Chapter 53: This Warlock Is Truly Malevolent (With Gratitude to the Patron "Qingdeng Zuirenjian")
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Wang Xi spent the night at the inn with Pinocchio.
The next morning, the two of them arrived at the Daphne Central District, at a tavern not far from the Adventurers’ Guild.
“The Madwoman’s Tavern.”
Pinocchio looked up at the wooden sign, on which was crudely painted an old crone wielding an axe.
“Guy, that’s a strange name for a tavern.”
“Used to be called the ‘Saint Nobia Tavern,’ named after a martyred nun,” Wang Xi explained, glancing at Pinocchio.
Of course, this was just hearsay.
“But that nun’s distant aunt came here and caused a ruckus; she chopped down the sign with an axe and drove away the customers. That’s how she became infamous.”
“Oh—” Pinocchio’s face lit up with understanding. “So the madwoman is that nun’s aunt?”
“There’s actually another version of the story,” Wang Xi said quietly as they walked inside.
“Apparently, the tavern owner was having an affair with the maids, which was discovered by his wife’s mother, so…”
“So what does ‘having an affair’ mean?” Pinocchio asked, puzzled.
Wang Xi opened his mouth but eventually gave a vague answer:
“Playing cards all night.” He cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject. “The better looking you are, the luckier you get at cards.”
“Alright, anyway, the moral is gambling is bad. Don’t get hung up on the name. Remember what I told you before we came?”
“Yeah, yeah,” the boy nodded, patting his chest. “Don’t worry, Guy, I’ve got this.”
Wang Xi nodded as they entered the tavern’s main hall.
Though it was morning, the place was packed with people.
The noise of shouting, laughter from rough men, and the startled cries of maids mingled into a chaotic symphony.
Their arrival instantly drew many sharp glances, which quickly swept over them before retreating.
“As expected…”
Wang Xi casually scanned the room.
The men seated around the wooden tables wore simple clothes and waistcoats, appearing to be here for pleasure, but most had weapons strapped to their waists.
Nearly all their nameplates bore the prefix “The Finger Guild,” and each man looked fiercely hostile.
There were about four or five with two-star ratings and the rest one-star; it seemed the elite of the Finger Guild were gathered here.
“I asked the old man at the Adventurers’ Guild to arrange this meeting; he must have told Dick my identity... Is that coin officer trying to take me down during this meeting?”
Wang Xi smirked inwardly.
“Heh, let’s see what happens.”
The two nonchalantly ascended the stairs to the second floor. Pinocchio followed closely, whispering:
“Guy, it looks like the patrons here don’t welcome us.”
“That’s fine,” Wang Xi said calmly. “Prejudice is common. They’re just jealous of our handsome looks.”
“I see.” Pinocchio’s eyes brightened with realization and he nodded. “So will the maids come bother us later?”
“...”
Wang Xi fell silent, not wanting to corrupt the pure-hearted boy.
Upon reaching the second floor, Wang Xi caught sight from the corner of his eye of an inconspicuous black wooden stick lying on the floor by a small cabinet.
An idea struck him; he bent down, picked it up, and tucked it casually at his waist.
Soon, they arrived at the end of the corridor, facing a room guarded by two burly men standing on either side of the door.
Wang Xi raised an eyebrow.
“‘The Finger Guild’ Chairman, Hoven (Scarlet/Three Stars).”
The first was a gaunt, sinister-looking middle-aged man wearing a grey robe with open sleeves revealing muscular arms tattooed with intricate designs.
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The other was a brown-haired, one-eyed man Wang Xi had seen before in the Adventurers’ Guild hall. He carried two long swords, one iron and one silver, on his back, with a dagger and a crossbow at his waist.
“Demon Hunter Colin (Yellow/Three Stars).”
Wang Xi had not expected the coin officer to be so cautious—to have summoned most of the Finger Guild’s elite, sent the chairman as a bodyguard, and even hired a demon hunter from the Adventurers’ Guild.
It seemed the infamous “Scarlet Warlock” was feared enough that this fellow planned to fight fire with fire.
Wang Xi withdrew his thoughts and smiled at the two men.
“I am Guy Farrell. I have an appointment with Lord Dick.”
The demon hunter glanced at him without a word, indifferent and standing motionless like a statue.
The gaunt chairman named Hoven smiled and said:
“Lord Guy, Lord Dick has been waiting a long time. But before you enter, please allow me to temporarily hold your weapons.”
“Are you worried I might harm Lord Dick?”
Wang Xi pretended to be displeased, frowning.
Hoven kept his smile, waving his hand.
“Don’t misunderstand, Lord Guy. It’s just standard procedure for everyone. Not personal... Of course, if you’re unwilling, you can hand over the commission materials directly to me; you’ll still receive your reward.”
Wang Xi was silent for a few seconds.
He then removed the longsword and dagger from his waist and took down the crossbow from his shoulder, handing them over.
Hoven accepted the weapons but still blocked the doorway, smiling ambiguously as he looked at Wang Xi’s belt.
