1novels Chapter 346: Storm at the Crimson Dune
Chapter 346: Storm at the Crimson Dune
In an unknown location, under an open tent, a group sat on a beast fur mat while drinking from mug cups and listening to the restless desert.
They were three men and two women, each carrying a calmness that did not belong to ordinary wanderers.
For a moment, none of them spoke. They stared at the endless dunes in silence while the howling of the desert wind echoed in their ears.
"Black Water..." one of them said in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the crimson horizon.
At first, no one reacted. Then, slowly, they turned and faced him. Still, they did not speak, as if waiting for him to continue.
The man continued. "What should we do? I believe every one of you must have heard the rumor. Right?"
His gaze moved from one person’s face to another, searching for even the slightest change in expression.
"Just as you have said, it is a rumor. I do not believe it," one of the two women said. "How is it possible for anyone to have endless supplies in this barren desert?"
The others did not speak, but the subtle changes in their expressions were enough to tell that they all agreed with her deduction.
The first man stared at her for a second before he shook his head. "Why is it not possible?"
"Have you all forgotten the Holy Son?"
Hmm?
The moment he mentioned the Holy Son, their expressions changed. They knitted their brows, and the atmosphere beneath the open tent became heavier.
The man continued, unbothered by their expressions. "You all know why the Slave Trade Guild could dominate the Crimson Dunes and why they could partner with the Scorpion men."
"Are you now saying the people or person behind Black Water are comparable to the Holy Son?" the second man asked with a deep frown.
Each of them knew how powerful the Slave Trade Guild Holy Son was. And more importantly, they knew how he was able to acquire endless supplies.
From the rumor, awakeners needed to pass a trial on the first floor before ascending to the second floor.
And only a few had the rare opportunity to be presented with the opportunity of the trial. Most did not even know such an opportunity existed in the first place.
As for those who were presented with the opportunity, many failed and died at that juncture.
As far as they knew, it was only the Slave Trade Guild Holy Son who managed to survive and gain something truly terrifying from it.
Even then, he almost lost his life and returned as someone completely different from before.
And now, another individual comparable to the Holy Son had somehow appeared in the Crimson Dunes.
How could they believe it?
But then again, if that was not the case, how could Black Water have endless supplies, as the rumor suggested?
For a moment, the group was quiet, staring at each other, lost in thought as the wind outside continued to howl.
Finally, the second woman among them broke the silence. "What should we do?"
"Even though many believe this is merely a rumor, I believe most of us think otherwise."
"Before it gets too late, we need to react and take action. We are almost close to getting all we want. We just need a few weeks, and everything will be in place," she concluded.
Listening to her, the group was silent for a moment before the third man asked, "So what are you suggesting?"
"We move and strike. If we can convince the person or group behind Black Water to join us, that will be great but if not. We eliminate the problem once and for all." Her voice was cold, sharp, and devoid of any emotion.
The group nodded. Each of them had all come to the same conclusion as her, even if none of them wished to say it first.
The current situation in the Crimson Dunes was hanging in the balance, and they would not allow anyone to destroy that balance they had been maintaining for so long.
"Then, when should we move?" the second man asked, staring at their faces.
"Now," the first man responded immediately. It was as if he had been waiting for such a question.
The group looked at each other and rose to their feet. They might appear casual and harmless on the surface, but each of them had done so many unspeakable things to get to their current level.
Thus, their actions were swift and decisive, without hesitation or unnecessary discussion.
The beast fur mat was left behind. The unfinished cups of drink remained untouched, swaying slightly under the touch of the desert wind.
In less than three minutes, the open tent was empty, dancing gently with the wind as if no one had ever been there.
*****
Inside a chamber, a young man rose from his wooden bed covered in beast skin. Behind him, lying on the bed, were two beautiful naked women.
Their faces were filled with bliss and contentment, and their breathing remained soft and relaxed.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with mild annoyance, staring at the woman before him.
The woman was clad in shiny armor with her broadsword hanging on her waist. Her face was cold and emotionless, and her red hair fell gently over her shoulders.
