Lord of the Oasis Chapter 812 - Chapters 861-864

Most of the inn’s patrons remained frozen in place, uncertain of their next move. Each had been directed to lodge here by connections within the town, and their usual routines kept them from mingling. Consequently, they were entirely unaware of Kant and his companions. The exchange overheard between Kant and the Beastman confirmed their suspicion: the attackers were indeed targeting Kant’s group.

A significant number of travelers, milling about the lobby and along the walkways, pondered the predicament. Should they become involved in this unfolding conflict when they understood so little of it? “I’m completely out of the loop,” a dwarf declared, stepping forward from the assembly to address the CARADIA soldiers. “I intend to return to my room and pack. What business do we have with your dispute?”

The lead soldier, after a brief glance toward Kant, who was seated calmly, halted the dwarf’s departure. “Please, wait,” the soldier requested.

“What is this? Are you attempting to compel us to remain?” The dwarf’s voice held a discernible edge of irritation.

“Those who wish to stay may do so, and those who prefer to leave are free to depart,” Kant stated evenly. “It is entirely understandable to feel apprehensive about becoming entangled in trouble. However, as a representative of Caradia, I give my word to everyone who remains to participate in this discussion: your words will be kept in strictest confidence. Furthermore, any of you who choose to stay within the inn’s premises will have your safety guaranteed until you are ready to depart the town.”

Kant’s declaration brought a sudden hush over the previously boisterous scene. After a moment’s pause, the guests who had opted to stay found chairs around the dining tables and settled in.

“…Very well then.” The dwarf, whom the soldier had stopped, stroked his beard, considered Kant’s words, and then reluctantly agreed.

Observing Kant’s composed demeanor, the soldier guiding the patrons offered him a seat near Kant and took one himself.

“I appreciate your trust,” Kant acknowledged with a nod. He then turned his attention to the dwarf beside him. “May I ask your name?”

“Moliere,” the dwarf replied, briefly meeting Kant’s gaze.

“Indeed,” Kant responded, looking out at the assembled nomads. “Perhaps before today, none of you knew who we were. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Kant, the leader of an oasis nation known as Caradia, located on another continent. These individuals accompanying me are the soldiers and commanders of Caradia.”

“Greetings, everyone. I am Bunduk, the commander of Caradia’s forces,” Bunduk announced, stepping forward at Kant’s subtle gesture.

“Hello. My name is Abel,” a soldier from the Elf Kingdom added. “Our Elven kingdom’s troops and the soldiers from Caradia were dispatched to this small island on a joint mission.” Abel spoke proactively, sensing the need for further explanation.

“So it’s you!” a voice cried out in surprise from within the crowd. “You were the ones who ascended the mountain and rescued the Midget clan. I’ve heard mention of the other two human captains as well.”

“That is correct,” Abel confirmed with a smile. “Do you happen to know the current status of Klidoff Dave?” Abel inquired, his curiosity piqued. He hadn’t heard the dwarf clan chief mention Klidoff Dave during their previous encounter, and now that he’d found someone potentially in the know, he couldn’t resist asking.

“I heard that the Supervision Department had removed him from his position,” the guest mused. “However, no one has seen him since. It’s unclear whether the Midget clan took him prisoner or if he managed to escape on his own.”

“I see,” Abel commented. “If his transgression was merely the reason for his dismissal, then the punishment seems rather lenient for the severity of his actions.”

“Is Dave Klidoff the council member who orchestrated the deception, leading the world to believe the Midget clan had vanished?” Kant inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. It is likely due to his actions that we find ourselves on this island,” Abel stated, his voice tinged with indignation.

“Understood,” Kant replied.

“Let us set that aside for the moment. Everyone, please share what transpired with you today,” Bunduk urged, recalling Devitt’s letter, which had indeed mentioned Klidoff’s name. Consolidating the available information was paramount. He gestured to the host. “Who wishes to speak first?”

“Everyone’s experiences were quite similar, weren’t they? I believe…” a guest began.

“Yes, yes, exactly!” The other guests and even a few attendants chimed in with agreement.

