Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 512 There is a traitor, let's start the deal!

Chapter 512 There is a traitor, let's start the deal! (5k2)

The moment Thomas saw the terrifying figure appearing in front of him, he gritted his teeth and saluted awkwardly to the two executioners.

Koros, Bakad, and the fang heads and black fangs around him who were staring at him, did not respond to him.

The atmosphere was a little awkward, but Thomas was perfectly happy with it - as long as he didn't say anything, he thought maybe no one would be able to tell that he was pretending.

Then, he pretended to be natural, without any hesitation, turned around and walked back the way he came.

He didn't want to stay even for a second longer.

He did not care whether such a hasty turn would arouse new suspicion. Now, Thomas could only hope that the two "executioners" ... Koros and Baccard would not have any bad thoughts about a little "Black Fang" like him.

One step, two steps - Thomas' heart was pounding. He turned around and took about eight or nine steps. To his surprise, there seemed to be no one chasing him.

Thomas thought that he was out of danger, and just as he felt a little happy,

"You over there, stop."

"..."

This was the sharp and sinister voice of the Executioner, Koros.

This instantly dissipated the joy that had just risen in Thomas' heart, and the tension resurfaced like a dark cloud. Thomas gritted his teeth and turned around, responding to the "executioner" Koros in a deliberately low and vague voice:

"What do you want me to do?"

"What's your name?" Cross asked him.

"Dick Maude."

Thomas still lowered his voice and answered vaguely.

After that, there was a long silence.

Thomas could feel that the gazes from the two "executioners" in front of him revealed some strange and inexplicable meaning, which made him feel a little creepy and uncomfortable as if his whole body was crawling with ants.

It was not until Koros stared at him for almost thirty seconds that he finally spoke and said:
"Well, I'll remember you. Dick Maude."

"Come with me first. I have a task for you."

"..."

……ah?

Thomas was a little confused, but the "executioner" Koros didn't seem to be joking, and the Black Fangs and Fang Heads behind Koros even made way for him.

Thinking that he couldn't leave anymore, he might as well take it one step at a time - Thomas thought so, and came to the place where the Black Fangs and Fang Heads had made way, and then followed Koros forward.

The two "executioners", Koros and Baccard, came directly from the outer city to the gate of the inner city, and then entered the inner city without any hindrance.

Thomas also sneaked into the inner city, and because he followed the "executioner" Cross, he was not questioned at all.

While remembering the way, he synchronized the exploration of the map in the group chat of "Mirror of Glow" with a bunch of question marks. When he came to the central tent of a military forbidden area, "Executioner" Koros stopped.

He then turned around, looking at Thomas with those gloomy eyes, and took out a token made of black gold from his arms, and said to Thomas:
"Dick. Take my token and go to Scarroll's tent and get me something."

"..."

...Ah? Me?

Thomas was a little confused, but still took the token from Koros.

He always felt that the token in his hand was a little heavy, with an incompatible weight.

At the same time, Thomas also felt that what he was experiencing was somewhat unreal.

Beside him, another "Fang Leader" - in Thomas' panel detection, it was the "Violent Swordsman" Bagri Sadiman of [Ku Tu], who was taking him to the military tent next to the block.

"..."

Along the way, the "fang leader" Bagli had a stern face and didn't say a word to Thomas.

When they arrived at the "Scarroll" base, Bagli just asked Thomas to take out Koros' token and he was allowed to pass.

Bagri led him directly to the central tent of the restricted area.

"You go in by yourself." Bagli said to Thomas coldly, "What Lord Koros wants is on the innermost table. It's a black box."

"……it is good."

Thomas nodded and walked into the tent as Bagli said.

In the dim tent, only the pale yellow light came from the pillar lamps in the four corners. There was no one else in the tent except Thomas.

I don’t know if it was intentional or accidental... Thomas always had a feeling that "this is a trap", but he couldn't find any reason why an "executioner" would go to such great lengths to target him.

He then walked inside.

There are also a lot of weapons and equipment stored in this tent, which are of much better quality than those seen in the periphery before.

Even a patterned rapier and a scarlet battle axe displayed on the wall had reached "epic" quality - Thomas was a little tempted and wanted to take the weapons down and throw them into the "Holy Abyss", but unfortunately they were all locked.

Thomas didn't want to make too much noise, so he gave up the idea for the time being and walked deeper into the middle tent.

Until he reached the innermost part, he saw a large table with many things placed on it in a messy manner, and in the middle there was indeed a box reflecting a matte black light.

The box was quite large and not locked.

Out of his inner instinct, Thomas wanted to open it and see what was inside.

He thought so and did it quickly -

Thomas gently held the edge of the box with both hands, then lifted it up with force, and the lid flipped open.

There was a thick stack of files in there.

There are maps - quite complete and detailed defense maps and terrain maps;
There is a list - a list of all the "executioners" and "fang heads" stationed in the Val Fortress;

There were also several black-sealed files marked "Confidential" that Thomas hadn't opened yet, so he didn't know what was hidden inside.

