Chapter 264 Them Again

“This incident is quite unusual,” Madelyn said with a firm tone. “So, I was hoping to borrow some manpower from Oceanic Empire. I hope you can support me on this.”

Phantom chuckled, amused. “Woman, what do you take me for? Why must I do exactly what you say?”

“…” Madelyn was speechless.

Phantom’s smile deepened. “Also, you better get this straight: I’m not some savior, nor am I a people-pleaser. One more thing, you should know that this is Rodunst, and things are different here. If you needed manpower back home, I might have considered helping you. But it’s not that simple now that we’re abroad.”

“Not that simple… Which means it’s still possible, right?” Madelyn fearlessly pointed out, seizing the loophole in his words.

Phantom seemed taken aback for a moment, and his tone became nonchalant. “You’re quite different from other women. Most would avoid me at all costs, yet you dare to risk your life by coming to help. Is that man so important to you?”

Phantom smiled meaningfully as he spoke. The man he referred to was naturally Sebastian.

It’s astonishing that Madelyn came seeking my help for that man’s sake. Looks like she values this man’s life even more than her own.

However, Madelyn refrained from explaining much and cut straight to the chase. “That’s none of your business. Just tell me, will you help or not?”

Phantom’s wicked smile deepened.

In the end, he sighed and made a concession. “All right, then. Since you’re so earnest, I’ll agree to help. However, I have one condition. You must exchange a piece of information with me. How does that sound?”

Madelyn frowned. I’ve told him so much, yet he’s still asking for more. I don’t have any information to offer him at all. Even if I do, I don’t want to reveal my cards just yet. My ability to foresee the future is a mysterious concept. It’s all based on my past life’s memories and won’t be accurate. I can’t give him any information he wants. Looks like getting Phantom’s help is no longer an option.

Madelyn had no choice but to abandon that idea, conceding. “Never mind. If it’s such a hassle for you, I won’t trouble you any further. I’ll figure something out on my own.”

After she finished speaking, she didn’t wait for a response and promptly hung up the phone.

Her eyes darkened as she looked at the night sky outside the window. Looks like I can only rely on myself and search for clues.

Half an hour later, Madelyn, donned in a trendy outfit, arrived at the most renowned bar in town.

If her memory served her right, this bar was renowned as a hub for information. It housed all sorts of individuals, including some metahumans who used this place as a base to trade various pieces of information. Of course, acquiring information here wasn’t a simple task, setting aside the steep price for accurate information.

However, Madelyn had no choice. She was all alone without any support, so she could only try her luck.

The dimly lit bar radiated a warm glow. To those who had no idea, it might appear as a romantic haven for couples on dates, but they were mistaken.

When Madelyn entered, she covered her ears, overwhelmed by the deafening noise inside.

The patrons of this bar were all loud and boisterous, shouting at the top of their lungs when they conversed.

After finally getting accustomed to the noise, Madelyn let out a sigh of relief and found an empty seat in the crowd to sit down.

Right then, a group at the next table was engaged in a conversation in Uprian. Although Madelyn couldn’t completely understand their conversation, she was still able to translate the gist of their discussion.

“Have you guys heard? There’s been some unrest in the city lately due to certain underground forces stirring things up.”

“It wasn’t just hearsay. I saw it with my own eyes. The police arrested a group of people right there on the spot. Many people died, and there was blood everywhere! It was shocking.”

“Most importantly, it was rumored that a few of them were Clusians.”

Clusians?

Madelyn frowned. Could this matter be related to Sebastian?

She discreetly perked up her ears, feigning nonchalance as she eavesdropped.

As she listened on, she suddenly heard the familiar name “Hellfire Creed.” Her heart skipped a beat. Why is it them again?

One of the people spoke again. “Hellfire Creed seems to have colluded with the subordinate of an arms tycoon, resulting in one of the latter’s crucial arsenals being bombed. What a devastating loss that was! Naturally, the arms tycoon wouldn’t let them off so easily; hence, he sought retribution. That’s why this whole matter escalated.”

“What does that have to do with our city?”

The person let out a sigh. “Word is that the arms tycoon’s subordinate escaped to this place, so the arms tycoon himself came chasing after her. We’d better steer clear of such matters lest we get involved.”

The few men simultaneously nodded in agreement.

At that moment, Madelyn was surprised.

She frowned. Grimo is the only arms tycoon in Rodunst. The subordinate who fled is most probably Violet. But this happened a while ago. Has Grimo not captured Violet yet? That can’t be. How could Grimo fail to capture Violet? Or did he capture her, but she managed to escape again? And could Sebastian’s sudden disappearance in Rodunst be related to them, too?

Madelyn’s thoughts were a chaotic mess as she struggled to make sense of things.

Thinking there was no point in eavesdropping any longer, she left the bar and returned to the hotel, her heart heavy with worry.

She lay in bed, mulling over the news she had overheard in the bar and wondering what on earth was going on.

Lost in thought, she lay awake in bed until midnight.

Suddenly, rhythmic knocks sounded at the door.

Knock Knock! Knock! Knock Knock! Knock!