Chapter Ninety-Five: The Stronghold Beneath the Shadow

During a trial in the shadowy forest, Clark had openly shown his affection for Vanny, only to be forcibly driven away by Han Shuo. Unexpectedly, several months later, Han Shuo encountered Clark again at the Babylon Academy of Magic and Martial Arts.

Duke and Clark were conversing in a room within the Knights’ Academy, with a senior swordsman standing guard at the door, clearly intent on preventing any interruptions. Surrounding the room, Duke had personally arranged a barrier of wind. When Han Shuo’s elemental demon approached, it could only observe the swordsman Eric outside, sensing faint magical fluctuations but not daring to intrude, nor able to discern what was being discussed inside.

The last time Duke had met Camilla in the classroom of the dark magic department, it was at midnight, and he believed the hour ensured their secrecy, so he hadn’t taken extra precautions. But now, in broad daylight within the Knights’ Academy, it was little wonder Duke was so careful.

After a short while, Duke and Clark emerged from the room. Duke left the academy alone the way he had come. The elemental demons followed Duke and Clark separately, observing Duke returning to the Wind Department, while Clark practiced martial skills in the academy's training grounds.

At this hour, knights were honing their martial techniques. Han Shuo, not lingering to observe further, went straight to one of the training arenas, seeking Lawrence at the location he'd mentioned.

Inside the training arena were various weapons and several warhorses clad in heavy armor, looking formidable and fierce. The primary distinction between knights and swordsmen was the reliance knights had on their steeds in combat. Mastery of mounted skills was an essential part of their training; leveraging the horse’s momentum and speed allowed knights to unleash even greater power.

Lawrence, clad in gleaming silver armor and wielding a spear, was galloping across the arena, his horse leaping over towering obstacles. In mid-charge, Lawrence’s spear flashed like lightning, radiating a brilliant hue of battle energy in the air.

“Hey, Lawrence!” Han Shuo called out cheerfully after observing for a while from the doorway.

With a whinny, Lawrence wheeled his horse, spear in hand, and launched a fierce charge at Han Shuo. Amidst the thunderous hooves, Lawrence thrust his spear straight at Han Shuo’s chest.

Though the attack was fierce, Han Shuo remained unmoved. Only when Lawrence closed in did Han Shuo suddenly draw his Demon-Slaying Edge, infusing it with wild, raging magic, and struck at the spear.

With a sharp crack, the spear snapped into two at the tip under the Demon-Slaying Edge’s blow. Lawrence managed to release it in time, or else the blade might have cut his hand as well.

The combined force of horse and rider was almost overwhelming for Han Shuo; the surge of impact sent tremors through his arm as he gripped the Demon-Slaying Edge.

Lawrence pulled his horse to a stop, leaped down, and removed his heavy armor. He approached Han Shuo with excitement, his eyes fixed on the Demon-Slaying Edge, exclaiming, “What a strange weapon! It’s incredibly sharp!”

Han Shuo grinned as he put the blade away. “It’s forged from a mix of black iron and dark gold, plus several rare metals. Crafted by dwarven hands. If it weren’t sharp, that would be unusual.”

Wiping sweat from his brow with a towel, Lawrence said, “I see, so your weapon is extraordinary indeed. By the way, did you come to see me because you’ve found the black iron ore? Ha!”

Han Shuo nodded and, smiling, took out the chunk of black iron he’d mined the previous night from his spatial ring. “That’s right. This piece should meet your needs. Let’s trade—weapons for gold.”

“Agreed. Give me your crystal card; I’ll credit you five thousand gold coins,” Lawrence said eagerly, his eyes glued to the ore.

After the transaction, Han Shuo saw his crystal card now had five thousand more gold coins, and a smile crept onto his face.

Just then, the Earth Knight Clark entered from outside the training arena. Upon seeing Han Shuo, Clark’s expression changed, and he said sharply, “You again!”

Surprised by Clark’s sudden appearance, Han Shuo recovered quickly, smiled, and nodded. “Hello, Clark. It’s been a while. Last time in the shadowy forest, why did you leave without saying goodbye?”

“Hmph. I was framed by a despicable person last time, so I couldn’t leave as I wished.” After all this time, Clark had clearly uncovered the truth. Now, seeing Han Shuo, he spoke with veiled accusation.

After a pause, Clark asked, “How is Professor Vanny? I was just about to pay my respects and offer an apology.”

“Professor Vanny is fine. You needn’t worry about her,” Han Shuo replied coldly, hearing Clark’s lingering concern for Vanny.

“Hey, what’s going on between you two? Wait, Clark, didn’t you graduate? Why are you here? And how do you know Bryan?” Lawrence, sensing the tension, hurried to interject.

“I’ve returned to the Knights’ Academy to investigate my brother Claude’s disappearance. In Dorro Town, Claude seemed to have had contact with Bryan. If I find his disappearance is related to him, he’ll pay the price,” Clark said sternly, his gaze shifting between Lawrence and Han Shuo.

Han Shuo was startled, surprised to learn Clark was Claude’s brother, making him the eldest son of the Imperial Gryphon Corps commander. Han Shuo had dispatched Claude cleanly in Dorro Town, but Claude had indeed seen him at the tavern. If Clark was determined to investigate, matters could become complicated.

“What does it have to do with me? I barely know Claude, and he’s so skilled—what could possibly happen to him?” Han Shuo replied calmly, masking any concern, then turned to Lawrence. “That’s all I needed. I’ll be going now.”

Without waiting for Lawrence to say more, Han Shuo left the training arena and quickly exited the Knights’ Academy, heading toward the outskirts.

The three elemental demons originally assigned to surveillance had to be recalled due to distance. After discovering Clark’s identity, Han Shuo sensed something amiss.

As the eldest son of the Imperial Gryphon Corps commander, Clark was now associating with the envoy from the Cassi Empire in such secrecy. Though Han Shuo didn’t know what the two discussed, he decided it was best to report the matter to the higher-ups of “Shadow Curtain” rather than deal with it himself.

In the northern part of the city stood a grand manor, just three hundred meters from the collapsed house where Phoebe had once stayed. Han Shuo arrived with the iron badge symbolizing “Shadow Curtain” membership. From the exterior, nothing seemed unusual. He knocked on the iron gate with the badge, and after a long wait, a thin young man opened the door.

The youth scrutinized Han Shuo and then asked sharply, “Who are you here to see?”

Han Shuo answered only by handing over the badge. After inspecting it, the young man stepped aside, letting Han Shuo in, then handed the badge back with a more relaxed expression. “You must be a recent recruit. I’ve never seen you before, and your badge is one given to new members. Who’s your supervisor?”

As they walked further into the manor, Han Shuo noticed there were no special barriers or traps, which surprised him. While looking around, he replied casually, “I joined just a few days ago. An old man named Candida is in charge of me.”

“What? Are you sure? You just joined and Candida himself is supervising you?” The youth was clearly startled.

Han Shuo nodded, puzzled. “Yes, is there a problem?”

“Uh, not really. But Lord Candida is one of the three principal leaders of ‘Shadow Curtain,’ holding real power. Throughout the empire, he can mobilize military forces in any city, and he doesn’t need the emperor’s permission to deal with nobles or officers. For a newcomer to be directly under his command—that’s unusual.”

Han Shuo shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. He’s the one who brought me in, and I’m here to see him. By the way, I noticed this secret stronghold doesn’t seem to have any defenses. Why is that?”

“Haha, you really are a newcomer. Follow me, I’ll show you around,” the thin youth said with the air of an old hand, smiling as he led Han Shuo further in.