The next day, Raymond went to the mercenary union in the territory.
Sure enough, he found the commissioned task "Finding clues to the real culprit of Sodros' family destruction" in the new task bar.
The reward for the mission is exactly the same as in the game, including 10 million quarks and a family sword skill of the great swordsman Sodros. There is room for fluctuation depending on the value of the clues.
"Hey... I offended that woman Afra yesterday, and I don't know if I can get the mission reward smoothly."
Raymond felt a little uneasy.
If the relationship had not been so bad, he originally wanted to explore some follow-up tasks. Now it seems that it is hard to say whether he can successfully obtain the "Storm of Storms".
There is a "Whale Hotel" in City No. 9. This is the property of the Whale Chamber of Commerce and one of the most luxurious hotels in the entire territory. Different from ordinary pubs, it provides elegant accommodation and high-end catering services.
Princes and nobles.
Archduke Philip approved the asylum request of Sodros's descendants and arranged for the surviving descendants to live here.
Raymond had actually known for a long time that the people from Aphra stayed here, and even knew the number of each room where they lived.
I waited until after the mission was released to prevent the motivation from appearing so abrupt.
...
Raymond took the mission scroll of the mercenary union and successfully met the descendants of Soderos who issued the mission in the secret reception room.
There were three people coming, and Raymond actually knew them all.
The middle-aged Mediterranean man is Aphra's uncle Hudson, the rosacea is her third uncle Gibbon, and the fat woman is her aunt Marla.
"You mean you know the exact identity of the group of thugs who attacked 'Sword Castle'?"
"Yes."
Hudson opened his mouth and looked at Raymond sitting opposite, frowning slightly.
The guy in front of me is so young that it's hard to believe that he can provide any important information.
In fact, it wasn't just him, the other two were also surprised. Unexpectedly, less than a day after the bounty mission was released, someone would actually come to the door, and vowed to provide accurate information.
Raymond knew that although it was Hudson who was asking the question, it was actually the red-nosed Gibbon who made the decision. This little old man was Soderos' nephew and he was very powerful.
He said directly: "To tell you the truth, I bought half a volume of 'Thoderos' Swordsmanship Manual' in the world. So... I want to use the information I know in exchange for the other half volume."
The three of them actually also heard about the information that the manuscript was leaked at an underground auction.
Hearing this, Hudson asked: "You want to tell us that you know information about a certain client? Haha... If that's the case, the value of this information will be of little value."
Before they came to Phillip's Territory, they were already investigating clues to the murder, and they had found out that the auctioneers of the swordsmanship manuscripts in dozens of territories in the Tianlan Kingdom were all different, so they could not find any useful information at all.
Probably the bald young man in front of me is another greedy guy who wants to earn a bounty, but can only provide some hearsay information.
They had seen too many people like this before they came to Philip to lead them.
Before they could say anything, the three of them were all excited.
...
Raymond looked at the contemptuous expressions of several people and did not intend to beat around the bush. He said directly: "I have a definite source of information. Those who participated in the Hope Sword Castle are members of the Blood Skull Pirates!"
"What?! The Blood Skull, one of the three great pirate groups in the Black Sea?"
Hearing this, Hudson was stunned for a moment.
He rolled his eyes and said: "How do you prove that your source of information is reliable? You know... we clearly require that valid evidence be provided when the mercenary union issues tasks."
"Of course there is evidence."
Raymond directly took out a few secret letters and said: "These secret letters contain the order of Blood Skull to summon his subordinates and communicate with them about the ghosts in your family. What is written on them are all the 'black code words' circulated among pirates."
...If you don’t understand it well, I’ll briefly explain it later.”
As he spoke, he handed over a small bag containing documents.
These things are top-secret information that Anna obtained through the Golden Teeth Pirates.
"Secret message?"
Hudson opened the document bag, and the three of them exchanged views and carefully looked at the contents of the document. Their faces became darker and darker, and they became more and more shocked.
"Damn it! Why did I say that those thugs were able to break into the castle so easily? It turns out there is a mole! Those Marton family are cheating, it turns out they have colluded with the pirates a long time ago..."
After reading the secret letter, Hudson thought of the scenes of the previous tragedy and easily concluded that the information was indeed true.
At this time, Gibbon beside him looked at Raymond again and asked cautiously: "I have to admit that the news in this secret letter is shocking. But after all, what you showed us are transcripts, which are not enough
As evidence... By the way, I would like to ask, who are you, and how did you obtain these letters?"
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the room became slightly tense.
In fact, besides looking for clues, they also wanted to take the opportunity to catch the murderer by offering a high reward.
After all, there were too many doubts about the last time the family was attacked by gangsters.
They also vaguely realized that their ability to break through the encirclement was probably not a fluke, but someone did it deliberately.
Now that he has read the secret letter again, Gibbon is even more convinced that such a carefully planned extermination operation should never have had such a big mistake and let a few of them slip through the net.
Then it is very likely that the group of thugs were not just looking for money, but had other goals that were not achieved, so they deliberately left a few people alive.
What's more, Gibbon even knew that his uncle, the great swordsman Sodros, had secretly sent someone back to the Black Sea and delivered a top-secret message to Aphra.
