CHAPTER 71: THE CENTRAL PLAZA TALKS

The Central Plaza of Godshine City was packed more than usual because of the reopening of the Labyrinth. So, many people were ready to dive again.

There were several groups of Silver Rank too, who garnered the most attention—especially those who were higher level within the Silver Rank.

It meant they could soon advance to Gold Rank, a rank everyone aspired to reach one day.

Though, the topic of discussion was still the massacre of the Ashborn Clan. The Hunter Organisation was still busy with the investigation and had failed to find even a single clue.

In the end, the majority of the people concluded that the Ashborn Clan might have offended a Master Rank Hunter—or maybe even one of those legendary Grandmaster Rank Hunters.

That was the only explanation people could think of, as the Ashborn Clan was wiped out so quickly and there weren’t any clues left behind.

Using this opportunity, King Edward Corelhelm declared war on the Kelar Kingdom, blaming everything on them. Many people knew he was just using the opportunity, but the common population was enraged.

It wasn’t that tough to spread hate for a rivaling Kingdom, after all. Constant small wars between them didn’t help either.

So, now the two Kingdoms were preparing for a full-blown war, even hiring Hunters to fight for them. They had huge armies, but hiring Hunters also helped a lot.

Most importantly, they were focusing on the various Guilds and Gold-Rank Clans of the Kingdom. They would play the most important part in the war, after all.

Normally, they wouldn’t have supported such rash decisions because Edward was weaker than the King of Kelar Kingdom.

But things were different now.

Max heard everything while leaning against a metallic wall. There was lots of propaganda in the conversation around him, but he easily filtered it out.

’That old bastard is really going all out for this. Anyone would be fooled by his actions.’

Max sighed, hoping that there wasn’t any canon event happening while he was away. Things had already gone out of his control, so he wouldn’t be surprised if something happened while he was hunting in the Labyrinth.

But there was nothing he could do to stop any of that while being so weak. So, getting stronger was a necessity.

He was confident about one thing, though—and it was that Edward wouldn’t do anything stupid during his stay in the Labyrinth.

His main plan would commence during the First Selections, after all. Before that, he would probably continue to spread words about war and maybe even engage in one or two battles.

But he wouldn’t do anything big.

All of a sudden, Max shivered as his instincts flared, warning him of danger approaching fast.

He didn’t even have a chance to dodge when the danger came, so he put his hand up, ready to summon Everform to defend against the attack.

It never came.

Max blinked, looking at the grey-haired man who was inches away from punching his skull out. However, he had stopped before his fist touched his hand.

"Not bad reflexes for a Silver Rank," the man acknowledged while withdrawing his hand. "But bad reaction. Your bare hand can’t defend against anything unless you’re a Berserker or a Fist Warrior. Be careful of that."

Max stood there, dumbfounded and wondering who this crazed man was. Why the hell was he lecturing him so suddenly?

’The hell?’ Max took a step back and asked, "Don’t worry! I did that because I’m confident I could have blocked your fist with my hand alone."

"Is that so?" The man raised an eyebrow before nodding. "Then, it’s good. You pass!"

"Henry! Are you satisfied?"

Max tilted his head, hearing the familiar sweet voice coming from behind the man. As expected, Charlotte and Stelle were behind him.

"Yo, you two look astonishingly beautiful and mesmerizing enough to charm a whole kingdom—to the point it could slaughter an entire Empire with just your charm alone..." Max whistled and praised them from the bottom of his heart.

Unlike previous times, Stelle and Charlotte looked way different and more prepared for a long dive in the Labyrinth.

Stelle wore a simple pair of silver light armor that protected her vital parts with a metallic luster, while other parts were covered with leather to give her more movement.

She wore a blue earring in her right ear, which Max guessed was an accessory. As for her weapon, she had her signature hammer slung over her shoulder.

Max could guess that it was a precious growth-type Artefact, since most big clans provide them to their heirs and prodigies.

’Char must have something to do with it.’

They were rare, so one had to be invaluable to the clan to get those—and from what he knew, Stelle’s status wasn’t that good before.

On the other hand, Charlotte didn’t look that different, having just changed her robes to a darker shade of green.

Her long magenta hair was curled up in a bun. Her hand held her wooden wand, which was probably a growth-type Artefact too.

These types of Artefacts had a special enchantment which let them grow alongside the user. Though for that, they needed to visit a skillful Runemaster who could alter the Runes on it slightly.

There was a resigned look on her face when she faced Henry. She noticed his gaze and smiled at him, "Hey!"

"Hey, and what’s with that illogical praise?" Stelle asked. "It didn’t even make sense."

"Just like your cuteness and her beauty," Max flashed a smile but felt cold stares at him, so he stopped.

"I’m still here, boy," Henry growled.

"Eh? You’re still here? Why?" Max asked in confusion, making Henry’s gaze darker.

"Should we leave, Max?" Charlotte stepped in before things could escalate. "The portal has opened."

It was true, as the people around them had begun to move—especially those Silver Rank teams. He could also feel the pull of the portal, which was a sign of its opening.

’Why does this happen anyway? I didn’t even bother writing an explanation for it,’ Max gestured with his hand. "Ladies first!"

"Let’s go!" Stelle cheered and began to drag Max by his hand. She flashed a smile to him and said, "Hurry up! I’m too excited for this adventure!"