Death Notice Book 8: Chapter 36: Ankhaipe

Release Date: 2026-06-10 03:23:12

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Ankhaipe was a central port in the southern inland sea of Faerûn, the Steam Lake. This bustling trade port was under the rule of the Bardid family of the Sespitz Noble Alliance.

The huge port city was divided into two main districts from south to north. The northern city, the Lias District, belonged to nobles and the wealthy, filled with Baroque-style noble manors. These had thick, sturdy shapes and free structures, but inside they were decorated with Byzantine-style luxury.

The Glitar Cathedral was the tallest building in Ankhaipe. The pointed towers standing side by side at its entrance reached 137 meters high. From inside the towers, one could view the entire city.

From this angle, the crowds in the port looked like groups of crawling ants. The masts and sails at the docks appeared like rows of faintly visible mirages in the sea mist. If not for the cold, damp sea breeze constantly brushing past, this scene would always give people a feeling of being trapped in a dream.

Unlike the clean streets and luxury shops of the northern city, the southern city was the noisiest and most chaotic port area of Ankhaipe, including a large market adjacent to the docks.

South of the large market were many small taverns at the port docks. Of course, many of these also operated inns and brothels upstairs, forming the unique entertainment red-light district of the Steam Lake harbors.

Here, people from all walks of life mixed, filled with the dark side of the city—snakes, insects, rats, and ants. In the dirty, dark alleys, one could often see many ugly-looking mafia thugs engaged in filthy illegal activities.

At this moment, a group of cloaked figures was moving through the alleys of the numerous dock taverns. These people wore simple clothes, spoke little as they walked, deliberately kept their heads down, and hid their faces under their hoods.

Occasionally, when some of them lifted their heads, one could still see their handsome and extraordinary faces, different from ordinary people. Plus, their hair, shining like gold and silver outside their hoods, and the brief glimpse of pointed ears under the hoods allowed the sharp-eyed mafia members in the port area to determine that some of them were likely Elves, rarely seen in human cities.

Surprisingly, however, the greedy mafia members of Ankhaipe seemed to have become blind and deaf at this time, turning a blind eye to these walking gold coins. Even if they occasionally caught sight of these strangers’ true faces, they would quickly look away, hiding in the darkness of the alleys as if avoiding the plague.

This wasn’t because the dark forces of Ankhaipe disliked gold coins, but because this harbor was different from others around the Steam Lake. It had a very unique and distinct characteristic. Elves were not rare here; although not permanent residents, they were neither slaves nor goods.

Since the eleventh head of the Bardid family formed an alliance with the Anke Elf Court, the Anker Elves had saved the city’s fate three times in the past hundred years during the Sespitz Noble civil wars, sparing it from the flames of war.

At the same time, animal furs, timber, spices, and herbs sourced from the Ank Forest were the biggest factors in Ankhaipe’s continued prosperity.

In this human port city, whether the nobles and wealthy merchants of the northern city or the various mafia forces of the southern city, all gradually realized that compared to risking the capture of Elf slaves, they could also profit greatly from trade with the Anker Elves.

Moreover, the group of humans and Elves mixed together walking through the tavern alleys showed outlines of long objects under their cloaks, revealing they were not unarmed and likely an experienced mixed mercenary group.

Rather than provoke such enemies, the mafia members preferred to take advantage of the sunset not having fully set and try their luck in the large market, which was the busiest at this time of day, perhaps finding a few unwary fat sheep.

…

Milleras’s face twitched slightly as he looked at the thick layer of unknown filth by the water channel and the thick liquid with foam on the surface. He felt a churning in his stomach, and his subconscious natural disgust for humans seemed to deepen a layer.

“Your Highness Firal, were all the human cities you traveled to before like Ankhaipe?” Milleras turned his head and asked his companion softly.

“Your Highness Milleras, which aspect do you mean?” Qin Lun stepped carelessly through the dirty water in the alley, smiling as he asked, “Didn’t you pass other human cities when you crossed the sea from Cormanthor to Qiongda’er?”

“Well, east of the Cormanthor Forest is the Dragon Bay. We used the sea monsters provided by the Gana fish-men to cross the Sea of Fallen Stars, then reached Qiongda’er through the Vihong Sea. We encountered several sea storms on the way, but we didn’t resupply at any human ports.” Milleras explained with a frown.

“I see!” A glint flashed in Qin Lun’s eyes, and he squinted as he smiled. “The noblest lotus grows only in the mud, Your Highness Milleras. Perhaps when you see what humans call high society, you’ll understand what ‘the emperor’s new clothes’ means!”

