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Heir of the White Lotus (Web Novel) - Chapter 1847: Real Culprits
Chapter 1847: Real Culprits
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
As the days passed, the attacks on the traveling party only increased.At first, it had only been beasts. Then human bandits and orc raiders. Then more beasts.
Wolves, boars, giant cats, and creatures Adam had never seen before emerged from the wilderness to assault the convoy.
These were beasts that normally avoided the Trade Road entirely, frightened away by the constant traffic and patrols. Yet now, they attacked without hesitation.
And the attacks always came at night.
The traveling party soon abandoned any hope of maintaining a normal schedule. They slept during the day whenever they could and traveled cautiously. When night fell, everyone remained alert, weapons close at hand.
Yet none of these men had to ever use their weapons. Not even Esmond Greene. Adam made sure they didn’t. He took care of all the threats by himself.
Night after night, he fought.
He slaughtered all who dared to attack the convoy.
Beasts, orcs, or humans, they were all mercilessly killed.
As a result, the traveling party’s pace slowed considerably. What should have been a straightforward journey stretched longer and longer.
It had already been nearly ten days since they left Marbleford.
Fortunately, the end was in sight. Only a single day’s journey remained before they reached Davos.
And yet, for some reason, Adam’s sense of foreboding had never been stronger.
As they began to set up camp for the day, the raven-haired youth started drawing runes on the ground. The ward had proven very effective over the past several days.
There had been occasions when attackers had managed to slip past him, but none had been able to break through the defensive formation.
Moreover, Adam had specifically instructed the others not to take part in any battles. This was his first mission from the Guild, and he intended to complete it flawlessly.
That meant no deaths in the traveling party.
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, a wave of unease swept over the convoy. After all, the advent of night also meant that they would be attacked again.
But when they looked toward the raven-haired youth whistling and carving runes in a carefree manner, they felt greatly relieved. These handymen in Esmond Greene’s employ had become Adam’s fans, to say the least.
Every night, Adam would step into the darkness. And every morning, the surroundings would be littered with corpses.
How a single man could carry out such relentless slaughter night after night for ten days straight without batting an eye, they did not know. Nor did they wish to ask.
What they did know was that the attacks had never breached the camp.
Greene’s men gradually came to respect Adam. And before long, that respect turned to admiration.
The retired adventurer Esmond was the first to notice Adam’s fighting prowess.
He had met otherworlders before. Most were highly capable individuals. The conditions in their homeworlds were often harsh, and they had still managed to claw their way to the top.
Yet even compared to those individuals, Adam seemed leagues ahead.
There was a refinement to the youth’s combat skills that Esmond rarely saw. He was amazed, to say the least.
"Magus Constantine," he approached the young man and asked. "Your battle experience is rich. Did you fight quite often back in your homeworld?"
"Pretty much all my life," Adam said without turning around.
The old man looked deeply at the youth’s figure. A moment later, he said with quiet admiration, "Your mana combat techniques transition seamlessly with your magic spells. It is truly a sight to behold."
Adam paused. He turned around and looked at the old man. His lips curled upward, and he said, "I’ve had some of the best teachers."
In the universe, he added inwardly.
"I’m sure." Esmond let out a chuckle.
With the youth around, he no longer worried about his safety. And with Davos only a day away, he was certain that Adam would continue to perform his escort duties brilliantly.
Such was the faith that had formed after watching the youth protect him night after night.
Still, he wished to bring up what he had observed over the past few days. His expression turned solemn, and he said, "Magus Constantine, you’ve noticed it, haven’t you?"
"Yeah," Adam nonchalantly replied. "Enchantment magic."
Esmond’s expression turned grim. "Someone’s compelling the beasts, bandits, and orc raiders to attack us night after night."
"Indeed." Adam finally finished carving the runes. He rose to his feet and turned to the old man.
"On the first day, I sensed two faint auras following us," he continued. "They haven’t shown up at all. They’re most likely testing our party’s strength. Quite cautious, those guys."
"To be able to enchant so many of them..." Esmond’s face turned dark.
"They’re after something you’ve acquired," Adam said matter-of-factly. "And if it’s really important to them, they will show up tonight."
Esmond’s expression turned dark.
Adam deeply studied the man. Then he asked in a serious tone, "I will ask you one final time, sir. Are you certain you do not wish to part with that chest?"
Esmond shook his head without hesitation. "I cannot!"
"I understand." The raven-haired youth inhaled deeply.
He turned his gaze toward Esmond’s men, who were busy setting up camp. Then he said quietly, "If the enemy is adept at enchantment magic, then we should deal with your men first."
"You mean..." Esmond’s heart sank.
"Relax," Adam said with a light chuckle. "I’ll mix a strong sedative in their food. Should knock them out cold for twelve hours. At least."
He arched his eyebrows and said, "What about you? Are you confident about your mental defenses?"
"Yes... yes, I am." Esmond nodded. He then turned to the little gray cat, waiting patiently by the fire where the food was being prepared. "What about your familiar?"
"Oh, he’ll be alright." Adam waved his hand nonchalantly.
A mind dragon’s mind wasn’t something that could be infiltrated so easily.
"I will take your word for it." Esmond nodded.
As the sun finally sank below the horizon and a pall of darkness covered the world, the campsite became eerily quiet.
Esmond’s men had been knocked unconscious. They snored loudly, oblivious to the carnage that was about to unfold.
The old man himself had retrieved a sword and was prepared for the worst. Valerian had transformed into a menacing panther and stood beside him, baring his sharp fangs.
As for Adam, he stood outside the defensive formation surrounding the camp.
He crossed his arms and patiently waited for the real culprits to appear.
Time ticked by.
No beast growls were heard. No human screams echoed through the night. No orc snarls emerged from the darkness.
There was only silence.
And the wind.
And then...
The sound of approaching footsteps.
Adam’s senses locked onto two figures slowly making their way toward the camp. Their auras were familiar.
He took a light sniff, and his face twisted into disgust.
"Foul creatures!"
At last, the two figures emerged from the darkness.
Their complexion was as pale as a corpse. Their features were sharp and feral, making them appear rather predatory. Their eyes glowed the color of blood. Their fingers ended in sharp claws, and their mouths revealed sharp and monstrous canines.
Vampires!
