Chapter 254: Act 21 – Expansion (2) (Third Update, Outbreak Today, Seeking Subscriptions)
“Strange.” The leader of the female mercenary band tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked at the mercenaries cleaning up the battlefield inside the lumber yard and couldn’t help but say, “I really don’t know what we’re fighting for. It’s just…”
She sighed, “This result can be reluctantly accepted.”
Vurn glanced at her and nodded.
“That young man is indeed exceptional, for a noble,” he replied. “Since I left Karasu’s army, I’ve been disappointed with nobles, but now it seems he has slightly changed my perspective. In fact, for a mercenary, becoming a vassal of a noble might not be a bad thing, but it seems we are somewhat coerced, leaving an unwilling feeling in our hearts.”
“Hmph!” Crenshia snorted coldly, turning to look at the two of them and bluntly stated, “It’s just a matter of expectation versus reality. If it were Grudin, rather than this young man recruiting us, I don’t think you would’ve resisted. It’s just that our young lord’s foundation is still shallow. We can both see that he intends to use our strength for his own purposes…”
“Thinking like this inevitably leads to suspicion,” he said. “If he merely sees my men as chips, I won’t let him have his way.”
“However, Grudin is indeed a lord of his own, while this young man’s actions are somewhat unconventional,” Vurn replied. “Regardless of how I view them, I must take responsibility for my men.”
Upon hearing their conversation, Juliette gently huffed and turned her head away. Unlike the two, her goal in establishing the mercenary band was simply to unite against the oppression of nobles. However, she felt disappointed that she still had to deal with those filthy nobles in the end.
In the past, it was to protect her only sister, but now her sister was gone. The leader of the female mercenary band sighed, feeling somewhat lost and unsure of what her remaining goals were. Yet, regardless, she could not agree with Crenshia’s words.
Then the three of them instinctively stopped their conversation and looked toward the lumber yard’s entrance, where Husher and his cavalry were slowly coming in— the young lord had arrived.
In that moment, every mercenary instinctively paused their tasks and raised their heads to look in that direction. Evaluating a person’s ability in the mercenary world is simple: it’s about whether the leader can lead them to victory.
Brendel had led everyone to miraculous victories twice under disadvantageous conditions. Even the mysterious rumors about the young lord circulating privately only deepened the aura around him, and everyone understood that he might be the one they would follow in the future— for certain reasons, Crenshia and Juliette did not hinder this realization.
In fact, even they could not see clearly where everything would lead them since that night in Firburh; yet one thing was certain: if they left Brendel, they would likely find themselves truly entering the Black Forest.
A unique, powerful lord who could bring them victories. Although Count Rendener’s shadow loomed like a cloud in everyone’s heart, there was at least one hope:
If Brendel could bring them victory time and again against the odds, then who could say for certain what the future might hold? Even the three leaders felt a hint of blind anticipation.
Crenshia watched the crowd gathering on all sides and had no doubt that these mercenaries would cheer when Brendel rode into the lumber yard. Mercenaries were always generous with the utmost respect for their heroes; the life of swords and blades had forged their rugged and passionate characters.
However, when Husher and his riders entered the lumber yard, everyone was stunned.
Where was Brendel?
At the back of the procession, aside from the elegant and composed noble lady, there was only the seemingly fearless and swaying business lady— they did not see their lord at all.
“What’s going on?” Juliette was the first to step forward to ask.
Antinna glanced at her; it wasn’t their first encounter. Yet, the former’s experience held no advantage over the noble lady, and Antinna merely responded lightly:
“The lord instructed everyone to prepare defenses; the troglodytes may regroup and launch an attack later tonight.” She replied, “Silence magic cannot be used repeatedly. The lord asked the wizards among you not to be stingy with spell slots, reinforcing the surrounding barriers as high as possible before the Troglodyte King rises into the night sky.”
Juliette was taken aback, suddenly realizing something, and was about to speak, but at that moment, the grand leader of the Fire Earth Battle Group, Vurn, stepped up from behind her and patted her shoulder, signaling her to calm down. The tall man looked up at Antinna on horseback and asked, “Milady, when will the lord return? He is the one most familiar with the tactics and habits of the troglodytes. Without him, we might struggle to hold out through the night—”
“Just having me here is enough,” Antinna replied. “The lord has said that if you can withstand tonight, he can deliver you a victory.”
