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"Are you worried about retaliation?" Ian knew exactly what Denzel meant.
"Yes, of course we're worried. The people you're after include mercenary knights. If it's a direct battle and the mercenaries fight the knights, there's no problem. But what you're asking us to do is only called an arrest if we get it right. If we arrest the wrong person, that's kidnapping."
"Kidnapping a knight without cause is a provocation to the entire noble class. If we capture the wrong person and you release them, they may not dare to retaliate against you, but we won't be so lucky. Once they complain to their lord, even if I survive because I became your attendant, the mercenaries under me will be in trouble."
"So, you want to silence anyone wrongly arrested?" Ian's eyelids twitched, and he could see that message in Denzel's eyes.
"You're very perceptive, Sir Lucien," Denzel quickly lowered his head in acknowledgment.
"No, no," Ian shook his head subconsciously.
"Of course, of course, Sir. You are a knight anointed with holy oil and an apostle of the Heavenly Father. Sinful acts like killing innocent people are far beneath you. These are all our decisions, not yours."
"Enough!" Ian interrupted, realizing this wasn't the outcome he wanted.
If he were just hunting players, he wouldn't feel burdened. But these were ordinary people.
Ian could already picture how many innocent bystanders the mercenaries would inevitably arrest.
Kill all these people? He shook his head. That was not the plan.
Perhaps there was still room for improvement in the plan?
But just as quickly, he rejected that thought.
Denzel had raised an unavoidable point.
Without allowing the mercenaries to silence those mistakenly arrested, Ian knew he wouldn't have any mercenaries left to serve him. Mercenaries fought for money, but they wouldn't die for it.
So, silencing anyone wrongfully caught was a necessary part of the plan—undeniably essential.
"I will only take the people I want to arrest," Ian exhaled deeply, "If you arrest the wrong person, that's your problem. How you deal with them is not my concern."
Ian couldn't think of a better solution at the moment. He didn't want to harm innocent people, but he couldn't abandon his plan just because of the risk of accidental casualties.
When players eventually wage wars, tens of thousands of casualties would be inevitable. What were a few innocent lives compared to that?
"Yes, Sir," Denzel nodded quickly, understanding that Sir Lucien had implicitly agreed to his request.
"Then, the second group," Ian turned to Eric the 'Naughty Joker,' "You and the rest of Spiky's men are under my command and will stay at the inn."
"Once our target enters the inn, they might start testing the identities of others. Those are the ones you need to watch. I'll be in the hall most of the time, personally identifying the targets. In addition," Ian's mind suddenly sparked with an idea, "Choose someone decent-looking from your men. We'll equip him with the same gear as the mercenary knight I'm looking for, and have him sit alone at a table in the hall, drinking."
"If anyone approaches him to test his identity, have someone go to the kitchen and inform Martha. Ask Martha to slip sweat-inducing medicine into that person's drink."
"What?" Martha was confused.
"Anesthetic," Ian repeated.
"What?"
"A drug that can make someone faint."
"Seven hells! How could I have something like that?" Martha exclaimed.
"Do you blame me for reading too many martial arts novels?" Ian pinched the bridge of his nose. "There must be something that can make him... I don't know, have diarrhea or something?"
"Nothing like that. But there's a type of mushroom in the forest behind the mountain. If you eat it, it can make people weak and even cause hallucinations."
Red umbrella, white pole, lying down after eating? Ian thought to himself.
"Then use that. In short, make him lose his strength so that we can take him away quietly. If someone chooses to directly attack our bait, the other mercenaries will pretend to subdue him without causing trouble, and the other guests can bring him to me with suspicion."
"Now that we all have our missions, who will help you with Blackfire's treasure? Do you want to ask the family for help?" Denzel's disappointment was evident. If they went down that path, they'd miss the treasure.
"Have you even seen the shadow of the Blackfire Treasure? Is there any proof it even exists? How could I ask the family for help?" Ian asked, his tone sharp, trying to cover up the fact that he had no intention of involving the family.
"I've become interested in this so-called Blackfire Treasure, but it's nothing compared to my actual mission. Do you understand?"
"I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to question your decision." Denzel immediately lowered his head and apologized as soon as he realized Ian was displeased.
Ian couldn't help but wonder how many times this young Dornishman had been socially humbled. The Dornish were known for their pride, even facing down Aegon the Conqueror's dragon and shooting down Rhaenys' dragon, Meraxes.
"Then next, Grantham and Denzel, you each choose one of your men to go to the nearest castle with Case and purchase the armaments needed to re-equip the two mercenary teams, including armor, weapons, and horses." Ian had initially planned to buy a set of plate armor for himself but decided to have it custom-made instead.
"Before they return, we'll hold off on controlling the King's Road. We'll only monitor the inside of this inn. This is the main focus, anyway." Ian glanced at Denzel, "Denzel, you and Naughty Joker will handle the arrangements. And while you're at it, help Martha clean up the hall."
"Yes, Sir." Denzel followed the orders and left.
"Now, about the Blackfire Treasure. Ser Grantham, tell me everything you know."
"To be honest, not much. I didn't work directly with Boss Morgan. He had me stay at the Crossroads Inn and told me to pretend I wasn't part of the Black Falcon mercenary group to attract those interested in the group. An outsider interested in the Blackfire Treasure hired me to be his eyes," Ser Grantham explained.
"Did Black Falcon ever tell you why he came to this inn yesterday?"
"He never told me. We didn't have any direct relationship, so we kept a distance on purpose. I think his adopted son, Dorian, probably knows something. But Dorian is probably focused on avenging Black Falcon now, so he won't likely accept your offer."
"So, why would I need to hire him? If we want to get him to talk, surely we have a better way," Ian said.
"I don't understand what you mean."
"If we investigate Black Falcon's death and help Dorian seek revenge, wouldn't he naturally share all the information with us?"