Despite the fact that 200 years of history have been entangled in countless blood and dark shadows, and countless crazy and strange legends have been left behind, Ston Buch, the great city of ten thousand springs, and the eternal stone fortress, is still a city to be desired. Many people www.biquge.info come from far and wide just to see the seemingly impregnable walls, the black towers that pierce the sky, and the springs that shimmer in the sun...... From all continents, or further afield, all sorts of prominent and distinguished men gathered in this city, Olin Balk, almost unknown among them.

Master Balk, who is nearly sixty years old, has a title that sounds dispensable, but no one who really understands the weight of the name will take him lightly - no one who has mastered the entire nation's foreign spy network is not to be taken lightly, not to mention that Balk has been untouched for decades through three generations of kings, from Garden Bofford to Frederick.

"My allegiance belongs to this nation, not to a king. ”

Legend has it that this phrase came from Balk's mouth, but no one knows whether it is true or not.

What is certain is that without Balk, Ruttger, who has been repeatedly mired in civil war in these short decades, would not have been lucky enough to be spared any war from the outside world.

In a sense, Orin Balk is a true hero...... An untold legend.

Standing in front of Balk's mansion, facing the old blackened wooden door, Ed's mind swirled with countless stories that he didn't know whether to be true or false, and he stood for a while before he remembered to raise his hand and knock on the door.

The door soon opened, and an old man with gray hair poked his head out from behind the door and looked at him with cloudy eyes.

"Good afternoon. Ed smiled his most flatteringly, "I'm Ed Singall, and I'm here to see Master Balk...... This is a letter from Her Majesty the Queen Mother. ”

He passed the letter through the crack in the door, and the red fire paint seal was sealed squarely in the opening.

The old man glanced down, and opened the door without taking the letter at all.

Ed followed his sluggish steps into the gloomy living room. Balk's home was on the edge of the market district, with no courtyard, doors and windows facing a fairly lively street, and the noise and bright sunlight outside seemed to be completely impenetrable through the closed doors and windows, and there seemed to be no sound of anyone else in some stuffy rooms.

The old man slowly sat down in a chair and looked up at Ed.

Ed was stunned for a moment before he suddenly reacted, this old man who he took for granted as a servant...... It's Orin Balk himself.

It's not that he hasn't heard of Balk's burly figure and ordinary appearance, just like the old man in front of him, but he really didn't expect that Balk would have such a ...... It can be called a "simple" face. With a square chin, thick lips, dull dark eyes, sparse eyebrows, and a plain, white-washed gray shirt, a slightly rickety body...... This man didn't look like a spy boss at all, but more like a simple farmer, and even his eyes seemed to be a little wooden.

"Hug ...... I'm sorry. Ed blushed and stammered, "I didn't know you were ......"

Balk nodded nonchalantly and pointed to him another chair.

"What do you want to know?" he asked, "I don't have news of the Norvi Sunstriders." ”

Ed closed his newly opened mouth in embarrassment—his question was blocked before he could get out.

He knew what he was coming for...... Of course, Ed didn't hide his whereabouts either. His friend is missing, he is anxious to get news of him, whether it is sneaky or open, anyone who wants to know can easily know his purpose, why should he bother to hide it?

"Your friend disappeared after crossing the Vinez River. Balk's voice was old and hoarse, muffled as if he hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time, "They're pretty good at getting rid of their tails. ”

Ed nodded, and couldn't help but feel a little proud...... But now is not the time to be proud.

"So......" he thought for a moment, and cautiously asked another question, "do you have any news of Lance?"

"Lance, the Sunstrider is dead. Balk replied calmly, "At least some people believe so...... Or hope others believe so. ”

Ed's heart sank and jumped again, and his raised eyebrows involuntarily shifted angles.

"But if Lance is really dead, with Payne Silverleaf's character, the empty court will not be as quiet as it is now. Balk continued in a flat, unenthusiastic tone, as if talking about the unpleasant harvest in the field, "The empty court is heavily guarded, and it is difficult for my people to enter. If your friend returned to Grivar for the Silver Leaf King...... Someone can probably give you more information. ”

Ed's eyes lit up.

"A mage. Balk said, "Nick Stobel." ”

"Do you know where he is?"

“...... It's right here in Stonebuch. Balk's eyes narrowed, and there was finally a hint of cunning in his gaze that a "spy leader" should have, "If you want to find him...... Ask Scott Criesers, your uncle. ”

Ed's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

He somewhat understood why Balk was so candid. It wasn't just because of the letter in his hand - Balk didn't even look at it at all. In fact, Balk didn't tell him much useful news, and he had to go to Nick Stobel...... The mage from the Archmage Tower is not so easy to deal with.

If he did dig up anything from Stobel, he would have to repay it given that Balk had "helped" him so generously. Even if he didn't get anything, Balk would probably be able to find an opportunity in his actions.

Ed's scalp tingled, and he felt that he was a little overwhelmed.

He struggles to see the truth, take control of his own destiny, and protect the people around him...... But intentionally or unintentionally, he always easily becomes a pawn of others.

He hurriedly took his leave, but before leaving, Balk unexpectedly stopped him.

"Be careful, young man. Balk's calm voice was not discerning concern or warning, "The trees in the forest have grown too densely, and there are too many places under the dense shade where the sun can't shine...... Before you get in, it's best to think about whether you can still get out. ”

. (To be continued.) )