“I shall wait and see!” Though puzzled, Milleras nodded and smiled. “It’s a blessing to travel with an experienced royal. Firal, perhaps we should set aside our statuses and call each other by our names, what do you think?”

“As you wish, Milleras!” Qin Lun slightly bowed, elegantly nodding in agreement.

“Your Excellencies, I found a ‘voluntary’ guide!” While Qin Lun and Milleras were talking quietly, Stark ran up from ahead, holding a short human in his large hand.

“Poof!” The acting Leader of the Fortress Team lightly tossed the man to the ground at Qin Lun’s feet. “This guy is called Xigong. He’s a local snake around here and should be quite familiar with the dock area.”

“B-big sir, I’m Xigong from the Byron Gang. Is there anywhere I-I can be of service to you?” After being thrown at Qin Lun’s feet by Stark, the skinny Rogue bent his upper body, prostrated on the ground, his forehead covered in cold sweat. His narrow eyes darted around, and his right hand quietly slipped into his clothes.

“Look up, put your hands where I can see them, and don’t do anything reckless!” Qin Lun squatted down with a smile, took a fist-sized pouch from his clothes, and shook it near the Rogue’s ear.

The Rogue’s body stiffened, and he slowly pulled his right hand out of his clothes, laying it flat in front of him. The crisp, pleasant clinking of gold coins greatly eased his tension. He had seen many Elf mercenaries in the taverns, but few were willing to deal with underground rats like him.

Although many Anker Elves worked as mercenaries and Hunters in this city, the generally highly righteous Elf mercenaries did not have a good opinion of the mafia members and thugs in the port area.

Sometimes, the two sides even had bloody conflicts in the underworld. Mafia members who fell into Elf hands often disappeared, and the city guards wouldn’t offend the Elves over such small matters, making Xigong worry about his own life.

“Don’t worry, we mean no harm. We just want to ask which regular cargo ships go to Suldophor!” Qin Lun took a Cormyrian gold coin from the money pouch and placed it on the Rogue’s outstretched palm.

Looking at the gold coin in his palm, a gleam appeared in the Rogue’s narrow eyes. His right hand deftly flipped, and the coin disappeared into his sleeve.

“Sir, our Byron Gang’s business is limited to a few nearby taverns and inns, but I can help you contact old man Cap from the ‘Black Owl.’ He’s the head of the dock workers’ union and knows every merchant ship in Ankhaipe like the back of his hand…” The Rogue grinned, revealing a row of messy, uneven yellow teeth, forcing a fake smile on his face.

“Hmm, you’re quite sharp. If the information you get satisfies me, then this pouch of Cormyrian coins is all yours!” Qin Lun shook the money pouch, then pointed at Stark and laughed, “But be smart and don’t try any tricks. My friend here will go with you. His strength is no less than a High Rank boxer; you should have seen it already!”

“Yes, sir!” The Rogue showed a frightened expression, deeply bowing his head to hide the greed and malice in his eyes.

…

“Firal, why rely on such a despicable human? Didn’t the Bardid family already prepare a merchant ship for us?” Watching the departing Rogue and Stark, Iristin stepped forward, leaning close to Qin Lun, and asked softly in confusion.

“Haha, our journey won’t be very peaceful. We can’t leave too obvious a target for our opponents!” Qin Lun’s eyes flashed as he said calmly, “The Bardid family’s ship will still depart on time, but we won’t be on it.”

“Firal, these mafia members have no bottom line. Could seeking information from them leave future troubles? In Ankhaipe, they might not dare to move against Elves, but at sea…” Milleras asked worriedly, “Why not ask the trade associations? Humans with status and position would at least have some reservations.”

“Well, yes, the trade associations in the port area do have more professional ethics, but they can’t keep secrets. The Zhentarim started by controlling trade routes and sea trade. Asking the trade associations for information is no different from telling them our whereabouts directly!” Qin Lun explained with a smile.

However, he still had one more thought he didn’t share with Iristin and Milleras. When seeking information from humans with status and position, it’s hard to handle the aftermath later. But with snakes, insects, rats, and ants like Xigong and old man Cap, it didn’t matter—dead men can’t leak secrets, so naturally, there would be no future troubles.

“Let’s go, we’ll first find an inn to stay at. Leave other matters to Leader Robin and the others!” Qin Lun said with a smile, “I believe by tomorrow, they will have taken care of everything!”

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Volume 2 Chapter 31: Combat Model »