rules and traditions of Edune.

"So, why does he want me? And why hasn’t he captured me?" Hex urged. That interested him the most. The wheels in his rotated as he asked. The Dunelord was an entire stage above him. And not just any stage. According to the Scroll, this stage divided the mortals from the immortals.

He didn’t think the presence of a team would faze a Transformed being such as Red Hare. Even running away wouldn’t do much. If his name held any truth about his strength, then he would catch all of them without breaking a sweat. So, something made him wary.

Realization dawned upon him when he reached that point in his thought process.

"Yes, Grandpa Perl," Sterling said. "He fears an Enlightened Knight. Yet, he still wishes to try. It means that he knows such a powerhouse is with us and he knows he is weak at the moment."

"And the only way he would know that is if someone spread the news. Someone who was at the ruin," Hex continued to their line of thought.

"Indeed. And I know who." Sterling pulled a scroll from under his vest and showed it to him. Hex saw the picture of his face with a block of text underneath.

Wanted

Name: Hex Darkenmane

Wanted Dead or Alive

Gender: Male

Age: around 20 years

Features: Dark hair, dark eyes, slim built

Power: Senior Knight or Refined Knight

Reason: Caused the death and destruction of thousands during the exploration of the ruin.

Note 1: The person is dangerous, able to curse others, is unmatched among his peers, and carries a treasure able to speed up his recovery and absorption of elements.

Note 2: The person is traveling with a group of exiled Silver Serpents. They are accompanied by a Enlightened Knight. The Enlightened Knight is injured near death and will not recover within a few months.

Reward: 10,000,000 Sterren

Or other currency of choosing (will be converted according to the daily exchange rate)

Issued by: Solos Asterio, Prince of Asterella.

Remarks: Prince Solos promises to add a bonus and a promise of friendship if the wanted is caught and presented during his coronation. He declared to offer the head of this monster as an offering to appease the soul of his father, the late king of Asterella. He hopes his father will bestow his blessing upon him, his wife, and his son, the new Crown Prince of Asterella, Prince Orosol Asterio.

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