The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Chapter 253

The Grand Elder's Protégés swiftly took control of the stronghold, vigilantly securing it from within and outside. They imprisoned the entire Rocke family, closely guarding both their personal guard and their devoted servants.

No one in the stronghold dared to rebel, let alone speak out of turn. This was the work of Cobalt Strike, the Rocke family's overlord in name! Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

The Grand Elder's authority and ruthlessness subdued many restless hearts, compelling them to rein in their tempers.

"Father, do what you must to negotiate until I return," Lawren bid farewell to Lanard. The Grand Elder only permitted Lawren to leave the stronghold to participate in the investigation; all others were required to remain.

"Negotiate? Do you think the Grand Elder is capable of mercy?" Lanard seemed to have aged considerably, weakly waving Lawren off. "Go on, search thoroughly, and if you find nothing, go into hiding and do not return."

"I will return, just wait for me." Lawren now regretted his past decision to ambush the Mallister family, but it was too late. He needed to quickly discover who had taken the ancient sword, or else... the Rocke family would truly be finished, and with them, the entire city could face slaughter.

"Go... just go..." Lanard sat exhausted in the room.

"Take care, Father." Lawren bowed and withdrew.

"Wait. Come here," Lanard beckoned him to close the door.

"Father, do you have further orders?" Lawren approached Lanard's side.

Lanard spoke in a hushed tone, "Make your greatest effort, but also prepare for the worst. If the Grand Elder truly orders a massacre, how will you avenge this?"

"I..." Lawren gave a bitter smile. Avenge? How could he possibly challenge Cobalt Strike?

"The Northlands are home not only to the Eight Orders and Five Lords but also to Amber Valley!"

Amber Valley, the most formidable and largest guild of assassins in the Northlands, would do anything for the right price. It was said that the Eight Orders, Five Lords, and various other powers in the Northlands had all secretly worked with Amber Valley. There, the darkest and most sordid of deals were struck.

Lawren's expression shifted. Amber Valley? An assassination?

"Go, take the family's most precious magical treasures. Use them for barter if need be." Lanard dismissed Lawren with a wave of his hand.

No sooner had Lawren left the room than a Cobalt Strike apprentice awaited him outside. “Lord Lawren, by the Grand Elder’s edict, we shall assist you in your investigation to swiftly find the lost ancient sword.”

Assist? It was more like a surveillance. Lawren eyed them, a flicker of coldness passing through his gaze before he quickly concealed it. "Wait for me outside the stronghold. I'll join you once I've gathered my things."

"What do you need to gather? We can assist."

"I’m taking a few treasures, to issue a bounty. No need for such caution, my entire family and city are in your hands. We cannot flee."

The Cobalt Strike apprentices exchanged glances and pressed him no further.

From the stronghold's high tower, the Grand Elder and two Elders watched as Lawren left the stronghold.

"Grand Elder, can we trust Lawren? Might he take this chance to flee?"

After eight long years of suspicion, they felt no joy at the confirmation of the culprit, but rather a deep rage. It would be one thing if it were an outsider, but to be betrayed by a hound raised by Cobalt Strike was worse!

A dog that bites its master! And the master had been oblivious, nurturing it for eight long years, protecting it.

"Flee? Where could he flee to? No one in the Northlands would dare protect a man pursued by Cobalt Strike," the Grand Elder said with icy authority.

"Do you truly believe the ancient sword was stolen by another?"

"It's likely the work of the escaped Chained Spirit. But with the Chained Spirit's feeble energy, it's unlikely it could awaken the ancient sword."