Book 11: Chapter 61: The Hidden Clash

“Qin Lun, since we need people to deal with the bunch of High Rank and Legendary members in Zhentarim, why didn’t we tell the truth to Hand of Light?” Seeing Conan leave unwillingly, Rand asked with some confusion.

“Being prepared is different from being unprepared. The members of Zhentarim are all old hands skilled in assassination. They could tell whether the defense of Palace of the High had changed.”

Before Qin Lun could answer, Hill smiled and replied, “If Hand of Light knew the inside story, their next actions would definitely block Zhentarim’s way into Palace of the High. How could we benefit then? As for manpower… once the celebration starts, would Palace of the High be short of cannon fodder?”

“Whatever. Being with you two always makes me feel like my brain cells aren’t enough.” Rand waved his hand dismissively, took a cup of wine, and headed to the central courtyard. These days he especially liked staying there quietly after lunch.

“Qin Lun…” Hill suddenly gestured toward the door with his chin. Shortly after Rand left, just as Qin Lun and he were about to finish lunch, Linda and Laini appeared at the bar entrance and walked toward their table.

“It really is lively tonight!” Qin Lun smiled helplessly at Hill.

Golden Oak was not only famous for the ancient oak tree in its central courtyard, but their ale was also very good. Since Qin Lun’s group stayed at Golden Oak, even Iristin and Idria often came over for a couple of drinks.

However, Linda and Laini among them had never come once. It wasn’t that Qin Lun and the others hadn’t invited them. But young Linda said she didn’t drink alcohol, and Great Sage Laini, who was also a bookworm, abstained completely from alcohol. She spent all day in the study holding several thick books to research.

“Get us two glasses of juice!” Linda ordered the waiter, then pulled Laini to sit at the table.

The Great Sage seemed to have been dragged here by Linda. Even at the bar, she still held a magic book titled “On the Six Stable Structures of the Void Storm.” Her eyes seemed not to notice Qin Lun and Hill at all, probably unaware of her surroundings.

“Ahem!” Linda coughed twice, pretending to be mature, and glanced sideways at the two. “The day after tomorrow is Silverymoon Celebration. Have you thought of a plan?”

“What plan?” Qin Lun looked up puzzled, with a blank expression at Linda.

“Cough, cough, cough!” Linda had just taken a sip of juice when Qin Lun’s words made her cough repeatedly. This time she was really choking, her pretty face turning as red as a Monkey’s bottom.

“It’s that… that one!” Linda was flustered and angry, shaking her fingers gesturing for a while, then suddenly remembered something and gradually calmed down. “Are you kidding me? What did we come all the way to Silverymoon for?”

“Wasn’t it for travel?” Hill looked at the two ladies from Candlekeep in surprise.

“Cough, cough, cough!” This time it wasn’t Linda coughing, but Laini.

Her excuse for insisting on following everyone to Silver Marches was to travel in Northlands. But being able to understand Hill’s teasing, it seemed the Great Sage’s mind wasn’t entirely on her book now.

Seeing the two beauties puffing their cheeks and glaring at them with wide eyes, Qin Lun and Hill both felt a slight sense of guilt. They probably shouldn’t bully such cute and silly ladies!

“Alright, we don’t have any plans. The news about Zhentarim plotting against Silverymoon Celebration should have been passed by Mastashia to that ‘Lady Hope.’ Probably nothing will happen!”

“Probably?” Linda and Laini looked at each other, their expressions quite helpless. This wasn’t the answer they wanted.

Linda and the other never revealed why they wanted to get involved in this mess. Candlekeep wasn’t Harpers Alliance. Besides ruins and books, they didn’t care about other things happening on the continent, nor did they have the peculiar justice concept like Hand of Light.

If Linda and the other didn’t tell the truth, even if they were a hundred times cuter, Qin Lun wouldn’t trust them. In fact, Qin Lun and Hill were still very wary of Linda.

Back then, Linda was just slightly curious about Sif, and she ended up badly tricking the Thornblood Trio, who had a good relationship with her.

Although she helped a lot along the way, her nature was not valuing friends’ lives—typical of someone who would get others killed without compensation. This young girl wasn’t as innocent and romantic as she appeared.

After the Thornblood Trio came out of Troll Claw, their relationship with Qin Lun actually improved a lot, while they barely spoke to Linda anymore. Their originally quite deep friendship completely disappeared.

The three separated public and private matters clearly. Qin Lun genuinely hired them; risking their lives for that was part of their duty. Besides, Qin Lun saved Winnie and Lago several times along the way.

Although Linda often pointed them to well-paying tasks, this time she wanted them to repay with their lives. No mercenary would feel favorable toward such a person.

