The Warlord's Second Life As A Commoner : 015

A thick morning fog shrouded the devastated village, hiding the ruined houses and muddy streets. Small fires still burned in some places, remnants of attacks left behind by the Order of the Dawn. Lucian stood in the center of the village, his body stiff from a night of battle. The remnants of the masked man's staff blast flashed in his mind. The figure, though his face was hidden, exuded an aura that was very familiar to him.

"My mind can't let go of the image of that man," Lucian muttered to Alden, who stood beside him, staring blankly at the ruins.

Alden shrugged, though there was concern in his eyes. "You're not alone. This guy... feels like more than just an occasional threat."

Prince Heracles approached, accompanied by his trusted bodyguards. His silver armor still shone despite the bloodstains in places. "The Order of Dusk has gone too far," he said, his voice full of authority. "Not only did they destroy the village, they left us a message. But they made a mistake - every step they took left a trail."

Lucian looked at Heracles. "What's our next plan?"

"We find their base," Heracles replied without hesitation. "But it won't be easy. They are shadows, always moving, always hiding. We need someone to guide us."

Eris, who had just finished helping the injured villagers, approached, her face tense. "I know where to go," she said. "There is an informant in the southern port city. He is often called 'Shadow Chain'. He is known as an information trader who knows a lot about the underworld. If anyone knows where the Order of the Dawn is hiding, it's him."

Heracles looked at Eris with a raised eyebrow. "Shadow Chain? An information trader? Can she be trusted?"

"She favors no one," Eris replied. "All he cares about is profit. If we have something valuable enough, he'll talk."

Lucian nodded slowly. "Then we must move. The longer we wait, the closer they'll get to the Twilight Sword."

The group immediately headed south, leaving the ruined village behind. The journey to the port city took two full days, through open grasslands and paths between dense forests. Throughout the journey, the atmosphere was tense. Heracles and his guards kept their distance while Lucian, Alden, and Eris talked quietly, discussing what they would do if they encountered the Chain of Shadows.

"We have to be careful," Eris said as they set up camp for the night. "The Chain of Shadows is someone very dangerous. He may seem like an ally, but he won't hesitate to betray us if a better offer comes along."

"Are you sure we can trust his information?" asked Alden skeptically.

"We have no choice," Eris replied. "Besides, I have ways of making sure she's giving us the right information."

That night, Lucian sat apart from the group, looking up at the stars hidden behind thick clouds. Inside him, a conflict raged. The masked man was not only a threat to this world - he was also a reminder of the old life he wanted to leave behind.

The port city they were heading to was a colorful place, but it was also full of hidden dangers. The bustling night market was filled with the shouts of merchants, the smell of spices mixed with the scent of sea salt, and the roar of waves crashing against the docks.

Lucian and his group walked through the narrow streets lit by oil lanterns, following Eris, who seemed to know where they were going. They finally came to an old warehouse at the end of the harbor, a dark and abandoned looking place.

Eris knocked on the door in a certain pattern. After a few seconds, the door opened to reveal a thin man with a grinning smile. His eyes were sharp as a hawk, scanning them one by one.

"You're late," he said in a joking tone.

"We're not here to play games," Eris replied firmly. "We need information on the Order of the Twilight."

The Shadow Chain chuckled. "Get to the point, will you? Very well. But this kind of information doesn't come cheap."

Eris took out a small pouch of gold coins and placed it on the table. "This is enough to get you started. If your information is useful, we'll pay more."

The man took the pouch, weighed it in his hand, then smiled with satisfaction. "Order of the Twilight, huh? I know a few things about them. They move quickly and set up bases in unexpected places. But there is one place that is often mentioned - an old underground ruin near Mount Aegis. It's supposed to be one of their sanctuaries."

Lucian narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure?"

The Shadow Chain looked at Lucian with a puzzled expression. "I don't sell lies, young man. When I say it's their place, it's true."

But before they could leave, the warehouse door was suddenly thrown open with a bang. A group of men wearing black robes and carrying magical weapons entered the room. One of them was the masked man they had encountered in the village.

"You really don't know when to stop," he said in a cold tone.

Lucian immediately drew his sword and prepared for battle. "You again," he said in a low voice.

The masked man chuckled. "You think you can stop us? The Sword of Dusk will be ours, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

A battle erupted in the warehouse. Lucian and his friends fought with everything they had, while Heracles and his guards provided cover. But the masked man seemed to have other plans.

In the midst of the chaos, he struck the ground with his staff, causing a huge explosion that partially destroyed the warehouse. When the dust cleared, he and his men were gone.

Lucian panted as he stood amidst the rubble. "They know we're here," he said, his voice heavy. "We have to get to Mount Aegis."

Heracles nodded. "We can't waste any more time. We have to stop them before it's too late."

With hearts full of determination, Lucian, Heracles, and their party left the port city and began a new journey toward Mount Aegis. But in his heart, Lucian knew that the battle against the Order of the Twilight had only just begun, and that greater dangers lay ahead.