90: Another option

Chapter 90: Another Option

The church roof was already unstable, so Airo had to be extra careful, but that thing paid no mind to it.

It shrieked and attacked repeatedly, almost falling off the roof several times.

This gave Airo an opportunity to counterattack.

However, as more and more Ghoul climbed onto the roof, her situation became precarious.

Airo’s first mentor had taught her never to underestimate these green-skinned monsters.

They could not only think like living beings but also constantly learn and grow.

In this place filled with evil power, or as her mentor would say—a place full of negative energy—

Undead creatures would thrive and become even more brutal.

The green-skinned monster made a gurgling sound in its throat.

It seemed to be commanding the Ghoul to attack.

Airo retreated while reaching for her waist.

It was a trinket Old Joe had given her.

A bomb made by binding jagged metal fragments, broken glass, and other odds and ends to a lump of explosive alchemical slag.

He called it a junk bomb and said she just needed to throw it as hard as she could, then run as far away as possible.

The Demon Ghosts charged over with three Ghoul, and Airo silently counted.

When they were close enough, she threw the bomb in her hand.

Immediately after, she stepped back and fell straight through a hole in the roof.

The bomb hit the foremost Ghoul.

It exploded instantly, scattering shrapnel.

The Ghoul's face was torn open by the shrapnel, revealing white bones.

The Demon Ghosts raised a hand to block most of the shrapnel.

But some still left significant wounds on its body.

Pus and blood flowed from the wounds, enraging this green-skinned monster.

It angrily pushed away the Ghoul in front of it, wanting to pursue its prey.

However, it couldn't squeeze through the hole and could only let out a piercing shriek.

The moment Airo landed, she immediately joined the battle.

The fight inside the church was not optimistic.

Drax and Philip were doing their best to hold back the zombies that were climbing in.

Bruce, who had gone to support Flora, was forced back by the foul breath exhaled by the Demon Ghosts.

Although Flora seized the opportunity and delivered a powerful kick to the monster,

She herself was struck by the opponent's sweeping attack and had to give up the pursuit.

Airo suppressed her discomfort, quickly loaded her hand crossbow, and shot an arrow into the Ghoul behind Bruce.

Then, she sprinted forward, leaped, and jumped directly onto the Demon Ghosts' body.

The dagger in her hand plunged fiercely into its neck.

Foul-smelling pus and blood gushed from its neck, causing a wave of nausea.

At this moment, a scorching heat wave rushed towards her.

Airo quickly let go and dropped from the Demon Ghosts' body.

A fiery fist heavily struck the monster.

The smell of burnt meat immediately filled the air.

The Demon Ghosts tried to flee but was pulled back by a tongue of flame wrapped around its neck.

Flora punched its jaw again.

This time, she avoided its sharp claws and sent it flying with an aerial kick.

The Demon Ghosts fell backward, knocking over several pews.

Airo couldn't help but whistle, her steps never stopping, as she delivered a follow-up strike to the fallen Demon Ghosts.

The dagger pierced into the opponent's head.

The green-skinned monster shrieked and clawed wildly.

But Airo had already retreated to the side.

By now, Arthur finally recovered from his meditation.

He opened his eyes and looked at the deceased Raul.

The man's face had lost its initial madness and instead wore a smile, like a sleeping child.

Arthur gently stroked his head, then stood up.

The holy book emitted a verdant glow, and the undead creatures shrieked and recoiled.

"Kill them all!" he commanded.

The Captain carefully examined the Chult artifact in his hand.

It was an eagle made of jade.

The quality of the jade was quite good.

But that was all he could discern.

If it were treated as an ordinary piece of jewelry, it wouldn't be worth much.

However, the Captain knew very well that this item could fetch a good price from the Calimshan people.

"Do you have any more?" He returned the jade bird to Catherine. "I know there's an appraiser in a nearby town.

"If you have more goods, I'll have him found immediately."

Catherine put away the artifact and said with a smile, "What price can you offer if we don't need an appraiser?"

The Captain extended a finger and named a number.

This price was really not good.

This price was really not good, Catherine understood that selling the artifacts directly to the Calimshan people would earn more.

However, her objective was not money.

She snorted softly, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

The Captain knew the price he offered was low.

He could also tell that this well-dressed, elegant woman was unusual.

She was either a fallen noble or a high-ranking maid from a prominent family.

In short, a woman like her was not to be trifled with.

This was also why the Captain wasn't particularly keen on doing business with her.

"Alright, missy, what do you want?"

"Let's start by changing your address," Catherine said coldly. "Address me as 'Madam' or 'Miss'.

"Not 'missy,' and then we can discuss the transaction."

The Captain stood up, bowed exaggeratedly, and sneered, "Of course, esteemed Madam."

He was backed by the Little Finger Merchant Guild.

That was the largest and most powerful merchant guild in western Amn.

He couldn't be bothered with the pretentious etiquette of these eastern nobles.

Every day, nobles were selling off their family assets; these fellows were already in decline.

Catherine ignored his mockery and said, "I need a map of Qingfeng Valley.

"And I need the latest information on that place.

"I need to know what forces remain there after the death of the true ruler.

"Who are these forces, and how much armed strength do they possess?"

The Captain laughed heartily upon hearing this.

"For the Golden Lady's sake, are you serious?

"I'm just a Captain, not some spy.

"I only know where I can trick fools and where I can make a profit."

"Oh, really?" Catherine smiled coldly. "These are my terms.

"Otherwise, you can raise the price by thirty percent, and then we can talk."

With that, Catherine and her people left.

After they were gone, the Captain called his subordinate and ordered, "Go find out who they are."

After walking some distance, Paul suggested to Catherine, "Madam, we don't only have Black Goat as an option.

"I know there's another caravan that can travel freely through Qingfeng Valley."

Jessica interjected, "Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Paul replied with a smile, "I originally thought the conversation would go more smoothly.

"It seems that Captain is quite conceited."

"Yeah, I wanted to punch that guy in the face," Jessica agreed.

"Tell us, who else can enter Qingfeng Valley?"

Catherine brought the conversation back on track.

"A group of dangerous individuals," Paul replied. "They call themselves 'Tusks' and are affiliated with the Warthog Caravan."

Hearing this, Catherine hesitated: "Although Sir gave us the power to make our own decisions before he left,

"We can't go too far. Tell me, how dangerous are these guys?"

"Perhaps you've heard their other name—the Zhentarim."

Jessica laughed, "Great, we just got rid of one conceited jerk, and now we have a bunch of lunatics."