Linda and Laini weren’t stupid. They clearly noticed something from Qin Lun’s cold attitude and immediately fell silent. Qin Lun didn’t owe them anything. Using Candlekeep’s teleportation array, he also paid the full price according to the rules; it wasn’t because of Linda’s face.

“Clatter, clatter, clatter!” Just as the atmosphere became awkward, a noisy sound came from the bar entrance. Several people looked up and saw a team of fully armed Silver Guards filing in.

Silver Guard was Silverymoon’s official army, divided into two parts. One part was heavy cavalry, equipped with full plate armor and knight greatswords, consisting of humans and elves. The other part was Silver Guards, consisting of humans and Dwarves.

The Silver Knights were very powerful in combat; most knights were warrior-class professionals. The wealthy city of Silverymoon armed them to the teeth. Starting from squad leader level, they already had magical armor and high-quality knight greatswords.

This team of Silver Guards entering Golden Oak mostly wore full plate armor, seemingly the most elite heavy knights. Qin Lun and Hill’s expressions changed slightly at the sight. The two Serial Killers habitually interpreted events from the worst possible angle.

The two glanced at each other warily, quietly lowered their heads to drink, but Hill had already contacted Rand through Team Channel, telling him to prepare for battle.

These Silver Knights seemed aware that their appearance affected the bar. They moved away from the entrance and stood by the walls and corners, allowing the bar patrons to relax a bit. Qin Lun and Hill also eased up slightly.

The leading knight captain scanned the room. When his eyes fell on Qin Lun’s table, his movement noticeably paused. He raised his hand and took off his helmet.

This was a Female Knight with short golden hair, an Elf. Her slightly androgynous face was full of heroic spirit, making Qin Lun and Hill unconsciously compare her to another temple knight—Idria.

Finally, they had to admit that in terms of appearance, Idria was slightly less attractive than her. Elves’ features were always more delicate than human women’s. However, Idria had experienced many life-and-death adventures now, her temperament slowly maturing. Her resilient character sometimes earned Qin Lun and Hill’s appreciation.

The Female Knight before them seemed more like Idria when she first started—obvious arrogance on her pretty face, sharp and prominent, like an unsheathed sword.

“Great Sage Laini!” The Female Knight walked over with a polite yet reserved smile. Reaching them, she placed a hand on her chest and bowed respectfully to Laini.

“You know me?” Laini pushed up her glasses and looked up at the Female Knight.

“Great Sage Laini, the City Lord just learned yesterday that you arrived in Silverymoon. She sent me to invite you and your companions to stay at Palace of the High and attend the celebration banquet the day after tomorrow.” The Female Knight replied respectfully.

“Elastor is still so polite!” Laini put down her book and sighed. “Looks like I won’t be able to read these few days. Young lady, what’s your name?”

“I am Annasilia Songweaver from the Songweaver family. It’s an honor to meet you, Great Sage Laini of Candlekeep!” When Laini asked her name, the Female Knight immediately straightened her chest, looking very honored.

“I haven’t asked about the other few…” After greeting Laini, the Female Knight’s gaze fell on the other three.

“I’m Linda. Nice to meet you!” Linda looked curiously at the Female Knight’s exquisite armor.

“Sorry, we’re just sharing a table with these two ladies. We’re not familiar.” Seeing the Female Knight look toward them, Qin Lun, who had been keeping his head down quietly, finally looked up with a polite smile, lying without changing expression.

Linda and Laini turned their heads in shock, while the Elf Female Knight clearly didn’t expect such an answer from Qin Lun, momentarily looking completely stunned. If she hadn’t received absolutely accurate intelligence, she might have been fooled by Qin Lun’s utterly sincere smile.

“This…” The Female Knight’s lack of experience in human interactions was fully exposed at this moment. Because Qin Lun didn’t follow the script, she instinctively looked toward Linda and Laini, her face full of pleading.

Seeing this, even steady Hill’s face twitched slightly, almost laughing himself sore, while gaining new respect for Qin Lun’s shamelessness.

“Then we won’t disturb. We can change tables.” Seeing Linda about to speak, Qin Lun gave her no chance. He directly stood up with Hill, blocking what she wanted to say.

“Prince Firal, please wait!” Seeing this, the Female Knight panicked and couldn’t help speaking to stop them. Inviting Laini wasn’t her real task from Silverymoon City Lord; Qin Lun before her was her actual target this time.

The moment the Female Knight called out Qin Lun’s identity, Great Sage Laini, who had been expressionless, finally changed her expression slightly and sighed softly. In this hidden clash, Qin Lun clearly won.