NOVPUB
Chapter 182: Finding a Way to the Battlefield
The direct bloodline of the Rivas family personally selects retainers to assist them in daily matters and even provide protection. Each chosen retainer receives a token signifying their status within the family. For the retainers serving the direct bloodline, their role is more than mere support, they are considered extensions of their master’s hand.
In the current generation of the Rivas family, there is only one child—Irene Rivas. As the sole heir, Irene holds a unique position, not just as the family’s successor but as the cherished daughter of Grand Duke Rivas. He deeply values anything connected to her, including her retainers. Grand Duke Rivas highly appreciates those Irene has personally selected and ensures they receive the utmost respect and the finest treatment.
The token that Eleine shows signifies her status as Irene’s retainer—something only a truly crazy person would dare to counterfeit. Even if someone attempted to create a fake, it would be quickly exposed, as each token carries a unique aura tied to the specific member of the direct bloodline it represents. This aura, known only to the Rivas family and their associates, left no room for doubt. Seeing the token, the receptionist was instantly shocked and bowed her head in respect.
"I’m sorry, miss. I didn’t realize you were Lady Irene’s retainer," she said, though inside her mind, she was in shock.
"How can Lady Irene’s retainer be here? Could this be a group brought by the lady’s retainer to assist with the battlefield? If so, Lady Irene must be aware of it, but why didn’t she contact the Rivas family directly? Why did they have to go through the Information Guild?"
"You don’t need to be so formal," Eleine said. "I’m here on a mission from Lady Irene to bring this young man’s group to the front line. However, I prefer not to involve the Rivas family directly, and I don’t want Lord Rivas to know about our presence. This is a top-secret mission from Lady Irene, and I hope you can assist me with this."
"Oh, yes, miss. Let me report to the guild mas—"
"No, you don’t need to ask the guild master. We’re in a hurry. Just tell us how we can reach the front line without drawing attention to the Rivas family. You understand, don’t you? This is an important mission from Lady Irene, and everyone involved will be rewarded for their help. I will make sure your contribution is recognized," Eleine said.
The receptionist wore a conflicted expression but still nodded her head in agreement.
"Alright, however, this is a rather troublesome route. Today, another batch of reinforcements and logistical support will be sent to the front line. The nearest group is a band of mercenaries, departing in 45 minutes at noon. We can use the Information Guild’s connection with the Mercenaries Guild to have your group follow them. As for Lady Irene’s location, the last I heard, she was dispatched to Ilyon Town, but I don’t know after that."
"Good, let’s get going. Time is of the essence, and I don’t want to keep Lady Irene waiting," Eleine said. The receptionist then closed her counter and led Aldrian’s group to the back of the Information Guild building, where they exited through a back door.
They stood in the middle of the alleyway as the receptionist took out a communication artifact to contact someone. Not long after, a cloaked figure appeared and revealed his face. Aldrian could see that the man had a Low Marquess stage cultivation, and from the looks of it, he seemed to be the contact the receptionist had mentioned. She whispered something in his ear, and the man’s eyes widened as he turned to look at Aldrian and the others.
"Follow me. The group is about to depart for Ilyon Town, where the devils are increasing their attack intensity," the man said. Without hesitation, Aldrian followed him, and the group covered their faces with their hoods. After they left, the receptionist returned to her counter, only to be stunned when she saw the manager already standing there, as though waiting for her.
"Damnit, of all times, the manager had to do a check right now," she thought.
"Where were you during work hours? You left the counter without any notice. If you don’t explain yourself, I’ll have to report you to the guild branch’s master for employee indiscipline," the manager said.
The receptionist’s face turned pale at the manager’s words, and she immediately bowed her head in apology.
"I’m sorry, manager, but I had to leave the counter for an urgent matter. It’s connected to the Rivas direct bloodline’s retainer," she explained.
The manager frowned at the mention of the direct bloodline’s retainer. What was this sudden twist? Why was the direct bloodline’s retainer here?
"Tell me what happened," the manager demanded.
----------------------------------
In the middle of the road, Aldrian’s group continued following the man as he explained things to them through voice transmission.
"Young masters and young misses, you can call me Pac." The man said. "I hear you’re in the middle of a mission to the front line. Luckily for you— or maybe unluckily— after this, we’re being sent to Ilyon Town, which is currently in the process of evacuation due to the devils’ attacks, already close to the town. The Rivas family has already sent reinforcements, and they’ve also paid us mercenaries to support the town and ensure the evacuation goes smoothly. We’ll only need to fight if the devils breach the town before the evacuation is complete."
"However, since you are unregistered with the Mercenaries Guild, you’ll need to stay close to me. I’ll include you in my group and act as your guarantor. I’ll inform the guild leader that you’re my external helpers. Don’t worry— given the current situation, the rules are more flexible, and we need as many people as possible to help on the front line," he said.
Hearing that they were headed to Ilyon Town, Aldrian felt a slight sense of relief, knowing that he would be heading to the same destination as his mother. Still, he couldn’t help but ask Pac,
"Is the situation really that bad? For the Rivas family to call in mercenaries Guild for help?"
"The situation is much worse than we imagined, Initially, the Rivas family could hold their own against the devils along the border. However, for some reason, the devils suddenly seem to have identified and targeted the Rivas family’s weaknesses, causing significant losses."
"Is there a traitor?" Aldrian asked.
"Possibly," Pac replied. "That’s why the Rivas family is currently investigating, but it comes at a cost. They have to split their focus between searching for the traitor and coordinating the battlefield, which has reduced their overall effectiveness in battle. As long as the traitor remains uncaught, the Rivas family can’t move their troops recklessly."
Aldrian nodded, and soon they arrived at a different teleportation station where thousands cultivators from various factions were already waiting. This teleportation station wasn’t the same as the one Aldrian had used to enter the city. In large cities, there are usually multiple teleportation stations to accommodate the population, and Rivas City was no exception. Pac then guided them to his group, it was then that Aldrian realized the man held quite a high position within the Mercenaries Guild and commanded his own team.
Aldrian watched as Pac spoke to one of the strongest man in this place, a figure at the Low Emperor stage. Aldrian guessed that he must be the guild master of the Mercenaries Guild of the Doria Empire. While waiting for their departure, Aldrian glanced at Eleine.
"It’s thanks to you, Eleine. If you hadn’t shown that token, we would’ve had to go through all those bothersome procedures. Now, we can directly enter the red zone where Mother is located," Aldrian sent via voice transmission to Eleine.
"It’s nothing, young master. But the thing is, once I show my token, sooner or later the Information Guild will find out who I am, and they’ll investigate our group. No doubt Lord Rivas will learn about this as well. So, while it’s the most effective way, it also comes with the worst setback," Eleine replied, her face showing an anxious expression. She felt truly conflicted. On one hand, she didn’t want the Rivas family to find Aldrian, but on the other hand, she wanted to ensure that his journey progressed smoothly. This was her way of serving Aldrian, just as Irene had asked her to.
"It’s okay, Eleine. I’ll handle things when the time comes. But the most important thing right now is to reach Mother as soon as possible. I have this uneasy feeling in my heart," he said.
After a few minutes, Pac returned, but his expression was grim.
"There’s been a slight change in the plan. We’re not going to Ilyon Town anymore. Instead, we’ll be sent to another town, 800 kilometers south of Ilyon, to assist with the evacuation there. And if things worsen, we’ll have to fight alongside the Rivas family’s forces."
Aldrian frowned. "Why the change in destination?"
Pac looked at Aldrian and sighed.
"Ilyon Town has already fallen. We received confirmation from our last contact that the devils breached the town before we lost communication with our post there."
