Axel said, "Legend says that the Demon Queen of the Fallen Crimson Dynasty once built a mountain pce here. There are also rumors that a massive treasure from the Fallen Crimson Dynasty is hidden in our area. But honestly, it''s allpletely made up-just stories passed down and exaggerated over time."
Tiana could not help but interrupt. "How do you know it''s made up? I think you''re not being honest and don''t want to tell the truth."
Axel looked like an honest, straightforward man, and Tiana''s sharp words clearly flustered him. His face grew awkward as he replied, "Beautifuldy, I haven''t lied to you. You can go outside and see for yourself—if we really had treasure here, would our ancient vige still be this poor and backward?
"You must have seen on your way here that our Gallow''s End vige is hundreds of miles from the nearest county seat. The entire route is nothing but cliffs and steep terrain. The only concrete mountain road was justpleted this year.
"Five years ago, no one had ever heard of this godforsaken ce. Do you really think there could be treasure in such a remote, impoverished area?"
His words left the entire group speechless.
Axel smiled bitterly. "You''re the second group toe asking about treasure. The previous group wandered around our vige for half the day and found nothing. They caused quite amotion before heading up into the mountains."
Tiana immediately said, "It must be the Wrights or Rafael''s people. Andy, we need to catch up with them right away. Whatever the situation is, we can find out by asking them."
Andrew asked Axel, "Chief Flintspire, can you take us to find that previous group?"
Axel shook his head without hesitation, fear evident on his face. "It''s getting dark, and the mountains will be covered in ck fog with wild beasts and monsters roaming around.
"Once night falls, our vige people never risk going into the mountains. Most people who enter the mountains end up having idents."
Chantelle frowned. "Chief Flintspire, this is the age of science-there are no such things as monsters. Can''t you arrange for someone to guide us into the mountains? Money isn''t an issue."
Axel shook his head vigorously. "Miss, I can''t. I really can''t. Even our vige''s most skilled hunters won''t take this kind of job. Money may be important, butpared to life, it''s nothing."
Tiana grew impatient. "I''m ordering you to take us into the mountains immediately. We''ll handle any danger ourselves. But if you refuse to cooperate, don''t me us for getting rough!"
Axel''s expression darkened. "You''d raise a hand in Patoajo Vige? Madam, I suggest you think twice."
Tiana sneered. "I have thought twice. Now I''d like to see just how much fight you really have in you."
She was already stepping forward to act when Andrew quickly moved in to stop her. "Mrs. Rhodes, the Patoajo people are proud warriors, and many still keep real weapons hidden away. Starting a fight here could cause more trouble than it''s worth."
Suddenly, the sound of cocking triggers echoed outside. A dozen
Patoajo youths, armed with rifles, rushed in and quickly formed two rows at the base of the building, blocking the exits.
Chantelle''s voice was cold. "Chief Flintspire, care to exin what this is?"
Axel shook his head, his expression grave. "Please don''t misunderstand. These men are our vige guardians. They are not here to hurt anyone. Their presence simply means something serious just happened."
He stepped outside and called, "Buzz, what''s going on?"
A burly man with a broad frame and a sharp gaze answered grimly. "Chief, it''s bad."
With a wave of his hand, two stretchers were immediately brought forward. Lying across them were two men, covered in blood, their condition unclear.
Logan''s face stiffened. "They''re from the Wrights!"
Andrew gave a subtle signal, and Natasha stepped forward without hesitation to check their pulses.
"They''re dead!" She turned back to Andrew, her voice trembling as she spoke.
Andrew, Tiana, and the others immediately felt their hearts sink. They had not expected casualties to ur so quickly.