"Sir, the rumor has been confirmed," she said flatly. "Black Water has all the supplies we currently need."
Hmm?
Instantly, the exhausted expression on the young man’s face vanished into thin air.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his eyes sharpening with sudden interest.
"Very sure. We confirmed the news from many reliable sources," she replied without hesitation.
"Very well. Very well." A pleased smile appeared on the young man’s face. "Mantis Town, right?"
"Yes..." She nodded with the same cold expression.
"Then, let us pay Mantis Town a visit." He grinned. "I hope Solenne will know what is right for her this time."
His smile deepened as arrogance flickered clearly within his eyes.
"This time, Black Water must belong to my Silver Crest Guild," he declared confidently and walked toward the bathroom while not forgetting to leave a command behind.
"Gather our men. We move in ten minutes."
The armored woman lowered her head slightly before turning around and leaving the chamber.
Behind her, the young man continued walking, his mood completely changed from irritation to excitement.
To him, Black Water was not merely a shop or a rumor.
It was an opportunity.
In the Crimson Dunes, resources decided everything.
Water decided loyalty.
Food decided survival.
Weapons decided authority.
And if Black Water truly had all of them, then whoever controlled it would control more than just Mantis Town.
The Silver Crest Guild had waited too long for such a chance. Now that the chance had appeared, he would not allow anyone else to take it before him.
******
Deep inside Scorpion Town, a group of Scorpion men sat on chairs made of bones.
Bones from various species were carved and bound together, forming seats that looked more like trophies than furniture.
The chamber around them was dim, dry, and filled with the faint smell of blood and sand.
Their tails curled behind their chairs, and their hard eyes gleamed beneath the dim light.
For a while, none of them spoke.
Unlike humans, the Scorpion men did not waste words when silence could carry enough meaning.
Before them, several scouts knelt on one knee, their bodies covered in dust from traveling through the Crimson Dunes.
"Send our people to that Mantis Town," one of them declared, his voice deep and rough. "It is time that small village belongs to us."
The other Scorpion men looked at him, but no one objected.
Mantis Town had always been weak in their eyes.
Its people survived only because no one strong enough had chosen to crush them completely.
But now, the situation was different.
Black Water had appeared there.
Supplies had gathered there.
Rumors had spread from there.
And anything that could change the structure of the Crimson Dunes could not be allowed to remain outside their control.
One of the older Scorpion men tapped his sharp finger against the armrest made from a beast skull.
"Do not underestimate Solenne," he said slowly. "The Crimson Arc Guild is not something we can swallow without cost."
"Cost?" another Scorpion man sneered. "Everything has a cost. If Black Water is real, then that cost is worth paying."
The older Scorpion man did not deny it.
If Mantis Town continued to receive supports from Black Water, then the small town they once looked down upon might soon become a sharp thorn buried deep in their side.
The Scorpion men understood this clearly.
The one who had spoken first leaned forward, his claws pressing into the bone armrest.
"Then we cannot delay."
Another Scorpion man narrowed his eyes. "Should we attack directly?"
"No," the older one said. "First, we send people. We observe. We pressure them. If Black Water can be taken quietly, then there is no need to waste warriors."
"And if they refuse?"
The chamber became silent again.
The first Scorpion man smiled, revealing a row of sharp teeth.
"Then Mantis Town will learn why the Crimson Dunes fear Scorpion Town."
No one spoke after that.
The decision had already been made.
For many had only heard the horror and might of the Scorpion Men and now, the Scorpion Town was going to take action.
They might have spoken diplomacy but every who knew history enough would know that was merely a facade for their enemies to lower their guards.
Many had fallen victim to such ploy in the past and now. Would Mantis Town, Black Water also fall to their ploy.
Slowly, Crimson Dune which had been quiet for many months was slowly waking up from its slumber.
Figures could be seen traveling on the endless desert dune, fighting against the danger of the Crimson Dune while they walked toward a particular direction.
The Mantis Town.