Chapter 146: Act 79 – The Story of Turbulence and Fish (Part 1)
“You how did you know?”
Brendel turned back and looked up and down at Yula, who was kneeling on the ground covered with a thick layer of needles. He quickly discovered that the girl’s hair was a beautiful pure black—not the deep black with a hint of purple sheen like Antinna’s.
A flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
Antinna’s black-purple hair and eye color probably derived from the bloodline closest to the Minren in existence: the Thirisians or half-demons; although Minren no longer existed, the bloodlines born between the two races had continued and, after several generations of enmity, had gradually blended into humanity’s vast groups.
The past hatred had gradually been forgotten.
However, the girl named Yula seemed not to come from that bloodline, even though she also had black hair and eyes.
“I can’t explain it well, Knight Sir. It should be described as a sort of premonition. The Pikonnard mercenary group has always had no connection with the Blackfire believers, but tonight they appear together; it may just be a coincidence, but I prefer to believe that it is a premeditated conspiracy.”
“Mr. Brendel, right? I think generally when one is attacked, one should move closer to one’s own people. Although we may not be worthy of your trust, we should be better than the obvious enemies on the other side. Yet all of you chose to move away without hesitation; this is a cautious approach—”
Yula closed her eyes, listening to the distant fierce sounds of battle between the Gray Wolf mercenary group and the Blackfire believers, but her tone remained calm: “But thinking from another angle, this at least indicates that Mr. Brendel has analyzed the current situation clearly.”
“You must have noticed that another mercenary group has been trailing us.”
She spoke affirmatively: “That being the case, Mr. Brendel decisively chose to head east. I believe that a person who can make such a decisive judgment isn’t reckless—if a truly wise person knows what lies ahead yet still charges forward, that is bravery.”
“However, rather than saying this, I would prefer to believe that Mr. Brendel is actually clear about the current situation. I don’t know what lies east, but is it an exit, Mr. Brendel?”
“As for why I say Mr. Brendel is a knight.” She smiled slightly: “Because I happened to hear that young lady call you that. Due to my natural blindness, Lady Martha has given me more sensitive hearing, which is nothing to brag about—” the girl said modestly.
Antinna gasped lightly, watching Yula warily.
Yula raised her head. Although she couldn’t see Brendel, she still seriously asked, “So, if I earnestly request it, Mr. Brendel, you must have the ability to help our mercenary group, right?”
Brendel took a deep breath.
If Antinna could be considered a competent aide, this girl before him was simply remarkable. Her analysis was straightforward, yet her intuition was sharp enough to make one’s heart race.
He looked at Yula’s pure black hair, the deep brown irises, her light-colored skin, and the fine details of her slender feather-like eyebrows, which seemed to carry the unique aura of a region he was familiar with.
“I have a question too; your surname is Huang, right?” he asked.
The girl couldn’t open her eyes; otherwise, they would surely be filled with surprise. She touched her chest, paused for a moment, and then exhaled softly. Of course, this little movement did not escape Brendel’s eyes.
The young man frowned slightly, as if realizing something.
But Yula finally nodded: “Yes, my surname is Huang, and my real name is Huanyu. It’s obvious that Mr. Brendel is quite knowledgeable; my appearance cannot deceive someone truly learned. It’s just that Yula is no longer willing to mention the past; Knight Sir, can you let me go on this matter?”
Brendel nodded; he had only deduced this girl’s real name based on some details from her appearance. After all, in this world, there were few with such skin and hair color resembling the Han people from the ancient world, except for the country of Jiufeng coming from the distant east in the desert.
Legend had it that the Nine-Clan rule of Jiufeng was said to harbor a legendary advanced sword technique—the ‘Flamefire Red Lotus Sword’—but this story remained merely a legend, with many players who later ventured to try their luck returning empty-handed.
As for Erluin and Cruz, there were many from the Jiufeng people on the move, much like elves from the north. Coming to a distant land due to travel, pilgrimage, or mere adventure was not uncommon in this world.
Brendel rubbed his forehead, vaguely feeling that this name was somewhat familiar.
However, he shook his head regarding Yula’s request: “I’m sorry, we cannot help you. In fact, I can speak frankly with you—these Blackfire believers won’t cause any trouble for your captain, but if ‘Maned Wolf’ Makarolo is wise, or if I were him—I would leave this place immediately.”
“You…” Leidi looked up, glaring at him as if he wanted to eat him: “We made an agreement that you can’t just leave. It’s stated in the mercenary contract…”
But ‘Husher’ punched him in the stomach, causing the white-haired young man to double over in pain. Then he shook his head disdainfully and said, “Your captain probably doesn’t care about that agreement, even now; you have to admit that.”
“So do you understand?”
Yula nodded.
“What does Mr. Brendel want?” she asked: “Money? Or power?”
Brendel paused but quickly shook his head: “I am interested in those things, but more than money and power, I least want to get involved in trouble. Let me give you another hint: behind the Blackfire mercenary group is the Shepherd. Do you know about them?”
