Chapter 96
Chapter 96: The Three Heavyweights of the Dark Mantle organization
After traversing a short distance through the manor, Han Shuo learned that the lanky man’s name was Chester, and that he was a bandit. Han Shuo also learned about some of Dark Mantle’s current situation from Chester.
Dark Mantle members were separated into the three divisions, Dark Star, Dark Moon, and Dark Sun, according to the amount of contributions they had made to the organization. The scattering of stars over the curtain of night represented that the Dark Star members could be found everywhere, in all corners of the Empire.The Dark Moon level was only higher by one step, but they still couldn’t see the light of day and could only live in the darkened corners. However, the higher level Dark Sun members could appear in the public’s eye like the sun, making a brilliant appearance in the day.
The three divisions of Sun, Moon, and Star were further divided into five levels according to their contributions to the Empire. Han Shuo currently held the rank of Dark Star, and the minute star on the back of his iron medallion represented that Han Shuo was the lowest one star member of the Dark Stars.
As a member’s contributions to the Empire rose, the medallion would slowly accumulate two stars, three stars, four stars, and eventually five stars. One would be promoted to a Dark Moon member when they surpassed five stars, and then would advance to a Fifth Star Moon member from a One Star Moon member similar to the way he advanced from Dark Star, and so on and so forth until being a Dark Star member at the top levels.
Once one advanced to a higher level, not only would their monthly stipend greatly increase, but he would also enjoy more of the Dark Mantle organization’s special authority. When one made it to the highest levels, like Candide, he would directly answer to the king. He would be below one person and above tens of thousands. All wealth and prosperity would be within reach.
“We’ve arrived!” Chester finally brought Han Shuo to a house in the center and stopped in front of it after covering a long distance.
Han Shuo had released the three original demons along the way and discovered that there was no one here in the manor apart from Chester and himself. There were no defensive measures set up around the expansive manor at all. This made Han Shuo quite confused.
This room wasn’t large, and Han Shuo still didn’t discover anything out of the ordinary after looking around. He asked Chester with a surprised expression, “Is there anything out of the ordinary here?”
“Heh heh, of course there’s something different here. The entire manor is just as you saw, with no defensive measures whatsoever. This manor is just a cover. The real ‘Dark Mantle’ isn’t here at all.” Chester explained with a faint smile, and then fumbled with something. Somehow, a crack suddenly appeared on the smooth floor and revealed a bright passageway.
As Han Shuo’s explanation went on, Candide’s originally grim-looking face became even uglier and twisted. Candide remained silent without a word after Han Shuo had finished speaking, his brow tightly knit together as if considering something.
After a while, just when Han Shuo was growing impatient from waiting, Candide broke out into a smile and said to Han Shuo, “Bryan, you’ve done very well, well to the point where I am astonished. It looks like you were born for this type of profession. With your strength, I’m truly surprised that you’ve managed to obtain so much valuable intelligence in such a short amount of time. Duke is a wind archmage, and even Camilla is a dark adept mage. Clark is a great earth rider. You’ve obtained so much valuable information under unsuspecting circumstances, I can only use magical as the only qualifier to describe your performance.”
“You praise me too highly.” Han Shuo said humbly.
“You don’t need to be humble. You’ve handled this matter perfectly. Although I’m very curious how you did it, you’re one of mine and I wouldn’t interfere and question you. Heh heh, you don’t have to think about what comes after this, I’ll send someone to handle this matter.” Candide used the eyes of one looking at a monster as he looked at Han Shuo and complimented him.
Han Shuo breathed a sigh of relief. The thing he’d been most worried about previously was that Candide would suspect the veracity of his words. After all, to conceal himself from so many people yet obtain so much intelligence with the level of his strength, it should’ve been impossible, logically speaking. What made Han Shuo feel gratified was that Candide didn’t doubt the truthfulness of this matter at all. He didn’t even ask how Han Shuo had obtained this information, this made Han Shuo feel very surprised.
“You don’t need to find it odd, for our Dark Mantle organization, we only need to know the finals results of the mission. We won’t ask about the process. Every member has their own way, and we don’t care what methods members use when we set a mission, just that it’s completed properly. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about anything. We won’t affect your life when there’s no mission, you can go about your daily routine and enjoy yourself.” Candide seemed to see through Han Shuo’s thoughts and explained patiently to him.