"My grass..."

Almost subconsciously, Thomas uttered a Chinese quintessence:

He stared ahead with shining eyes, and began to flip through the maps and lists one by one, synchronizing what he saw to the group chat of "Mirror of Glow" in real time.

The complete structure and defense map of "Val Fortress" is all here - Thomas no longer needs to explore one by one like he did in the outer blocks. He can complete all the reconnaissance mission requirements directly with what he discovers here.

There is also a list of all the executioners and fang chiefs stationed in the fortress. This is something that Alicia mentioned in the group before. The fate, occupation and names of the twenty "executioners" of the Val Fortress are all recorded here. This is an important discovery that is no less important than the full garrison map of the Val Fortress.

Thomas couldn't even imagine that he could get all this information so easily - and his task panel already displayed a prompt in real time that the "task objective" had been completed.

This proves that the intelligence obtained is "real".

But this made Thomas even more confused.

...Is it really that simple?

He thought to himself, and when Thomas synchronized this information to the group chat, the frequency of group members typing "?" was significantly higher.

Thomas's eyes quickly locked onto the last black-sealed file with the word "Confidential" stamped on it.

He wanted to tear open the black seal and see what was inside. It would be worth it even if he was discovered - his true identity was not "Black Fang" Dick Mod anyway. If he was discovered and put in danger, the worst that could happen was that he would explode with them!

Thomas thought about this.

He had quickly made a decision in his mind - to hesitate even for a moment would be disrespectful to the confidential information that was within his reach - so Thomas picked up the black-sealed file and carefully peeled off the "confidential" stamp along the edge.

A copper coin was shaken out from inside, which was also a "map" -

But unlike conventional defense maps or terrain maps, the copper plate was reflecting colorful patterns. On it was a rough drawing of the Val Fortress, with black dots, dark red dots, and deep red dots engraved using some kind of engraving technique.

Thomas could not understand the words and marks on it, but he could guess one thing - the huge pit he had witnessed before, outside the gate of the suspected Val Fortress. The corresponding location was highlighted in dark red on the copper plate map in his hand.

There are only two equally bright and eye-catching crimson marks, and the other one is in the core of the Val Fortress - that is the official residence of the "Dragon of Destruction" Fafnir.

Thomas vaguely realized that the information on the copper plate was of great value, so he immediately used the panel to record the contents of the copper plate in full.

He did not immediately share this information with his friends in the "Mirror of Glow", but opened another small group in the [Chat Channel] - it was a group chat with only four people, in addition to Thomas, there were "Iron Pot Stewed Crocodile", "Alicia" and "Sweating Soybean".

Thomas uploaded the map on the copper plate, as well as the black, dark red and deep red dots marked on it, to the small group simultaneously.

Soon, the teammates in the small group responded -

【Sweating soybeans】:?

[Sweating Soybeans]: What have you discovered?
[Thomas the Tank Engine]: We don’t know either, but
[Alicia]: ...The map of Val Fortress.

[Ailixia]: There is a crimson mark in front of the city gate, which is the same as the scene we saw.
Thomas the Tank Engine: I was just about to say this
【Thomas the Tank Engine】: Post to this group first, save for later

【Big Crocodile Stewed in an Iron Pot】:?

[Iron Pot Stewed Crocodile]: No, buddy

[Iron Pot Stewed Crocodile]: How did you get into the official residence? Where did these things come from!

Thomas the Tank Engine: Wait a minute
【Thomas the Tank Engine】: It seems there is something else...

[Sweating soybeans]:? [Stewed alligator in an iron pot]:?

【…】

The close teammates in the group were clamoring, and Thomas immediately closed the panel and gently pressed his hand on the surface of the black bag.

He felt that it was still somewhat thick, and there was more than just the copper plate map inside. So Thomas reached his finger in and quickly pulled out a parchment scroll.

Thomas spread it out, and then he saw something written in some distorted words.

The panel translated it in real time——

[Everyone submits to the Devouring Demon Lord, splitting the earth and offering it to the Mother of the Styx. ]

【…】

"Uh……"

Thomas couldn't understand what it was.

It sounded like a prayer, but Thomas didn't understand the meaning behind it. However, there was a convenient way to verify it quickly.

That's a bit dangerous... no, it's quite dangerous.

But Thomas couldn't resist his curiosity, and he thought that he couldn't get more or more core information than he had now. So he carefully stuffed the copper plate map and parchment scroll back into the black seal, and then put the black seal, the maps, and the list back into the box.

Then he began to recite the two prayers he had "seen":
"All submit to the Devouring Lord."

"Cut the earth and offer it to the Mother of the Styx."

"..."

——hiss! !

When Thomas finished reciting these two sentences, he suddenly felt a sharp hissing sound in his ears, followed by a strong tinnitus, and soon he could not hear any sound.

All he felt was an intense pain in his body—his consciousness had already left his body.

The terrifying spirit had already engulfed him.

