Volume 3 Chapter 94 The Compensation Of Strength II
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
They’d imagined the majestic Nordende River beyond the trees──a vast, awe-inspiring view.
But instead, a patchwork woodland opened up, revealing just a village plainly nestled amidst the sparse woods.
The village houses, even from a distance, were all made of wood and plant fibers.
Between the woods and the village lay a barren field and a small stream.
There were no villagers in sight, only the sound of metal scraping and the muffled thud of something hitting the ground coming from the settlement.
It seemed like some soldiers had come to the village.
In a desolate village devoid of people, only the sound of iron being hammered echoed──just like in wartime.
As they stepped out of the forest and leaped over the stream, the strong, pungent smell of fermented compost hit them.
”What the hell are those villagers even eating to survive?”
”Last time I saw them, they were tilling their fields. I didn’t spot many young folks, though…”
”Maybe it’s from their leather boots? But they sure don’t look like they’re packing any coin. ──We should steer clear, quick.”
Ninini said this with a disinterested tone.
Serena nodded and darted down the path.
”This way. I’ve got a pretty good idea where our camp’s at.”
”Are we crossing to the other side of the Nordende River?”
Serena nodded in response to Sarah’s question.
”If we cut through the forest, we should end up near the upper reaches of the Nordende. On clear days, you can catch a glimpse of Griffin Mountain from there.”
”Griffin Mountain──like, all the way to Dacia?”
”I don’t really know the names… but it’s a towering snow-capped peak. The tributary of the Nordende flows all the way from that mountain, or so Barghest said.”
”Who’s Barghest?”
As Kian ran alongside them, he asked, and Serena answered shortly.
”Father──my dad’s close aide, a shaman. He’s a guy, but he’s incredibly stylish and knows so much about complicated things.”
”Ah, you mentioned him briefly before.”
”Did I? Oh, at the Izerland fortress inn!”
”Yes, yes! You guys really remember… I don’t recall a thing.”
As they circled around the village, ahead on the path was a narrow strip overgrown with weeds.
Beyond that, the land dipped slightly, revealing a narrow street branching off left and right.
If they went left, they should reach the poor village they’d seen earlier.
Of course, running into a Mercenary would just complicate things, so they carefully crossed the street, making their way diagonally forward to the right.
Climbing up onto the riverbank, they found themselves staring at a sprawling expanse of wild grass and dense thickets.
Countless shrubs poked their heads out, brimming with the presence of small creatures.
Watching this scene unfold, the East End that they had always thought of as rural suddenly felt almost urban in comparison.
”If you head north through this grassland, you’ll reach Wyvern Hill. There’s a crumbling old castle ruin on the other side, and a river flows nearby──perfect for setting up camp. Most groups riding in from the north usually make that their base, or they move to the rocky hill further along.”
”Is there a lot of work around here?”
When Sarah asked, Serena nodded.
”This is a border area, and further north lies the northern territories of the Beastmen. Tribes either raid the southern Franz or head down the river in search of the sea. Movement increases clashes with other tribes, resulting in fights breaking out frequently.”
”I see… It makes sense why it’s a Mercenary hotspot.”
”There are plenty of Mercenaries in Azrael too, right?”
”Yes, but our country has been stalled. Mercenaries fight for money, not for their homeland. They’ll abandon you for the right price or retreat from the battlefield if the situation looks grim. Fighting with Mercenaries means figuring out how to keep their loyalty to your side.”
”So, political money games were more effective than the strategies of local commanders?”
”Exactly. And those who hired Mercenaries ended up being influenced by their movements. The ‘Storm Herd’ must have been a Mercenary group that could sway the national landscape, right?”
”I don’t get it completely, but… it seems my father negotiated on equal footing or even above those local lords.”
”The limits of using mercenaries had been reached. Recently, Azrael’s been shifting──something new stirring. They’re building an army of true warriors, ones who fight for their homeland, not just paid guns for hire. A movement sparked by one figure, slowly spreading across all of Azrael. A new era is coming──no doubt about it.”
Sarah’s voice was full of conviction.
Kian tried to act indifferent, but he was sharp enough to catch on──they were talking about Jibril, no doubt about it. Blood tingled in his veins, nerves on edge.
Jibril──
His genius little brother.
His emergence is about to turn the entire balance of power among the Twelve Divine Generals on its head, and shake Azrael to its core.
Kian imagined those icy, ruthless black eyes──surveying Azrael’s land with calculated disdain, inch by inch.
”Look. Over there──see that hill?”
Serena’s voice snapped him out of his reverie.
Before they knew it, they were stepping into a muddy thicket of reeds. And on the hilltop, a small fortress appeared──fences of sharpened wood lined up sharply.
Magic barriers blanketed the whole area, sealing it tight──no spells or magic waves could leak out.
Shadowy figures were invisible, but their presence was obvious──an army was lurking nearby.
”Impressive barrier, huh? Whoever built it’s top-tier,”
Sarah muttered, eyes hidden between the reeds.
Ninini turned, fists clenched.
”So, what now? How’re we getting inside? If we get any closer, they’ll spot us for sure.”
”No way to sneak past without them noticing. We’ll have to go straight through──the old-fashioned way.”
”Are you nuts? If the ‘Storm Herd’ is on guard, you’d get snatched faster than you can blink.”
”And we’d all get caught too,”
Sarah muttered, shoulders tight.
Kian shrugged, casually.
”Ms. Ninini and I will wait here. If we get spotted, we bolt. I’ve got a bat with a note tied to it──touch it, and it’ll fly straight to Ms. Priscilla.”
”And you? Kian, what’s your plan?”
”I’m an Adventurer. So is Serena.”
Kian looked down at Serena, continuing with a confident smirk.
”I’ll claim I came to search for work, like any good Adventurer.”
”But that lich you fought… it could be connected to ‘Storm Herd’, right?”
”Is that so?”
Serena gazed up at him with a hint of suspicion.
Kian faltered, scrambling for a response.
Now that she mentioned it, if the lich recognized Kian, things might go south──just like when Ninini charged in.
”Well, that’s──”
”I’ll go with Ms. Serena. Kian, you stay here with Ms. Ninini.”
As she dismissed her magic armor, Sarah conjured up leather armor that suited an Adventurer’s rank.
She pressed her mithril sword into Kian’s hands, then playfully strapped a hefty dagger to her belt.
Serena returned the sword she’d borrowed from Natra to Kian.
Sarah swiftly wiped away her makeup, loosening her large hood to let her hair fall in disarray.
With a firm expression, she transformed into an Adventurer──wild and rough around the edges.
”Wow, that’s impressive.”
”…Hey, what’re you? I was thinking earlier, but you don’t make a sound when you walk──your balance is insane. You’re definitely not a novice.”
”Just a lowly Adventurer.”
Sarah replied nonchalantly, winking at Ninini.
”I’m a romantic dreaming of making loads of money and hitting it big. I’m still in training, though, so I’m far from perfect.”
”Is that so…?”
After Ninini said so, Sarah returned the bat to Kian.
”We’re heading out. If we’re not back in 3 hours, pull back and regroup with Lady Priscilla.”
”Got it.”
After sharing one last glance with Kian, Sarah and Serena slipped soundlessly into the reeds.
Once they were gone, Kian signaled Ninini and decided to circle around to the side of the fort, waiting in the shadows.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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