Chapter 169: I found him
"How do you know who I'm looking for?" Strax asked, at least he had concrete information like that—
"Heliot Azalea, former employee of the main Duchy of Vorah, born in 789, currently thirty-three years old, moved to Vorah ten years ago on Baron Oxhoth's recommendation as a cook," Cristine said bluntly.
"How do you know all this?" Cristine looked at him with a calm smile, "I'm the one who had him spy on the Vorah."
Strax felt a stab of betrayal, but he didn't care much. The problem was...
"What happened to you?" He asked, completely changing his expression, after all... This Cristine seemed strange...
"I want to make a deal with you." She said seriously. Strax had already begun to analyze something...
[Cristine Blair]
[Cultivation: Grand-Master Stage Body Cultivator]
'!!!'
He was immediately startled. It hadn't been long since he saw she was a Master Cultivator! Not even he had advanced that quickly! And he was feeling her aura... it was greater than his cultivation...
'She's really surpassing her cultivation,' He thought, trying to find what to say after the shock...
"You're not like this..." Strax murmured. He didn't know Cristine well, but he knew something...
She didn't make this serious expression with him.
"I want you to help me with a revenge. Tell me your price." She said, without hesitation. She seemed really anxious and in a hurry.
"Revenge?" Strax asked, "I'll tell you all the details, but I need you to come with me quickly. I don't have much time before they realize." He said, really anxious...
"Alright." He said, pulling something from [Inventory] and getting up from the bed completely naked...
Cristine looked at Strax's exposed member and couldn't help but comment to herself...
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'So big... how did that fit in her?' She thought, looking at Samira, who was quiet and had turned her face completely red.
Strax opened his Inventory interface with a simple thought, his expression changing to a more focused one as he slid his fingers through invisible options.
After a moment, he retrieved a dark outfit, consisting of a sturdy linen shirt and reinforced leather pants.
The fabric seemed to absorb light, almost as if it was made to blend with the shadows.
He then picked up his cloak that conceals his presence and tied it properly.
"This outfit... you're going to use this for what I have in mind?" Cristine asked, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity and caution.
Strax gave an enigmatic smile, adjusting the gloves he had just put on. "I always prepare for the worst. And from your tone, it seems I'm about to get into something complicated."
"It's more than complicated." Cristine replied, her gaze becoming more serious. "It's dangerous."
Strax didn't seem unsettled. He looked at her for a moment, as if weighing her words. "Then let's do this quickly." He said finally, his tone cold but determined.
Cristine nodded, her face relaxing a bit. She was clearly relieved that he agreed without further questions. "We don't have much time. Follow me."
She turned to leave, but before crossing the door, she cast one last look at Samira. "Will you be alright?" Samira nodded silently, "I'll let them know what happened here..." She murmured.
Strax cast one last glance at her before following Cristine. Something in his gaze seemed to promise he would return.
...
Strax and Cristine descended the inn's stairs at a brisk pace, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The soft lighting from the old lamps cast dancing shadows around them, creating an almost theatrical atmosphere for the conversation they were about to have.
"I need to go where my sister is," Cristine said, her voice calm and determined, but with a note of urgency that couldn't be ignored.
Strax stopped abruptly, surprise written on his face. "Your sister? You never mentioned you had a sister."
Cristine glanced at him fleetingly, as if considering the best way to respond. "There are many things you don't know about me," she said enigmatically, maintaining her composure. "But now is not the time for lengthy conversations."
"So, where exactly is your sister?" Strax asked, trying to regain his pace as he continued down the stairs.
He wanted to understand what she meant by 'Revenge.'
"She's in a secure location, but I can't reveal the exact place for security reasons. What matters is that we need to reach her so we can discuss the revenge I mentioned," Cristine explained, her voice now a bit softer but still firm.
Strax furrowed his brow, his expression a mix of surprise and caution. "And what is her role in this plan? Why is it so crucial to find her now?"