Thomas only "saw" one, two, dozens, or even dozens of cracks appearing on his body, as if he was being chopped into pieces by the sharpest sword, and he was quickly "split" apart!
[You have completed the sacrifice]

[As a ‘sacrifice’, you have offered a sacrifice to the ‘Wild Hunt Demon’ Gabrio and the ‘Illusionary Spirit Lord’ Alziaz]

【…】

【Sacrifice Failed】

[You are dead. Resurrection countdown: 5 hours, 59 minutes, 56 seconds]

【…】

This content has already appeared in Thomas's panel - the panel where he is already in a death cooling state and waiting to be resurrected.

Thomas couldn't make any sound at this moment, nor could he see the scene in the Val Fortress. He could only send messages frantically in the [Chat Channel] and in the group chat of the four people.

【Thomas the Tank Engine】: Huh?
【Thomas the Tank Engine】: I'm dead, fuck!
[Sweating soybeans]: Hahahahahaha
[Ailishiya]: I liked it out of curiosity.

【Iron Pot Stewed Crocodile】: So

[Big Crocodile Stewed in an Iron Pot]: What have you discovered again?
[Iron Pot Stewed Crocodile]: And, what did you do to get yourself killed?

【Thomas the Tank Engine】: There are two strange things
[Thomas the Tank Engine]: A 'prayer' - 'All submit to the Devouring Lord, split the earth and offer it to the Mother of the Styx.'

Thomas the Tank Engine: I recited this sentence in the Val Fortress, as if I had dedicated myself to

【Iron Pot Stewed Crocodile】：? Huh?

Thomas the Tank Engine: That's it.
Thomas the Tank Engine: Uh...

【Thomas the Tank Engine】Gabrielle, the "Wild Hunt" and Alziaz, the "Lord of the Illusionary Spirits"
【Thomas the Tank Engine】: What the heck are these?!
[Sweating Soybeans]: Please revive... Can you still revive?
[Thomas the Tank Engine]: I can't seem to be resurrected in the Val Fortress

[Thomas the Tank Engine]: There is no safe area, and... I feel like even if I resurrect, I won't be able to get any more valuable information.

[Thomas the Tank Engine]: I'll go back to the resurrection point in the camp. It seems I've explored everything I need to explore.
【Iron Pot Stewed Crocodile】: Indeed
【Iron Pot Stewed Crocodile】: Then come back

[Alicia]: We are almost back to the expeditionary force.

[Alicia]: Wait until you come back, little train. Let's go find the bishop to hand in the task.
【Thomas the Tank Engine】：Okay.

【…】

After chatting with his teammates in the group chat for a while, Thomas closed the panel.

He still has another scroll of instant resurrection in his hand.

After using the resurrection scroll, Thomas' death cooldown was instantly reset to zero.

Afterwards, he chose to resurrect at the resurrection point in the Vanguard Camp outside the Val Fortress.

There were a few post horses kept there as reserve.

Riding on one of the horses, Thomas galloped towards the expeditionary force. Soon, the Val Fortress in the Great Rift Valley behind him gradually disappeared into the mountains.

……

Vaal Fortress,

Scarroll restricted area station, middle tent.

"Executioner" Koros and Baccard slowly walked in from outside the tent.

They first looked at the bloodstains on the ground that were overflowing from the "split" body, and then looked at each other.

"This is indeed the 'Adventer'..."

Koros murmured. And Baccard said in a low voice:
"This is the Lord's arrangement."

"Let him die like this. This is the best way to exit."

In front of them, gray mist quickly surged around the bloodstain, and another petite and ethereal figure emerged from it.

That is the "Nightmare Witch" Samanthaya.

Samantha was holding a black box in her hands. It was the box that Thomas had just opened and peeked into.

"Is your mission accomplished?"

Koros looked at Samantha and asked her.

"…I have erased the memories of everyone involved."

At this moment, she looked at the bloodstains on the ground with her white eyes, then looked at the two fellow executioners in front of her, and said in a vague voice:
"Afterwards, if Fafnir finds something... we can blame it on Asno, the Adventer who claimed to be sent by him. Or we can blame it on Skarol, who controls this territory."

"...Yeah." Barcard nodded, "That's it."

"Sure enough... the Lord is right."

"That 'Adventer' will open the box, and then send all this information out... We won't be exposed."

"But I don't know what happened after the descender recited the prayer..."

"..."

"I only heard this from other executioners," Samantha said. "It seems that Fafnir is holding a sacrificial ceremony... but I don't know what he is offering."

"..."

"That doesn't matter. We have more important tasks, Samantha."

A sinister light flashed in Koros' eyes, and he said:
"It's time to go see Fafnir..."

"The Lord said that Fafnir is very dangerous now."

"It's much more dangerous than before... If necessary, we can open the fortress gates and escape before the Empire's expeditionary force arrives."

"The Lord has spoken."

"This is an evacuation permitted by the Lord... the Holy Abyss."

"..."

"indeed."

The "Alienated Demon" Bakad nodded.

"But... before that."

"The Lord has already said it - the things that Fafnir buried under this fortress... those monsters."