“Alright, then there’s nothing to do with me for the time being?” Han Shuo quite approved of the Dark Mantle’s principles and responded with a smile.
“Give me the medallion that represents your identity. I’ll record this very important intelligence in your medallion and the organization’s files. I have the obligation to add two stars for you. Some members are unable to obtain even one star with ten pieces of information, but the worth of your information is enough to qualify you to gain two stars.” Candide looked at Han Shuo and smiled at him.
Candide then took Han Shuo’s medallion and did something to it so that when it landed in Han Shuo’s hand again, two little stars had magically appeared on its back. This meant that Han Shuo had directly skipped two levels and entered the ranks of Third Dark Star.
“I’ll be taking my leave now if there’s nothing else.” Han Shuo was also a bit delighted to see that one mission was enough to make him a Third Dark Star like Chester and smiled as he spoke.
Nodding, Candide said, “Alright, you may go now, but you need to report to the organization every month. If you learn of any new intelligence that benefits or harms the Empire during this time, you can come directly and make a report. Your contributions will be calculated according to the accuracy of the intelligence and recorded in your organization files.”
“Heh heh, many Dark Star members advance through the ranks in this fashion. You need to report in every month, even if you have no intelligence. This allows the organization to know your status for one, and the organization will also see if there are any missions suitable for you for another. Of course, you have the right to choose some missions and the right to reject some.” Candide added.
Han Shuo nodded, indicating his understanding without saying much more and prepared to leave. But when he reached the door, Candide seemed to have an awkward subject to disclose and called out, “Wait one moment, Bryan.”
Halting, Han Shuo turned back to look at Candide and asked in bafflement, “Is there anything else, Lord Candide?”
“You must appropriately handle your relationship with Lawrence, this may have a great impact on you in the future. Lawrence’s identity is much more complex that you can imagine, and I can only tell you this much. You should keep your wits about you.” Candide also seemed to be in a difficult position and stopped after saying these words.
“I’ve heard that he’s the son of a finance minister, is this what you wanted to tell me?” Han Shuo had heard Lisa mention a few things about Lawrence before and thus opened his mouth to ask Candide again.
Nodding first but then shaking his head after, Candide opened his mouth once again under Han Shuo’s perplexed gaze, “Lawrence is the son of a preeminent finance minister, many are aware of this, but apart from this, Lawrence has another identity. This implications of his identity are too great, and your current level doesn’t have the right to know this information. I’m not at liberty to disclose too much and only wanted to remind you to take care so that you’re not embroiled in something you shouldn’t be in.”
Candide waved his hand and indicated for Han Shuo to leave. Han Shuo felt uncertain, but now that he knew a few of the Dark Mantle rules, he didn’t ask much. He nodded to indicate that he’d pay attention and left Candide’s room.
“Well, did you gain anything?” Chester asked Han Shuo excitedly as the two retraced their steps after the latter had met up with Chester again.
“Nothing much, just that Candide added two stars for me. I’m a Third Dark Star like you now, heh heh!” Han Shuo didn’t feel like there was anything that needed to be concealed from Chester’s interest, and smiled as he spoke to Chester.
Chester was astonished and incredibly envious to hear Han Shuo’s words. He sighed and shook his head at Han Shuo after his surprise, saying, “Your speed of advancement is indeed incredible with Lord Candide. I joined the Dark Mantle three years ago and reported twenty some pieces of information before becoming a Third Dark star. You’ve been in the organization for not even a week and have already risen to the rank of a Third Dark Star as well. Ai, comparisons are odious, treatment is indeed different when someone is taking care of you from above.”
Han Shuo shrugged and didn’t say much with regards to Chester’s reflection. Although he’d gotten the intelligence by virtue of his own strength, these types of matters were unexplainable and he simply decided not to say anything.
“If there’s any mission that needs to be completed by two people in the future, can you bring me along? Just treat it as giving me a hand as well?” Chester first sighed with emotion and then scratched his head, broaching this awkward subject with a bit of embarrassment.
“Sure.” Han Shuo agreed readily.
“Thanks so much! I’ll remember you and do my best to follow your instructions.” Chester was overjoyed and his attitude became even more enthusiastic than before. He kept describing all sorts of Dark Mantle matters to Han Shuo and sent him back to the quiet manor in the northern district again.