Legacy of the Dark Sage

"Aside from this, the blood of the Echidna is already a tempting subject. It is enough to rouse a person's greed."

Styx furrowed his brows.

True to what Neo had said, the Echidna's blood was a rare ingredient that if used righteously could lengthen one's lifespan, or if used differently, could shorten it. It was considered one of the most potent poisons in the whole world.

However, Echidna beasts were only found in the northern nations, because they could only live in cold places. In any case, it was hard to capture an Echidna, much more so to kill it.

How did the Courtenay Family get hold of such a legendary beast? Unless 'Tyr' lied about the Echidna and there was no such thing lurking in the coordinates he provided.

"True, it is hard to believe that the Courtenay Family could have a legendary beast that can only be seen in the northern nations. But its only a baby Echidna. They might have bought an egg in the black market and raised it themselves."

Styx's brows creased further as he looked at Neo.

"Wait. Are you telling me that Echidna bit is true?"

Neo raised his brows, wearing a somewhat hurt expression, "Why did you think I would lie about that?"

Styx's brow twitched once more. That was right, Neo was only relaying Kyran's message.

Scouting the island before the start of the event using the Courtenay Family's crystal orbs was permitted. In real life, beast hunting included scouting the beast's terrain after all. But he did not expect the Courtenay Family to include a beast that possessed a rare ingredient.

It should be noted that the materials one could get on every hunted beast would be claimed by the side who had defeated it. In this case, if the Echidna did fall in the hands of the Royal Army, then they could claim it as their own.

'And those royal dogs is probably asking their side if they also saw the baby Echidna to confirm its authenticity,' Styx thought. But then he stopped his train of thought as he recalled the exact words Neo had said.

"Oi."

He called Neo's attention in a voice loud enough for him to hear.

"What is it, Leader Styx?"

"Did Tyr tell you to say those exact same words, just now?"

Neo suddenly smiled, "As expected of Leader Styx."

Then he nodded while looking at Styx meaningfully.

"I'm sure you already know, but the Royal Family has set their eyes on Disciple Tyr. If that is the case, the Royal Army will likely try to hunt down the baby Echidna because Disciple Tyr wanted its blood."

Styx sneered, "That sly kid. In the end, he wanted the Royal Army to focus on the Echidna, so we can focus on the other two."

"Er... actually he really wished for us to get the baby Echidna."

"Why?"

"Because he wants its blood of course."

Styx's expression turned blank as he stared at Neo.

"Are you messing with me?"

"No, no. Not at all. You are the leader of the Beast Hunt team, Leader Styx. It will still be up to you. Disciple Tyr's opinion can be ignored. Besides," Neo leaned closer and added in a low voice, "Now that we know the baby Echidna's coordinates, it will be easier to pinpoint the location of the other two legendary beasts."

Styx nodded in agreement.

Legendary beasts were territorial, and at the same time, they respected other legendary beasts' territory. Once a beast of their level claimed a territory, they would steer clear of that place.

"Hm. The Echidna is near the northern part of the island. So the other two are in the west and east areas."

"Yes," Neo nodded. "The rest of the medium to large-sized beasts will definitely be scattered at the south area where the dock is located."

"Hm," Styx also nodded and crossed his arms. "There's still a few minutes before the start of the event. Keep me updated if Chairman Noir and the others send out more information."

"Roger that, Leader."

Neo gave a clumsy salute before turning to leave.

Styx could have directly communicated with Chairman Noir and the rest of the Conclave members doing the initial scouting. But they opted to only have Neo receive their update.

The main reason was to limit the number of people who receive the information from the outside which could cause differing interpretations and details being cascaded to their team. Second, was to ensure the other side would not be able to tap onto their channel. Since they were using only one channel, it would be easier to notice if there was anyone trying to peep into their conversation.

In any case, once the event started, any communication from the outside would be cut off and the five members participating would be left at their own devices.

Styx leaned on the rail of the ship. He gazed toward the nearing dock of the island and continued adjusting their strategy in his mind.

Meanwhile, Neo sat at one of the reserved seats for their team in the deck cabin. 'He' closed 'his' eyes and soon a voice was transmitted into 'his head.'

[How is it?]

'They took the bait, master.'

The voice belonged to none other than Kyran.

[Can you hear their conversation from where you are?]

