Assassin's Chronicle - Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Chapter 110: Bait

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

"Robert, what happened just then?" Shanteler asked . He needed something to start the conversation . He was the one asking for help, and if he asked what he needed without any warning, he could come off as too direct .

"My carriage hit someone," Robert told him .

"You could’ve just let your men take care of it . Why stay and do it yourself?"

"It’s my responsibility," Robert said .

Shanteler nodded, his eyes was filled with admiration . He knew Robert very well after twenty years of friendship, and he knew that Robert’s best traits were that he was responsible, loyal, and honest . Sometimes he could be a bit careless at times, but as the years went on, this trait was replaced by maturity due to his experience . Shanteler remembered, many years ago, when they went out to a gathering one night and all got seriously drunk . Robert and his lover of many years went to a tavern . The next morning, Robert woke up and thought the woman next to him was not his lover but a random prostitute . He threw a few silver coins on the bed and left without waking the woman up . When his lover woke up, she was furious after finding the coins . She found Robert and berated him loudly for it . They mended their relationships soon after, but this event had already made its way around .

Of course, it wasn’t seriously damaging to his reputation . There were very few people that refused to pay the prostitute, since the women did bring them pleasure . It was because Robert had paid the wrong woman that made the situation interesting . Many people spoke of the event and imagined Robert as someone who was adorably careless .

"We must have known each other for at least twenty years," Shanteler said .

"Say no more, old sport, I know what you’re thinking," Robert sighed and said . "I will never forget how I came by my first deal . If it wasn’t for you selling me that batch of high tier magic crystals at a discount, I would not be the Robert I am today . "

Shanteler remained silent and smiled . All smart people had one tendency, and that is to observe others quietly while acting as if the other person was the center of the world . Sometimes, these people were able to understand what kind of person they were observing . Others would be baffled by the people they were observing . And others were fooled by the people they were observing . The last two types of people were often these smart men’s downfall . The last type was especially dangerous .

Shanteler had known Robert for twenty years, and was very familiar with what kind of a person he was . He didn’t need to play the emotional card . All he needed to do was help Robert recall some memories .

There were many truths that were buried by the flow of time . When Robert first started doing business, he often found himself at a disadvantage . Sometimes he knew he was going to be tricked, but as long as he made a promise, he would stubbornly follow through with it . Luckily for him, he had some secret patrons helping him, and every time he was down in the dumps he would always find a way to start making money again .

Slowly Robert established the reputation of being honest and responsible, and more and more people began to do business with him . Everyone trusted him . Robert had become what he was largely because of his reputation .

Of course, there were things Robert didn’t know about Shanteler, either . The story Shanteler told Robert about the magic crystals wasn’t the full story . Back in the day, Anthony hadn’t yet inherited the mercenary group, and they were still out in the world, training . They were on the way to White Mountain City when they discovered a few secret guards . Cargos that required secret guards was usually very valuable and few in number . For unknown reasons, they didn't travel by the usual road due to the fear of being seen by others . Anthony and his men discussed the matter and, in the dark of night, attacked the guards . They found out that the guards were mercenaries from Brotherhood mercenary group, and that they were guarding some top tier magic crystals they had stolen from the group . After that, Brotherhood mercenary group was meticulous about checking every merchant in the city . Anthony, however, wasn’t one to surrender valuables . In the end, Shanteler found Robert, whom they had trusted, and sold him the crystals at the much lower price than the market price . He told Robert that there was another story behind how he had came by the crystals, and that Robert should immediately leave the city .

After careful consideration, Shanteler made the choice he thought was best . He waited for Robert to make his own decision . Robert would tell him everything he should, and nothing that he shouldn’t .

Robert’s expression changed . One moment he appeared hesitant, another he seemed troubled, the next looked nervous, as if he was fearing something . To Shanteler, this was normal . If Robert had immediately made a decision and told him everything, it would appear suspicious to him .

"Sir, we’re home," the old butler called from outside the carriage .

