yasinovel Chapter 135 Hick's Arrangements and Speculations
Chapter 135 Hick's Arrangements and Speculations
Chapter 136 Hick's Arrangements and Speculations
He had originally planned to go to the social gathering in person to see what was going on and to observe firsthand what the Arnold family and the Eternal Tower were up to!
Let's see if we can find any interesting loopholes or grab some unexpected benefits along the way.
Now, Lilith and Hughes have returned, giving him an even clearer and more justifiable reason to intervene!
Of course, I can't go in person —
This was no longer just out of curiosity, but had become a legitimate job of "being commissioned" and "providing paid services," and might even lead to access to deeper and more alluring secrets behind the "sanctuary" and the "outsiders." This deal seemed like a good deal no matter how you looked at it.
"It seems that our cooperation is more necessary than I thought."
Hick spoke slowly, breaking the silence between the two as they digested the explosive information about Anse Academy. His voice was steady, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness, as if he had already seen the whole picture.
"To sneak into the core area of Anse Academy undetected, and under countless eyes during the social gathering, precisely pick out the culprit from a group of elite wizards, someone whose identity is unknown." —
This is not something that you two can accomplish with your limited strength and almost complete lack of information about the area.
Especially since you have absolutely no idea about the basic rules, architectural layout, or which powerful figures are in charge there, forcing your way in would be tantamount to walking into a trap.
He took a small step forward, and the lazy, scrutinizing aura around him quietly faded away, replaced by an invisible yet powerful sense of control, as if he had instantly transformed from an outside observer into a master strategist.
"Get ready."
Hick's voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling, authoritative authority that resonated clearly throughout the cave.
"Later, I will have Sean accompany you to Anse Academy. I will remotely plan the specific operation, infiltration method, contact timing, and even the retreat route."
All you need to remember is your promise—this time, you will follow my orders and not act on your own initiative without my permission.
Ultimately, all you need to do is tell me what specific thing or information you want to get from that target, and—
"Prepare in advance the substantial amount of your church's payment required for this project. I hope this payment will truly reflect the difficulty of the objective and your sincere commitment to cooperation."
His gaze swept coldly over the compass in Hughes's hand, which was still trembling slightly, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible mockery.
"I hope that when you get to Anse Academy, a place with complex and chaotic energy fields and layers upon layers of protective magic arrays, it will still be as 'precise' as it was in the Silent Forest, and won't let you down at crucial moments."
"We understand, Your Excellency Schick."
Lilith lowered her head first, desperately concealing all the resentment, humiliation, and complex emotions in her eyes, forcing herself to show complete obedience.
Circumstances dictate that they are in a position to beg for help, leaving them with no choice but to accept.
"I'll do whatever you say."
Hughes quickly bowed and echoed, his tone even carrying a hint of overly deliberate flattery, as if afraid he wouldn't express it enough: "Yes, yes, it's entirely up to Your Excellency Hick! Whatever you say, we'll do! Without a second thought!"
Hick said no more, turned his head slightly, and whispered a few quick instructions to the most shadowy, deserted spot in the cave.
The voice was muffled and the speech was extremely fast, as if it were an efficient and secretive telepathic communication with some unseen entity.
A moment later, the familiar, pure white, faceless humanoid figure—Sean—stepped silently and smoothly out of the shadows behind Hick, standing still like a weightless ghost, awaiting instructions.
"Sean will be with you."
Hick's self-light swept indifferently over Lilith and Hughes, finally landing on Sean, who stood motionless, as if he were merely a humanoid tool.
"He will be responsible for transmitting my specific instructions in real time, ensuring the coordination and accuracy of our actions. At the same time, his unique form and characteristics can also help you to some extent circumvent the academy's conventional energy detection and life perception methods, providing you with some conveniences that you do not have."
He paused, then added, his tone carrying an undeniable, chilling warning, as cold as ice: "Remember, once you reach the outskirts of Anse Academy, find a safe and absolutely secluded place to stay immediately, and don't attract any attention."
All subsequent actions must strictly follow every step of the arrangements I have made through Sean, and there must be no unauthorized actions!
In particular, it is strictly forbidden to use your compass for any large-scale or in-depth energy probing without my explicit permission!
Anse Academy is not a silent forest where you can act with impunity. It is a place where hidden dangers lurk and the waters run deep. Disturbing anyone you shouldn't, or causing your target to escape again due to your recklessness—
You will bear all the consequences; I will not be responsible for your stupidity.