“Enduring tonight,” Crenshia frowned, “That’s easier said than done, Milady. Judging by previous battles, the number of troglodytes in this forest is likely far beyond a thousand. I don’t believe they would station close to a third of their number at the outermost lumber yard; that’s illogical. Especially for a tribe accustomed to constant warfare.”
Antinna’s expression remained unchanged: “Commander, nothing comes without a price.”
Romaine, standing by, added with a smile, “For business people, risk and opportunity coexist. But my aunt has said that the difference between people is that smart people are bold and cautious— my aunt also says that Little Romain will become a smart person too.”
Upon hearing this, Crenshia did not respond further, nor did she object; it was tantamount to acknowledging the other’s statement.
“What do you think?” Juliette turned her head and quietly asked Vurn.
“What else can be done?” Vurn replied. “That young man does not trust us—but it’s clear he is telling us he’s willing to trust us. The choice now lies with us, and how we choose—well, we will just have to see.”
The veteran smiled slightly: “What a confident guy, just like those arrogant nobles.”
“What do you mean?” The female mercenary leader was taken aback.
“It means he doesn’t accept our thoughts,” Vurn answered. “We believe he relies on us, but that young noble is telling us that whether or not we are here, it doesn’t matter, but he is giving us a choice…”
“Tch.” Juliette shot Antinna a displeased glance: “How arrogant! I hope he can make it through. If we hold out here for a night and he can bring us victory without a single casualty, does he truly think he is the benevolent Eke?” She lightly snorted.
Vurn shook his head, knowing full well that this red-haired female mercenary leader was referring to Eke’s tale of conquering the mountain people, but it seemed he had something else in mind and did not respond further.
…
No one knew where Brendel was at that moment.
Both sides were busy mobilizing; Tagib had his tribesmen split into two routes through the Bearman Forest and began to assemble. Countless troglodytes and bear goblins moved along the mountain ravine, and from a distance, it looked like a sea of gray.
Among the monstrous cluster were some goblin knights—not creatures from underground, but merely allied with the nearby goblin tribes and troglodytes—
However, these lowly creatures were as good as invisible to Brendel. He rested one hand on a beech tree trunk, looking down the slope and watching the troglodyte army converge into a gray tide in the valley.
“So many.” The red-haired girl quietly stood behind him, unable to help but softly exclaim while gazing at the scene reflected in her amber eyes. “There are definitely more than a thousand here. I knew that baron had no idea how many of his opponents there were, that idiot.”
Brendel nodded. He and Xi had been riding a silver steed in this area for nearly several hours, tracking the scattered troglodytes. These creatures from Jotungrund had lost their sight in the darkness and might not know that two figures on horseback were tracing their tracks from several miles above.
In fact, this was a natural disadvantage for the creatures from Jotungrund in the surface world. Those accustomed to living in darkness often could not adapt to sunlight; either they were blind and relied on other senses, or their vision was limited during the day, making it hard to spot things above them.
And one must know that in the surface world of Vaunte, nearly all main scouting troops were flying high above.
The young man looked up, his eyes reflecting the faint colors of the cloud layer. The day was still early; the troglodytes would not likely be fully assembled to attack the lumber yard until late at night.
“With such a massive number,” Xi furrowed her brows while looking at the valley below, “In a direct confrontation, even Captain Makarolo might be at a loss…” She raised her head and looked at Brendel, “But what should we do?”
“Hmm, it seems the troglodyte tribe is at the hazel lumber mill ahead,” Brendel replied, answering her question indirectly.
“Hmm?” The red-haired girl looked back in surprise.
“We can’t approach from above anymore. I didn’t expect these troglodytes would also enlist nearby goblins,” Brendel continued.
“Lord, are you suggesting…?” A hint of surprise flashed in her amber eyes. “Isn’t that too bold?”
“Don’t worry, I’m not doing this for the first time,” Brendel turned back with a slight smile. “But I need your help, Xi.”
Xi sighed.
“It’s an order, Lord.”
“Alright, as you wish.” Brendel carefully looked at the girl with the crimson ponytail and nodded. “I command you to assist me, Xi.”
“Then?” The red-haired girl raised her head.
“In my hometown, there’s an old saying,” Brendel replied. “To catch the thief, first catch the king.”
(PS. Again, seeking subscriptions and monthly votes =.=) (To be continued, for more information on what happens next, please log in, there are more chapters, support the author, support legitimate reading!)