“You all stayed together?” Bunduk asked, surprised.

“Yes,” another guest clarified. “A young waiter summoned everyone to the lobby, claiming that some of the morning’s leftovers had been found to contain toxins. All individuals who had consumed breakfast were requested to come downstairs for a health examination.”

“Did any of us receive such news?” Bunduk confirmed with the soldier behind him. After receiving a negative answer, Bunduk turned to the tenant and asked, “When you were summoned to the hall, what time was it?”

“Around seven o’clock in the evening,” the tenant replied.

“I see.” Bunduk seemed to have an idea and muttered under his breath.

“At that time, we were still eating in the dining hall,” Abel recalled carefully. “But why didn’t we hear anything downstairs?”

Kant pondered for a moment and inquired, “What did the waiter who brought you the news look like?”

“He was thinner than the other orcs, and his face was pale,” the tenant answered as he remembered.

“Could it be the same person?” Abel and Kant exchanged glances, their eyes filled with bewilderment. Then they shouted, “Right? Where did that waiter go? We haven’t seen him in the cellar?”

“If he is a member of the Dark Side, he should have escaped from this inn by now,” Bunduk stated. “If he was a staff member who was kidnapped in the inn...”

Bunduk couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence.

“Do you know the waiter mentioned by the tenant?” Kant asked the others.

“Of course, they do,” Bunduk said calmly.

“Bunduk?” Abel asked in confusion. “Have you seen this waiter with other waiters before?”

“Yes, when I went to the backyard to boil medicine tonight,” Bunduk looked coldly at the two or three waiters. “He and that one were bullying that waiter with their fists and feet.”

The two waiters who were pointed out by Bunduk looked embarrassed.

Chapter 862: The Helpless Situation

After hearing this, Abel’s expression also grew solemn. He declared, “I didn’t expect this kind of thing to happen in this shop. It appears the troubles of today have finally found their source. You two must provide us with a proper explanation.”

The two orcs exchanged glances. The attendant standing opposite Kant said, “My lords, the attack by an outsider truly has nothing to do with us. In terms of blame, it was that attendant who made a mistake and allowed the attacker to exploit a loophole.”

“Stop spouting nonsense!” Abel frowned and shouted, “Is it up to you to determine right and wrong? I detest it the most when you gang up and bully the weak. Now, straighten out the timeline of what you know and admit what you did wrong!”

“...Yes.” The waiter pursed his lips and replied, “This waiter is an orphan brought back from the suburbs by our boss. He is weak and withdrawn. We usually just… play around with him. I didn’t expect this kid to poison our food. However, heaven has its ways. This morning, everyone went to the city gate to help unload goods and had breakfast at the tavern on the street. The employee’s meal was discarded.”

“And then?” Bunduk pressed coldly. “When did you discover this?”

“When we returned to the shop at noon, we were unaware of this,” the waiter continued. “But the people from the sanitation department on the street came to our shop and said the leftovers sent by the kitchen were poisoned. At that time, the cashier panicked and immediately instructed us to search the kitchen to find out who poisoned it and how.”

“You didn’t immediately inform the guests in the shop?” Abel asked, puzzled.

“At that time, even if we informed everyone, we couldn’t explain it clearly,” the waiter standing in the corner replied.

“Go on,” Kant said faintly.

“Then, that kid’s actions were discovered by us.” The attendant paused for a moment before continuing, “Before we brought him before the Lord of the accounting department, we gave him a heavy blow in the backyard and taught him a lesson.”

“It shouldn’t have been just a heavy blow, right?” Bunduk recalled the scene he witnessed. After taking a deep breath, he said, “Didn’t that attendant faint?”

“No! That kid is definitely faking. Seeing that you are here, my Lord, he…” the waiter attempted to defend himself.

“If I hadn’t appeared in the backyard, that waiter would have been knocked unconscious by you,” Bunduk interrupted him. “Continue to tell me what happened next.”

