NEC Chapter 52: Crescent Moon, Emerald, and Greenspine

East Xia was pouring its full effort into designing and crafting all manner of auxiliary tools for Chen Mo, whether he needed them or not, usable or otherwise, essentially creating “cheating devices.”

Meanwhile, Chen Mo himself operated like an indefatigable machine, relentlessly grinding day and night, night and day.

So far, he couldn’t even name most of his fellow group members, but the fearsome reputation of “Roy,” the undisputed king of grinding, had spread widely through the Glimmer Group and even reached the ears of the higher-tier Sunlight Group.

At the same time, in two other corners of the continent, two separate groups were, by coincidence, deeply concerned about this unassuming necromancer apprentice.

One group, naturally, was the delegation from the Cloudmist Domain of the Emerald Duchy.

The direct heir of a noble family from a diplomatic ally being attacked by orc cavalry on Crescent Moon Federation soil was a monumental event, enough to shake the entire Crescent Moon region. The fury of the duchy’s lord ignited the skies above the North Foothill, sending shockwaves through the entire federation.

Scouts were dispatched in all directions, hooves thundered across the land, and the renowned Bluewater Knights of Crescent Moon mobilized three squadrons of elite cavalry, conducting a sweeping, net-like search across the Longwind Hills.

Fleeing wolf cavalry were rooted out one by one, their wolves’ bristles becoming new adornments for the federation knights’ helmets.

“Your Highness, the Countess,” Captain Paven said, looking weary and covered in dust as he hurriedly returned, presenting a report stamped with the official seal of Crescent Moon. “According to the latest news from Crescent Moon, the matter has been largely clarified.”

“Based on the federation’s explanation, this barbarian troop sailed south from the north, secretly landing at Lower Sand Port. They traveled by night and hid by day, guided by covert spies, and set up an ambush on the outskirts of Longwind Hills.”

“So far, Crescent Moon has captured only ordinary wolf cavalry. Interrogations revealed they were following their leader’s orders to intercept a high-profile target, but they knew nothing of the specifics.”

“The portmaster of Lower Sand Port has committed suicide, and with that, the trail has gone completely cold!”

“Additionally,” Captain Paven produced a thick stack of ornate invitations, gilded and shimmering with purple accents. “Several Crescent Moon nobles have extended invitations for Your Highness to visit their estates, expressing their hope to offer warm hospitality to ease the distress caused by this incident.”

Lady Frost’s eyes lit up.

These days, confined indoors and barely stepping outside, were pure torture for the lively and spirited young countess.

Visiting those noble estates, hearing intriguing tales, and enjoying new scenery seemed like an excellent idea.

But just as her excitement bubbled up, she caught sight of Master Locke’s face, stern and cold as eternal ice.

The young countess, ever perceptive, shrank back and swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.

As the team’s intellectual anchor, Master Locke meticulously reviewed the intelligence provided by the Crescent Moon Federation, then let out a long sigh.

“We need to find a way to leave this cursed place as soon as possible!”

“What?”

“Your Highness, Captain Paven, the Crescent Moon Federation may seem to be taking drastic action, but in truth, they’re sidestepping the real issue.”

“A large, elite orc wolf cavalry unit like that, once they leave the pastoral regions, could burn through a small town’s monthly tax revenue in a single day. Could a mere portmaster from a fishing harbor possibly sustain them?”

“Not to mention, traveling hundreds of kilometers from the port to here, how could they pinpoint our whereabouts so precisely without the tip-off and cover of someone significant within the federation?”

“Now, by pinning all the blame on that dead portmaster, whether the federation is unwilling or afraid to dig deeper, Crescent Moon is no longer a safe place for us.”

“What do you think, Captain Paven?”

The Goldscale Swordsman nodded without hesitation. “Master Locke is absolutely right!”

“The portmaster of Lower Sand has ‘committed suicide out of guilt,’ leaving no evidence. When the federation’s inspectors met with me, their sole focus was on the whereabouts of our fire-element master.”