Yula and Leidi changed their expressions.
“How could they have us targeted?” Leidi asked in disbelief.
However, Yula’s expression shifted again, lowering her head.
Antinna poked him from behind and whispered, “Lord, the more you scare them, the more you make it clear that you want them to beg you for help, right? Isn’t the outcome counterproductive?”
Brendel shrugged: “I’m too embarrassed to lie.”
Faced with the skeptical gaze of the noble lady, he had to explain further: “Helping them isn’t out of the question, but I won’t involve myself. I’m just stating this point.”
“Then what should we do?” Romaine blinked and asked.
“Count on themselves.”
“Is that even possible?” Merchant Miss clearly didn’t believe it.
“Of course.”
“How should we go about it?” Yula, having heard the conversation between the three, clearly understood that Brendel was deliberately reminding them. She hesitated for a moment—as if considering whether to trust him. However, Brendel knew that the ‘Shepherd’ was a bombshell that was decidedly extraordinary—compared to the Everything Returns Society’s subtle actions aimed at undermining the nation, the Shepherd had once sparked the first Holy War single-handedly, a story that remained a terrifying shadow for most who lived in this age.
Of course, this was beside the point; Brendel had neither the time nor the inclination to explain to these two greenhorns just how terrifying the Shepherd were. After all, their generation had grown up listening to bedtime stories about the first Holy War, and Yula might be slightly better off, but that white-haired youth, Leidi, surely wouldn’t have a good impression of such a name.
He glanced back and found that the young man seemed lost, his expression confused.
“I told you,” Brendel said, “go tell your captain to retreat immediately, leave this place. From the current situation, the Shepherd should have their eye on you, but they have a habit: they are alert—once they sense you may have discovered their intentions, they will likely pull back to reconfigure their plan.”
“In doing so, you’ll gain valuable time. As for what to do next, I believe your captain will judge it himself.”
Brendel’s analysis seemed clear and on point, but rather, he was merely reciting something. Although the guide he remembered had some details cut down, it clearly described that the Shepherd targeting the Gray Wolf mercenary group was accurate. As for why, Brendel naturally wouldn’t know.
However, not knowing didn’t mean he had no means—he had dealt with the Shepherd for more time than he had with the bone skeletons of Madara. He had plenty of ways to handle these guys.
Yula and Leidi exchanged glances.
“How do we know if what you’re saying is true?” Leidi furrowed his brow and muttered quietly.
“I’m not forcing you to believe it.”
“That’s rather irresponsible of you…” The white-haired youth scoffed.
“We certainly don’t have an obligation for responsibility; have you figured out the current situation? It is generous of an adult to help you. Of course, you can choose to refuse, if you have that kind of spirit—” Antinna had already looked down on this guy; at this moment, the noble lady could no longer hold back her disdain and spoke sarcastically.
After speaking, she suddenly froze. She couldn’t help but glance apologetically at Yula, who was kneeling on the ground: “I’m sorry, I meant—”
“No need to mind.” Yula shook her head; she kept her head down as if deep in thought and only asked, “So Mr. Brendel still intends to insist on leaving this land of misfortune, right?”
Brendel nodded.
“Not even if you are begged to stay?”
Brendel nodded again. He had his reasons; he was already in trouble with the Everything Returns Society, and taking on another issue with the Shepherd would likely mean there would be no peace, even in death. However, on the other hand, he knew that Bud and Makarolo wouldn’t perish in this plot, so even though he understood that he didn’t have the strength to subdue them now, he needed to express a gesture of goodwill.
Only then, even taking a step back, even in such a situation, even if he chose to leave, he had nothing to feel sorry about concerning the Gray Wolf mercenary group. The agreement between the two parties had originally been as fragile as the surface suggested; once he left, wanting to pick up that thread again later might cause some trouble.
For the sake of two fierce individuals or the future ‘Courage’ quest line, he didn’t have to establish good relations with them beforehand.
Only, whether this bit of benefit was worth risking himself was a balance that Brendel had evidently already weighed in his heart as a veteran player.
“Mr. Brendel is willing to let us go?” Yula asked again.
“I had no intention of capturing you; I was actually trying to save you, Miss Yula, you should understand this,” Brendel replied.
Yula nodded: “But aren’t you afraid that after letting us go, we will expose you?”
Brendel smiled, confidently responding: “You won’t be able to catch up with us.”
He wasn’t joking; the guide had at least marked over four shortcuts and paths for this area, although the map was somewhat crude. But it wouldn’t be hard for him, a veteran player.
Leidi glared at him, remaining silent. Yet it was clear from his expression that this rebellious white-haired youth didn’t believe Brendel’s words at all and was convinced he was just bragging.
Although he had been startled by Brendel’s words earlier, he soon recalled the man’s earlier blunders, like heading east, clearly indicating he was a novice. Thinking this way seemed to ease his mind, and he then thought he must advise Yula well and mustn’t let her be deceived by this guy.
……
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