volume 1 - Chapter 53 (1/2)

TL: Sorry guys, I have to probably delay the JP series until I have some real free time in March. The next TL release will probably be next week or if I have free time.

Chapter 53 – The line between life and death

“Ser Esebar, take a look at this.” The leader of the mercenaries handed the bra.s.s telescope over to the n.o.ble after using it.

The Golden Apple Lord sat steadily on an Arreck horse.

Aouine’s cavalry troops once used them as the main choice as war horses, but they eventually switched to the double-footed flying dragons. Despite the change, the n.o.bles still used rode the horses to represent their status.

Esebar received the telescope and looked into the distance with it, then pa.s.sed to his ally, the businessman Burnley with an impa.s.sive face.

The Golden Apple Lord was not too anxious. Even if Earl Dunn died on their territory, the only thing that would get affected was merely their reputation. The n.o.bles in this area prized actual power over reputation, and if the king sought someone to blame, it was naturally the b.a.s.t.a.r.d Luc Beson who was at fault, not the gentlemen here.

In fact, he wanted the Earl to get into an accident, but he did not dare to do anything that was too obvious. Right now, he merely gathered his private army and prepared to attack the keep.

But he needed to capture the person who invaded the fortress. If White-Mane army captured the invader instead, and if they doctored the military records, the responsibility would fall onto him.

Burnley took the telescope with a smile, looked through it and said: “There are people on the tower’s peak.”

“Makavu, get some archers over. Their status must be at least a white rank because the opponent is a Iron-ranked swordsman.” The Golden Apple Lord pointed at the top of the tower as he instructed the leader of the mercenaries.

“Understood, Ser Esebar. Just wait and see. Regardless of whether he’s a Iron-ranked swordsman or a Highland Knight, we will definitely turn him into a body filled with arrows.” The mercenary leader answered and left immediately.

The n.o.bles’ private armies split into two lines, allowing their leader to ride run over. Not far away the riders rode on their horses over from the river noisily, and the scenery was filled with chaotuc dancing light.

The Golden Apple Lord narrowed his eyes: “These riders are really cra.s.s.”

“If they appeared here, does that mean that Earl Dunn is—” Burnley gestured with his hand across his neck with a beaming face.

“Hmph. A second generation from the Les Brulais family. The king favors him because of his lips. Thanks to that, he thinks nothing of the other ministers and everyone hates him because of his arrogance. Dying in the streets is a very normal thing for him.” The Golden Apple Lord snorted from his nose.

“This man is a reputed archaeologist who can identify items. The king looks favorably on him because of this.” Burnley corrected his partner’s mistake.

“He’s nothing more than a fool.”

A scout reported in while the two men discussed. The rider came to them with a weary war horse and he spoke: “My lord, the White-Mane army is here.”

“Oh? How many?” The Golden Apple Lord asked.

“Twenty of them. They appear to be the vanguard.”

“Block them outside.” He pointed with his horse whip and ordered the scout.

“Understood.”

As soon as the rider left, another came up to him and reported: “My lord, the archers are ready.”

The Golden Apple Lord nodded: “That should be enough. Get Granzon to break the fortress as soon as possible. I suspected they had the ability to fly a long time ago. Looks like my guess isn’t wrong, and this time we will definitely get them.”

“That is a Highland knight. How are you going to take care of it?” Burnley asked.

“This is originally a difficult thing, but since they killed that idiot so openly, even if he is a member of the White Knights on active duty, no one can save him.”

The Golden Apple Lord watched as a black figure landed on the tower’s peak, which then carried the two and flew over the soldiers’ heads. He looked at his soldiers and saw them readying their bows. With a whistle, the order was given and hundreds of arrows fired at the same time—

“Ahhhh, my lord! They have archers!” Ciel shook to his left and right as he yelled in fright.

“Cut the c.r.a.p, I can see them with my own eyes!” Brendel answered gloomily. He struck down an arrow with his sword, and the force that transmitted over from it numbed his fingers slightly. His heart sank as he realized the opponents had Iron-ranked archers. The arrows flew at them from all angles and struck the gargoyle’s wings, and if they continued to go near them, he would have no way to handle the arrows.

“Fly to the ground.” He commanded with a low growl.

“Fly down?” Ciel’s eyes were wide open as he thought that his lord had become insane.

[We’re going to die!!!]

“We can’t fly back over and we can’t go back. We are completely surrounded by his men. If that is the case, we should fight our way out, perhaps we have a chance at surviving.” Brendel said calmly and stared at the immense crowd on the ground.

“My lord, you gamble too much.”

“Believing in your strength is called bravery, placing your fate on luck is called reckless. There is a fine line between these two things, and the key is to know how to walk on it. This is one of my motto in the game, remember this well.” Brendel replied as he looked at his squire.

“Game?”

“Didn’t I tell you this before? Life is like a game, a game is like life.” Brendel suddenly laughed as the weight lifted from his chest, and felt never more awake in his life.