Knight Lords: Infinite Simulation and the Path of Light

Chapter 200 Rotten Mushroom Tavern

Feeling the touch of the Savior's leather against his body, Haven couldn't help but praise it again. The Demon God was indeed generous; this Demon Artifact was truly amazing.

Looking back at the two Royal Griffin Knights clearing the passage, and seeing that their attention was completely elsewhere, he couldn't suppress his curiosity and silently recited the mantra taught to him by Helsing.

The next moment, a black, viscous liquid-like substance rapidly emerged from all parts of Havent's body, flowing and merging quickly on his surface. In just two breaths, a set of thin black leather armor appeared on Havent's body, its surface engraved with complex dark magic patterns.

The relief on the center of his chest, which originally featured a wolf's head, was transformed into a lion's head at Haven's request, and the long, dark brown, mane-like cloak on his shoulders was turned white.

Looking down at my hands, which felt like they were encased in tight leather gloves, I squeezed them and felt no restraint whatsoever, just like the lightness of the 01.

After donning the Savior's leather armor, Haven felt a significant boost to his strength, agility, and perception. Of course, the leather armor offered far more than just these benefits.

After sensing it for a moment, with a thought in his mind, the leather armor on his body receded from his body like flowing water.

"Master, Master... It's so good that you're alright."

Having already noticed, Haven looked at the little girl walking in from the tunnel entrance and gave Annie a kind smile. It has to be said that it was indeed thanks to Annie.

Otherwise, according to the light and shadow of Helsing in the dream, if he had discovered this place a few days later, the divine thoughts trapped on the stone statue would have dissipated completely, and the stone statue would have become an ordinary stone statue after losing the support of divine power.

If it weren't for the good fortune of meeting Annie and my righteous intervention, and Annie's willingness to share what she knew as a thank you, I wouldn't have been able to come and check on things so conveniently.

By the time I get here according to my investigation, aside from encountering some deformed or hybrid werewolves, I guess this Trial of Helsing will have nothing to do with me.

"Annie, I'm fine. I should thank you."

The little girl looked at Haven with a puzzled expression.

"Huh? Thank you? But Annie didn't do anything, she didn't help you at all~~~"

"No...you do..."

Haven reached out and patted the little girl's head, then turned to look towards the tunnel entrance.

Soon, under Haven's watchful eye, a large group of MI8 staff members in black uniforms, led by Kyle, entered the hall.

Walking alongside Kyle was Gene, the young head of the intelligence analysis department whom Havent had met at Vauxhall Cross Road, the headquarters of MI8.

"Hey, Gene, why did you come in person? This little thing shouldn't require you, the head of the intelligence analysis department, to handle it personally."

The young man called Gene felt no urge to laugh at Haven's jokes. Looking at the bloody and chaotic scene in the hall, his heart was filled with turmoil.

Despite being the head of the intelligence department and having risen to the rank of three-star lieutenant colonel, it is already quite remarkable for someone who is not yet thirty years old to have achieved this much.

This also instilled in Gene a deep-seated contempt for the vast majority of noble offspring in the Empire. Although he would not show it, and even deliberately try to curry favor with these incomparably noble nobles, it did not change the fact that Gene still looked down on these people.

And now everything in this hall speaks volumes about how intense what just happened was.

As an investigator who rose through the ranks, Gene has handled thousands of cases, both large and small, and is exceptionally experienced. Naturally, he can distinguish between those that have just occurred and those that have been around for a long time.

Looking at the large hole above his head, with figures constantly flashing by, Gene swallowed hard and forced a smile as he replied:

"This, this is truly amazing."

As the head of the intelligence analysis department, Gene naturally knew what kind of place this was and what it was used for.

"Lord Haven, you are truly... truly..."

For a moment, Gene was speechless. In comparison, the fact that MI8, with its 60,000 subordinates, had failed to discover this cult's stronghold right under his nose made him and his men appear utterly incompetent, regardless of the circumstances or reasons. The label of incompetence was directly attached to their heads.

"Hahaha~~~ I was just lucky, Gene. Actually, your investigation already mentioned this place. Even if I hadn't come, you would have found it sooner or later."

I'll need you and your team to handle this; I'm not very good at this kind of thing. Oh, and remember to send me a copy of the follow-up report so I can compare it with my initial conclusions.

Upon hearing Haven's words, Gene could only shake his head bitterly. This heir of the North was quite good at handling people, giving him plenty of face. As the head of the intelligence department, Gene naturally knew very well whether this place had appeared in his subordinates' reports.

"Yes, Lord Haven, we will begin work immediately. Thank you for your hard work. I will personally deliver the report to you once it is completed."

If Gene had previously harbored some reservations or looked down on this suddenly arrived special investigator, this noble young master from the North, then after this incident, Gene suppressed his inner thoughts and began to take this noble young master seriously.

"Hahaha, there's no need to be so polite. You're so busy with work, just send someone to deliver it."

Seeing Haven about to leave, Gene quickly asked:
"Lord Havent, we should be able to finish organizing things soon. Won't you come back to headquarters with us? We can discuss and analyze today's discovery then."

Haven casually swayed, watching the staff continuously enlarging the large hole in the ceiling, and said:
"No need. You can discuss the conclusions and reports yourselves. I don't really like meetings and summaries. I'm not particularly interested in the development process of these cult members. But there is one thing..."

As he spoke, he turned around and looked around at the people in the hall.

