After all, why did her son die in this place, and why did the Starlight disappear, does she not care at all?

Probably not.

From the clenched fists and the pale back of the hand, Fang Hong could see that—the emotions within this lady were far from as calm as she appeared to be—and if she, the backbone, couldn't be at ease, there was no point in letting this group head south; it would be better to find someone local.

"Lady Kuisu, do you think the strange shadows that haunt Aimumu Fortress killed your son?"

"...Not this? Could it be?"

"Are you planning to stay in this abandoned ancient castle to look for clues?"

Elisa softly murmured, "That would be too dangerous, Lady Kuisu."

"I will head south with you first," Kuisu replied coldly.

Fang Hong appeared indifferent, calmly shaking his head: "When you return, it will be about two or three months later; what can you find in this ancient castle then...?"

Kuisu clenched her fist and frowned, clearly having her thoughts addressed by this young man who was nearly two cycles younger than her.

"What are you trying to say, Captain Ade?" she asked hoarsely.

"I encountered that thing underground—"

"That thing?" The lady stared intently at him.

"Strange shadows in the moonlight, as you call them."

Fang Hong's words sparked a flurry of uneasy chatter among woodcutters not far away, as if just mentioning the name chilled the surroundings a little.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Elisa turned back, a bit surprised, asking softly in a voice only the two of them could hear.

Fang Hong paused, thinking you never asked? Besides, those strange shadows were just fragments transformed from the Dragon Slaying Holy Sword Moa, nothing mysterious; he even had a piece of fragment in his pocket, picked up from the remains of that Undead Wizard.

The Fairy Iron was exceedingly sturdy, and the Explosive Crystal could not damage it in the slightest.

"Remember to tell me next time."

"Why?" Fang Hong was puzzled.

Elisa thought for a moment: "Because Miss Hilveld asked me to take good care of you, Lord Captain."

"I'm not a baby."

"Well, close enough."

Fang Hong shook his head, turned around, and saw Lady Kuisu was in a very unstable emotional state. She let go of her hand, clenched it again, took a gentle breath, and nervously asked: "Have you really seen those things, Lord Captain...?"

"Don't be agitated, Lady Kuisu," Fang Hong replied softly, "What I want to say is that they have nothing to do with your son's death—"

"...How would that be?"

"Because those strange shadows do not have the ability to take away a person's Starlight."

Fang Hong saw the lady looking at him with a doubtful expression.

But he remained calm and only said, "The tale of strange shadows is widespread around Tibial Creek, many people have seen them. There are many adventurers slain by them, but nobody has heard of anyone having their Starlight taken by them..."

"But if it wasn't the strange shadows, then why did the Invokers bring him to this ancient castle?"

"There are many possibilities, though those Invokers are indeed suspicious. Certainly, one of them survived, and investigating starting from these people is indeed feasible," Fang Hong replied.

"You mean the culprit is those Invokers?"

Fang Hong shook his head.

"This isn't it, that isn't it," the lady was clearly frustrated, angrily demanding, "What exactly are you trying to say, Mr. Ade?"

"I'm merely saying the incident is related to those Invokers, but I'm certain they are not the culprit."

"Why?"

"Because I know who the culprit is."

Kuisu suddenly raised her head, staring at him intensely. "...Who?"

"It's connected to the Dragon Worship Sect," Fang Hong pondered, "But we are also searching for the mastermind."

"You... also are? The mastermind?"

"I'm saying this not to appease you, Lady Kuisu," Fang Hong then replied, "It's only because we have also encountered nearly identical misfortunes. Miss Atira, you've met her too, her brother died in almost the same kind of incident, nearly identical to your son..."

Kuisu seemed to recall something, she looked towards Luo Yu behind Fang Hong, "I heard him mention something before..." she shook her head again, "...Sorry, my emotions were too overwhelmed before, and I didn't pay attention to this matter..."

Fang Hong didn't respond, but he completely understood.

Lady Kuisu appeared bewildered and at a loss for the first time, she stood up, took a couple of steps as if she was lost in thought.

Fang Hong gradually broke through her psychological defenses, and seeing the moment was ripe, he then said, "This matter will eventually be resolved; if you wish, you can investigate with us—I believe that where there's a second victim, there will be a third, and surely we are not the only ones seeking the truth; the more like-minded people, the greater the chance of success."

This statement finally moved her.

Lady Kuisu took a deep breath as if making a decision, turned to nod towards them: "I understand, my people and I will do our utmost to aid you. You are right, the stronger our force, the harder it will be for the culprit to hide—"

"Thank you, Lady Kuisu."

The latter shook her head and sighed: "I should be the one saying thanks, you have helped me so much, while I just fulfilled the covenant... By the way, thank you for your guidance, little one."

Fang Hong couldn't help but smile wryly at the words.

Anyone could call him little one, even though as the Captain of the Adventure Group, age was indeed an issue.

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