Chapter 60

An icy silence filled Lord Jin’s main hall. His final words were not a mere suggestion. They were an irrevocable, blood-sealed vow. Hector and Cypher stared at each other for a moment. In each other’s eyes they read the same thought: ‘This is the worst-case scenario.’

“We accept the lord’s proposal.”

Hector spoke first. He knew all too well that armed conflict in this strange land meant mutual annihilation. For now, they must bow their heads, survive, and find a chance to carry out their lord’s orders.

“We stake our guild’s power and honor to uncover the secrets of the black swamp and present them to Your Lordship.”

Cypher also agreed with a gentle smile.

“The merchants of the Valerian Empire will also willingly lend their strength for the peace of Black Dragon Harbor. Is not the welfare of the great Lord Jin our prosperity as well?”

Lord Jin nodded as if satisfied.

“Very well. I will give you three days. You will be supplied with everything you need, so prepare thoroughly. In three days, I will see with my own eyes you heading into the swamp.”

That night, in the most lavish inn of Black Dragon Harbor, the atmosphere was as heavy as a funeral. Hector’s ‘Shadow Blade’ and Cypher’s ‘Ghost’ sat together for the first time. The table was full of rare drinks and foods from the Eastern Continent, but no one touched them.

“This situation has gotten very interesting, Captain Hector.”

Cypher broke the silence first.

“We who serve different masters now have to stand back to back and walk into hell together.”

“We are merely merchants, Overseer. It is only natural we follow the lord’s orders.”

Hector did not drop his guard captain’s mask.

“But what if that hell hides the ‘treasure’ you seek? For example, something like the ‘Dragon’s Heart’.”

Cypher’s red, snake-like eyes pierced Hector. Hector flinched for a moment but acted according to the script Rian had planted earlier. He feigned surprise and asked back.

“The Dragon’s Heart? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. We’re more interested in the coin right in front of us than in legendary trinkets.”

Hector’s clumsy act only convinced Cypher further. ‘Indeed, those bastards are hiding something. That black swamp must be tied to the Dragon’s Heart.’

From the next day, the two groups began gathering information on the black swamp in their own ways. Hector’s ‘Shadow Blade’ sought out mercenaries and warriors at the port. They drank and sparred together, extracting information from the rough men’s mouths.

“The black swamp? That’s a place you go to die. No one who entered ever returned.”

“They say the swamp’s mists hold toxins that rot flesh, and monsters in the water dissolve even bones.”

“The scariest thing is the ‘weeping tree.’ At night it cries in the voice of the dead, and those who hear it go mad.”

Cypher’s ‘Ghost’ moved more discreetly. They approached lower officials and maids of the lord’s castle, melting their hearts with silk and smiles to extract information.

“The elite unit the lord sent to the swamp was annihilated. The only surviving soldier returned with his entire body blackened, repeating ‘Ashen… worm…’ before coughing up blood and dying.”

All the information pointed to one conclusion: the black swamp was a cursed land where humans must not set foot.

On the third night’s evening, Hector reported the entire situation to Rian from his chamber.

“Master, we are now hostages of Lord Jin. There is no choice but to head to the black swamp.”

Aster estate, hundreds of kilometers away — Rian’s study.

Rian received Hector’s report and lightly traced the black swamp on the continental map with his finger.

“An unexpected variable, but it works in our favor, Hector. You’ve found the fastest way into the enemy’s heart.”

Rian’s voice was calm.

“Cooperate with the Valerian rats for now. Use them as a shield to break through the swamp’s dangers, and focus on your real mission: find the Ashen Worm cult’s farm. But do not engage in combat under any circumstances. Your survival is the top priority. And… keep feeding the Valerian scum the mirage of the Dragon’s Heart as bait.”

“I will obey.”

At last the appointed day dawned. The joint expedition led by Hector and Cypher set out for the black swamp under the watchful eyes of Lord Jin and all of Black Dragon Harbor.

When they reached the swamp’s entrance they drew breath. The stench of rotten fish and the sickly sweetness of decay assaulted their noses. Gnarled trees blocked the sky like dead fingers, and the ground was covered in black, damp mud. It was a land of perfect death, with nothing alive in sight.

Hector and Cypher looked at each other without words. In their eyes sat mutual distrust and a primal fear of the hell before them.

“Let’s go.”

Hector said curtly and stepped first into the swamp. The moment his foot touched, bubbles began to boil up from the black mud.