Lu Heng's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing that something was not right.
Normally, even if not intending to reconcile, the Sea Demon Clan should not attack the envoys negotiating peace.
Doing so would only escalate the conflict between the two races.
If one side were a savage species, such a thing might happen.
However, Lu Heng had interacted with the Sea Demon Clan High Priestess Sona, albeit briefly for two days, but it was sufficient.
The willingness of High Priestess Sona to endure the doubts of her clansmen and release Friggs already showed her genuine desire to resolve the conflict between the two races.
Moreover, opposing the Black Iron Dwarves yields no benefit for the Sea Demon Clan.
And the Black Iron Dwarves have agreed to reconcile by not dumping volcanic ash into the Tidal Sea, which is what the Sea Demon Clan needs most.
From both a motive and benefit perspective, the Sea Demon Clan has no reason to disrupt the peace negotiations.
It doesn't conform to logic.
Su Muyu and Xie Shi'en both considered this, and reminded Lu Heng: "There might be hidden reasons behind this affair."
Lu Heng nodded in agreement, then looked at Dwarf King Sorreville Copper Furnace, and said, "I think this matter requires investigation, whether or not it's the Sea Demon Clan's action. We should make a decision after finding out the truth."
Sorreville Copper Furnace was furious at the injured clansman who returned, and would not listen to anyone else's advice.
But remembering the instructions of the Quenching Castle master, he could only swallow his anger and ask, "Mr. Lu, how do you intend to investigate?"
Lu Heng took the initiative for this task: "I'll go personally. I spearheaded this matter, and with the Sea Demon Clan suddenly reneging, I bear some responsibility. I'll be responsible for finding out the reason for this incident and seeking justice for the Black Iron Tribe."
Sorreville Copper Furnace saw Lu Heng not shirking responsibility, his anger slightly diminished, and agreed: "Alright, then this matter is entrusted to Mr. Lu for investigation. If the Sea Demon Clan really goes back on their word, my Black Iron Tribe will fight them to the death."
In the afternoon of the same day.
Lu Heng set off with a team, heading to the coast to inspect the site of the attack.
On the way, everyone gathered to discuss this matter.
"It's a bit strange, didn't the Sea Demon Clan's High Priestess agree to reconcile? Why suddenly attack the Black Iron Dwarves' negotiating envoys?"
"We still don't know the reason. It seems even if it was really done by the Sea Demon Clan, it probably wasn't their High Priestess's orders." Lu Heng recalled his interaction with High Priestess Sona, discerning her genuine concern for the future of the Sea Demon Clan.
"But Hogrey clearly said it was the Sea Demon Clan, shouldn't be mistaken, right?"
Lu Heng nodded and said, "Indeed, most likely it was the Sea Demons who acted. As for other species impersonating Sea Demons, it's possible, but not likely."
While saying this, Lu Heng opened the Abyss Battlefield information interface to confirm the battlefield mode.
This time, the battlefield mode is [Multi-Faction Melee Mode].
It's a very complex mode, summarized simply, that the forces in this world are very chaotic, with at least three or more factions engaging in melee.
Lu Heng knew from the start that this mode would be tricky, but hadn't encountered any melee before, so didn't mention it.
Now it seems this mode might already be playing a role.
Multi-faction is easy to understand, the Black Iron Dwarves are one faction, the Sea Demon Clan is another.
Human Recruiters also belong to a faction in this world.
And the first Challenge Task requires killing 20 Abyss Summoners.
This indicates that this world also hosts Abyss Race summoned by Abyss recruiters.
That makes four factions already, and if a branch emerges within the Sea Demon Clan, it will be even more chaotic.