Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Clues to the Wizard Apprentice Unexpectedly learning about Marquis Golden Rock’s conspiracy, Sunan’s mood was somewhat heavy. Unless they abandon their territory, they are surely bound to clash with Marquis Golden Rock in the future. Shaking his head, Sunan temporarily put the matter to the back of his mind and continued interrogating the Black Sword Knight. Upon hearing that the branch of the Starfire Sect in Golden Rock Province has recently gone all out merely to capture a magical creature, Sunan interrupted the Black Sword Knight and asked with interest, "What magical creature is it?" "A cat." A cat? Sunan was slightly startled. He thought it was a powerful and fierce magical creature that forced the Starfire Sect branch to deploy a large number of people for capture, but it turned out to be a cat. He carefully recalled, seemingly there were no powerful cat magical creatures in his memory. But the vast and resource-rich Starlight Continent might possibly have unknown cat magical creatures. After pondering for a while without results, Sunan could only continue to ask, "Why are you capturing that magical creature?" "It was a command from the priest master; I don’t know the details, just that it seems related to a wizard." The Black Sword Knight recounted with a blank expression. "We deployed quite a few people, but that magical creature is very cunning. Up until the time I came to Black Stone City for the assassination mission, I never heard anyone in the sect had captured it." "A magical creature related to a wizard... Could it be a magical pet?" Sunan pondered thoughtfully. But judging from the Black Sword Knight’s words, they have been pursuing that magical creature for a long time without anyone stopping them, indicating that the creature is likely ownerless and not much like a magical pet. Out of curiosity, Sunan inquired several times about the details of this matter until he was certain he could no longer obtain useful information, then he lifted the magic. Coming back to his senses from his daze, the Black Sword Knight revealed a shocked and bewildered expression. "What did you do to me?" Charming Humans doesn’t erase the affected person’s memory; the Black Sword Knight clearly remembered his situation of answering Sunan’s every question just now, which made him shiver with fright, unable to comprehend how he ended up in such a state. Sunan, however, had no intention of explaining, not even sparing a glance at the Black Sword Knight before turning away from the dungeon, leaving the pale-faced Black Sword Knight to question his life. ... Back in the council chamber, Kei, who had long learned the news from Brad, eagerly approached. "Did that guy say anything else?" Sunan didn’t hide and recounted the matters related to the Starfire Sect. Upon hearing it, rage immediately flared up in Kei’s eyes, and he angrily pounded the armrest of the chair. "I knew my father’s death was definitely related to them!" After a moment, he took a deep breath to calm his anger and stated coldly, "So Count Storm’s attack was also Marquis Golden Rock’s doing?" Sunan nodded, "Most likely, yes." "Count Storm fell into a coma after the attack, it’s the perfect opportunity for him to meddle in the succession struggle in Storm Territory. As long as he supports a puppet to ascend to power, he could secretly control Storm Territory." Below the marquis rank in Golden Rock Province, Count Frost and Count Storm are the two main power lords with the strongest might. Count Frost has already sided with Marquis Golden Rock long ago, wearing the same pants as him. If Storm Territory also falls into Marquis Golden Rock’s hands, then he would almost have absolute control over the whole Golden Rock Province. "We still have a chance." Kei took a deep breath, his gaze steadfast. "According to the news from Storm Territory, Count Storm’s heirs have yet to win or lose, and Marquis Golden Rock is sure to focus his energy there, overlooking Flashing Territory for the time being. As long as we reclaim Flashing Territory during this period, we’ll have the capital to wrestle with him." If other nobles heard Kei’s words, they would surely laugh at him for dreaming. How could a mere Flashing Territory contend with Marquis Golden Rock, who controls most of Golden Rock Province? Yet Kei was brimming with confidence. Of course, the source of this confidence is naturally the Wizard Apprentice Sunan! Currently, they hold Black Stone City, enough to rival a Baron Territory. If they hold an entire Baron Territory, wouldn’t they have the guts to wrestle with Marquis Golden Rock? Seeing that Kei wasn’t discouraged into giving up, but instead stirred up a fighting spirit, Sunan nodded secretly and mentioned another matter. "I’m planning to leave Black Stone City for a while." Kei was slightly taken aback, instinctively asking, "Where are you going?" "Stone Bell City." Kei recalled, vaguely remembering that Stone Bell City seems to be within Silver Moon Territory, which is Viscount Silver Moon’s realm. "What are you going there for?" "To find something," Sunan replied ambiguously without elaborating. Stone Bell City is exactly the town where the magical creature pursued by the Starfire Sect appeared, according to the Black Sword Knight. Since arriving in this world, it’s Sunan’s first discovery of a wizard-related clue, and he naturally couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Even if in the end he discovers the magical creature is unrelated to wizards, it doesn’t matter. A rare cat magical creature itself is worth the visit, possibly with some extra gains. Moreover, the Starfire Sect’s assassination attempt against the two brothers fueled Sunan’s displeasure, although he didn’t have enough strength to directly confront the Starfire Sect for now and must swallow his grievances temporarily, his heart was still very unhappy. Beating the Starfire Sect to find the magical creature, cutting them off, is a way to claim some early interests. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶 After hearing Sunan’s words, Kei didn’t ask further. After all, Viscount Silver Moon happens to be among the batch of nobles distant from Marquis Golden Rock. In Silver Moon Territory, even if Marquis Golden Rock and Owen wanted to do something, they wouldn’t be able to reach far, so there’s no need to worry about Sunan encountering danger. "When do you plan to depart?" "In a few days." Considering he might confront the Starfire Sect while outside, Sunan plans to make more preparations. For example, creating more rune gemstones for protection. Also, continually enhancing the strength of Hidden Dragon. Once preparations are fully made, it won’t be too late to go to Stone Bell City. Anyway, judging from the Black Sword Knight’s words, the Starfire Sect is struggling with that magical creature, and the latter shouldn’t be captured anytime soon. ... To avoid another assassination attempt, Kei decided to move into the barracks, eating, drinking, sleeping, and handling political affairs all within there. Unless a Legendary Knight attacks, there’s generally no need to worry about someone assassinating Kei amidst over a thousand soldiers and more than three hundred Knight Level forces (including Black Rock Leopard). Considering that he will soon be leaving Black Stone City, for additional security, Sunan also ’upgraded’ Kei’s Black Rock Leopard to the Grand Knight Level. Counting the previous ones, upgrading to Grand Knight Level consumed a total of forty-two Black Rock Leopards, with a cost nearing sixteen hundred gold coins. Even though Black Stone City has mines, the annual tax revenue is only enough to create three Grand Knight Level Black Rock Leopards. Of course, both Kei and Brad, along with others, expressed that it was worth it. Sixteen hundred gold coins for a Grand Knight Level force is extremely cost-effective!