Shadows in the Merchant Guild - The Shadow Ring: Blood Moon

Ella tightened her grip on the Wolf Claw Bone Sacred Relic and slipped away from the back hill of the werewolf camp—she had no real intention of defecting to the Chamber of Commerce. Instead, she realized that only by infiltrating its inner circle could she find her father. She headed straight for the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce Camp.

Chamber of Commerce Guard(blocking the gate, long sword pointed directly at Ella, alert)： Halt! Who goes there?

Ella(showing the Wolf Claw Bone Sacred Relic, calm) ： I have crucial clues about the Shadow Ring's seal. I need to see your leader, Graham.

Guard(stunned for a moment, hesitant) ： Wait here. I'll go inform him.

A moment later, Graham came out to greet her in person.

Graham(dressed in fine silk, holding a gemstone cane, with a fake smile)： A young descendant of the Astral Council? Truly promising for your age. Please come in.

Ella(stepping into the tent, getting straight to the point) ： I know you're looking for the Shadow Ring. I can help you find the seal's location, but I need to see my father—he's a guardian of the Astral Council, and I'm certain you've captured him.

Graham(stroking the Wolf Claw Bone Sacred Relic, eyes flickering)： Father? If you do one thing for me, I'll consider reuniting you with him.

Ella(alert)： What is it?

Graham(pulling a secret letter from his sleeve and handing it over) ： The Forest Elves possess the Purification Rune, which can ruin our plan to activate the seal. Infiltrate the Enchanted Forest, write down the rune's location and the guard arrangements in this letter, and bring it back to me.

Ella(taking the letter, her fingertips cold) ： I need a Chamber of Commerce token. Without it, I can't get past the outer perimeter of the Enchanted Forest.

Graham(tossing the token over without hesitation)： No problem. I hope you don't disappoint me—if you dare to play any tricks, your father won't live to see another day.

Ella took the token, turned around, and left the tent. As soon as she reached the outer perimeter of the Enchanted Forest, she spotted a group of Chamber of Commerce men lying in ambush near a trap.

Chamber of Commerce Squad Leader(lowering his voice, ordering his men) ： Get your fire bottles ready! Wait for my signal. Once Ella lures away the guards, we'll storm the Elven Sanctuary and seize the Purification Rune!

Ella(hiding behind a tree, her heart sinking) So they never intended to keep anyone alive—they even plan to wipe out the elves.

Taking advantage of the guards' inattention, she carved an elven distress rune into the ground with a twig, then walked casually toward the Enchanted Forest entrance. Soon after, Lila arrived in a hurry with a group of elven guards.

Lila(pointing her staff at Ella, alert) ： Are you with the Chamber of Commerce? What are you doing here in the Enchanted Forest?

Ella(waving her hands frantically, taking a step forward)： I'm not your enemy! I was forced to defect to the Chamber of Commerce. They sent me to spy on the Purification Rune, and they plan to storm the sanctuary! Here's proof!

With that, she handed over Graham's secret letter.

After reading the letter, Lila's gaze softened, and she waved her hand to signal the guards to lower their weapons.

Lila(apologetic)： I'm sorry I misjudged you. The Chamber of Commerce has been provoking us repeatedly lately, so we have to be cautious. Come with me—the Purification Rune in the sanctuary can only be fully activated when resonating with the sacred relics of the three races—our elven crystal, the werewolves' wolf claw bone, and the vampire royal token...

Ella(pulling the wolf claw bone from her bosom) ： Maybe you need this?

Lila： Well done, Ella! Now all we need to do is contact the vampire royal family to get their relic!