Perhaps this was the purpose of the thieves.
Then such an assumption,
So after the annihilation of the family, every person who intends to get close to them may be a pawn sent by the thugs to test them.
What's more, a young man can produce such a top-secret letter, and the timing is so coincidental, it seems suspicious no matter how you look at it.
.......
Hearing this, Raymond was actually not surprised at all.
In the game, Yoshimoto's lazy appearance hides an extremely shrewd nature.
Raymond had no intention of concealing his identity, and said directly: "I have given the original copies of these secret letters to the Duke. I think if you want to prove it, you should have a way. As for how the secret letters were obtained, this is related to another matter.
It’s a major event, so forgive me for not revealing it in advance.”
After a pause, he continued: "As for my identity... I am the 'Earl of Hidden Moon' specially named by His Excellency the Duke."
Mara on the side obviously didn't believe it, and sneered and questioned: "Haha, such a young earl?"
Gibbon and Hudson were much calmer. Their identity could be revealed by asking, so there was no need to lie. But they were also really curious about what was so special about the kid in front of them. He was so young.
Was he made an earl?
Hudson said: "If there is no problem with your identity, then we will believe the clues you provide. However, please allow us to spend some time to confirm the information... After all, it is a big deal."
This was the first time that Raymond felt that noble status was so useful. He thought it would take a while, but he didn't want to complete the task so easily.
He nodded and said: "Okay. But I don't want to delay too long..."
Hudson also said: "No matter what, we will definitely give you an answer at this time tomorrow..."
At this time, he was about to say something, but suddenly the door was pushed open hard and hit the wall with a loud "bang".
Apparently someone broke in from outside.
There are family members waiting outside the secret room, so no one will disturb her. The only person who would break in so boldly... could only be the arrogant young lady Aphra.
Sure enough, several people in the room looked at the tsundere young lady who broke in with a furious expression, and frowned at the same time.
"Fuck...this girl didn't go out, why did she come back so soon?"
When Raymond saw Aphra, he secretly said something terrible. He had been waiting outside the hotel for a long time just to miss this woman.
Seeing that the mission was about to be completed successfully, he didn't expect that the thing he least wanted to see happened at the last moment.
Aphra rushed in directly, pointed at Raymond angrily and said, "It's really you, a liar!"
She wanted to go out for a dinner date with Dunn today, but halfway through, she forgot that she didn't have her wallet, so she turned back. It happened that she had just returned to the hotel when she heard that someone had accepted a reward mission to provide information.
It was about the family's extermination, so she was naturally very concerned about it, but when she heard the description from others, it was a bald boy who took over the task... Aphra immediately thought of the hateful guy she met in the academy yesterday, and then hurriedly
He burst into the chamber of parliament.
When I entered the house and took a look, it was really that guy!
Hudson was also a little dissatisfied with Aphra's reckless behavior and shouted: "Afra, we are talking about something, get out!"
Aphra said anxiously: "Uncle! This man is a murderer and a liar. Don't be deceived by him!"
Hudson, who was about to scold her for being rude, suddenly stopped and asked in surprise: "Murder? Liar? Do you know him?"
Aphra said coldly: "Haha! Not only do we know each other, this guy is simply notorious in Philip Academy!"
After hearing this, the faces of the three Hudsons became ugly. Could it be possible that they had encountered a professional liar?
Gibbon was also a little confused. How could a liar have such magnanimity?
He couldn't help but ask: "Then...this gentleman said he is the 'Earl of Hidden Moon', do you know that?"
Although Aphra didn't want to admit it, she said truthfully: "That seems to be true."
At this point, the three of them were confused again.
What the hell is going on here?
Can a dignified earl become a liar?
Without waiting for them to ask, Aphra took the initiative and said: "This guy killed noble students in the academy and secretly learned the sword skills passed down by our family!"
Hudson thought she didn't know, so he explained: "The Stormrage Sword Technique has been spread, and now many kendo gyms have it..."
Aphra sneered and said directly: "Did this guy tell you that he also bought the manuscript on the black market?"
"Um."
The three of them frowned upon hearing this, obviously they had something to hide.
"He is a liar! You were deceived by him!"
Aphra was very angry, and then said: "It has been less than a month since my grandfather's handwritten notes were leaked. But I tried it yesterday. His Stormrage Sword Technique is very skilled. It didn't take more than a year and a half for him to be able to use it."
Maybe to that extent."
"Is there such a thing?"
Although Yoshimoto knew that his niece was arrogant and unreasonable, she was extremely talented in swordsmanship and would never let her go by the way. Since she said that, the kid in front of her must have mastered the Stormrage Sword Technique.
At this time, Aphra stared at Raymond coldly and directly expressed her guess: "Perhaps, this guy has colluded with the group of thugs and has secretly stolen the swordsmanship...yesterday I was
He forced the sword, and then he used it in a panic!"
After reading the secret letters just now, the three of Gibbon also knew that there was a mole in the family.
So it’s not surprising that the ship’s swordsmanship was spread in advance through the inner ghost.
