The reason was still those poisonous crocodiles deep in the Black Swamp.
Hibell had escaped trouble due to some urgent matter, but others were not so fortunate, including the two from the hillside cottage.
No one expected the crocodiles' toxin to be so potent. Merely the escaping vapor was enough to overwhelm even an Advanced Wizard Apprentice.
After enduring for a time, the tutor and apprentice both passed away.
Carl was on good terms with Heidi and her brother, Lawson. He had also invested in Heidi's business and naturally came to attend the funeral. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel✦fire.net
Heidi, wearing a dark mourning dress, her face etched with profound sadness, approached, her voice hoarse.
"Heidi, my friend," Carl sighed. "It's unthinkable. I still vividly remember Lawson speaking, and now..."
"I believe Lawson's Dead Soul has gone to the true Wizard World. We should wish him liberation."
Just a few months ago, at a gathering, Carl had sat with Lawson and his sister, Heidi, talking and chatting.
Now, to encounter such a tragedy at such a young age.
"Yes." Heidi nodded, crying as she leaned on Carl's shoulder. "Thank you, my friend."
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Carl asked in a low voice, glancing towards a group of people not far away. "Those people... What's going on?"
Today was the funeral for the Advanced Wizard Apprentice Sidric and his disciple Lawson, yet those people did not look like invited guests.
"..." Heidi opened her mouth but gently shook her head. "It's okay."
"You go in and sit for a while. I've prepared some drinks. Soon, the elders from the League will come to help conduct the cremation."
"Hmm." Carl nodded. "Call me if you need anything."
"Okay." Heidi forced a smile onto her face.
Many people had already arrived in the courtyard. Although he couldn't recall all their names, they were familiar faces he had seen on several occasions.
Carl nodded to a few people. Before he could find a place to sit, he heard a commotion outside.
Someone shouted, "Three of our brothers lost their lives building your houses! We won't leave today without compensation!"
"The house collapsed because someone tampered with it using magic. The matter hasn't been cleared up yet, so please don't rush," Heidi's voice rose. "Rest assured, I will compensate. No one will have died in vain."
"Easier said than done! Where will the money come from?" someone yelled. "We've all heard. Your money is all tied up in accounts; you don't have any spare cash right now!"
"Regardless of how the house fell, people died working for you! The compensation can't be any less! We want the money now!"
The voices grew louder and more tumultuous.
Today was Sidric and Lawson's funeral. Even if they were after money, they shouldn't have chosen this time.
Moreover, those people outside were just Knight Attendants, or even ordinary people, not Wizard Apprentices. How dare they cause trouble at the funeral of two Wizard Apprentices?
Oh! Heidi was just a Basic-level Wizard Apprentice. With her brother and tutor both deceased, she had little backing. That must be where their confidence came from.
"I heard Heidi's business is in trouble," someone beside him said in a low voice, noticing his puzzled expression. "She's hoarded too much land and invested in buildings. The substantial profits inevitably made some people envious."
"Recently, a building under construction collapsed, killing several workers. The incident caused a big stir, and the Craftsmen's Guild has announced they will no longer take her contracts."
"But they shouldn't be causing trouble at a time !" one person said with displeasure. "Today is a funeral..."
"Hmph! I bet they specifically chose today. Besides, I've heard that the building collapse was deliberate sabotage."
"In that case... they must have someone backing them!"
Carl stood up and walked outside.
A strange voice called out. A middle-aged man approached from the crowd, speaking lightly, "Have you considered my proposal?"
"I'm entitled to a share of our tutor's estate. Even if you report this to the League, you won't have a case."
"Just give me one hundred Magic Stones, and I'll leave immediately. Plus, I'll help you resolve these current troubles. It's a very good deal for you!"
"Nonsense!" Heidi trembled. "Laud, you were driven away by our tutor long ago! You won't get a single thing he left behind!"
"Hmph!" Laud's face darkened. "Heidi, your Wizard Talent is only Rank Four. You're currently just a Basic-level Wizard Apprentice with a limited future. The things left by our tutor and Lawson will only bring you trouble. Today is just the beginning."
"A Basic-level Wizard Apprentice... Do you think you can hold onto what you have?"
"Heidi," a woman in a white Wizard Robe stepped out from the crowd, speaking slowly. "If you need help, our Spirit Talkers Guild is willing to offer assistance."
"Of course..." she licked her lips, "there will be a price to pay."
Spirit Talkers Guild? Carl paused. He had heard Hibell mention this organization. It was an association formed by several young Advanced Wizard Apprentices and held significant influence among the youth in the Swamp Alliance. So... was this organization the one truly making a move on Heidi, eyeing the profits from her assets?
Some in the crowd who had initially seemed indignant now silently backed away.
Offending the Spirit Talkers Guild for a Basic-level Wizard Apprentice with no future was not a worthwhile exchange.