Lilith and Hughes both felt a chill run down their spines, a fine layer of cold sweat instantly breaking out on their backs. They nodded frantically, swearing as if making a solemn vow: "Yes! Yes! We will strictly follow your orders! We would never dare to act without authorization! Please rest assured!"
They had no doubt that if they dared to disobey the man's wishes and ruin his plans, they would be punished by the organizations behind him who wanted to cultivate a good relationship with this Hick, or even those with other motives.
"Alright, let's go."
Hick seemed to lose all interest instantly, waving his hand listlessly as if he were just sending them on a trivial and tedious errand, too lazy to even glance at them.
"Upon reaching the outskirts of the academy, maintain utmost silence, settle down, and then patiently await my further instructions. Without my orders, remain as still as a stone."
"Understood, Your Excellency Hick."
Lilith and Hughes nodded simultaneously, responding respectfully without the slightest hesitation.
Watching Lilith and Hughes follow Sean away and eventually disappear into the depths of the dark tunnel, Hick stood there, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
"The Arnold family's actions this time are so unusual and secretive, something seems off. Could it be... that they're also involved with the 'mastermind' their sanctuary is looking for? Or perhaps... that 'mastermind' is actually in their ranks?"
Thinking of this, Hick's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had caught some crucial possibility.
"Very likely! The timing, location, and motive are all too coincidental!"
Thinking of the social gathering soon to take place at Anse Academy, hosted by the Tower of Eternity, a cold, amused, and expectant smirk crept onto Hick's lips.
"Justice? Order? Hmph, since you're so eager to stir up trouble and target me for investigation, I don't mind personally getting involved and letting you put your own ideas into practice!"
"By the way, this is a good opportunity to verify whether your Arnold family—or the person you're trying to protect—truly possesses what the Sanctuary seeks!"
Then, Hick turned around and headed straight for the core laboratory deep inside the cave, which had always been under Ginny's management.
The air inside the laboratory was cold and clean, filled with the scents of various potions and energy solutions. Complex instruments operated silently, emitting a faint glow.
"How much longer?"
Hick looked at the giant egg in the center of the laboratory, surrounded by countless energy conduits and rune arrays, exuding a dense, dark aura, and asked Ginny, who was focused on recording data beside him.
Ginny looked up, adjusted her crystal glasses, and said cautiously and conservatively, "With the adults supplying the highest quality Shadow Gems and Negative Energy Crystals at any cost, the incubation process has been greatly accelerated. But currently, it seems that at most another fifteen days are needed before this Shadow Dragon egg completes the final stage of incubation!"
"Fifteen days? That's much faster than I expected, so it's acceptable."
Hick's face did not show any surprise; instead, an uncontrollable excitement and even fanaticism surged forth!
He stared at the dragon egg that seemed to be pulsating slightly as if it were alive, and murmured to himself, as if speaking to someone who was not present.
"A true dragon, flowing with ancient power!! It will soon descend upon the world! Mentor! Your experimental concept will soon—be realized in my hands!"
Kingdom of Saipu, Anse Academy.
Sunlight streamed through the huge arched windows, and wine was served in the gleaming stone-paved corridor.
Kyle maintained a gentle and polite smile as he exchanged pleasantries with several other family apprentices he encountered, subtly probing them to try and glean more information about the mysterious "man in black."
However, after failing to find any reliable clues, he overheard a piece of news from several apprentices who were excitedly discussing recent events. It sent chills down his spine and made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar!
Not long ago, a joint team of over a hundred people from Anse Academy and the Tower of Eternity was brutally attacked twice by what appeared to be the same group of men in black, resulting in their near annihilation!
It is said that only two people from Anse Academy survived!
Upon hearing this news, Kyle's smile instantly froze, all color drained from his face, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
Such an unscrupulous and terrifyingly powerful unknown force has actually attacked two major organizations in succession!
If the Arnold family's group had encountered this group on the road—the consequences would have been unimaginable!
The more Kyle thought about it, the more terrified he became. He could no longer maintain his composure and hurriedly returned to the family rest area, almost unsteady on his feet. He had to immediately send this message back to the family in encrypted form!
At the same time, he sternly warned his sister Sena to never again be curious about the "Men in Black" and to stay as far away from all related matters as possible!
However, when he rushed back to his tower suite to rest, he did not see his sister Sena.
He suppressed his unease and was about to contact his family to guess that his sister might have run off somewhere to play.
Just then, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open, and a family guard rushed in, his face pale and panting, his eyes filled with unprecedented panic!
The moment the guard saw Kyle, he seemed to have found his anchor, or perhaps he had witnessed something far more terrifying; his voice trembled violently: "Young Master! Something terrible has happened! Miss Sena—she—she—"