Affinity: Chaos

Chapter 2168: Gathering At The Mayor’s Courtyard II

Grey and Reynolds stood at the entrance and took in the sight of the gathered experts. More than a hundred powerful auras filled the courtyard as conversations gradually quieted under the morning light.

Grey suddenly raised a brow and looked in a particular direction. ”Huh?”

Reynolds noticed the reaction and followed his gaze. A man with a large broadsword strapped to his back stood among the crowd, an openly annoyed expression on his face as he stared straight at Grey.

Grey only held the man’s gaze for a second longer before stepping away from the entrance. Reynolds followed without a word. The two of them found an open spot near the side and stood there quietly, just like the others.

Almost everyone present was a top expert and had caught the brief exchange. With the gathering still waiting for the Mayor, the opening of the door had naturally drawn their attention. When the young man who had been the subject of so many conversations finally appeared, most of them took the chance to study him carefully. Few had seen Grey Dawson in person before, and curiosity mixed with appraisal in their eyes as they observed him.

Grey was long used to such stares after the events of the past few years. He paid them no mind. Reynolds was equally unbothered. The two simply began discussing their plans after leaving the city in low voices. Grey still remembered Faction Leader Bertram mentioning that Keith was currently in another city not too far from Cinderloch.

They were still talking quietly when the Mayor finally stepped out from the main building. His presence alone caused the remaining conversations to die down at once. The experts in the courtyard hurriedly offered respectful greetings the moment they saw him.

The Mayor gave a light nod in response and walked forward until he stood in a clear, slightly elevated position at the front of the courtyard where everyone could see and hear him easily.

”I know some of you have questions regarding the battle that took place last night,” he began, his voice steady and calm. He paused briefly, sweeping his gaze over the assembled experts before continuing. ”As most of you have already guessed, Grey discovered the whereabouts of a Necromancer hideout inside the city.”

”Yes. That was why this gathering was called, wasn’t it?” Torren asked in a bland, but cold voice.

The Mayor did not take offense. He was long familiar with the man’s temperament.

”No,” he answered plainly.

The single word drew a wave of surprised murmurs from the crowd. Visible confusion appeared on many faces. Several experts exchanged glances, clearly not expecting that answer.

Seeing the confusion, the Mayor continued without delay. ”I was about to explain the true purpose of today’s gathering before I was interrupted. After we confirmed the existence of the Necromancers, Grey proposed setting the gathering two days later for two reasons. First, to give those who were outside the city enough time to return. Second, to give any potential traitors the opportunity to contact their masters. We succeeded in catching two of them. Both of them are now dead.”

The declaration that two traitors had been found and killed sent a ripple of shock through the courtyard. Many of the gathered experts stiffened. Some turned their heads to look at those standing near them, as if suddenly questioning who else might have been compromised. The idea that betrayers had existed among their ranks was difficult to accept, yet the Mayor gave them no time to dwell on it.

”The Necromancer hideout has also been completely wiped out,” he announced. ”This was accomplished with the help of young friend Grey and his companion, along with Elder Harrington and Elder Voss.”

For a moment the courtyard fell into complete silence as the weight of the words sank in. Then low discussions broke out on all sides. Some faces showed clear relief that such a dangerous threat inside the city had been eliminated. Others displayed open disbelief that a battle of that scale had taken place without their knowledge. A few carried complicated expressions as they reassessed the quiet young man standing to the side.

Torren’s expression remained cold, though a flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. The obese man who had spoken with him earlier raised his brows in genuine surprise. The Ninth-stage Sovereign in blue and many others stared at Grey with new intensity, clearly reevaluating him.

The Mayor allowed the crowd a short time to digest the information before he delivered the main purpose of the gathering.

”We will be attacking the Gnomes’ camp in two hours. Prepare yourselves.”

The words landed like a sudden explosion. The experts who were still trying to process the news about the Necromancers and the traitors felt their thoughts grind to a halt. For months they had been forced into a purely defensive position. Several smaller towns and cities in the region had already been lost because they lacked the strength to strike back. The Gnomes’ army had always held the clear advantage, especially with their puppets. Now the Mayor was calmly ordering them to attack a Gnome camp head-on.

A heavy silence hung over the courtyard for several seconds. Some experts frowned deeply. Others exchanged uncertain glances. A few opened their mouths as if to speak, then closed them again when they remembered the Mayor’s status and strength.

”Sir... forgive me, but did you say we will be attacking the Gnomes’ camp?” a young Seventh-stage Sovereign finally asked from within the crowd, his voice carefully respectful.

The Mayor turned to him and gave a firm nod. ”Yes.”

”On what grounds?” Torren questioned. He did not recall them receiving any major reinforcements. Launching an attack under their current circumstances made little sense to him.

The Mayor did not answer the question directly. Instead he turned his head and looked toward Grey.

Understanding the meaning behind that glance, veins pulsed at the side of Torren’s head.

”You want to throw our lives away because of a boy?” he demanded.

The question drew a number of quiet nods and low murmurs of agreement from parts of the crowd. Nearly everyone present had heard that Grey could prevent the Gnomes from using their puppets. That ability was valuable, but it was not enough on its own. Even without their puppets the Gnomes still held a clear numerical advantage. In the eyes of many, pinning the success of an entire assault on a single young man was reckless.