‘That artifact can establish a passage between planes… Whose plan is it?’
A large amount of names appeared in Marvin’s mind.
A similar event also happened in his previous life. But Marvin didn’t know whose work it was.
After all, there were a few planes relatively close to Feinan that could open a temporary passage.
Underworld, Abyss, Hell… They were all possible choices.
Putting this conspiracy behind, Marvin was now facing a serious problem.
If he couldn’t get into Kassemuir, he wouldn’t be able to implement his plan.
This made him feel quite troubled.
But at that time, a group of people suddenly proclaimed, “The Holy Maiden returned!”
“She went to investigate the circumstances of the White Deer’s murder. There must have been results since she came back.”
Marvin turned his head, only to see a white-clothed woman slowly walking back from the desert.
He had a kind of special feeling when he saw her.
This feeling was very similar to when he looked at Daniela.
__________
T/N: The Bai of the Bai clan means white. It is the same character as the white from the white deer. Knowledge +1!
Chapter 217: Assassin Alliance
Chapter 217: Assassin Alliance
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
The Holy Maiden walked over from the desert, two Bai clansmen silently following behind her.
Scimitar Fighters.
The scimitar skills of the Bai clansmen were known throughout the entire continent. Scimitar Fighter was also one of the defining classes of the Bai clansmen, just like the Sha’s Battle Gunner.
The two Scimitar Fighters were each holding someone.
They seemed to be prisoners.
They looked sturdy, but they were now covered with cuts and bruises and their mouths were sealed with rubber tape.
The Holy Maiden stopped on the outskirts of Kassemuir and looked at the people gathered. At the same time, guards from Kassemuir also came to welcome them.
“I already found the White Deer’s murderers. It was these two adventurers.”
“As a punishment, I’ll will execute these two people in front of all the outsiders.”
The guards nodded.
Everyone moved away, forming a circle.
Many people from the small town watched the scene.
Marvin instinctively felt something wrong.
He pulled Isabelle’s small hand and lightly retreated, escaping to a place where that Holy Maiden’s line of sight couldn’t reach.
This Holy Maiden gave him a strange feeling.
Usually, the Bai Clan’s Holy Maiden served the White Deer Holy Spirit, and she would seldomly roam around in front of everyone. It would usually be the Bai clansmen’s priest who would step forward in public.
Even if the matter was this big, there was no need to make an appearance, was there?
As Marvin was hesitating, a burst of cheers could be heard from the crowd.
Obviously, those sturdy guys had already been beheaded.
Blood splashed on the ground.
The fury of the Bai clansmen had been lessened and the Holy Maiden suggested removing the state of martial law on Kassemuir.
Groups began to enter the small town one after the other.
The Holy Maiden glanced at the crowd.
Afterwards, she entered the town with small steps and soon disappeared from everyone’s sight.
…
For the travelers, what happened might have just been a brief interlude.
But for Marvin, this was a major event.
People killing White Deers… This meant that the White Deer Cave was about to open. ‘Should I join the fray?’
If by any chance he was considered the murderer by the White Deer Holy Spirit, that would certainly be extremely unlucky. But what if he took advantage of the fight between the White Deer Holy Spirit and the murderer to get to that treasure first?
To be honest, Marvin was a bit tempted, but he still had to weigh the risks and the benefits.
‘Forget it. This thing feels a bit strange, and I still have to deal with my matters first.’
Marvin no longer hesitated. He waited until the Holy Maiden disappeared from sight before entering the small town.
…
Kassemuir, the brightest Pearl of the Saint Desert.
The most unique buildings of the Bai clansmen were built in this place, specialized cottages built to resist sandstorms, giving the impression of being in a different country.
Each region in Feinan had their own customs. Even if they were both in the south, the desert area felt very different from the East Coast.
The women here were wearing veils, and were usually tightly covered. This was common among the Bai clansmen.
But they did not reject foreigners’ strange clothings. Kassemuir was regarded as a forgiving town, unlike some extreme areas in the Saint Desert where outsiders were viewed as fiends.
Marvin brought Isabelle throughout Kassemuir. The two first went to replenish their supplies of food and water.
After walking in the desert for so many days, the young girl was truly exhausted. He let her rest for a day.
The next morning, Marvin carried Isabelle to an alley in the west side of the small town.
At the end of the alley was a small workshop apparently dealing some handicrafts.
The workshop owner was a one-eyed middle-aged man that everyone called One-Eyed Byrd.
“Want to purchase White Deer pottery?” The middle-aged man glanced at the two visitors and called out according to the usual practice.
All kinds of pottery were spread in the room.
Isabelle got interested.
The pottery had all kinds of styles of White Deers, and the decorations were also diverse. This kind of artwork was very rare in the East Coast. It was usually used to carry water, but of course, the ornamental value was a lot higher.
“Do you like those?” Marvin saw curiosity and longing in the eyes of the little girl for the first time.
“If you like them, then pick one.”
