The dark lake sounds like it is just an underground lake.

However, in fact, the Dark Lake is a huge maze, including countless lakes, waterways, canals, and caves of various sizes.

Some of the lakes formed by huge caves are not only unfathomable, but when sailing on the lake, the light cannot even reach the high cave ceilings.

Others are extremely narrow, with only a few feet between the cave roof and the water.

Some even dive directly into the water. Unless they can breathe underwater, they can only take a detour.

It is said that a long time ago, gray dwarf engineers expanded the connection range of the Dark Lake water channel and built sluices everywhere to facilitate ships to travel through different underground levels.

Because of this, many travel routes have been developed and accessible.

Since there is no starry sky for orientation, navigation on the Dark Lake can only rely on the memory of the cave network, passages and water flows, as well as those ancient gray dwarf runes.

Although these 'road signs' are almost worn out and difficult to read, experienced dark lake boatmen can still use them to identify the direction on the dark lake.

In fact, this technology is not simple. Only those boatmen who have spent decades traveling through the dark lake can accumulate the necessary experience and knowledge.

It was only then that Brian realized how powerful the "Sensitive Mind" expertise he had acquired in the Sunless Woods was in this situation.

With his "keen mind", he can easily find the route to Aldus King City without worrying about getting lost.

"You're wrong again." He leaned on the guardrail of the keel ship, listening to the gray dwarf beside him explaining things about King Aldus City, and retorted with a smile:

"Your black-handled agents in Aldus King City are psychic agents in the secret army of the Deep King. Their main purpose is to travel around with the gray dwarf merchants to carry out supervision and espionage work. I have never heard that they also work part-time.

A killer's trade."

"..."

After his lie was exposed, the gray dwarf Waits opened his eyes in surprise and looked at the surface people in front of him, not knowing how to answer the question.

"Not only do I know the Black Handle Agent." Brian ignored the other person's gaze and said in a slightly cold tone, "I also know the Empty Scabbard Killer."

"What?!"

The gray dwarf suddenly lost his composure. He raised his head and looked at the smiling surface man in disbelief. He puffed his beard and said with eyes wide open, "How on earth do you know this? Could you be in King Aldus City?"

It’s a legend I heard.”

"It is actually not wrong to say that the 'Empty Scabbard Killer' organization is a folk legend in Aldus King City." Brian nodded slightly and said to him:

"Because they are well-disciplined psychic assassins who act extremely secretively. Even the shrewdest derro dwarves and the smartest priests cannot grasp their whereabouts. However, in fact, they are not fictional stories. The business of these killers has already

operating for hundreds of years, and their actions have never been exposed."

"The most important thing is that the Empty Scabbard Killers are gray dwarf spirit bladers. They wander around Aldus King City, looking for children with psychic talents, and then kidnap them and train them."

Brian added: "They will also pay attention to valuable 'Kara Shabak' and provide them with opportunities to join the organization in order to take revenge on those who exiled them."

"Sir Brian, who are you?"

The gray dwarf took a deep look at Brian and said in a very solemn tone, "What is your purpose in coming to our King Aldus City? Don't tell me that it's just to return to the surface."

From the moment he heard "Kara Shabak" from the mouth of this surface person, he instantly understood that the reason he was saved from the gallows by the goblin copper block was not at all due to the inexplicable kindness of the surface people.

It's more like a long-planned plan.

"In fact, returning to the surface is the most important thing for me right now."

Brian said calmly, "But you also witnessed what happened in the Kuo-toa town of Slobudo, so I don't think your King Aldus City will survive."

"What do you mean..." The gray dwarf was shocked, touched his bald head, and looked at Brian nervously.

"There is a proverb in my hometown: Chaos does not necessarily lead to an abyss, it may also lead to a ladder of ascent."

Brian had a smile on his face, but his eyes when he looked at the gray dwarf were as cold as ice, "I have told you so many things. To be fair, Weitz Firehand from the Forge Clan, I think you should also answer me.

A few questions, who are you serving?"

"Needless to say, of course it is the ruler of Aldus Royal City, Deep King Holga Steel Shadow VI." The gray dwarf said without thinking.

"If there are no accidents in the voyage, we can reach King Aldus City tomorrow." Brian left the guardrail he was leaning on, turned his back to the gray dwarf, and dropped his last words, "I will give you one day to think carefully. I hope

Do not disappoint me."

