Chapter 104: Crescent Town

Crescent Town lay on the border of the Southern Islet Forest. Roya’s caravan deliberately took a longer route to avoid the forest, yet ultimately still arrived near its edge.

Many adventurers, after gaining spoils within the Southern Islet Forest, would choose to trade and resupply in the closest towns. Crescent Town had developed precisely because of this, much like how the cities of Kasso and Butan flourished by relying on the Skybreak Mountains.

“Are those ambushers who fled alright?” the Wanderer Rainbow asked anxiously.

Compared to the initial daunting presence of the Golden Dragon, the ambushers who had slipped through near the town now posed a real threat. By now, surrounding towns had likely received word of their smuggling caravan’s movements, able to estimate their progress from the caravan’s size and timing.

If fate was unkind, heavy forces might already be lying in wait within the Southern Islet Forest, ready to ensnare them.

Having undertaken a similar mission in his past life, Zhao Xu was no stranger to the tactics of these separatist towns. He reassured them, “If Kasso and Butan are only expecting one caravan from us, it would be better for them to surrender early.”

“Exactly. The entire Northern Sky Trade Alliance has more than just our smuggling caravan headed over there. It’s a matter of which caravan manages to break through and earn Kasso and Butan's eternal friendship,” the poet Northern Frog added.

“So what are we doing here?” Youyou asked, looking puzzled.

“Seems like we’re here to retrieve something,” Maple Leaf whispered. As the fixed contact between Roya and Isis, he knew quite a few secrets.

“What is it?” Youyou asked curiously.

“That, I don’t know,” Maple Leaf chuckled, scratching his head. He only knew part of the secret.

“Ugh, Maple Leaf, you’re so dumb,” Youyou murmured, pursing her lips.

Since the beginning, their entire caravan had stopped at the edge of the Southern Islet Forest, hiding behind a large stone barrier, never venturing closer. After a long while, Roya finally approached, mainly looking at Zhao Xu and Maple Leaf. Several guards stood around, keeping watch.

“Mr. Roya, any instructions?” Maple Leaf spoke first.

Roya paused. “There is something I need to ask of you. According to the original plan, once we reach Crescent Town, we need to obtain a passage permit and some recent intelligence to arrange the next steps.”

“A passage permit?” As soon as Roya mentioned this, Maple Leaf and the others expressed surprise, finally understanding it meant a pass allowing them entry.

Wouldn’t this mean their journey could be cut by more than half, and they wouldn’t have to travel only by night?

However, Roya shook his head. “The passage permit is forged. It’s just a tool we use to bluff our way through if we’re discovered by patrol scouts at the last moment.”

The group’s spirits sank at this revelation. They were now within the range of Kasso and Butan.

The Northern Sky Trade Alliance had not heavily fortified the plains and canyons before, partly due to lack of strength and partly because they were confident that by encircling the two cities like dumplings, they could block most supplies.

Without a genuine passage permit, even traveling by night, breaking through the siege was highly risky.

Still, Zhao Xu knew well that the forged permit was their last card. If discovered, their caravan would be crushed by the Alliance’s regular troops and mercenaries.

This was quite different from the scattered, ragtag forces they had previously encountered in the Iron Stone Belt, which still had some civilians making up numbers.

Moreover, the Northern Sky Trade Alliance had begun recruiting players to join the pursuit and blockade, gradually strengthening their manpower.

“So, Mr. Roya, you want us to go into Crescent Town and get the passage permit and intelligence for you?” Maple Leaf asked, now fully grasping the situation.

“Exactly. I had planned for our wanderers to go in, but the Alliance offered such high bounties, and since we were blocked by that Iron Stone ambush, it’s likely they already know about my small group and me,” Roya explained.

“That’s why I want to ask you to retrieve the items. You Earth adventurers attract less suspicion than we would,” Roya bowed his head respectfully.

“But, Mr. Roya, haven’t we already leaked information?” Youyou countered.

“No, Youyou. Their intelligence and ours aren’t the same,” Rainbow said, her origins with the Wanderers Association giving her insight. “Roya’s information is already known to the enemy—he’d need to lay low even if this mission succeeded, until the Kasso and Butan split settles down. But for you players, the scattered enemies won’t immediately figure out your details. Besides, the Iron Stone ambush leader who fought you is dead.”

“Then I accept the mission,” Maple Leaf decided after some thought.

It was natural for players to enter unfamiliar towns. If they died, they’d respawn near the nearest town’s church.

Knowing this, many towns didn’t overly restrict players.

Roya then turned his gaze to Zhao Xu, seeking his answer. Zhao Xu considered it briefly and nodded in agreement.

Surely Crescent Town wouldn’t have another Golden Dragon waiting?

After some discussion, they agreed that Maple Leaf, Zhao Xu, and Rainbow would enter the town, find their contact, confirm the password, and retrieve the designated items.

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By the time dawn bathed the Southern Islet Forest anew, the three had disguised themselves as adventurers returning from an overnight wilderness stay.

Crescent Town bustled during the day. At the main gate, many merchants queued patiently to submit their taxes and permits.

Zhao Xu and the others used a different entrance; carrying little, they needed not pay any fees. Crescent Town had abolished entry taxes at its founding, which was why many adventurers favored it and contributed to its prosperity.

Though the three were somewhat unconventional compared to typical adventurers, many people arrived daily from other towns, so the guards paid them little mind.

After a brief inspection and confirming they were Earth adventurers, the guards allowed them through.

“That was close. Good thing they didn’t suspect us,” Maple Leaf whispered, unused to such disguises.

Walking along the town’s main street, Zhao Xu noticed a tall building up ahead, covered in mysterious symbols. The area around it was cleared, as if a contagion made people avoid it.

“I’ll go to the Mage Association headquarters to buy some materials. You guys wait here,” Zhao Xu told Maple Leaf.

He hadn’t expected such a small town to have a Mage Association.

Perhaps his return was earlier than anticipated.