215: Chapter 215 Inquiring about details! Clues! Heading north to search

In the small town.

Rowan did not interrupt the wailing of the few old serfs, but waited until their emotions had calmed slightly before he began to inquire.

He asked in great detail.

What they saw when the incident occurred, what they heard, and whether they noticed any suspicious people or matters...

Although the descriptions from the few old serfs were somewhat incoherent due to fear, the core content was roughly the same.

Yesterday evening, a thick red mist suddenly filled the sky over the town.

Immediately after, the people in the town who came into contact with the mist turned ashen-faced and collapsed one after another.

For some reason, these people had been less affected and had luckily survived.

After listening, Rowan fell into deep thought.

Professional techniques, precise positioning of blood-source nodes, and efficient extraction of soul and life energy...

All of this indicated that the perpetrator was very familiar with this set of Red Moon rituals.

Just then, Garuvi, who had been standing quietly by his side listening, suddenly spoke up:

"Rowan, is this the blood-source ley line node you mentioned? If I am not mistaken, I have seen this sort of thing in the Cangyuan Territory as well."

Upon hearing this, Rowan's gaze narrowed slightly:

"It exists in the Cangyuan Territory too?"

Garuvi nodded, her expression grave:

"Not long ago, while patrolling the territory, I sensed a similar aura in one location."

"At the time, I didn't know what it was and didn't pay it much mind. But thinking back on it now, that aura was almost exactly the same as the one remaining here."

After listening, Rowan's pupils constricted.

Combined with the prophecy Aurora had told him.

A clear clue rapidly connected in his mind...

The Duke Weiduns Estate must also know about the Red Moon prophecy!

Their target must be the Red Moon Proxy from the prophecy!

Then, how much more do they actually know?

How exactly does the whole process operate?

Moreover, their interest in the Golden Flame Territory is likely even greater than he had imagined!

At the same time, he realized one thing: the royal family and the church should also know about this prophecy.

Why have they not taken any action?

Are they unaware of Duke Witton's ambition, or do they know but have chosen to acquiesce?

Or perhaps, do they have some deeper considerations that he is currently unable to glimpse?

He stood by the dried-up ancient well, pondering for a moment.

Originally, he had only wanted to quietly wait in the castle for the second milestone to arrive in three months.

But now it seemed that the rate of decline in the territory's situation far exceeded his expectations.

The tragedy in Lorn Town was just the tip of the iceberg.

As the revival of the Red Moon progresses, similar incidents will only become more numerous and more frequent.

The manpower in the territory for handling various abnormal incidents was already stretched thin.

The City Guard's patrol frequency had already doubled, yet they were still exhausted from running about.

Moreover, the attitude of the church also seemed to have undergone some subtle changes.

Their efforts in handling similar incidents had clearly lessened, tending more towards preserving their own strength and pushing more and more trouble onto the City Guard to handle.

The burden on the City Guard had suddenly increased, and correspondingly, the burden of financial expenditure was also constantly increasing.

He realized that things could not go on like this.

He had to know more.

Regarding the details of the Red Moon revival, regarding the distribution and function of the blood-source ley line nodes, regarding the possible next moves of the Duke Weiduns Estate...

These pieces of information could not be waited for while sitting in the castle.

He needed to find a professional to clear up his confusion.

Thus, he naturally thought of that young witch from the Moon Chant Covenant Wizard Academy, Aurora.

Thinking of this, Rowan no longer hesitated.

He turned around, waved his hand to signal the others to retreat to a distance, and then spoke to Garuvi alone:

"Ms. Garuvi, regarding the matters here, I plan to make a trip to Ascalon to consult a professional who has a deep understanding of this aspect."

"I intend to have the people here return to the castle first. Will you return to the castle to recuperate?"

Upon hearing this, Garuvi said directly: "I will go with you."

She paused, a flash of sharpness in her eyes: "I am also very interested in this matter."

Rowan looked at Garuvi's serious expression and understood in his heart.

He had heard the details about Cangyuan City that Garuvi had spoken of.

The hatred of a murdered father, the resentment of a destroyed home.

The matters here seemed to have a certain connection with the Duke Weiduns Estate; it was normal that she would want to investigate this.

Rowan nodded: "Then, let us go together. Cooperation is welcome."

After speaking, he summoned his personal guard Anna, informed her of his decision, and then instructed:

"After you return, give a message to Helena: when unexpected situations occur in the territory, prioritize ensuring the stability of Gino City. For other events, if you encounter matters you cannot decide on, wait until I return to handle them."

Upon hearing this, although there was a trace of worry on her face, Anna did not ask more, but only nodded solemnly:

"Yes, my lord. I will certainly deliver the message."

She turned and, with the personal guard squad and the few survivors, returned in the direction of Gino City.

The entrance to the small town.

Rowan and Garuvi stood by the roadside, watching the figures of the team gradually fade into the distance.

Rowan withdrew his gaze, turned to Garuvi, his tone relaxed yet carrying a trace of seriousness:

"Let's go, it is time for us to set off as well."

The two of them each checked their gear and horses, then rode off along the main road leading north.

Heading north all the way.

The sky became higher and more distant.

The scenery along the way gradually transitioned from the gentle hills and farmland of the Golden Flame Territory to the more vast and boundless landscape of the North.

On the way, they passed a winding little river.

This was the border between the Golden Flame Territory and the Cangyuan Territory.

This side of the river was the Golden Flame Territory, and the other side was the land of the Cangyuan Territory.

Garuvi pulled on her horse's reins, stopped on the south bank of the little river, and looked in the direction of Cangyuan City.

Although the silhouette of that city could not be seen at all from here, she still gazed in that direction.

Rowan did not urge her either, just sat on his horse, waiting quietly.

A moment later, Garuvi withdrew her gaze, took a deep breath, then pulled the reins and continued forward.

The journey was silent, and the two continued north.

After a day of riding, they finally arrived at dusk at the nearest border city of the North—

Ice Ridge City.

Ice Ridge City was situated at the end of a narrow, long range of hills and was named for its perilous terrain.

The city walls here were several times higher than those of Gino City, all built of dark gray granite.

The walls were covered with a layer of Frost that never melted all year round, shimmering with a cold, eerie luster in the twilight.

There was a beacon tower on the city wall every few dozen steps, and torches for illumination had already been lit at this moment.

Above the city gate was a relief carving of an Ice Plains Wolf with its head raised and roaring; it was the symbol of the Northern Border Defense Army.

After passing through hundreds of years of wind and Frost, the outline of the relief had been worn somewhat blurry by the wind and snow, but that aura of solemn killing intent belonging to the Northern soldiers still rushed towards them.

The two passed inspection before the city gate closed and entered the city.

There were not many pedestrians on the streets inside the city; most were local residents wearing thick fur coats and a few traveling merchants.

Occasionally, a border defense patrol team wearing standardized armor could be seen passing by.

Rowan found the most luxurious Ice Ridge Hotel in the city and checked in; it was a suite.

The suite included two connecting bedrooms, a parlor, and a terrace facing outside the pass.

The clerk was a retired veteran with graying hair and a hunched figure.

Seeing that Rowan was generous with his spending, his attitude immediately became much more attentive; he personally led them upstairs and ordered the waiter to bring hot soup and dinner.

In the room, the flames in the fireplace were crackling and burning, dispelling most of the coldness in the room.

After having a simple dinner, the two walked out onto the terrace in unison.

...