The Great Thief

According to what he had seen in his previous life, the lucky ones would have ample time to complete missions, while the unlucky ones would not, even if they had rushed.

”There’s only a short amount of time. Call me when you are ready to begin,” Myranda said.

Lu Li was a little worried, but he had a mount this time, so things would be much easier. If he did not have a mount, then there was no way that this mission could be completed in time.

Lu Li summoned his mount, which indicated to Myranda that he was ready to begin.

Myranda casted a spell that transformed Lu Li into a Scarlet Crusader. His mount had also been turned into one of their horses.

”During this time, you cannot dismount or battle. Otherwise, you will lose the disguise,” Myranda warned.

”Got it. If there is nothing else to address, I would prefer to hurry,” Lu Li said as he shook the reins. Time was of the essence, so he needed to rush into action as quickly as possible.

”The next time you see Fordring, please relay this message for me,” the witch requested, then turned around, walked towards Uther’s Tomb and continued, ”We must trust that Uther’s spirit is watching over us. Although the darkness envelops us in this fallen land, his light is the guide of all people. As long as we are always honourable like him, everything will not wither…”

Although her words were not clear, Lu Li could sense a hint of sadness and dismay in her voice.

As Lu Li rushed towards the Scarlet Crusade’s fortress, he passed by many Scarlet Crusaders who were around level 50.

The entire fortress reeked of alcohol, and the stench was so thick that it could make a person vomit. It was unbelievable that this was indeed a fortress for Paladins. The knights in the Fireplace Valley were already incomparable to the Crusaders fighting against the Scourge day in and day out.

Perhaps it was because of their extreme faith that they were so brave and ruthless in battle.

However, they had not forgotten about their calling to destroy the Scourge. Their ruthlessness had not affected their use of the Holy Light, and they wouldn’t kill indiscriminately.

Lu Li had already seen many corpses of commoners and villagers who were slaughtered on his way to the fortress.

The fall of the Paladins had occurred rapidly.

These knights did not look to trouble Lu Li. Most knights would not dare to challenge a real, high-standing knight, like the one that Lu Li was disguised as.

Lu Li had arrived at the main section of the fortress, which had been built specifically for Fordring.

Tyran Fordring was inside with four high-level guards – two Knights, one Mage and a Priest.

”I request an audience with Lord Tyran; I bring information about the Plaguelands,” Lu Li said arrogantly.

”Why don’t you see the High Inquisitor instead?” one of the guards asked in suspicion.

After all, no one had seen Tyran as the real leader of the Scarlet Crusade. If there was any military information, it would have been received by the High Inquisitor, not this figurehead.

”I only came here after I had visited the High Inquisitor,” Lu Li explained as he tried to push forward. If they had attacked him in his current state, he would instantly lose his disguise. Furthermore, these four Level 50 elites would have no trouble disposing of him either.

However, the four guards couldn’t refuse him. After all, they did not know that he was a fake.

Lu Li rode his horse into the main castle towards Tyran Fordring’s position. Shortly after, he saw Tyran drinking alone in the foyer. It was clear that this retired Paladin was in a state of despair and hopelessness.

Many game analysts ranked Paladins as the weakest early-game class in Dawn.

Paladins were a ’jack-of-all-trades, but master of none’ type of class. There were not elite at DPS, Tank or as a general support, while their skills greatly limited their ability to display their strength. As such, many Paladins had given up, or had fallen to the dark side.

Paladins also had more difficulty in finding an elite Teacher than other classes.

When their faith had been shaken to its core, the Paladins NPCs lost a lot of their manpower. Unless a player had sided with an extreme faction, such as the Scarlet Crusade, no one would dare to approach any ruthless Paladin teacher.

”What is it?!” Tyran yelled gloomily.

”Are you still awake?” Lu Li asked as he sat on top of the war-horse, looking down at this hero of the past.

Tyran snorted, slammed his glass on the table, and roared, ”Who are you? How dare you use this kind of language and tone to speak to me?

”Tyran Fordring, do you swear to protect the honour and glory of the Silver Hand for eternity?”

”Do you swear to answer the Holy Light’s grace, and share the wisdom that was imparted among your followers?

”Do you swear to protect the small and innocent with every ounce of your blood whenever and wherever you encounter evil?

”Who are you?” After being asked these three questions by Lu Li, Tyran’s expression changed.

The three questions that Lu Li had asked him were part of the oath that new recruits into the Silver Hand would swear when they were inducted. This process was led by Uther himself, and Uther had once said to him with a hand on his shoulder, ”Become a man like your father, my child.”

”I brought some items which might cheer you up,” Lu Li said as he tossed them to Tyran.

The first was a small but intricate hammer that Tyran had received from his father.

There was also a flag that had been abandoned by him on the battlefield. From that moment onwards, he had lost his teacher and his faith.

He had lost his father early on as well. Old Fordring had left behind Fireplace Valley, a mother in mourning, and nothing else.

The old man had taught him the ways of the Paladin, and had led him onto a path to pursue the Holy Light. He had grown stronger every day, dreaming of when he could eradicate all evil and allow the Light to shine upon the land of Lordaeron.

However, this had all become nothing.

”There’s also this. I think you might recognise this item,” Lu Li said, handing a picture towards Tyran that made him shed a few tears.

”This…this…it’s impossible. These items were….” Tyran was surprised and at a loss for words. Shortly after, he knelt on the ground with the large sword supporting his weight.

Tyran knelt there for a long while, as if time had stopped in his deep thoughts.

”My father is still alive…”

”Lord Tyran, what has happened?” the four guards asked as they rushed into the castle, disturbed by the commotion they had heard inside.