Stormrage Sword Technique has never been spread to outsiders. If he is not a descendant of Soderos's lineage and has started practicing Stormrage Sword Technique a long time ago... he might really be a thief who colluded with the murderer!
The gazes of the three Hudsons looking at Raymond became colder and colder, fearing that they would take action if they disagreed with each other.
Gibbon asked Raymond calmly, "Your Excellency...don't you want to explain?"
"What, you're speechless? Are you thinking about making up a fabricated master to sway us? Haha, let me tell you, except for my grandfather's lineage, Stormrage Sword has no external rumors at all!"
The more Aphra thought about it, the more she felt that she had guessed the truth, and sneered: "You really came here to pass on the swordsmanship to my family! Now it seems that the half volume of grandpa's manuscripts was snatched away, maybe it's not a big deal.
Bad things, at least we can lead to the 'real murderer'!"
In fact, she was right.
At this moment, Raymond didn't speak. He was really thinking about how to pass this matter off in a reasonable way.
Seeing the faint signs that the people in the room were about to draw swords and get violent, he pretended to be indifferent.
"Why...are you still planning to take action against me? Haha, it turns out that when you issued that employment mission, you had no intention of redeeming your promise. Instead, now that you have obtained the information, you want to use such clumsy slanderous means to get over it? What if this matter is going to happen?
The mercenary union finds out, what do you think will happen to you?"
Raymond showed no fear, even with a hint of arrogance of a high-ranking noble on his face, and asked: "Do you know what the crime is for attacking a high-ranking noble in the territory? Miss Aphra, have you forgotten yesterday's lesson?
"
"you..."
Aphra was about to run away, but Gibbon beside her raised his hand to stop her. Little did he know that this little niece who had been pampered since childhood would draw a knife if she disagreed with her. This temper might make things worse.
"No! We naturally offer the reward with sincerity. As for the information you just provided, we also think it is very useful. If you can reasonably explain the problems just now, we will complete the transaction as agreed."
Naturally, Yoshimoto also knew the rules of the mercenary union.
He stared at Raymond, the threat was obvious, and said in a deep voice: "If not...even if you are a count, I will never let anyone involved in the murder go free even if I risk going to the gallows!
"
"Huh...are you threatening me?"
"Although the family has suffered a great disaster, not just anyone can step on it."
Gibbon narrowed his eyes and said these words coldly. But in the next moment, his whole body suddenly released his momentum, like an unsheathed sword that would cut people into pieces at any moment.
"you..."
At this moment, Lei Meng changed slightly. He was indeed suffocated by the overwhelming momentum.
His eyes flickered frequently, as if he was hesitating to make a certain decision.
Finally, after a long while, he seemed to give in, and then said: "I shouldn't have told you this in the first place, and I, the noble Earl Yinyue, have no obligation to explain so much to you..."
The tone of these words was very much like that of an aristocratic gentleman who was greedy for life and fearful of death.
Seeing this scene, several people in the room had a look of ridicule on their faces.
Is the fox finally showing off his tricks...
At this moment,
But they listened to Raymond and said again: "I can explain to you the problem just now, but I also have two conditions!"
Gibbon: "Your Excellency, please speak."
Raymond: "First: I need the blind senior you are with to be present."
Blind senior?
There were not many people who survived this catastrophe. The only one who was blind... seemed to be the old gatekeeper in the family?
Aphra obviously thought about who it was, and said displeased: "What other tricks do you want to play? What can you do if you call an old guard?"
Haha, so many people died in the family disaster, and those who deserved to be alive were not alive, but this useless old blind man escaped with them.
He is not good at guarding the door, but he is good at escaping.
What an irony.
Gibbon on the side obviously knew the identity of the old blind man, his face looked strange, and he nodded: "Okay!"
Raymond continued: "Second condition: I don't want so many people present."
He pointed at Gibbon and said: "You and this Miss Aphra can be present...but I don't want more people to hear what I say next."
As soon as these words came out, Hudson's face flashed slightly with embarrassment.
Her wife, Mara, shouted unceremoniously: "What do you mean?"
"I'll tell you the truth, I can't trust too many people!"
Raymond said unceremoniously: "Since there is a mole in your family, who can guarantee that there will be no mole among the people alive now?"
He was not targeting anyone when he said these words. But if there is really a mole inside Blood Skeleton, some of his next words may reach Dunn's ears and affect his subsequent plans.
When Gibbon heard this, his pupils shrank slightly, "Okay!"
Although he didn't want to believe that there was a mole among the survivors, but if he looked carefully, it might be possible.
The group of murderers would never let a few of them escape if they let them escape. They definitely had a back-up plan, and the best way to break through was the mole.
After saying that, Gibbon motioned to the Hudsons and his wife, who were turning purple with anger, to calm down and said, "You go outside first...call the senior brother over by the way."
"Elder brother?" Raymond was stunned for a moment when he heard this.
No wonder Daru's last letter asked him to send this letter to a blind old man. It turned out that the guy was his fellow senior brother.
But looking at Aphra's disdainful attitude just now, it seems that this "elder brother" is still an unpopular old janitor?
The situation under Sodros seems a bit complicated.