One-Eyed Byrd indifferently said, “One Wizard gold.”
Isabelle’s eyes instantly widened, she began to strongly shake her head.
Though a girl from an impoverished household, she knew what a Wizard gold meant.
How could it be used to buy just good looking pottery?
She felt it wasn’t worth it.
But she was even more surprised by Marvin unhesitantly taking out a Wizard gold and handing it over.
“Pick one,” Marvin said while giving her a wink. “This isn’t just buying pottery, it’s a part of the tuition fees.”
Hearing this, One-Eyed Byrd suddenly raised his head and seriously looked at Isabelle.
The young girl was somewhat at a loss, so she looked at Marvin and ended up slowly nodding.
Since Lord Marvin already paid, she had to pick the best.
Then, she began to check through all of them, starting from the entrance. Her actions were very serious, spending a lot of time checking each piece of pottery before picking the one she liked the most.
This process took over 20 minutes.
During that time, Marvin and the one-eyed shopkeeper didn’t say a word.
Isabelle carefully held that pot. A leaping White Deer was painted on it.
“This one?” Marvin patted her head.
The young girl nodded. Some excitement could be seen in her eyes.
It was the first time someone gave her such a good-looking gift.
“Take good care of it,” Marvin faintly said, “We might not meet for a very long time.”
“There will be many things that you’ll have to face alone. Are you confident?”
Isabelle nodded.
Before they left, Marvin had already asked her opinion.
At that time, One-Eyed
Byrd said, “Handing such a young girl to the Shadow Valley… That’s cruel.”
“Shadow Valley never lacked kids her age, did it?” Marvin looked at him.
“I need to take a look at the Alliance permit,” requested Byrd dully.
Marvin quietly took out his proof of identity.
“White River Valley’s Baron Marvin, so it turns out to be you.”
“Your reputation has spread around the desert recently.”
“I didn’t expect you to be even younger than I thought.” Byrd looked at Marvin with a surprised expression.
Marvin stayed silent. Rumors about him spread way too fast. The matter of borrowing a huge amount of money to develop new territory attracted countless eyes.
His original Overlord status was enough to make people spread news of his achievements. Now, Marvin was a well-known person throughout East Coast.
Many young men would take Marvin as an example, hoping to become a member of the main forces of the wilderness clearing army by training their martial skills.
Even if they couldn’t become new nobility, they could mix with vassal Knights.
It was said that the reward for Marvin not only included his Viscount title, but also the right to confer a title upon a subordinate.
The qualification to have two vassals.
But during this wilderness clearing campaign, Marvin didn’t rely too much on other people, so there weren’t many people he could choose from. So for now, he simply set it aside.
…
After they had a simple negotiation, Marvin finished the first formalities on behalf of Isabelle.
Next was going to the Shadow Valley.
Marvin wasn’t worried about this. One-Eyed Byrd naturally had his ways as an intermediary of the Assassin Alliance.
Soon, Byrd closed his handicraft shop and brought two camels from the backyard. He lead Marvin and Isabelle and left Kassemuir.
The three rode the camels westward. A long and endless chain of mountains soon appeared in the distance.
These mountains extended all the way across the middle of the Saint Desert, making this area’s terrain even more complicated.
Vegetation was sparse on the mountain range.
Two hours later, the group of three stood at the entrance of a valley.
Shadow Valley.
The Assassin Alliance’s Headquarters.
“Let’s go.” Byrd mumbled and rode his camel inside first.
Marvin and Isabelle followed closely behind.
After Byrd showed a pass, two black clothed men let him go through.
They advanced through the valley, looking at the pretty scenery on both sides.
They saw countless children entangled in a heated battle on the sandy dunes, fighting each other in desperate struggles.
Each of them was holding straight daggers.
Only one child was successful, while the rest died under the daggers.
This was the Apprentice Assassin’s test.
Marvin had also come here before.
As the Southern Wizard Alliance’s affiliated organization, the Assassin Alliance was a well-known Assassin nurturing spot. This place was an Assassin’s paradise. Regardless of what you wanted to advance to, they would satisfy your needs.
Phantom Assassin, Ace Assassin, Blood Assassin… Many Assassin advancements could be completed here.
Marvin also advanced to Phantom Assassin in this place before ultimately walking the road of the Ruler of the Night.
The group of three finally stopped in front of a dome-shaped building.
“We will go in. I’ll take her along to handle the procedures.”
“Since this is a candidate recommended by a noble of the Alliance, she can be excused from the first test and can directly become an Apprentice Assassin.”
“But I can’t guarantee that she will stay alive,” Byrd cautioned as he took a glance at Isabelle holding her pottery.
Marvin nodded.
“You can leave. The Shadow Valley isn’t too welcoming towards outsiders,” Byrd told Marvin. “If she dies, we will inform you.”
“Otherwise you can come see her once tomorrow.”
Marvin smiled. “We both know there is another case.”
Byrd looking at Marvin in mild surprise and mumbled, “Yeah… If she graduates early, that would be another case.”
