Chapter 451: It Really Is You
Wu Heng wasn't in the mood to joke with her.
"No, I suspect there's still something off about her death. Go and check."
Glenda didn't say much, concealed her form, and phased through the wall to leave.
Before long, Glenda flew back again.
Hovering to one side, she said, "The coffin is empty, nothing was left behind. I specifically checked the outside; there's no sign of recent soil disturbance."
As expected.
Macintosh hadn't truly died.
Instead, she feigned death to escape.
"She must have faked her death and then left this place," Wu Heng said.
"Fake death? How? If I'd known that trick back then, it would've been great." Glenda muttered to the side.
Wu Heng didn't continue speaking.
Instead, he sank into deep thought.
To deceive both the guild and Gold-Silver Island's guards, she must have used an extremely risky method that brought her into a genuine state of death.
Was she not afraid someone would dissect her?
If her body were damaged, no method could bring her back.
What could have been so urgent at that time that she had to leave in such a way?
Wu Heng frowned, recalling.
Back then, during that time period, what exactly had happened?
Tracing back along the timeline, suddenly, a scene surfaced in his mind.
The island master's return.
During that time, the island master led a team back, and Wu Heng stood at the port, listening to his speech.
"Macintosh avoided the island master and chose to leave. Otherwise, she might never have been able to leave this island in her lifetime."
"And what does this have to do with the story?"
"Unless… the island master is the Pirate King, the new Pirate King who acquired treasure after leading the fish schools in rebellion."
"Damn! He's not a Warrior; he's a Prophet."
Wu Heng suddenly shivered.
Even though he had already suspected the other party of being behind the Blank Envelope, deducing layer by layer still sent chills down his spine.
At the time of 'Macintosh's' departure, she didn't know that they had already gathered intelligence on the Pirate King.
Thus, she cryptically narrated the story of the fish schools searching for treasure, telling him that the island master had obtained the treasure.
Moreover, the ability to monitor all the fish schools at sea was intelligence linked to the Blank Envelope.
"If the other party can monitor everything happening at sea, how could they wait for the guild's reinforcements?"
Squeak~!
The door opened, and Andviel walked in from outside.
She said, "Master, the front desk couldn't trace the letter's origin. If we want to track it step by step, it'll take some time."
Wu Heng stood up and said, "No need to trace the letter. Notify 'Sheila Grey' to head to the Steward's study."
"Huh? Ask Deputy Steward 'Sheila Grey' to go to the Steward's study?"
"Yes, I have something for her to handle." Wu Heng said.
Glenda, still in her concealed state, merged back into his body as he walked out.
Andviel agreed and headed towards Sheila Grey's study.
...…
Steward's Study.
Wu Heng knocked lightly on the door and walked in directly.
Imiro looked up at him and asked, "What's the matter?"
Knock, knock, knock~!
The door was knocked again.
Sheila Grey followed closely behind and also walked in.
Imiro looked at the two with curiosity, while Sheila Grey also glanced at Wu Heng, waiting for him to speak.
"I just received a letter. Its content tells the story of fish schools searching for treasure…"
The story of fish schools searching for treasure?
Imiro, Sheila Grey, and even 'Moya' in the distance looked at him with some confusion.
Wu Heng narrated the story in full.
He didn't make them analyze its contents; that would be too time-consuming.
Instead, he directly stated, "The fish schools in the story refer to the pirate crews, and the treasure is the Pirate King's treasure. Someone used this method to tell me about the Emerald Sea. The Pirate King who obtained the treasure possesses abilities similar to or exactly like those of a Prophet."
Following his train of thought, Sheila Grey analyzed, "So you mean we can use the Prophet's abilities to identify the Pirate King among the pirates?"
"No."
Sheila Grey raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
Wu Heng said sternly, "Originally, the only Prophet on Gold-Silver Island was Macintosh from the Old Barrel Tavern. I just checked her grave, and her coffin is empty."
Imiro and Sheila Grey's pupils contracted sharply.
Even Moya, who was brewing tea in the distance, turned to look over.
"Continue!" Imiro said, now interested.
Wu Heng continued, "Two possibilities: Macintosh is the Pirate King, or she faked her death to escape, knowing she would be killed if she stayed."
"Macintosh is only level 15; at most, she's just a captain," Sheila Grey said.
Macintosh had always been in plain sight.
She collaborated with the guild and local forces and held intelligence about the port.
Both Imiro and Sheila Grey had observed her, confirming she wasn't a high-level Professional.
Wu Heng nodded in agreement, "So, it's the second possibility. She sensed the danger. And at that time…"
Imiro interrupted, "Occam brought the fleet back to the island."
