Chapter 52 Calm Before the Storm

Roark with few of his members urgently proceed with Cleo's orders. After the huge man left the hideout, Cleo decides to survey the area to check their combat abilities. As Cleo expected only a handful of members were on the 2nd job stage.

Aside from Roark itself whose a Berserker, there's an Assassin, a Rogue and a Trapper. Cleo is the most interested on the Trapper since this is the first time he meet one in person. After surveying the area Cleo approach the Trapper whose chatting with the other members near a bonfire. Though he stops mid way when he realize he didn't actually know how to start a conversation unless the other party initiated it.

Most of the time in his previous world he spent it alone before he met Leah and due to Leah's tendency they didn't really have any close friends either. He decides to just wait for Roark.

Cleo activated his borrowed Reaper's Eyes again to take a mental note of this Trapper.

[Phraan] [Lv. 41]

[Race: Elf]

[Job: Trapper]

[Class Skill]

Bow Mastery | Bow Mastery | Focus Shot | Double Shot | Set Trap | Detect | Camouflage | Snipe

The frail elf notice Cleo's stare and a shiver run down his spine. He audibly sigh when he saw that Cleo turn around and walk away.

Cleo heads out to survey the other bandit hideouts. Unlike Lion's Mouth he felt a more ominous aura around them. His instinct urge him to avoid them for now.

Ordinary members ranges from Lv40 to Lv50 meaning there's a possibility that their leaders are currently at 3rd Job. He didn't have his Stage 1 God's Gift active right now since he's away with to Leah.

Though even with it active giving both of them effectively 12 Lv. boost, defeating multiple 2nd Job and a potential 3rd Job will be next to impossible with their current party.

Now that he thought about it. He will make it a priority to reach 3rd job and unlock their Stage 3 as soon as they're finish dealing with Camilla.

After an exhausting day of surveying. Cleo camps out near the Lion's Mouth hideout. Since he didn't fully trust these bandits so it'll easy to escape just in case they try something stupid.

Cleo was having a hard time sleeping because they were already used to having a lookout however exhaustion caught to him in no time.

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In a shabby looking abandoned shack. Multiple voices can be heard having a conversation.

"Tell us about how Camilla fights." ordered by Leah to the injured elf.

"She's a monster..."

"We already knew that!" exclaimed by the impatient red headed woman while pointing a sword at the injured elf.

"W-wait let me finish." replied by Clyde. "I'm not only saying that because she's strong." he added.

Leah lowers her sword a little and remain silent to let Clyde talk.

"What I meant is, like a monster she finds thrill in fighting someone as strong as her." explained by Clyde. "We can use her thirst for battle to lure her out." he added.

Valerie's expression darkened. If the rumors were true unless its a God's Chosen or the King itself they were not acquainted to anyone who can defeat Camilla in a duel.

The injured elf noticed Valerie's expression and gave a faint smile.

"I know what you're thinking. This is why I need to have a conversation with Hallows Guild. They have a member that is also an Asura." says by Clyde. "Let's just hope Cleo succeeds." he added.

"What do you mean also?" asked by the confused raven haired girl.

"Camilla Crow is not a Knight, she never was." explained by Clyde.

Valerie's eye widened with the injured elf's revelation. Her entire lifetime and even at the academy, everyone knew Camilla is at the Swordsman Path not the Barbarian Path.

"Stop with the lies!" shouted by Valerie.

"Why would I lie? I fought her myself. Tell me is there a knight capable of releasing Asurendra's first blessing?" Clyde retorted with a question. "I suspect the King of Lavierre Kingdom hid this as his trump card but alas with Camilla's unhinged behavior even if they tried their best to hide this information it'll leak out eventually." he added.

This further made Valerie to lose faith in the justice system and to the kingdom itself. If they can hide something this big from the public, imagine what other things their hiding which reminds her of Arthur's brother.

"If you're telling the truth how can you be so sure that the Hallows Guild will accept our request? Releasing the first blessing of Asurendra cost life force." says by Valerie.

"Hoh... You knew a lot for a mere Crusader from a Guild that's not in the top 3." says by Clyde in a tone with a hint of respect.

Valerie's face contorts and bit her lips at Clyde's remarks assuming he said it to mock her.

"Don't get me wrong, I just find it impressive. You have to understand that the Asura class is almost exclusive to Zirracania region." says by Clyde to clear the misunderstanding.

Seeing Valerie's face relaxes, Clyde continue with his talk.

"Now to answer your previous question. The leader of Hallows Guild owes me a lot." says by Clyde. "If not for my Shadow Unit they won't have full control of Venundarr." he added.

Clyde's most valuable asset is his Shadow Unit.

He may be prideful and ambitious but he knew his Shadow Unit tremendously helped him achieve his current status.

However his Shadow Unit are either dead or detained by now except for Sylvia. This is the reason why he decided to team up with Cleo and his party.

They spent the entire day discussing the different strategies they can use against Camilla to take her down.

After a fruitful day all of them started to feel exhausted especially Clyde who not long ago fought the monster itself.

They decided to call it a day. Since Cleo's party didn't fully trust Clyde yet, they assign a shifting lookout for every 2 hours. Valerie volunteered to take the first watch while Leah and Anna sleep.