Shanteler stared at Robert, who hesitated for a second and said, "come in for a cup of tea, old sport . "

"Alright," Shanteler said . If Robert wasn’t going to tell him anything, then inviting him in for tea would be pointless .

Robert was a business tycoon, and his home was decorated very lavishly . If he purposely made it seem squalid, it would appear strange and unlike Robert’s personality .

They walked through numerous strangely shaped doors on cobblestone paths . They passed through a blooming garden and towards a small building protected by magic . Shanteler lifted a brow . He had visited Robert’s home many times and had been to every corner of the estate except for this building . He had always only observed this building from afar . Now that Robert was taking him there, it meant that whatever he was going to tell Shanteler, it was something serious .

"My lord . " A shadow walked out of the door .

Robert waved his hand . The person began whispering a spell, and the light on the building began to dim .

Shanteler narrowed his eyes . He did not expect that Robert was able to recruit an intermediate magister to work for him . Then he realized it wasn't anything serious . Everyone had a trump card, and Robert was no exception . He would show Shanteler this meant that he had trusted him .

"Come in, old sport," Robert said quietly . He then turned and walked into the building, his slightly stooped back looking troubled .

Shanteler walked in behind him . The magister whispered a spell and the light of the magic began to shine again .

They walked into a lobby . The room was lavish and clean, and was clearly the home of a rich man . The large chandelier hanging from the ceiling was an everlasting light using magic crystals . This kind of lighting was impossible to find in a commoner’s home . Even Glory mercenary group didn’t use this kind . If Robert had used low tier magic crystals, he could have wasted several dozen a day . Top tier crystals could last for a few days at best . Shanteler was almost left flabbergasted by Robert’s display of wealth .

"Old sport, what should I say…" Robert said . He smiled bitterly and sat down on a chair slowly . He motioned for Shanteler to sit as well . "It’s not that I don’t want to tell you . That’s like I’m conspiring with someone else against you . If I do, I am betraying other's trust in me . You’re putting me in a very difficult position, old sport . "

Shanteler sat on the chair and looked at Robert, but didn’t say anything . He knew in this situation listening would do him more good than talking . Robert invited him inside to offer him information . He couldn’t express his gratitude with words .

"Don't put me in a difficult situation now, old sport," Robert said . "I’ll talk . You’ll listen . Don’t ask me anything . I can only tell you some things . I think don’t it will be hard for you piece them together . "

Snanteler smiled and nodded . He appeared calm but was in fact very nervous . What was it that could make Robert so nervous?

"You know how Shansa Empire invaded Maho?"

Shanteler nodded . It wasn’t a secret anymore . When Anthony told him about it, he had laughed about the situation and Yolanthe . He said that thank god Yolanthe had died early, or else he would be worried sick now .

"Maho Empire’s people were contacting Brotherhood mercenary group . "

Shanteler felt his heart skip a beat . It was a short sentence, but it described a difficult situation . Maho Empire’s people had contacted Brotherhood mercenary group? What were they talking about? Cooperation? Was Brotherhood mercenary group behind all of this? Shanteler thought about it for a second, and said, "Yolanthe is dead . None of the princes had the guts to do something like this . Could it be…"

"Yolanthe died too unexpectedly, and didn’t leave a will . All the princes had the right to the throne, so they have a lot to offer," Robert said, smiling . "Like I’ve said, I’ll speak, you’ll listen . Don’t ask any questions . "

"Sorry," Shanteler said . Robert was right . The princes would offer amazing conditions in order to draw followers . Maho Empire was being invaded by two empires . Even if they weren’t aiming for the throne, they could be doing this to preserve their empire .

"There’s something else but…you should hear it from an insider and not me," Robert said . "Let Hui Wei come in here . "

Hui Wei? Shanteler searched for the name in his mind, but couldn’t find anything .

After a moment, a young man with black hair and a blank expression walked in through the side door and sat down next to Shanteler .

"Ask what you want, old sport . Hui Wei, this is my old friend and my closest ally . Tell him everything that you know . Don't hold anything back . " Robert stood up slowly and said, "You guys talk . I’ll be outside . "