"Who's there?!"
A male elf dressed in a lavish mage's robe stood at the edge of the terrace, holding a crystal goblet, seemingly having just finished meditation or study and about to take a sip, when he suddenly spotted their figures.
In a flash, several contingency plans rapidly flashed through Xindesaish's mind. Elven nobles couldn't possibly have a deep impression of low-ranking patrolling rangers; with this, they still had a chance to bluff their way through.
He calmly made a gesture, signaling his team to remain composed.
Then he replied to the mage: "We are merely guards on patrol, esteemed sir."
His Darnassian was spoken very fluently, with the appropriate tension and humility of a subordinate addressing a superior.
The Dracthyr behind Xindesaish instantly understood their Scale-Leader's plan; they bowed respectfully, lowering their posture, behaving like genuine, ordinary rangers intimidated by the authority of a superior.
The mage on the terrace, his gaze like a torch, sharply scrutinized the "patrol" team below.
His eyes swept over their dark blue uniforms, standard patrol scout equipment, and their submissive posture one by one.
The mage's brow furrowed slightly, but the vigilance in his eyes did not diminish.
"Patrol?" The mage's voice carried clear suspicion, "Hmm, the uniforms match."
Then, his tone suddenly changed, becoming incredibly stern:
"However, as a patrol squad, you should understand that the 'Well of Stars' is strictly forbidden to approach, especially late at night!"
"Give me a reasonable explanation, why are you here?"
Xindesaish's heart tightened, and he quickly concocted an excuse, replying in a steady tone:
"Reporting, sir, we are tracking a suspicious energy disturbance signal, its source seemingly pointing to this area."
"To ensure the safety of the 'Well of Stars,' we had no choice but to approach for inspection."
The mage snorted, clearly not so easily fooled.
He took a small sip of the liquid in his cup, then continued, "Suspicious signal? Hmph."
"Report your squad's number and tonight's password."
"Also, tell me, who is the captain on duty at the Third Watchtower in the West District tonight?"
The real test began now.
The squad's numbering system and rotating password were classified, known only within the rangers and to high-ranking officials.
As for the third question, the noble class might not know all the low-ranking rangers, but they could remember the names and characteristics of some mid-level officers.
"Reporting, sir," Xindesaish replied without any hesitation, smoothly stating a number and an elven word as the password.
These were all valuable intelligence acquired by the Darkclaw Camp through long periods of reconnaissance.
"As for the Third Watchtower in the West District," he paused briefly, feigning recollection, "Captain Dersa should be on duty tonight."
"He recently got a new scratch on his left arm, likely from a frost wolf attack during patrol yesterday."
In addition to the name, he also provided some extra information about that captain, increasing credibility.
The mage's hand, holding the cup, paused slightly. All the information was completely correct.
The suspicion in his eyes receded somewhat, but his vigilance had not entirely dropped.
"Dersa..." The mage repeated the name in a low voice, seemingly searching his memory for the corresponding face and injury.
A moment later, he waved his hand, his tone still cold: "Understood. Energy disturbance? I will notify the Arcane Guards to intensify their checks."
"This is not where you should be, leave immediately! Next time, it won't be so simple!"
"Yes, sir! Thank you for your leniency!" Xindesaish immediately bowed, lowering his posture even further.
The Dracthyr behind him echoed in unison.
The five Dracthyr maintained their respectful posture, slowly retreating until they turned into the shadow of a street leading towards the commoner district,
Then they quickened their pace and departed.
On the terrace, the elven mage watched their disappearing figures, his brow still tightly furrowed.
The leading ranger just now, though his answers were fluent and without any flaws in detail, always gave him an inexplicable, overly rigid sense of strangeness.
He couldn't pinpoint the exact problem, but his intuition clearly warned him.
He set down the crystal goblet, a wisp of arcane energy coalescing at his fingertips, preparing to summon an Arcane Guard to secretly follow this group.
However, just as his spell was about to materialize—
"Screech—!"
A shrill, piercing magical alarm, sharp enough to tear through the night sky, suddenly erupted from the west!
Instantly echoing throughout all of Sendarra!
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