“Yes…” The waiter’s expression soured. After all, he was accustomed to being arrogant among the waiters. To suddenly be lectured, he couldn’t refute, inevitably affecting his mood. However, Kant and the others had shown great care towards their inn. As a waiter in the inn, he had to endure whatever Bunduk said. At this moment, he replied in a low and humble voice, “After you left, my Lord, we sent Jackie to the cashier and let him handle it as he saw fit. At this time, Jackie woke up again and complained to the cashier about how we usually treated him. The cashier said, ‘After this matter is settled, we will deal with the few of us.’”

“Next, we will go to each guest room and summon all the guests, saying we are conducting a health inspection,” another waiter added.

“And then? Why didn’t you inform us? When was the cashier killed?” Kant inquired.

“Because, outside of meal times, our primary focus for investigation was the patrons who had partaken in breakfast or lunch within the restaurant. They did not dine here. The sole individual who ate was Mr. Kant, and the dishes he requested were prepared by the establishment's head chef. The ingredients utilized by the chef were procured and kept under his own supervision.”

“I understand,” Kant nodded. “Then, how was the accountant killed?”

“It was that lad, Jackie. I overheard the accountant speaking with him privately in the kitchen. Shortly after, I received news that the accountant had been murdered.” The waiter’s eyes blazed with fury as he clenched his teeth.

“Jackie?!” Bunduk exclaimed in astonishment.

“There were only two individuals in the kitchen: him and the cashier. It must have been him,” the waiter affirmed with a nod.

“Who was the first person to discover the scene?” Kant inquired, raising his hand to address everyone present in the hall.

The nomads, who had been engrossed in the unfolding narrative, paused momentarily before pointing fingers at one another.

“I recall it being Mr. Dewitz…”

“No, I heard it from someone else,” the individual implicated denied.

Ultimately, the original source of the information remained elusive.

A look of distress settled upon everyone’s features.

“If no one is fabricating the truth,” Kant stated, his gaze lowered, “it appears the initial discoverer of the scene was among the group who were just subjected to a kidnapping.”

“Your Highness, you mean…” Abel’s eyes widened as he recalled the corridor scene when Jackie had delivered the message. He then urgently questioned the waiter, “How were you all captured by those individuals?”

“Mr. Cashier perished from asphyxiation after being throttled by a rope,” the waiter recounted. “Aside from the main hall, the kitchen offers the only exit to the backyard. While we were all scouring the backyard, we were ambushed from behind. Consequently, until the assailants revealed themselves, we had no idea who they were.”

“It appears Jackie opted to collaborate with those from the shadowy underworld amidst the chaos,” Kant remarked, nodding.

“Their proposition was likely something along the lines of ‘we will ensure your safe passage out of town’,” Bunduk surmised with a sigh.

“After I saw through their scheme, Jackie must have already absconded from this inn,” Abel deduced. “He is now without funds. I wonder where he might have fled to?”

“I cannot say,” Bunduk responded gravely.

“I believe he will likely return to the inn. After all, this is the only sanctuary he has within this town,” Kant posited. “Regardless of whether he committed the act, we must confront him directly when the opportunity arises.”

“Indeed.” Bunduk assented.

“My Lords, we have divulged all that transpired today,” the waiter stated. “Now that you comprehend the entire situation, might you permit us to return and recuperate?”

Abel cast a glance at the waiter, proceeded to the tea table, and addressed the gathered individuals, “We appreciate your diligence. Please, return to your quarters and rest.”

CHAPTER 863: Piecing Together Scattered Clues

“Should any further pertinent details surface, you may convey them to any member of our troops at a later juncture. Today, we shall not impede your rest any further. After all, the majority of you must be feeling quite fatigued,” Kant added.

“My Lord,” a nomad among the crowd implored, “I wish to depart the city tomorrow. Would it be possible for you to dispatch a few soldiers to escort me? Station them at the city gates, and I shall arrange for someone I know to meet me there.”

“Me as well.” “Me too!”

Following his request, several other nomads echoed similar sentiments.

“Your Highness…” Abel began hesitantly.

“It is perfectly fine. All residents intending to depart the city by tomorrow should register with Moliere. I will personally oversee their transfer tomorrow morning,” Kant assured. “I shall assign a contingent to escort you safely beyond the city walls.”