“I suspect that if it weren’t for this ‘elemental master’ outside their line of sight, a second attack on us might already be underway!”

Of course, this was a complete misunderstanding.

When Crescent Moon Federation inspectors investigated the Longwind Hills, they were horrified by the gruesome state of the orc leader’s death. They called in multiple high-tier professionals to repeatedly examine the pile of bone and iron slag.

Regrettably, the thermite grenade had melted itself into the molten mess of armor residue during detonation, leaving no trace. Thus, they could only speculate that this was the work of a high-tier fire mage.

After a brief review of the Cloudmist Domain team’s composition, this suspicion solidified: the team must have used some portable magical device or scroll to eliminate the orc leader.

To take down a fifth-tier Barrier Knight from a distance, the strength of this fire mage could only be described as unfathomably profound.

This was the primary reason for the Crescent Moon Federation’s extreme caution. A fifth-tier or higher figure was considered a supreme force in a nation like Crescent Moon. Even a grand mage from the Radiance Mage Tower would be personally received by the king if they visited the capital, provided the king had time.

Did they still have such scrolls? How many?

The nobles of Crescent Moon who had visited recently were subtly probing, but fortunately, Master Locke had foreseen this and issued a strict gag order to the surviving guards and maids immediately, ensuring the federation found no clues.

Within the Cloudmist Domain’s decision-making circle, though the young countess held a noble status, she followed instructions. Lady Linda, the steward, handled internal affairs and rarely spoke publicly. With Master Locke and Captain Paven in agreement, the decision was made.

“When will our home team arrive?” Master Locke asked, his most pressing concern.

Since the ambush, the young countess had been confined to a government-run inn in Boulder Fortress, never stepping outside. Though the Crescent Moon Federation had repeatedly offered escorts, Captain Paven firmly declined, insisting on waiting for their own guards.

“According to the swift owl’s message, they’ve already landed in Whitestone. After completing entry procedures, traveling day and night, they’ll arrive in three or four days at most.”

Master Locke slowly ran his fingers through his graying hair, exhaling deeply. “Good, that’s good!”

“By the way, any news on that young necromancer?”

Captain Paven lowered his voice slightly. “I sent the guide to investigate. The young mage used a contact of the guide to secure an identity, so his friend knows the mage’s whereabouts, but…”

“What?” Both the young countess and Lady Linda perked up their ears.

Clearly, everyone was brimming with curiosity about the mysterious necromancer.

“Guide Luke said his friend knows the young mage’s location but can’t share it with us yet. They need to send someone to get the mage’s permission first before revealing his whereabouts.”

Locke chuckled softly. “Looks like this little guy’s quite popular.”

“Then let’s wait a bit longer. Once our guards arrive and we’re ready to head back, we can see if we can pay him a visit!”

The young countess seemed reluctant, her head drooping. “So, we’re not going to Sixth Sister’s place anymore?”

“There’ll be opportunities in the future,” Master Locke said gently but firmly. “Right now, with the situation so unstable, your safety comes first! We can’t take risks.”

Linda gently pulled the young countess into her arms. “Even if you don’t think of yourself, consider the people around you who are with you!”

“Alright…”

The young girl’s temperament was entirely under the steward’s sway. She could only nod helplessly, making one last small request. “If we get to see that young necromancer again, I want to take a good look at his skeleton!”

“Fine, fine, whatever you want. We’ll see if we can invite him to Cloudmist Domain. Then you can look at it as long as you like!”

“That’d be amazing!”

While the Cloudmist Domain team pondered how to invite Chen Mo to visit the Emerald Duchy, another armed group, clad in armor and wielding blades, was stealthily crossing the Gloomy Forest, heading straight for the Whitestone Outpost.

It was the fourth direct sword squadron of the Zircon Family from the Greenspine Kingdom!

>>> NEXT CHAPTER