'Yes, clearly.'

That was right. Neo's enhanced hearing could clearly hear the conversation the Royal Army members were currently having after they went to a corner to talk among themselves.

When Neo told Styx about the Royal Army likely going after the baby Echidna, 'he' said so because 'he' heard them discussing how to capture it alive.

[Did they communicate on the outside to confirm the coordinates you said?]

'No, master. As you have suspected, they already know where the legendary beasts are located.'

Kyran chuckled.

[So much for playing by the rules, huh. It seems the Royal Family can no longer stay idle while the Conclave thrashes the members of the Royal Army.]

'If I may add my opinion of the matter, master, I believe the results of the Conclave as the whole are causing both the Three Noble Families and the Royal Family unrest.'

[That's right. If not, the Courtenay Family will not agree in giving the Royal Family the locations of the legendary beasts beforehand.]

'We... are not at a disadvantage, right master?'

[Of course not. It's not like we don't know where the legendary beasts are.]

'Ah, that's right. With master's magic sense, locating every beast on the island is a piece of cake.'

Kyran suddenly fell silent on the other end.

'Master?'

After an awkward silence, Kyran spoke again.

[I don't recall setting your language in that manner.]

'Oh, I am merely adapting this way of speaking after observing some of the Conclave members.'

[...]

After another awkward silence, Kyran spoke with a slight sigh in his voice.

[Try not to overdo it. I don't want you picking up strange habits.]

'Yes, master.'

[In any case, while Styx wanted to subdue a legendary beast to show the Conclave's dominance, I have another idea.]

'Please do tell, master. I will find an opportunity to suggest it to Leader Styx.'

[While it is true that subduing a legendary beast would end the event early, there is another way to do that without dealing with one while still flaunting the Conclave's dominance.]

'Oh? Please enlighten me, master.'

[This is the Beast Hunt. What is the main objective of the event, disregarding the hidden rule of subjugating a legendary beast?]

Neo paused. The clogs in 'his' head whirred double time as 'he' processed Kyran's question. 'His' eyes snapped open, with 'his' brown eyes glowing slightly after arriving at the answer.

'Hunting all medium to large-sized beasts on the island.'

[That's right. If there are no more beasts to hunt, apart from the legendary beasts, then they will be forced to end the event.]

'Oh, but hunting all the beasts in such a short time...'

[Why do you think I mentioned the baby Echidna instead of another legendary beast?]

'Er... Is it not because you want its blood?'

[...]

Kyran sighed on the other end.

Neo was not sure but his master's sigh sounded somewhat helpless.

'Master?'

[I only said that to bait them. I don't really care about its blood. The reason why I chose the Echidna is because of its characteristic as a reptile.]

Neo's eyes glowed once more as it finally understood Kyran's plans.

'Echidnas are reptilian beasts with a head similar to a beautiful woman and a body of a snake. But since they are reptiles, they share the same quirk as the other reptilian beasts.'

[Yes. Male reptilian beasts are drawn to the scent of female humans, and vice versa. The Royal Army consists of five males, and their scent will definitely be a great stimulant to the Echidna, which in turn enhances all of its magic and abilities. I doubt the Royal Army will be able to deal with it in such a short time even if they have three Grand Masters.]

'But master, won't the Royal Army be aware of this as well?'

[Yes, but that won't stop them from trying to take it.]

'Because they want to get its blood.'

[That's right.]

'Then, master. How are we going to hunt all the beasts on the island?'

[I've adjusted your programming to be able to handle that task efficiently. You only have to convince Styx that dealing with the rest of the beasts is the easiest way to win the event. Besides, do you have any idea how many materials and ingredients we can haul if you hunted all the beasts?]

'Ah... in the end, master, is only interested in the materials we will get. I can see why the Echidna's blood is not really that tempting. Since it is a rare ingredient, master, is probably the only one who can concoct a potion out of it without wasting its value.'

[Actually, godmother can concoct one too.]

'Ah, of course, Lady Anette. In the end, it is best to aim for quantity than quality.'

Kyran chuckled.

[Right. Now that you know, make sure you handle the beasts properly. Don't waste any of their precious parts.]

'Yes, master.'

Just as Neo finished talking to Kyran, the Courtenay Family's representative went inside the cabin and finally announced their arrival.

The Beast Hunt was about to begin.

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