"Right," Wu Heng added, "If our deductions are correct, the island master's class isn't a Warrior but a Prophet. He's turned Gold-Silver Island into a chessboard, planning to take down the guild and all the major merchant guild representatives to reestablish himself as the Emerald Sea's Pirate King."
Sheila Grey's eyes widened.
Imiro's always-calm face grew darker.
In other words, the island master had been using the Blank Envelope to control the pirates and stage a grand play.
What a ruthless pirate.
He intended to use the guild and major merchant guilds as stepping stones to become the Pirate King.
"Let me see that letter," Imiro said.
Wu Heng handed it over.
Imiro glanced at it, then passed it to Moya behind him. "Compare it with Macintosh's handwriting."
Moya took it and quickly left.
Imiro continued, "The guild's reinforcements are still on their way."
Wu Heng advised, "Steward, the Pirate King can track all ships in the Emerald Sea. If the guild's ships are part of his plan, we can't follow his rhythm."
"Then what do you propose?"
"Kill him now. Once he's dead, Gold-Silver Island's scheme collapses immediately."
Sheila Grey hadn't spoken, but her eyes remained fixed on the two discussing the plan.
She didn't know how to interject.
At that moment, the door swung open again.
Moya walked in, his face grim. "Steward, there's no issue with Macintosh's handwriting."
As expected…
Imiro immediately stood up, retrieved his armor from his spatial ring, and began putting it on. "The guild is now in a state of readiness. Wu Heng will oversee the guild and take full charge of its defenses and security. Sheila Grey, choose a team and secure the port. Kill anyone who obstructs."
Wu Heng and Sheila Grey's expressions immediately turned serious.
Sheila Grey asked, "Steward, what about you?"
"I'm heading to the island master's estate to see what he's up to."
Wu Heng said, "Steward, let Sheila Grey stay at the guild. I have some experience dealing with pirates."
Sheila Grey's level wasn't low among Professionals.
But the port would undoubtedly be heavily fortified. If Sheila Grey went there, taking control might be challenging.
Wu Heng, with his ranged weapons and ability to summon the undead while killing enemies, would find it easier.
Imiro glanced at the two. "If your analysis is correct, once the fight begins, the guild will face greater challenges. You'll be most effective staying here. If your analysis is wrong, the port won't be in much danger, and Sheila Grey can handle it."
Sheila Grey looked at Wu Heng. "Don't worry. I've got this."
Wu Heng handed over three radios to the two, who placed them on their ears.
Sheila Grey, familiar with them, put one on quickly, while Imiro curiously tried his out.
Wu Heng explained how to use them. Imiro, impressed by their communication capabilities, stored his in his spatial ring.
After donning his armor, Imiro said, "Moya, issue an announcement. Everyone is to follow Wu Heng's orders."
"Already prepared," Moya replied, holding up the announcement and walking out.
"Alright, safety above all," Imiro said.
The group nodded.
Together, they left the study.
Imiro left the guild directly, while Sheila Grey called her team and departed as well.
Wu Heng ordered the gates shut and all members to enter a state of readiness.
...…
In a dimly lit room.
A figure quickly entered the room.
"Leader, the tamed beasts spotted Imiro leaving the guild and heading towards the estate."
Inside the room.
The burly island master, draped in a starry robe and holding a wooden staff, looked at the maritime sand table.
"The Black Dragons won't arrive until tonight. Did Imiro learn something?"
The reporting figure shook his head. "Not sure. Maybe he's sensed something."
The island master chuckled. "No matter. Notify everyone to proceed as planned."
"Yes!"
The figure left quickly.
The entire small island seemed to boil with activity.
Countless tamed beasts took to the skies, while large groups of guards and pirate-like figures rushed into the streets.
...…
At the residence.
Minnie, accompanied by Milisen, was transplanting several plants from beneath an armored vehicle into the flowerbed in the courtyard.
"These have been growing for so long with Sister Shanaila. It'd be a pity if they just died," Minnie said as she transplanted them into pots.
Milisen, also helping, liked flowers and plants as much as Minnie.
"Shanaila, was she the elf lady from yesterday?"
"Yes," Minnie said immediately. "Have you heard of Star Flower?"
"A merchant guild? Quite famous."
"Yes, it's the largest merchant guild of the Wood Elves. Sister Shanaila is its leader. She's so wealthy and always brings us treats." Minnie puffed out her chest slightly.
Milisen's eyes widened. Such a big guild's leader had dinner with her last night.
They even chatted a bit.
It was her first time receiving such treatment.
She wanted to ask more about their relationship.
But feeling it wasn't her place, she just nodded and continued filling pots with soil.
Knock, knock, knock~!
Suddenly, someone knocked heavily on the door.
Both of them paused their work. Minnie's brows furrowed slightly.
"Who is it?"
"Deputy Steward Wu Heng sent me. He says the island's dangerous lately and asks you to go to the guild."