Chapter 162: Spooked Horse

Alvin was the same, but Wu Qingsong now viewed him entirely as a schemer.

He took the initiative to suggest a visit to the ruins of the Eryk Mine with Alvin, who agreed with enthusiasm. They each took their guards and set off toward the south of Elmons. After more than a year, the previous large pit had filled with water, becoming a deep lake. It was expected that in another year, the water would likely reach its brim.

“I’m curious, my lord, how do you plan to proceed with the investigation this time?” Wu Qingsong asked tentatively. “How should I help from my side?”

“Marquis Osaga indeed made no mistake in judging you,” Alvin said. “It’s rare to find someone as loyal and dedicated as Lord Tagraedi within the Empire now.”

“You’re too kind,” was all Wu Qingsong could reply.

“Their existence is no longer sustainable within Norwei’s borders,” Alvin finally shifted the topic to the main issue at hand. “If they still hold power in Esola, it’s either due to protection from someone or they’re in a secluded location. I’ll investigate the former, and I leave the latter to Lord Tagraedi, how does that sound?”

“Lord, after the outbreak, the entire Esola region suffered catastrophic damage, especially the areas north of Esola City. All forces have been rebuilt from the ground up. Do you think they could have people among us?”

“Who knows?” said Alvin. “Not everyone with the blood of the long-lived can be like you.”

Wu Qingsong sensed an insinuation in his words, which further solidified his resolve.

The afternoon sparring session went on as planned. Since it was a demonstration, the two selected squads fought with restraint, resulting in a performance noticeably less intense than a real battle. However, Alvin continuously applauded, commending Wu Qingsong for his effective training.

“I believe Esola’s regular army doesn’t hold a candle to your mercenary group,” he said, shaking his head.

At that moment, a houndman saluted Wu Qingsong from afar. Excusing himself to Alvin, Wu Qingsong walked over and quickly left the arena with the houndman.

“My Lord?” a mastiff warrior behind Alvin asked softly.

“No worries, he wouldn’t dare to make any moves,” Alvin responded. 

“Well done! A reward!” he shouted approvingly.

***

“They haven’t been seen in Esola,” reported the person Ram had sent to investigate and hurried back. “Our people thoroughly probed the city gate guards, and at least in the last month or two, no half-elf like Alvin has been seen entering or exiting Esola.”

“And what about More?” asked Wu Qingsong.

“I asked about him this morning,” Ram replied. “Alvin is the Marquis Osaga’s third son and the only acknowledged half-elf. He serves as the deputy commander of the Marquis Osaga’s defense forces and effectively manages the northern part of the Marquis’s territory. It’s said his mother was the Marquis’s most trusted lady-in-waiting, and Alvin himself enjoys a very close and trusted relationship with the Marquis’s legitimate sons.”

“Then killing him is not an option,” Wu Qingsong said.

Ram nodded. 

“Are you sure about this?” she asked, clearly worried.

“Worst comes to worst, we’ll just escape back to Silver Moon territory together,” Wu Qingsong said with a smile, then moved to the window to watch the happenings around the arena.

The sparring had finished. Following the earlier arrangement, Harold apologized to Alvin on Wu Qingsong’s behalf. Wu Qingsong, observing from inside the room, waited for Alvin’s next move.

He had already drawn several magical circles, and the items Alvin had used were also prepared.

Eventually, Alvin smiled and walked toward his horse. Wu Qingsong waited a few seconds until Alvin mounted and began heading toward the inner city before placing those items into the magical circles.

Though the arena was not far from Orgrimmar’s gates, nobles never accustomed themselves to walking on muddy paths. However, as they slowly ascended the slope near Orgrimmar’s gates, Alvin’s horse suddenly let out a shriek, reared up high, and began hopping around in an attempt to shake him off.

“My Lord!” 

The guards immediately prepared to step forward but were halted by Alvin.

He called the horse’s name, trying to soothe it, but the animal only became more violently agitated.

Deciding to forcefully restrain the horse, the guards moved forward, but at that moment, Alvin lost his balance and fell hard from the horse. Amidst the shocked cries of the onlookers, the horse brutally trampled his leg and kicked his head before neighing and galloping away.

Wu Qingsong hurried downstairs, and by the time he reached the gates of Orgrimmar, Alvin was already being supported by the guards. The leg that had been trampled clearly broken, his face was ashen, looking like he was on the verge of passing out.

“What happened?” Wu Qingsong asked, his voice filled with feigned concern.

“Lord Osaga’s horse suddenly got spooked,”  Beck carefully replied.

“Dammit! Couldn’t you have risked your lives to restrain the spooked horse?” Wu Qingsong kicked him aside and quickly went to Alvin’s side.

“Lord! Are you alright?” he asked with genuine urgency.

This wasn’t purely an act. The horse had been hit with the strongest rage curse he could muster, and Alvin was affected by severe curses of imbalance and weakness. If the hoof had landed on his head, Alvin might have died on the spot.

It was a gamble that thankfully resulted only in a broken leg for Alvin.

“I’m fine,” Alvin weakly said.

He felt his body limp, devoid of any strength, and the pain in his thigh had subsided to numbness. This numbness clouded his mind, preventing him from discerning if there was any deceit in Wu Qingsong’s reactions. 

Meanwhile, the guards were in a state of panic and anxiety. One attempted to catch the startled horse, but it continued to jump and kick wildly, nearly charging at them again.

“Quick, get a stretcher over here!” Wu Qingsong yelled. “Beck! Rush to Esola and fetch a doctor! The best one, no, fetch all the doctors you can!”

Alvin was delicately placed on a stretcher and carried into a room. His right thigh was visibly distorted and deformed, severely swollen, with a ghastly appearance that indicated, at least, a comminuted fracture. In this era, such injuries were grave.

“Tagraedi! Don’t you have any doctors here?” a guard bellowed.

“We are just a poor, remote area,” Wu Qingsong replied, his face etched with panic. “Don’t worry, we’ve already sent for a doctor. They’ll be back in no more than three hours!”

“Three hours!” 

The guards, seeing Alvin in a semi-conscious state, were clearly overwhelmed, shouting, “If something happens to Lord Alvin here, I’m afraid you won’t be able to bear the responsibility!”

“Angus!” Wu Qingsong called out. “Immediately send for help from the nearby territories! Have them send over anyone who knows medicine. Quick!”