Building An Empire Starting From The Labor Camp In Exile-Chapter 105: The Varyn
"The artifact was sent over by Fell. He was also the one that quickly told me about you killing outlaws."
Atrox was shocked, but he told himself he shouldn’t find it too surprising that Fell was working with the outlaws or even the one behind the Blackened Blade.
Xan had told him a gist like that before.
"What’s your full relationship with Fell?"
"He’s our sponsor, and not only for Blackened Blade, but he’s the one that directly controls my outlaw gang."
"So you’re the figurehead," Atrox said.
Varyn grimaced but nodded. "The Blackened Blade was created just for that."
Atrox frowned slightly and pretended to think about it. "Then what is the reason behind its creation? The value of the information you provide will determine the state I’ll leave you in."
"Then... I’ll tell you. We deal in the slave trade and looting ruins without permission. That might seem like what all other outlaws are doing, but mine is purely money-driven. I was to make as much money as I can."
Atrox raised his brows. ’You’re sounding more like a con man, as if you’re just playing as an outlaw to make money’
"I don’t understand. If Fell was really all about money, then why couldn’t he just make as much as a Rank 4 team?" That part was confusing him because it seemed there was really no need to go through the outlaw route unless there was something else they were targeting.
Varyn smirked. "You might not know this, but the Soryu Clan imposed a very large tariff on the Borderland. That’s the price paid for not directly controlling it. And then, keeping a team is expensive, not to mention all the gold made is turned over to the Flagbearer..."
"You’re hunting around the ruins. Tell me."
Varyn swallowed. "Well, I investigated Fell some time ago and found out he’s been sending money over to someone in the Soryu Clan. Apparently, everything he made through the outlaws and other dealings was sent over to this individual."
Atrox’s face immediately darkened. ’The Clan was involved with the outlaws... No, someone from the Clan. And for them to go through such a roundabout way, then...’
"Who is this individual?" he asked casually, keeping his curiosity and interest hidden behind a bored expression.
"I don’t know." When he saw Atrox frown, he hurriedly continued. "But I know they’re not a very strong faction in the Soryu court."
’Of course, they’re not! But what’s really surprising is that my father’s hold on the Clan has weakened to the point where there are now different factions. What exactly is going on over there? Could it be the Chiefs? Or the military?’
’But they’re affiliated with the Borderland... It isn’t as easy as I thought after all... Hmmm... I must ask Xan how to get reliable information about the Clan’
’But more importantly, as I thought. This was really the reason the Rank 1, Alyndra, gave me this mission. Not only to attack the outlaws but to strike at the Scuffed Bones and... maybe the faction behind them’
’Am I being used as a piece on a board?’
Anger swept through Atrox like a lightning bolt, his eyes flashing. ’So they never even took me seriously but only as something to be used. Yes, again and again, they remind me why I must be the sky’
Atrox took a deep breath and tried his best to wave it away. Now wasn’t the time for anger. "So that’s the reason—a faction from Soryu. Are you from the Clan?"
Varyn shook his head. "Affiliated clan."
Atrox tapped his nose with his finger and narrowed his eyes. "I see. But one thing I don’t understand, Varyn, is why you are telling me all this. You’re easily revealing the secrets of the Scuffed Bones just like that?"
Varyn stiffened, his face shadowed. "What’s bad about telling secrets to a dead man? It’s not like you can tell anyone!"
A chill ran down Atrox’s spine, his voice coming out in a hiss. "What are you talking about?"
Varyn began to laugh. "Do you think I don’t know you can never let me live? Oh, I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you everything!
"Do you think Fell easily sent that assassin to you? You’ve all been marked, and another group of competent assassins has been sent out. This time, you won’t escape death! I was even surprised you managed to make it to this place. After all, you’re supposed to be dead by now!"
Atrox kept his calm as he carefully studied Varyn. ’We’ve been marked... then... the assassins were supposed to be marked... right... there’s only one person that’s not here right now!’
"Tiber!" Atrox called.
A shadow loomed beside him on all fours. He’d changed shape again, and now he looked like a lanky monster. "You called?"
"What’s the situation?"
Tiber scratched his head. "We’ve killed all the outlaw leaders and their subordinates inside here. We have three minutes of shield time."
Atrox turned and looked at her. Slya was covered in blood, but she was grinning. She shook her hand at him, one of her fingers crooked, but she seemed okay. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
"Good. Leave those outside to me. You two should immediately go and secure Xan. Wait for me at the hideout. I’ll join you as soon as I clean up here," Atrox commanded.
Tiber’s eyes widened in alarm. "Is he in trouble?"
Atrox nodded. "Might be. Also, be very careful. There are assassins out there looking for you."
Tiber looked at him dully, his lips curling. "Assassins."
Then he stood, his flesh squirming and turning into a small monster with a very long tail. He hopped onto Slya’s neck and curled his tail around her. "Alright."
Slya grumbled. "Aren’t you supposed to be the ride? I know you can turn into something bigger!"
Tiber ignored her and turned to Atrox with his deep black eyes. "Be careful, Atrox. Although they are small fries, they’re still Knights."
Atrox waved them away. "Yes, yes. Just do as I told you."
He watched them leave, the black corrupted figure of Tiber floating alongside them as they passed through the shield and disappeared from view.
For some reason, he felt a nagging feeling inside, but he brushed it off. After all, this was the first time Atrox would truly be without any of his team in a long time.
"Alright, Varyn. We have a lot of alone time together."