“Lord Guy, don’t take us for fools. We’ve all heard the name ‘Scarlet Warlock.’ So please, hand over your magic wand as well.”
At these words, Wang Xi’s face changed.
Suddenly—
The demon hunter silently raised a hand, resting it on the hilt of the iron sword on his shoulder, ready to draw at any moment.
Hoven stealthily placed one hand behind his back, gripping his dagger.
“Heh, seems you know quite a lot.”
Wang Xi’s expression darkened. After a moment’s hesitation, he drew the black wooden stick from his waist and handed it over.
After Hoven took it, he exchanged a glance with the demon hunter; both visibly relaxed, though their expressions were tinged with something strange.
“Lord Guy, please come in.”
Hoven opened the door and led Wang Xi inside.
The demon hunter and Pinocchio were left outside.
Inside, the morning light streamed through the window, falling on a wooden table where three men sat, their faces partly shadowed.
Wang Xi glanced discreetly.
A portly man with a handlebar mustache and hat bore the title “Minister of Crafts, Ando”; a plain-looking middle-aged man with a bulbous nose was the “Court Apothecary, Marco”; and a short, hunchbacked thin man was the “Coin Officer, Dick.”
“Sir, Guy Farrell has arrived.”
Hoven set down the weapons, bowed to the three men, stepped forward, and whispered a few words as he handed over the “magic wand” to the coin officer.
Dick examined the black wooden stick for a while, then passed it to Apothecary Marco and Minister Ando.
The three men examined it repeatedly, their expressions growing grave, surprised, and puzzled.
“This, this...” Minister Ando looked uncertain and quickly set the wand down, whispering something.
Wang Xi’s sharp ears caught the words:
“...Dick, you were right. This fellow really is an evil warlock, using such a filthy thing as his wand.”
A filthy thing?
Wang Xi stared intently and used Kaerus to investigate:
“‘Devil’s Carrot’: a wooden stick polished smooth and coated with waxy grease, a private item hidden by the maids.”
“...”
Wang Xi fell into thought.
Calmly analyzing, pondering carefully, he arrived at a conclusion...
“Cough, Mr. Guy.”
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At that moment, Dick smiled insincerely, raising his head and speaking in a grating tone:
“Let’s discuss other matters later. First, hand over the commission.”
Upon hearing this, the portly minister shot him a hopeful look. Concerned about his son’s petrification poison injury, he was the most eager to get the materials.
Next were the apothecary and the coin officer, all wanting to contribute and curry favor with the influential Calvin Prince nearby.
“Of course, no problem.”
Wang Xi bowed, unwrapped the parchment from his waist, and took out scrolls, placing them on the table.
Apothecary Marco inspected them, a pleased expression crossing his face; he then nodded to the other two.
Immediately, Dick’s eyes brightened.
His friendly fake smile vanished, and the short man leaned back with folded arms, mocking:
“A wizard without a wand is like a lion without claws... I never thought the elusive ‘Scarlet Warlock’ would be so foolish as to walk right into our trap for fame and profit.”
“What do you mean, Lord Dick?” Wang Xi asked warily, stepping back two paces.
Chairman Hoven had already stationed himself to one side, both to protect Lord Dick and to prevent the warlock from escaping.
Seeing the young man’s panicked expression, the coin officer sneered with satisfaction and resentment:
“You ruined my plans and killed my men. You’re a damned bastard...”
“You’re the mastermind behind the Finger Guild!” Wang Xi suddenly realized, astonished.
The coin officer laughed wickedly.
“Too late to find out! Hoven, take him down!”
“Yes, sir—”
The gaunt man drew his dagger from behind his back and lunged forward, aiming to strike the frail warlock to incapacitate him.
Flash!
A red light flickered.
Hoven stumbled forward two steps, staring in disbelief at a burnt-edged hole in his chest, blood pouring out.
“You…”
Even Daphne’s elite assassin was just a mortal; the searing pain in his chest made breathing difficult.
Hoven couldn’t understand where Wang Xi had pulled out this “new wand” from, and moreover...
“You didn’t cast a spell! How did you use magic?”
Blood dripped from his mouth and nose as he grimaced.
Despite his grave injury, Wang Xi shouted and pressed forward, ready to trade blows to the death.
“Ah, I almost forgot.”
Wang Xi paused, raised his gun, and pulled the trigger.
“Avada Kennedy Guah—”
Flash!
Hoven’s forehead was pierced; he collapsed instantly, legs kicking twice, dead beyond doubt.
“Waaah!!”
Dick, Minister Ando, and Apothecary Marco screamed in terror, scrambling back.
“Colin! Help!!”
As Dick’s scream rang out, a loud crash came from outside the door, as if a battle had broken out.
Wang Xi didn’t look back, confident that Pinocchio could hold off the demon hunter and the others downstairs.
He licked his lips with a sly smile and said darkly:
“Don’t be afraid, I’m no devil.”