Chapter 641 Empyrean Talons (Part 2)

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After a quick and simple introduction, Shin and the others quickly proceeded at sharing their respective quest with each other before discussing their next move. And just like what Shin had expected, clues started to appear when the three quests were combined with each other.

"I am starting to feel that this is somehow similar to what happened to the Saint Heaven Kingdom. Or to be more specific, that incident that took place in the Holy City," said Shin after putting all of the information that they had together.

"But the difference this time, we are dealing with a regional quest which concerns the whole Beast Glade Kingdom," he added as he leaned powerlessly on the tree behind him.

"So, what do you think we need to do?" asked Leonard almost instantly.

Hearing that, Shin slightly opened one of his eyes and looked at Akailu. "Didn't you say that there are a lot of strange quests being handed out by some foreign NPCs? And you are suspecting that those NPCs are members of the Corrupted Cult?"

"We will start with that. Let's investigate what kind of quest they are giving out and figure out their real plan through it," he added before closing his eyes once again.

Seeing Shin's nonchalant attitude, the corner of Akailu's mouth suddenly twitched before asked. "Is that all?"

Shin re-opened his eyes and looked at Akailu before saying sneeringly. "You are thinking that it is too easy, aren't you? But don't worry, I have a reason for that."

This time, Alucard also couldn't take it any longer and ask. "And you are not going to explain it to us?"

Hearing that, Shin 'seemed' to remember that they were not familiar with him and said. "Ah! Yeah, I forgot that this is your first time working with us. I apologize for that. Then let me explain what is on our mind."

Despite hearing that, Owen, who was aware of Shin's dual identities, couldn't help but smile bitterly before thinking to himself. 'Look at this guy. He sure knows how to keep that cover.'

On the other hand, Shin continued. "From what you have said earlier, the quests given by those suspicious NPCs are mainly a delivery type of quest and gathering ones. This information alone is clearly going to tell us the plans of our opponents."

"And the things that we need to know from those quests are-... What are they gathering, what kind of item are they delivering, and where are they going to take those items?"

"We need to figure out these three and we will naturally get the real answer that we are looking for," he added while maintaining his nonchalant attitude.

At this point in time, Alucard and Akailu couldn't help but turn their head towards the other members of the team who seemed to have no plan of saying anything, especially Cloe who was supposedly the Commander of this team.

Even Ithilien was unable to hold her curiosity and whispered to Owen. "The Gentle Goddess is the leader of this group, isn't it? Then how come she is not saying anything?"

Unfortunately, the others were able to overhear her words, especially the current members of the Empyrean Talons. And when she noticed that, Ithilien couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

Luckily, Arthur and the others didn't get offended by her words and just chuckled at her. Then Cloe smiled at her before saying. "Don't worry, this guy is still capable even though he is acting like that. And I may be the Commander of this troublesome bunch, but this guy is still our strategist," while pointing to Shin.

Hearing that, the others couldn't help but turn their heads at Shin and looked at him in a new light. But at the same time, they were also quite curious how he managed to convince these monsters to follow him.

After that, they decided to split their group into three for their investigation. And since Akailu and Alucard were both wanted within the Beast Glade Kingdom, they would be accompanied by Leonard to the palace to clear their names first.

In the meantime, Arthur formed a team with Archimedes, Daulla, and Charlotte. Then Shin would be teaming up with Cloe, Owen, and Ithilien. And when they separated from each other to go to the respective place assigned to them, Cloe couldn't help but notice that Charlotte kept on looking on their way. Or more specifically to Shin.

Seeing that, Cloe was unable to help herself but squinted her eyes and looked at Shin with suspicion. And after a few moments of hesitation, she quickly whispered. "Hey! Are you sure that there is nothing going on between you two?"

Hearing her, Shin sighed helplessly before patting her head. "What's wrong with you today? You are too sensitive about everything."

"Tsk! Don't change the topic. And don't me that it is nothing because that girl keeps looking on our way," said Cloe as she further narrowed her eyes.

Shin laughed at her words. "I already told you, there is nothing going on. She didn't even know about my dual identity."

"Are you sure about that? Don't you know who she is?" asked Cloe, still suspicious.

Knitting his eyebrows, Shin suddenly asked. "What about her identity? Is there something special about it?"

When Cloe saw that Shin was genuinely unaware of Charlotte's real identity, she immediately became cheerful and clung her arm at him. "Really? You don't know anything about her? Then that is good! You don't have to know her. In fact, you don't even need to be close with each other."

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Beast Glade Kingdom, Ferocious Beast City.

While Shin and the others were busy tracking the members of the Corrupted Cults, their movements were noticed by the opposing side.

"Elder Zaza, we found a small group of people that are trying to track us down?" said hooded Twilight NPC as he kneeled with one knee.

Standing in front of him was an old man that had a black cloak covering his body. He was not wearing the hood of his cloak which was why his face was currently revealed. And if Shin happened to see him, he would immediately recognize this old man since this person was the same guy who saved Thirio from him.

The elder slightly turned his head to the side and looked over his shoulder before saying. "Is that so? Then I suppose the Fourth Messenger is correct. Those people are indeed going to head over this kingdom as soon as they are done with the issues in the Elven Kingdom."

"Have you figured out how many there is this time?" he asked as he turned his head back to the window.

Hearing that, the Twilight NPC quickly nodded his head and reported. "We are still figuring out their total numbers but It is the same as you have expected, Elder Zaza."

"They indeed call out some reinforcements. And even if they only summoned a few allies, those people are still a formidable force. I'm afraid that we are going to have some trouble dealing with them," he added while lowering his head even more.

He was afraid that the Elder would sever his head because of the additional remarks that he added in the end. Fortunately, Elder Zaza overlooked it and just asked with a huge grin. "Heh! Is that so? I wonder who they are."

Then the Twilight NPC quickly reported. "From what our spies had said, one of them managed to easily clean the names of those two guys who fell on our trap last time. In fact, the Beast Council within the main palace seemed to be afraid of this guy, so we are suspecting that he is a Champion from the Temple of the War God."

"Hah! Those Brutes of the War God, they sure like to always mess with our plans," commented Elder Zaza before quickly asking. "Who else?"

Then the Twilight quickly continued. "We also spotted that Elven Sage that we fought earlier and she seemed to be with a 'Pride' of the Sanctuary of Dragons. And based on the reports, that guy is the same Dragon Knight who wipes our forces that are trying to invade the Dragon's Nest."

Then he paused for a moment due to some hesitation before continuing. "But they are not our main problem, Elder. It is because we also spotted a Maiden of the Church of Light among their group."

Hearing that, the elder's body suddenly trembled. He then slowly turned around and asked. "A Maiden you said? Which of them?"

The elder seemed to be calm on the outside but he was actually very anxious right now. It was because they were now facing someone from the Church of Light.

Out of all the churches belonging to the Righteous Faction, the Church of Light was not only the archenemies of the Corrupted Cults and Demonic Churches, but they were also the bane of all evil beings.

With the  Holy Powers that the church's members possessed, the Church of Light alone could pose an immense threat for the entire Evil Function. And now that one of their highest-ranking believers was currently in this place, their entire plan could be put at full risk.

And to put a nail on the coffin, Elder Zaza heard that thing that really didn't want to hear.

"From her appearance, we are sure that she is the first in line to be the next Supreme Pontiff."

...