Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 25 Barrier
Su Mu quickly turned around, and the deadly danger vanished completely.

He tried turning his back to the bow and arrow again, but the terrifying threat did not reappear, which was very strange.

Left with no other option, Su Mu had to call the Chamber of Commerce director to inquire about the situation.

"You asked who came to handle the treasure? Recently, many people have visited it to promote the auction."

However, as you know, unclaimed treasures are dangerous; only those with considerable strength, or even heroes, can view them from afar.

There are almost none that are close.

People come and go; after all, it's located within the Chamber of Commerce, so there are indeed too many people you come into contact with.

He asked more specifically: "Have any skilled archers come recently, but none have become heroes?"

After some thought, the chamber of commerce director actually came up with a clue: "Now that you mention it, it does make some sense. After all, it's a treasure for heroes, but a dangerous item for ordinary people."

However, one of the Griffinson family's sharpshooter captains seemed interested in the Tree Elf Bow, having visited several times before and even saying he wanted to buy the bow for his master.

I haven't seen him much lately; I heard he went on a long trip.

Griffinson, the unpromoted sharpshooter, is being courted at the ball.

All the events instantly connected into a single thread, and Su Mu understood why the other party wanted to win over Ou Ling, and what they had promised in return.

Given the Griffinson family's status and their relationship with the market trade chief, it seems that secretly visiting and arranging for someone to steal some magical spiritual energy wouldn't be a big problem.

However, this promising talent failed to be seized upon and was instead swallowed by the Tree Spirit Bow, which unleashed the treasure's ferocity, causing it to wreak havoc and even break the seal. Only then did they seek out someone who could resolve the situation.

The auction for this treasure has definitely been brewing for some time, but Su Mu only just received the news that because everyone knows how powerful it is, the price of the treasure has plummeted, and the merchant guild is forced to find someone to take over.

Su Mu examined the longbow more closely; at the very top, there seemed to be a feather mark, stained with blood.

If the guess is correct, the victim was shot twice, once in each atrium and once in the heart.

He and his supervisor went to see the body, and it was indeed the case!

Once activated, this weapon is difficult to dispose of, and if a hero lacks archery skills, it cannot be used, causing its value to plummet instantly.

Su Mu then explained to the supervisor that this treasure was difficult to handle and he didn't have a good solution.

Seeing his hesitation, the supervisor's face turned very ugly, and he could only say in a low voice, "I heard that your troops have powerful elemental bows. Why not buy them back as a reward to boost morale?"

Su Mu shook his head: "Whoever I send will die. Besides, the backlash from the curse hasn't been lifted yet. I don't want to be shot with two arrows in my sleep!"

Upon hearing Su Mu emphasize the "two arrows," the supervisor instantly realized that the other party already knew some of the inside story, but dared not ask any further questions.

After all, he, as a merchant, dared not meddle in the affairs of the upper nobility. His orders were simply to sell the bow and not to ask any further questions.

The other party wanted to push the product further, but Su Mu instructed them to isolate the magic item for a few days before turning around and leaving, leaving the helpless supervisor behind.

This treasure is indeed useful to Su Mu, but now is not the time to buy it. Its owner may have lowered their expectations due to the trouble of the treasure's backlash, but is still thinking of a solution.

The idea of ​​calling him over was to resolve the issue so that the other party could proceed with the auction.

First, he didn't want to be used as a pawn; second, he couldn't use this magical artifact and needed Ouling's help, but Ouling was still lacking in skill.

……

Upon returning to the manor, he learned that Ouling had not appeared for several days. He was treated as an honored guest of the Baron's manor and enjoyed the most respectful treatment.

The archers under his command had been eating and drinking for days, and were not allowed to move around freely. The soldiers were getting tired of it and wanted to return to their territory, but their commander had not returned for a long time.

"Has the commander been seduced by a girl in the city? He hasn't been seen for days."

"I've heard that Oling's reputation has soared, and the nobles of the castle greatly admire his archery skills. Will he stay?"

"What's the point of staying? The people of Longletburg have betrayed us. Are we going to remain loyal to them?"

This "Bow of the Earth" team is composed of people who joined later and those who were veterans. They are all comrades-in-arms and naturally know what happened back then, so they share a common hatred for the enemy.

Upon seeing Su Mu return, the group seemed to have found their pillar of support and began to share their thoughts.

"Don't worry, everyone. We'll have at most another week to get the orders and then return to our territory." The crowd cheered. Being confined to one area and unable to move around freely, even archery practice, made them feel very restricted.

One of the more astute individuals warned, "I've noticed that the Commander has been in too much contact with the nobles lately; I'm afraid he might be being misled by them."

Su Mu simply patted them on the shoulder without saying anything more.

Around dusk, Su Mu finally met Ou Ling, who reeked of alcohol mixed with a woman's perfume.

"Oh, after following the Baron for a few days, you've started enjoying high-class pleasures too."

Ouling scratched his head awkwardly: "I still have to deal with those nobles. I want to get some good equipment for our archers. You may not know, but the castle's armory has everything, and the ammunition is really excellent."

Su Mu hummed in response but did not reply.

Ouling was much more sober now: "If you feel uncomfortable, I'll move back from the front. Socializing is exhausting."

Su Mu waved his hand: "No need, you did a great job. Besides, we should be leaving soon anyway, so let's not get too entangled with them!"

Ouling nodded naturally.

Just then, the butler came over and called out, "Commander Olling, the Baron wishes to see you!"

Ouling apologized and left in a hurry.

Su Mu watched his departing figure, lost in thought.

[Oling: Loyalty 60]

It seems the nobles' sweet talk was quite effective, even causing the usually steadfast leader to waver.

But Su Mu felt that the Baron and his men probably couldn't control Ouling; the one who truly swayed him was someone else.

……

They were drinking and chatting happily at the Baron's mansion again. Su Mu was clearly present, but the Baron only invited him.

He was promised a position and money by high-ranking officials, who said that if he joined Griffinson's archer guard, he would gain unimaginable glory.

After hesitating for a moment, Ouling still refused. After all, Su Mu had rescued him from slavery, and if he betrayed him, he would probably be disgraced.

The Baron said he was merely a messenger, doing his bidding for money, and wouldn't recommend anyone Ouling wanted to belong to. He only mentioned the Griffinson family's resources and potential to help him advance to hero status, and also mentioned the Merchant Guild's Tree Spirit Bow, saying Su Mu was also interested in this magical artifact.

Ordinary heroes are often helpless when faced with a backlash from a treasure.

Before Ouling left, the Baron seemed to have had too much to drink, so he opened up to him.

"You're still young and always feel like you have a lot to achieve, but that's not actually the case."

"Crucial moments in life are few, and life-changing choices are even rarer. The most important thing is to follow the right people. Now is not the time to act impulsively, or you will regret it for the rest of your life!"

When Ouling came out of the sweltering hall, the wind sobered him up.

These days of clinking glasses and lavish banquets have attracted much attention, and it's as if a series of scenes are unfolding in my mind.

At first, he resisted, instinctively wanting to be a pure archer. But soon, he got used to it and enjoyed it.

He sought a title, wanting to prove himself—wasn't it all just to show him?

This is how the lives of nobles should be. What is the point of fighting and struggling if not to maintain good relationships and support each other?
When one's reputation is widespread enough, even old friends far away will hear of it.

"Baron Lille, I have done what you asked me to do!"

"I am not a useless archer."

Ouling faced the moon, turned north, and murmured softly.

"Father!"

(End of this chapter)