"Gene, how many people did you bring with you this time, and who knows you're out here, and where did you go?"

When faced with Haven's question, Gene was stunned for a moment, then his expression changed quickly, and he looked at Haven with a serious and solemn look.

"Lord Havent, what do you mean?" "Yes, just as you think. Relax, Mr. Gene. I don't doubt you, I just feel that MI8 is a bit leaky."

Faced with Haven's teasing, Gene found it difficult to agree, as it was tantamount to saying that he lacked control over his subordinates and that there were traitors among them, but he had no way to refute this claim.

After all, I am well aware that some things are indeed like this. There are many decisions and events that I have only been in charge of for a short time, but some people already know about them.

This is something Gene deduced from Havent's identity and position. Clearly, the higher-ups had many reservations about the purity and secrecy of his intelligence department. But faced with this situation, Gene really couldn't do anything about it. Some things were simply beyond the control of someone like him without a background or connections.

"So what you mean is???"

"I have to go to another place to investigate some things later. After you're done here, when you return to Vauxhall Cross Street, don't dismiss the people, including those few."

As he spoke, he looked at the Royal Griffin Knights who were standing not far away, watching the MI8 staff work.

"Yes, sir. How long do we need to keep these people under control?"

"One day. Also, contact the people at headquarters and have them closely monitor anyone who knows you're leading a team on a mission."

"One day... I understand."

Looking at Gene's hesitant expression, Haven found it somewhat amusing; it seemed that the problems within MI8 were more serious than he had imagined.

"Alright, just do your best. Take it as long as you can. I can understand some situations. Alright, Lord Gene, I have to go now."

After speaking, Haven turned and walked toward Kyle, the squad leader of the Griffin Knights.

"Thank you for your hard work, Kyle. You've really been a great help this time. I'll include your contribution in the report once things are settled here."

Upon hearing Haven's words, Kyle couldn't help but show a joyful expression. All his hard work over the past few days had been for this moment. In his excitement, he quickly gave Haven a military salute.

"Lord Haven, you're too kind. It's all I should do."

"Hahahaha, Captain Kyle, this is the reward you deserve. By the way, I have a favor to ask you now."

He turned to look at Annie, who had been standing quietly waiting for him not far away.

"Take her to that place and have Lori pick her up. As for your team, I need them to stay and assist the brothers in MI8. After you're done, head to Vauxhall Crossroads and work with Gene to prepare a detailed report."

"Yes, Lord Haven! I guarantee I will complete the mission."

Havent gave Kyle an approving smile, then turned and waved to Anne, who was standing not far away.

"I have to go now. He will take you to your mother. We'll talk about the rest when I get back after I finish taking care of things."

As Gene watched Havent's dashing departure, he couldn't help but become curious about this noble young master. This person seemed somewhat different from the nobles he usually knew. Compared to him, his colleagues...

Thinking about the routines of his colleagues, Gene shook his head silently and directed his subordinates to get to work quickly.

Rotten Mushroom Tavern

This tavern, located in the lower town, is the most frequent gathering place for residents living near the docks. After all, you can get any kind of entertainment here, and more importantly, everything you need is guaranteed here, which is very important for people living at the bottom of society.

After all, nobody wants to spend 50 copper coins to find a woman, only to have her pants halfway down when her husband, accompanied by several burly men, blocks their way, saying that he slept with his wife and that if they don't pay up today, they won't be leaving the house.

Of course, aside from women, gambling is the most common form of entertainment for the lower classes. Nobody wants to win a large sum of money only to be hit on the back while going to the toilet, and when they wake up, all they have left are their pants soaked with urine.

Here, even at the lousy Mushroom Tavern, everything is guaranteed. The tavern owner, Old Knife Mariglo Yang, will stand up for you. If anything happens to you within his business area, Old Mariglo Yang will give you an explanation, and things really do turn out exactly as Old Mariglo Yang promised.

After a few more severe crackdowns on honey traps and double-crosses, and seeing several fresh heads on the wall, everyone tacitly became obedient. Such atrocities did not worsen Old Marigoldan's business; on the contrary, it became even better. As his reputation spread, more people were willing to come and spend money there.

Whether it's the nearby workers, residents, thugs, or prostitutes, everyone enjoys and relies on this place. Years of operation have made Rotten Mushroom much more than just a tavern.

With a squeak.

Because of the cold, the tavern's wooden door was warped. As soon as Haven pushed the door open, a complicated smell hit him: a mixture of cheap liquor and food, foot odor, body odor, and cheap perfume.

In an instant, Haven felt as if his nose had been hit hard several times, and his nasal cavity secreted a large amount of mucus under the stimulation of the irritating smell.

"Holy crap...maybe we should just forget about it, this sacrifice is a bit too much."

After standing at the door for a while, Haven hesitated several times before finally deciding to go in. After all, he had come this far, done this much, and come this far, so he reluctantly convinced himself to just let it go.

Mustering his courage once again, Haven stepped into the tavern. He took a few deep breaths as soon as he entered, and after a few seconds, once he had gotten used to the strong smell, he began to look around the tavern.

The interior space was surprisingly large, with a dozen or so tables scattered throughout the hall, and almost all of them were occupied.

Looking further ahead, there was a bar counter that was about ten meters long. A male and a female waiter were standing at the bar counter wiping the glasses, and two or three people were sitting on the bar counter.

"Hello, sir/madam, would you like to have a meal or stay overnight?"

(End of this chapter)