Chapter 72: The Sword of Borden
Windward Hills. Cui Mi City.
This is a city with quite a history. Although it has experienced wars and was even destroyed once, it was ultimately rebuilt by its people. This city is very close to Windward Hills and is also near the Forest Elves. Nowadays, the Saint’s Cataclysm has also had quite an impact on this city, and outside the city, one can see a large refugee camp. However, one good thing about Cui Mi City compared to other places is that it has a decent defense force, so it did not suffer too much loss during the demon attacks.
Cui Mut Tavern.
A tall figure pushed the door and stepped inside. Although she was wrapped in a cloak, one could still see her alluring body curves and a head of fiery red hair. This was a female adventurer, and she was not only well-proportioned but also looked exceptionally beautiful. Many of the other patrons in the tavern turned their heads, with some cheeky men unable to resist whistling; however, as soon as her cold gaze swept over them, they immediately withdrew and fell silent.
That was a very dangerous look.
Moreover, as seasoned adventurers who have bled on the battlefield for years, they knew that such a gaze often signifies a woman who has shed much bl**d.
This woman was very powerful; she was not someone they could afford to provoke.
The tall and enticing female scanned the tavern and then fixed her gaze on a man sitting in the corner.
He was a rather down-and-out middle-aged adventurer, with a scraggly beard and somewhat tattered gear that seemed to have not been maintained for a long time.
“Are you Andrei?”
The beautiful woman with red hair walked directly to the middle-aged adventurer and unceremoniously sat down across from him. She spoke directly: “Looking at the scar on your neck, you must be Andrei Lott, right?”
The expression of the middle-aged man became quite alert. He involuntarily placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and said in a deep voice, “Who are you? How do you know me?”
He was just an obscure adventurer.
Although he had survived to middle age, he had not accumulated much wealth besides a body full of scars. Many adventurers dreamed of earning a fortune in their youth so that they could live a quiet life like noble landowners in their old age. But in reality, very few adventurers could achieve this. Most were strong and had good luck. More often than not, adventurers like Andrei had to give up their quests in middle age and find a place to hide and become part of the guard squad.
The red-haired woman glanced at him indifferently, then revealed a token in front of him.
It was a black token, and the emblem on it represented the most famous place in the Overseas Islands.
“Modo!…”
The middle-aged man couldn’t help but gasp, then quickly subdued his surprise, but his voice still trembled with a mix of excitement and fear as he looked at the red-haired woman with a respectful expression, saying, “My lord!…”
“I wonder what you want with me?”
Andrei involuntarily used the title “my lord” because the woman’s iconic fiery red hair reminded him of a legendary figure. Although she had rarely appeared recently, there was still such a character among the pirate leaders ruling many seas around Modo City, and she was the only female among them.
Thinking of this, Andrei couldn’t help but swallow hard, recalling an event from a while ago.
The red-haired woman beckoned the bartender to bring the most expensive wine in the tavern. This tequila that costs three Gind per glass was definitely not something Andrei could normally afford, but it seemed like nothing to the red-haired woman before him. She first signaled Andrei to have a drink, then slowly said, “I’ve heard that you have information about an interesting item.”
“I came to find you personally for this matter.”
The red-haired woman’s tone was casual, but Andrei’s heart sank, and he became nervous.
Indeed, it was for that item!
Andrei couldn’t help but show a wry smile; it didn’t end well to speak out while drinking. Although he had vigorously denied it afterward, those who were observant had already taken note of him.
The red-haired woman merely took a sip of the expensive tequila and put it down, then slowly declared, “To be frank, even if you know where this item is, it’s not something you can get with your power.”
“Why not tell us the information in exchange for a more reasonable reward.”
“At your age, you should start planning for your future. Are you going to end up like those guys who are too weak to lift their swords in their old age, living in poverty until d*ath?”
The red-haired woman’s words made Andrei hesitate.
But then her next statement shattered his last glimmer of hope, as he heard her say slowly, “I believe Lord Soren would be very interested in the item you know about.”
Lord Soren!
Andrei’s expression changed drastically; this name was a legendary figure that adventurers like him could not even imagine. If that lord also wanted this item, the fact that the red-haired woman was sitting in front of him and speaking so kindly was already a very generous attitude.
“What can I get?”
Andrei struggled to swallow hard, realizing he needed to express himself now; otherwise, he might never leave this tavern. He thought seriously and said, “If I tell you the information, what can I get?”
The corner of the red-haired woman’s mouth curved into a slight smile, seemingly satisfied with Andrei’s attitude as she slowly said, “Two choices.”
“Thirty thousand Gind.”
“Or I can recommend you for a position in the army of Modo City; with your strength, you should be capable.”
Thirty thousand Gind.
To an ordinary person, this was undoubtedly an astonishing fortune, enough for Andrei to buy a manor and live comfortably like a nobleman for the rest of his life.
However!
Now was the time of the Saint’s Cataclysm; sometimes, money was not as useful as it had been in the past.
Andrei couldn’t help but show a wry smile. Even if he received this much money, would he be guaranteed to live to spend it? Not to mention the envious adventurers lurking around, even the demon attacks could take his life at any moment. Out there, manors were getting cheaper by the day, and nobles were trying every means to sell their estates and move into the city because the defensive forces of the manors were simply insufficient to fend off roaming demons.
So he thought for a moment and made his choice decisively: “I choose to join the army of Modo City.”
Joining Modo City.
This was a very tempting choice. Although it wouldn’t bring Andrei a large fortune, it would grant him a higher status.
Moreover, Modo City itself was a very unique place.
“Very well.”
The red-haired woman smiled, clearly not surprised by Andrei’s choice. She slowly said, “A very wise choice.”
“Now, you should tell me where the legendary Sword of Borden is.”
………………
(PS: First update. Today, there will be three updates.) (To be continued ~^~)
