The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 187: Primary Mission

Lumián didn't quite understand how Gardner Martin was sure that Vermonda Soren wasn't dead yet, but since the other man didn't seem inclined to explain, Lumián decided to give up asking.

Right now, he was only concerned with one thing:

"Does this mean my mission is over?"

Clearly, given that the wax figure that had attacked him earlier and the Earl of Puyver's habit of making wax heads of his acquaintances, Lumián believed he had already aroused suspicion. Further contact with him would be very dangerous.

Gardner Martin slowly shook his head:

"No, the mission continues."

Holding his cigar, he stood up, paced toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, and said:

"The fact that you were chosen by the 'king' over Puyver will definitely make him question your background. But he's more interested in uncovering the real reason behind what happened. The wax figure's attack was primarily aimed at this.

"So, he will invite you again, using different methods to probe you, trying to extract the secrets you're hiding. For us, this is an opportunity—an opportunity to confirm the true state of Vermonda and the Soren ancestors.

"And through this, we can grasp the reason why this once incredibly powerful family has gradually declined. This is of great importance to us, who also follow the 'Hunter' pathway. It is our current primary mission.

"To put it simply, the Soren family is like the Red Swan Castle, long decayed but still hiding many secrets, with guards strong enough to deter intruders. What we need to do is figure out the castle's defensive weaknesses, confirm whether those secrets pose any fatal threats to us, and then find a way to bypass the guards and traps, and seize the treasure.

"Don't worry. For Puyver's next invitation, I'll provide covert protection. You won't need to take much risk."

Lumián pondered for a moment and said:

"Sir, you previously mentioned that our primary mission was to find the real entrance to the Trier of the Fourth Epoch."

How did the primary mission change so quickly?

Gardner Martin took a puff of his cigar and smiled:

"The two matters are somewhat connected, both serving the same purpose, but you don't need to know what that is for now."

What purpose? So, the current focus of the Iron-Blooded Cross is on underground exploration—searching for the entrance to the Fourth Epoch's Trier and investigating why the Soren family has gradually declined over the past two to three hundred years, trying to carve a piece of their wealth for ourselves? According to Mr. K, one of the reasons for the Soren family's decline is that many important members went mad or died over a period of time... Lumián realized that he and Gardner Martin were mainly responsible for the Soren family, while other members, like Overseer Olsen, explored the underground.

Lumián now had a clearer understanding of the Iron-Blooded Cross's recent plans.

This was also his primary mission.

Of course, he knew what he had to do, but not why he had to do it.

"Yes, sir." Lumián didn't say more and agreed.

He had a faint premonition that this mission would be his opportunity to digest the Arsonist potion and advance further along the Hunter pathway.

After all, according to Miss Magician, the Soren family once possessed a Hunter angel.

Gardner Martin didn't ask how much gold the Earl of Puyver had offered to the "king" and signaled for Lumián to leave, telling him to wait for the next invitation from the hollow title-bearing count.