“Anyways, leave, the guards won’t bear it for too long.”
He couldn’t have expected that Marvin would simply laugh and shake his head. “Bringing her here isn’t the only reason I came to the Shadow Valley.”
But his next words shocked all the people nearby.
“I want to participate in the King Assassin’s challenge.”
Chapter 218: King Assassin
Chapter 218: King Assassin
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
“King Assassin’s challenge?”
One-Eyed Byrd checked Marvin out and couldn’t help but say, “If I’m not wrong, you should be a Ranger?”
Marvin nodded and casually replied, “Doesn’t the rule specify that every rogue class can participate?”
One-Eyed Byrd scratched his head, somewhat at a loss.
Rules are one thing, but it was actually the first time this kind of situation had happened.
A Ranger challenging the King Assassin’s challenge? This wasn’t an error?
A few military instructors in charge of training the Apprentice Assassins apparently heard the two’s conversation, and walked over.
They surrounded Marvin. And a few Scimitar Fighters in charge of the order also joined in the encirclement.
One of them, an extremely arrogant Bai Scimitar Fighter, said, “You want to participate in the King Assassin’s challenge?”
“You first have to ask my scimitar…”
However, he didn’t get to finish his words before Marvin made a move at lightning speed!
Shadow Step!
The distance between them shortened in an instant.
Marvin made a clean chop with his hand and the other painfully howled, dropping the scimitar.
At that time, Marvin took advantage of the opportunity.
Edge Snatch successful!
“Clang!” He slashed backwards at the other arm of the fighter!
The Scimitar Fighter’s complexion paled.
Marvin was really too fast. In that instant, none of them could even react before he finished his slash!
Thankfully, Marvin used the back of the weapon, or else that guy wouldn’t have been able to keep his arm.
“Shling!” The others all drew their weapons at the same time, coldly looking at Marvin.
The Scimitar in Marvin’s hand turned and returned to its owner as Marvin calmly asked, “Is this the way Bai clansmen meet a challenger?”
There seemed to be a leader among the military instructors. He looked at Byrd. “One-Eyed, this is the person you brought. Make a decision.”
Byrd shrugged. “According to the rules, Rangers are indeed qualified to participate in the King Assassin’s challenge.”
That military instructor sneered, “Good. In that case, let him participate.”
“I’ll personally be in charge of his first trial.”
Once these words were spoken, they all looked at Marvin with sympathy.
Even if Marvin’s quick move intimidated people, it was more or less a sneak attack. And that Scimitar Fighter he’d attacked was merely at the 2nd rank.
But this military instructor was a person of importance in the Shadow Valley. He was level 15, and had Master proficiency with his daggers. He would be able to promote to a 4th rank powerhouse at any time!
If he was in charge of the first trial, this random Ranger would definitely be hopeless.
Byrd faintly frowned and looked at Marvin.
Marvin said, quite relaxed, “Just follow the rules.”
…
King Assassin’s challenge.
This was a c
hallenge with a long history. Ever since the Shadow Valley was founded, that place had welcomed challengers almost daily.
But these challengers were all Assassins.
Even if Rangers like Marvin were also rogues, they were in totally different worlds. After so many years, it could be considered the first time one attempted the King Assassin’s challenge.
That information spread across the Shadow Valley very quickly.
All the people who had some free time came to watch.
This was a sort of invisible pressure on those that attempted the challenge.
But this challenge already included a test of the ability to react under high pressure in all kinds of situations.
As for Marvin, he disregarded the other people’s whispers. It wouldn’t be able to influence him!
‘If it wasn’t to get a hold of the [Dark Hole] pass, I wouldn’t feel like challenging the King Assassin’s challenge.’
‘I only have to accomplish two or more trials to obtain the Assassin Alliance’s acknowledgement and receive a pass.”
The Dark Hole was a secret path leading to the Underdark, the world under the surface.
Marvin had no interest in exploring the Underdark for the moment. But through the Dark Hole, he could find an underground river. By following this underground river he could directly cross the Saint Desert and arrive at Rocky Mountain.
Going there through the Underdark was a lot quicker, and what he lacked the most right now was time. As soon as he arrived at Rocky Mountain, his ultimate goal was to find a Source of Fire’s Order.
But he also recalled that the King Assassin’s challenge wasn’t without its own benefits.
He recalled that each winner could obtain a level in Straight Dagger mastery.
This ability might not look useful to Marvin, since after all, he was using curved daggers at the moment. But once he advanced to Ruler of the Night, if he had both Legend level Curved Dagger Mastery and Straight Dagger Mastery, then these two masteries would fuse and turn into a Legend level [Short Weapons Mastery].
At that time, he would be able to freely switch between Curved Daggers and Straight Daggers, the only prerequisite being that his hands needed to be fast enough, or else he would need an item for quick weapon switching.
Regardless, Marvin had to participate in the King Assassin’s challenge.
Night Ranger - Full Series - 735 Chapters Page 132