“Thank you, thank you,” the initial supplicant expressed profound gratitude.

“It is nothing.” Kant rose and gestured dismissively. He then turned and departed from the Tang Empire’s main hall, making his way toward the staircase leading to the guest chambers.

“Your Highness, are you returning to your room to rest?” Bunduk inquired, following Kant’s steps.

Kant paused at the foot of the stairs and replied, “Yes, an excessive number of events have transpired today. I must attend to tidying my own quarters. You and Abel should conduct another thorough search of the inn. Consolidate all incomplete information. By the time the innkeeper returns, you must be prepared to offer him at least a semblance of an explanation.”

“Understood!” Bunduk acknowledged.

“Once these matters are concluded, you and the soldiers should also hasten back to your rooms to rest. Thank you for your tireless efforts,” Kant said with a slight nod.

“Yes.”

After observing Kant ascend the stairs, the guests also dispersed to their respective accommodations.

Bunduk rallied his soldiers and issued an order: “All soldiers! Divide into five squads and conduct a comprehensive sweep of the inn. Except for the occupied guest rooms, do not overlook a single nook or cranny!”

“Yes!” The soldiers of Caradia responded in unison.

Observing this, Abel also commenced leading the Elven soldiers in a detailed inspection of the inn. They even ascended to the rooftop tiles, meticulously checking for any signs of individuals having made an escape via the roof.

The soldier and his men toiled until the dead of night before they reconvened in the hall.

"Did you discover anything?" Bunduk inquired gravely.

"The second unit!" A Caradia soldier emerged from the ranks, reporting in a clear voice, "We've located the rope utilized by the assailant to strangle the Accountant."

Another soldier presented a segment of charred rope.

"And where was it found?" Bunduk gently took the rope, his hand curious.

"Tucked within the firewood beneath the kitchen hearth," the soldier responded.

"Indeed." Bunduk nodded, continuing his interrogation, "Did you unearth any other clues?"

The squad captain silently conveyed a negative response.

"We discovered evidence of someone ascending to the roof," Abel interjected at that moment.

This intelligence was relayed to him by his subordinate: the roof tiles were notably disturbed, likely from servants frequently accessing the rooftop for clandestine meetings. However, from the elf's discerning perspective, a distinct footprint was identified, leading towards the second-floor corridor window.

"That singular footprint confirms Jackie ascended to the roof alone," Abel stated plainly.

"Mm." Bunduk gave a nod. "All of you have exerted yourselves. Return and recuperate."

"Understood, Commander!" the soldier affirmed.

As they dispersed, Bunduk trailed Abel back towards the guest quarters, his fingers still firmly grasping the remnant of the rope.

"Lord Kant and I were contemplating why your mood seemed subdued when we shared the evening's news before dinner," Abel confided in a low tone as he removed his boots by the entrance. "So, you encountered those servants? You intervened, did you not?"

"I hesitated for a moment then, only ceasing my action when I learned Jacky had said nothing..." Bunduk explained.

"Sigh." Abel shook his head, offering no further remarks.

"Your Highness." "Your Highness."

Upon observing Kant seated at the tea table, engrossed in sketching beneath the candelabra's glow, Abel and Bunduk simultaneously bowed and offered their greetings.

"You have returned?" Kant inquired, setting down his writing implement and lifting his gaze. "Did you uncover anything?"

"We've retrieved the murder weapon, and it's confirmed that Jacky did indeed depart the scene, traversing the roof to reach the second floor, and this information has been conveyed," Abel reported.

"Yes, and what was this murder weapon?" Kant asked, rubbing his forehead.

"The rope was concealed within a stack of firewood," Bunduk clarified, presenting the rope segment to Kant.

Kant studied the half-rope in silence for a period before declaring, "Very well, place this rope within the evidence package, seal it securely, and entrust it to the innkeeper upon his return."

"Aye." Bunduk acknowledged with a nod.

"Your Highness, should we require passage out of the city tomorrow, the populace in the west district..." Abel voiced his concerns, a worried expression clouding his features.