Chapter 6 (1/2)
Chapter 6. Rescue (2)
TL: Warriormonk
Editor: Obelisk
It was right then that Luke made his decision.
“His name is Hal.”
“Hal?”
“He was the cook of a squadron, and has never even fought an Orc before.”
Viscount Max seemed to have been taken off guard by the remark.
“A cook?”
“He’s a weak hearted man, unlike his rough looks. He is probably just traumatized from the torture he received from the Orcs.”
“Is that so?”
Many feelings flashed through Luke as he walked forward.
‘This is a gamble. Since the Orcs trusted me as a superb commander, I will trust them once as well.’
As he seemed to have realized Luke’s intentions from his gaze, Kurotan settled down immediately.
“From my opinion, sir, I do not think we need to call in a torture specialist.”
“But my soldiers have reported that his actions have been highly suspicious.”
Luke smiled and looked at Viscount Max.
“To tell you the truth, I know Hal’s poor situation better than anyone.”
“What kind of situation does he have?”
“Not long ago, his wife eloped with another man. He came to me in the middle of the night, crying, to lament to me about it.”
It was cliché, but to Viscount Max, a soldier, it worked like a charm. His wife eloping was the biggest worry that a soldier stationed away from his home had.
“I completely understand now.”
Viscount Max silently nodded his head and then turned to look at Luke,
“Do you have any relations with this soldier?”
Luke nodded without hesitation.
“Yes, sir. I was going to take him under my personal command and bring him into my lands.”
Viscount Max looked surprised at Luke’s words.
“What use could you possibly have for him? Do you not know why he is in the army?”
Viscount Max’s question was expected. Hal’s character was questionable on paper, as he was a prisoner, and did not seem have any skills.
Luke smiled and made up another story.
“He may look like a bandit, but his cooking skills are quiet decent.”
Viscount Max nodded once again.
“Then I suppose there is no need to torture him. I trust you will take responsibility for him?”
Luke pretended to mull it over for a bit before answering. This was a question that could not be answered immediately without buying some suspicion.
“Yes, I will take responsibility.”
“Good. Release him…”
Viscount Max motioned towards the soldiers.
“This b.a.s.t.a.r.d, won’t he thrash around again?”
The soldiers reluctantly released Hal’s bindings. Unlike their expectations, Hal did not begin to get violent. Hal walked quietly to stand next to Luke, who nodded.
“I have already promised you to take you in under both my wing and the Esteban Earldom’s. No need to worry.”
Luke patted Hal on the shoulder as though no answer was needed, and left the headquarters. Hal followed behind with a relieved expression. Like a baby duckling following his mother.
Hal, no, Kurotan expressed his thanks the second they left the headquarters.
“Keung, I thank you for taking me in.”
Luke took a finger and put it to his lips, indicating silence.
“Not another word until we leave the base.”
“O-Ok. Keung.”
“No need to even answer, just nod. If you buy yourself suspicion again, I won’t be able to help you.”
Kurotan nodded silently.
“Just to make sure, you are Kurotan right?”
Kurotan once again nodded silently. Luke made a calm face. He had never thought in his life that he would see an Orc wearing the figure of a human.
“Let’s get our luggage and leave this place. The first thing we need to do is get somewhere without people.”
Kurotan whispered silently.
“Keung. They took away the divine sword. We must recover it at all costs.”
“It was probably confiscated because it was a weapon. All right, I will get it back for you.”
Kurotan looked expectantly at Luke with hopeful eyes.
“I will trust you.”
Luke looked for the quarter master when he arrived at the building where captured supplies were kept.
“What is your business here?”
“I am the commander that was captured by the Orcs. I am here to reclaim my belongings that were taken by the Orcs.”
The quartermaster immediately escorted Luke to the pile of supplies once he had confirmed Luke’s status.
Luke reclaimed his bags first, and then carefully asked the quartermaster.
“Have you seen an old sword with a broken blade by chance?”
“A sword with a broken blade?”
Luke pointed to Kurotan, ‘disguised’ as Hal.
“It is his father’s heirloom.”
“I think I may have seen it somewhere.”
The quartermaster did not take long before he found the divine artifact. He did not seem to view it with much importance, as the divine artifact truly looked no different from an old sword.
“Here it is.”
Luke hesitated for a little bit before receiving the divine artifact, which held several hundreds of Orcs’ souls. He wondered briefly if this was still a good idea, but the water had already been spilled.
“Take care that you do not lose it.”
Kurotan’s body s.h.i.+vered in excitement when Luke handed him the sword. Thankfully, he had not forgotten Luke’s advice and remained silent, simply nodding.
“Many thanks, quartermaster. Please let me know when you visit Esteban Earldom.”
“Ah, I am thankful for your words.”
“Good day then…”
Luke left without hesitation, all his baggage in tow. He was stopped several times along the way for examinations, but he was able to smoothly talk over all of them.
Luke heaved a deep sigh when he looked at Kurotan, who had been following along like a duckling without saying a single word.