Chapter 87: Iron-Boned Leech-Man
“Since you don’t want to talk, I won’t bother asking,” Abyss smiled and shook his head. It didn’t really matter whether he knew this information or not. If Prodo was even slightly cautious, he would disguise himself, perhaps even use magic to alter his appearance. Asking these low-ranking thugs directly clearly wouldn’t yield any constructive results.
“In that case, I advise you to release me quickly. Although the Iron Lilies operate loosely, don’t underestimate our solidarity. If I don’t return to the agreed rendezvous point tonight, they will assume I’m missing…”
“Where is your rendezvous point?” Abyss asked immediately.
The leech-man almost choked with anger. He was threatening Abyss, yet Abyss was interested in the rendezvous point? Did this guy even understand the concept of fear?
“Do you know what they’ll do when they assume I’m missing?” The leech-man’s eyes widened, a sinister smile spreading across his face. “They will launch terrifying reprisals against the elves! I know, since you’ve made a dirty deal with the elves, you definitely don’t want them to die, right? So I’ll give you one last chance, let me go…”
“Where are the other Iron Lily members? Can you give me a list?”
“…”
“Why aren’t you answering me? So stingy,” Abyss pouted.
“Damn bastard! Don’t you want this last chance? Let me go! Otherwise, I’ll make you and your elves regret it! I won’t give you any of the damn information you want!”
The leech-man seemed to have exploded with anger. His voice became hysterical, and his body, bound by the Eternal Lock, struggled desperately – futilely, of course. The Eternal Lock’s hold was absolute, and divine power, not being material, had no concept of durability. He could struggle until the end of the universe, but as long as Flora maintained the lock, he couldn’t move an inch.
“My friend, have you misunderstood something?” Abyss’s expression suddenly turned cold again.
“…?” The leech-man paused, confused.
“Who told you I care about your threats? Who told you I care what actions your accomplices take?” Abyss took two more steps forward. He grabbed the leech-man’s wrinkled collar, distorted by the transformation, pulled him closer until their noses almost touched. “If your accomplices retaliate against the elves because you’re missing, then let them come! Did you really think sporadic harassment is easier to deal with than a large-scale, concentrated attack?”
“I…” The leech-man hadn’t expected Abyss to be so firm regarding the elves’ safety. He had thought a “good person” like Abyss, who selflessly helped the elves, would be intimidated and hesitant. But Abyss was tougher than the most fanatical Iron Lily member?
“You what? Iron Lilies, right? I truly hope as many of you come as possible. If you have the ability and the guts, then come! Let’s see who laughs last!” Abyss’s cyan eyes stared intently at the leech-man, an immense pressure rising from the depths of the leech-man’s soul.
This youth before him was terrifying! As if he were the god of death and slaughter himself, descended upon the mortal realm, ruling over all death in this world!
This was completely different from what the old man had said. He had told the Iron Lilies that this youth was kind and benevolent, easily manipulated through his weaknesses! That old liar!
The leech-man was thoroughly panicked. He had intended to scare Abyss into releasing him, but his supposedly effective tactic had failed completely.
It was true that the Iron Lilies would avenge fallen members, but because they were a relatively loose terrorist organization, acting on general orders from their leader, their retaliations were spontaneous and lacked unified command, likely rendering them ineffective.
Under the threat of death, his mind raced.
Even if his comrades avenged him, what good would it do? If he died, he was truly dead. He knew Necromancers had tenets, but those tenets didn’t forbid killing, only killing for selfish gain. Abyss wasn’t afraid to kill him; he simply didn’t want to play the role of executioner!
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’ll tell you everything!” he shouted immediately.
“Dealing with bastards like this, intimidation really is more effective,” Leona couldn’t help but remark in the mind link. “If you were nice to him, he’d definitely get more arrogant.”
“Oh, actually, that was my plan all along,” Abyss replied with a barely perceptible smile, glancing at Leona and Flora. “I don’t intend to show any kindness to people like him.”
“He deserves it,” Flora didn’t object to Abyss’s approach.
The leech-man immediately spilled everything he knew, like beans from a bamboo tube.
The Iron Lilies’ initial actions were prompted by merchants who had successfully smuggled goods out of the Elven Kingdoms. These merchants exchanged money and goods with locals for temporary hunting rights, then harvested various crystals from small animals considered insignificant by the elves. They discovered that consuming these crystals like candy granted magical abilities, which alerted the power-hungry Iron Lilies to an opportunity.
They immediately traded with the merchants. Seeing a chance for profit without harming human interests, the merchants were willing to deal with the Iron Lilies, albeit discreetly and at inflated prices due to their illegal status.
The Iron Lilies weren’t fools. After acquiring some crystals, they gave them to willing members to try. As expected, the members gained magical powers without any study or training. After consuming a certain number of crystals, they discovered they could also transform.
Thus, Iron Lily members infiltrated the Elven Kingdoms in animal form, hunted for crystals, and used them to cultivate more members… Now, the Iron Lilies had almost completely infiltrated the Elven Kingdoms. But these individuals were nomadic, gathering only in small, scattered groups, making them difficult to eliminate entirely.
Among the information the leech-man provided, one detail caught Abyss’s attention – the old man who revealed the information about the Sage’s Blood wasn’t alone. He had several individuals beside him, possibly apprentices. They were dressed as mages in black robes, their faces concealed by hoods, leaving only their mouths visible.
Abyss desperately wanted to know if these individuals accompanying Prodo were followers of the Lord of Bullying or his own former martial brothers and sisters.
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