Chapter 196: Chapter 195 Hello!
Days slipped by swiftly.
However, even though no news of Wizard Apprentices’ deaths had leaked in these past days—making it seem as though the gruesome incident had never occurred—the calm was deceptive. The students weren’t foolish; even though it wasn’t officially acknowledged, the number of Wizard Apprentices usually maintaining Order had nearly halved. It clearly signaled that something was amiss. Various versions of rumors circulated in private, spreading an atmosphere of indissoluble fear and anxiety throughout the massive ship.
As a result, the four Wizards had to step forward, reassuring the students in an attempt to ease the atmosphere. Yet, from a certain perspective, this very act signified that the Wizards were slightly overwhelmed.
In the following days, the Wizards remained vigilant throughout the night, thereby ensuring the ship’s safety. But to Richard, this safety was merely superficial; as long as the root cause remained unresolved, the next time the killer struck, it could completely alter the dynamics of the entire ship.
Time continued to pass with each day.
In the cabin on the deck, countless candles burned brightly, illuminating the area as the four Wizards sat silently around a long table, each in a high-backed chair; no one spoke for a long time.
After a while, Wizard Siv broke the silence, “How are we to resolve the current situation? We can’t keep waiting indefinitely. Who knows what the person hidden in the shadows wants to do?”
“What can we do if we don’t wait?” spoke Wizard Louis, “The adversary is like an extremely timid mouse, never showing themselves. We can’t strike if we can’t see them. Damn it!
If you ask me, since we’ve been taking turns keeping watch these past few nights and the enemy hasn’t shown up, why not just keep it up? Once we reach the White Stone Tower, there shouldn’t be any issues. I refuse to believe the culprit would dare to the White Stone Tower; surely, someone there will deal with them!”
His voice grew harsh toward the end.
“Hmph, easy for you to say,” retorted Wizard Quinton immediately after Louis spoke, his lips curling slightly with dissatisfaction, “You haven’t lost any Wizard Apprentices, so of course, you’re okay with continuing this way.”
“What are you implying, Quinton!” Louis turned to Quinton, “How haven’t I lost any Wizard Apprentices? Danell was my student! My direct disciple!”
“Heh, he was just a Second Level Wizard Apprentice. The same kind of person can be found by the dozen in the White Stone Tower; is it such a pity if one dies?” Quinton said coldly, “The ones I lost were Third-level Apprentices, two of them! Both were direct disciples I devoted a great deal of effort to cultivating!
Parker might not have had the best innate talent, but his temperament was mature, and if I hadn’t wanted him to avoid the path of potions, he would have become a Wizard by now. As for Sherry, she was perhaps a bit too lively, but very clever. She could learn even the most challenging spells quickly, and had she become a Wizard, she might have even surpassed me.
Now, both of them—my students, whom I invested a great deal of energy in—are dead! Your Danell was simply a student you happened upon fortuitously; he was with you for merely a few months. Did you really make any sacrifices for him? There’s no comparison between us!
Really, I can’t understand why you’re always so lucky, constantly discovering students with exceptional talent. Not to mention Danell, this time Nancy from your ship as well. Unfortunately for you, she held higher standards and didn’t accept your offer, or else you’d probably be boasting about how great you are again. But you know very well, it’s not you who’s great—it’s just your luck. Hmph, luck!”
The relationship among the four Wizards wasn’t exactly cohesive, and it could even be said to be strained. Normally, it didn’t show much, but when it came to matters of interest, faces would turn.
At this moment, Quinton spared no effort in berating Louis, causing Louis’s face to darken considerably.
Quinton did not stop, eventually glaring fiercely at Louis, making his stance clear, “No matter what, I absolutely disagree with just going back . Firstly, I don’t believe luck is on our side; trusting purely in luck is utterly ridiculous.
The hidden rat in the cabin keeps killing people; who knows who it will target next. We must resolve this. Additionally, my two apprentices absolutely cannot die in vain; I want them to pay a price!”
“Fine, you go find the murderer then.” Louis was not one to take things lying down, his eyes flickered, and he looked at Quinton with mocking disdain, “You’re the best, hopefully, you’re stronger than all four of us combined.
The four of us together couldn’t find the culprit. Once you make a move, well, perhaps you’ll immediately find some trace of them. At that time, you can use your powerful spells to blast them into oblivion, and get your revenge.”
“You…” Quinton glared at Louis, ready to retort.
Just then, Dempsey, seated in the high-backed chair to the north, furrowed his brow and knocked forcefully on the tabletop, producing a “bang bang bang” sound that silenced the entire cabin, making the three turn their heads towards him.
Dempsey spoke, his voice stern, “Can you both say less? Do you want more chaos? We haven’t even clarified the enemy’s strength yet, whether we can defeat them is still questionable, and here you are thinking about infighting? Isn’t it too early?
Quinton, I know your loss is significant, having lost two carefully trained Wizard Apprentices, but I can decide that once we return to the White Stone Tower, you can have first pick of the promising students as compensation. As for Louis and Siv, your losses can be compensated as well.
The damage is done, and we can only try to salvage what we can. What’s crucial now is clarifying our situation!”
Dempsey knocked on the table again, his tone rising, “The situation now is that the culprit is clearly targeting us. Siv lost a Third-Level Apprentice in Cuijin City, likely at the hands of the same foe. And now, the culprit has followed us onto this ship, continuing to kill.
We must find them! We must!
If we don’t find the culprit, we will always be in danger, not knowing what they might do next. The first to die were the Sailors, followed by ordinary students, and then your Wizard Apprentices.
Next, they might target us Wizards!
Can’t you see, can’t you understand? This is an outright provocation by the opponent! If you still want to fight among yourselves, then come at me, I’ll satisfy your need to fight!”
“This…” The other three Wizards fell silent, seriously pondering Dempsey’s words.
Just then, in a corner of the cabin, a soft clapping sound emerged.
The four Wizards in the cabin, including Dempsey, were slightly shaken. A look of astonishment flashed across their faces, their gazes suddenly sharp, all turning their heads towards the corner where the sound originated. They then swiftly stood up from their chairs, adopting battle stances.
In the corner, unnoticed until now, a man in a Black Robe leaned against the cabin wall, clapping his hands.
As he clapped, he slowly lifted his head, revealing a pair of green eyes burning like flames. Then, his mouth curved upwards, displaying a sinister smile.