The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 284: Plan: Part One

Chapter 284: Plan: Part One

"And this amount is enough to entice a Transformed Knight such as Red Hare?"

Hex put the scroll away. He saw Sterling look at him in shock.

"You think I should react with fear and try to flee?" Hex asked, his voice laced with mockery. He didn’t know who he was mocking though. Perhaps himself.

He barely escaped a life-and-death situation a couple of days ago. He didn’t expect to be in danger so soon after coming to another country. At the same time, he had gone numb to the feeling. Facing people, creatures, or even deity-like beings didn’t faze him as much as it should.

"I don’t know how the news got out so fast," he continued. "Maybe we are still close to the borders with Asterella."

"Perhaps," Sterling agreed. Hex kept staring at him, waiting for his reply. Sterling looked confused at first but then remembered.

"Although ten million Sterren is a huge number, it’s not enough to attract the attention of a Transformed Knight. If I am correct, which I usually am in such cases, the number is to catch you the easy way – paying money."

He understood what he was getting at. "You mean the ten million is for the Refined Knight and under? The Sterren or coins is easier than the reward a Transformed Knight or higher would wish to gain?"

"Exactly," Sterling said. "Whatever can be bought with coins, is easy to acquire. The other part, the one more alluring to those at higher stages, is in the remark section. Those at a higher level are interested in the friendship offered. You see, at those levels, coins matter less. The resources are gathered under extremely dangerous situations or are bartered."

"And the friendship would make it easier to access those goods," Hex understood. He pondered the information gained. Having a Transformed Knight after you wasn’t pleasant even if he was used to it. He lifted his head and looked at Sterling.

"How much has Lord Perl recovered? From what I can tell, he sucked the underground river almost dry."

"He should have recovered about five to ten percent of his power," Sterling said, looking not so assured himself. "Gronke claims that should be enough to take care of one Transformed Knight."

Hex didn’t know how but when he heard Sterling say ’one Transformed Knight’, a small voice in his head whispered, ’so, two would screw us over’.

Hex suppressed it. Lord Red Hare was alone. He didn’t have another Transformed Knigth in his castle –

"Sterling, what if Red Hare is setting a trap for us? And has another person waiting to not only take us out but also ensure Lord Perle can’t make a move?"

"What do you –?" Sterling froze mid-sentence. "You mean –"

Hex nodded. They were on the same page.

"What do we do?"

Sterling asked, his confidence wavering a little. Gone were his smile and look of nonchalance. Hex, on the other hand, looked more staid and even wore a little smirk on his lips.

"I...might have a plan. And it might work," he started slowly. "The key word is might. But you need to check a few things with the old man before we can proceed."

They still stood at the entrance. But Hex didn’t sense anyone near. Still, he motioned Sterling to stand closer. The plan was simple. It required precision and trust.

He could see Sterling’s hesitation in his eyes. The way to deal with the second Transformed Knight was a tried and tested idea. Sterling had seen Hex pull it off. But the trust part was where it got tricky. It took him some time to mull over it. And then he agreed.

With that, Hex left. On the way back, Hex went over the plan once more.

Retreating wasn’t an option. For one, Hex knew they wouldn’t be able to escape someone at Red Hare’s level, especially if there were two behind them. And two, Lord Perl needed to complete his recovery. And fast too. Hex and Sterling agreed that the night to come would be the night the other party would make his move.

Once back in the castle, he visited the female Knights. They weren’t thrilled with him coming to their room but as soon as he mentioned Sterling, they lost their hostility. They weren’t too thrilled with the plan. Hex suspected they objected mainly because of his role in it. But again, when they heard Sterling agreed to do as he suggested, they agreed too.

’They are just too attached to their master. They need a life.’

Hex grumbled in his mind as he returned to his room. With the upcoming trial, he took a rest. He knew it would be some time before he would be able to get a shut eye.

The day passed agonizingly slow. Hex sensed the number of people growing inside the castle.

However slow the sun moved to the horizon, it managed to reach it. Hex donned his robe and gathered the team. There was a last-moment change though.

Aside from Bashar, Lord’s Red Hare team joined in too. When he glanced at Sterling, he noticed the silver-haired boy shifting his eyes and shaking it, being discreet with it.

’This they planned without letting him know.’

"I hope you don’t mind but I thought since only one tunnel is open, why not go at it with our full force? I hope you don’t mind."

Hex turned toward the one talking. From out of the shadow, the Dunelord, Lord Red Hare, appeared with a toothy grin.

"Not at all. As I said, I just hope to gain the required resources, take my cut, and continue with my travels," Hex said with a calm smile.

Both smiled at each other. They mounted their horses and left through the gate at the back. They used this exit for the last few days. It was the least illuminated part of the castle. Their exit, like all the other days, went unnoticed.

After they covered a small distance, Hex sensed a small group exit behind them. The feeling was faint but certainly there. Hex didn’t turn. He knew them. The Captain was leading the others away in the dark.

This was the first part of the plan: exit the castle so they wouldn’t have any hostages.

The second part would commence once they reached the tunnels: enter the trap they designed.