After saying that, he walked directly towards the cabin without even looking at the other party.

After entering the dim cabin, Brian walked straight towards his room.

They have been sailing in the Dark Lake for about five days, and they will arrive at King Aldus City tomorrow.

He must rely on his foresight to make early preparations and strive for a place in this chaotic gray dwarf city.

Then he sat on the chair, picked up the quill on the table, and began to write down all the forces of the various factions in the gray dwarf city on the scroll.

The permanent population of gray dwarves in Aldus Royal City is about 20,000. It is a feudal political kingdom with the King of the Deep as the absolute monarch. The throne is passed down from generation to generation by the Steel Shadow clan and their relatives.

Each clan in the kingdom is led by a 'landlord', who controls his own territory and directs his clan members to focus on a specific trade or craft project.

In the kingdom's institutions, there is also a priest class called the Sindar who preside over all ceremonies and record the legendary history of the Deep Kingdom. The actual political and religious power is concentrated in the hands of the Deep King and the local lords.

He must find the most suitable force to be his ally among these intertwined forces, and help them gain dominance over the royal city of Aldus.

In the past, this would undoubtedly have been very difficult.

But it's different now. In addition to an adult red dragon who is preparing to rebel, and the derro dwarves who have been exploited by the gray dwarves, even the demon lord has participated in this game.

This undoubtedly provided him with a golden opportunity.

"Tuk-tuk-tuk..."

Just then, Brian heard a knock on the door outside the house.

He put down the quill in his hand and looked up.

There were not many people on this big ship, only 6 in total. At this time, it was easy to know who came to see him.

With a thought, the closed door opened automatically.

Hesiah's figure appeared in front of him, her long reddish-brown hair spread casually behind her head, and her simple top and trousers outlined her beautiful figure.

When Brian looked into the sword mage's bright silver-gray eyes, he immediately understood the reason, which made him secretly relieved.

"Is there a problem?"

He pushed the parchment aside on the table, motioned for her to sit down, and asked.

"I'm just here to tell you that my magic has been restored." Hesiah sat on the chair, casually glanced at the parchment scroll on the table, and looked at Brian and said.

"Actually, when you entered the room, your eyes already told me the news." Brian smiled and replied, "Now that you have recovered, I'm relieved. After all, we will arrive in Odus tomorrow."

It’s the royal city.”

Hesiah was also the person he trusted most, so he naturally told her his thoughts and plans in detail.

Now that her strength has been restored, he has nothing to worry about.

"It seems that you know Aldus King City very well." Hesiah picked up a sheepskin scroll with interest and looked at some gray dwarf clans and derro dwarf organizations recorded on it.

When she saw a 'Grey Ghost' Derro dwarf thieves organization, she looked at Brian in surprise, and then asked him doubtfully, "Brian, actually I have always been curious, you have always called the Derro Jip."

What is the purpose of bringing the Luo dwarf with you?"

"Although this guy pretends to be enthusiastic about everyone in order to hide his true identity, seeing him fighting always reminds me of the soul of a crazy killer."

While examining the contents of the parchment scroll, Brian expressed his opinion to her:

"No matter whether this guess is correct or not, there is no loss for me. If it is really correct, it should make this chaotic city more lively."

After listening to Brian's analysis, Hesiah put the parchment scroll back on the table without interest.

Obviously, she is not interested in this aspect.

She looked at his focused look, remained silent for a long time, and whispered to him abruptly, "Brian, if we get to King Aldus City, can we return to the surface world?"

"Of course." Brian nodded without thinking, "When we arrive at Aldus King City, it means that our escape career in the Underdark Region is over."

"Then what are your plans if you return to the surface?" Hesaya thought for a while, and finally couldn't help but ask the question that had been pressing in her heart for a long time.

"Intend?"

Brian looked up at her and weighed his words secretly. Then he said to her with a serious tone and a smile, "Actually, I have already set a goal for myself to be the first to return to the surface world.

.”

"Target?"

Hesiah's curiosity was aroused by Brian's words. She knew that the other party was definitely not joking with her. She asked again: "What is the goal? Is this goal very ambitious?"

"It's not that far-reaching."

Brian shook his head slightly and said to her, "My first goal when I return to the surface world is to conquer the land of the ancient Netheril Empire, the Ainook Desert."
Chapter completed!