Cristine sighed, seeming to ponder whether she should reveal more details. "She's also involved in the revenge... it's a complicated story... I wanted her to count on me, but I don't know if I can speak for her..."
Strax nodded, his mind beginning to process the new information. "I see. And what about security? Are you sure she's safe where she is?"
"Yes, she's well-protected, but time is critical; they can't realize I've left my post. We need to act quickly before something happens," Cristine replied, her tone growing more urgent. "We just need to return quickly."
[A legendary quest appeared: Help Cristine and ********* complete their revenge against the Black Alliance.]
'Black Alliance... the managers of the shadow guilds... What is she involved in?' He thought clearly before finally speaking.
"Let's go then," Strax said, his tone now clearer. He wanted to know more about her, so... "I'm ready to go wherever necessary."
Cristine gave him a brief smile and nodded. "Great. Let's proceed."
...
As they walked down the busy street, Cristine began to detail the situation.
The morning sun cast a golden light over the old buildings.
"Heliot Azalea is not just a former cook," Cristine began, her voice laden with seriousness. "He is deeply involved with the illegal auction that is happening now."
Strax gave her a keen look, his pace slowing. "Illegal auction? I see... I know someone who wants to buy something there..."
"Someone?" She asked.
"A friend I made during the trip... wants a rare ingredient," he commented indifferently. Cristine nodded, signaling that they should keep moving as she spoke.
"This auction deals in forbidden items and valuable information. Heliot is one of the main intermediaries, and he has crucial information about the deaths of your brothers."
"Yes, we already suspected that. The mission is precisely about this," he said.
Cristine looked at him with a penetrating gaze, her tone becoming graver. "Heliot also has in his possession a detailed map of the entire Vorah mansion. He knows exactly how the place is structured, its weak points, and how to access restricted areas. Furthermore, he has information about the circumstances of your brothers' deaths that no one else has... like who killed them."
"So, if he has this information, does that mean he wants to sell it to the highest bidder?" He asked, almost laughing.
"Your family isn't well-regarded, if you know what I mean. Even the king himself would love to have such a map and information. I know because I'm a close friend and would never do that, but it's worth a lot of money... no wonder he wants it," she commented, seeming more relaxed now.
Strax and Cristine continued walking, crossing the city streets that were beginning to come to life as the day progressed.
They headed toward an area that seemed increasingly desolate and deteriorated.
The surroundings grew darker, and the buildings older and more worn, creating a scene that seemed out of time.
"We're almost there," Cristine said, her voice carrying a tone of determination. She guided Strax confidently, knowing exactly where she was going.
Finally, they reached a hidden entrance between two worn walls. The opening was covered by a dilapidated wooden structure, almost invisible to anyone who didn't know what to look for. Cristine pushed the wood aside with ease, revealing a narrow, dark tunnel.
Strax hesitated for a moment before following Cristine into the tunnel. The air was cold and damp, and the echo of their footsteps seemed to amplify the feeling of claustrophobia. The tunnel seemed endless, its stone walls covered in moss and dirt.
After a long stretch of walking, they reached an opening. The dim light of a fire ahead cast dancing shadows on the tunnel walls, creating an eerie atmosphere. Cristine and Strax proceeded cautiously, their eyes adjusting to the flickering light.
When they arrived at the fire's location, Strax was stunned to see the figure sitting by the flames.
The person was identical to Cristine: same appearance, same posture, a perfect reflection.
The woman had a serene, introspective look, as if in deep meditation.
"Who is she?" Strax asked, his voice low and full of surprise.
Cristine approached with a mixed look of determination and nervousness. "This is my sister, Yennifer Blair..."
The woman identical to Cristine looked up, her eyes meeting Strax's.
"Cristine, you're late..." Yennifer said with a calm tone but a slight tremor in her voice. "You were lucky they didn't come to check if we were doing our job." She murmured, annoyed...
"Job?" Strax asked, "We have to survey all the entrances to the auction and..."
"We're at one of them."