volume 2 - Chapter 65 (1/2)

TL: I kind of got rekt for trying something too hard of a subject. The lecturers didn’t like it and I want to fix things before I post it up. Don’t worry, I didn’t drop any series and I’ll be back on November 26/27 for updates on all the series.

I’m still speed TLing the chapter and there might be Engrish or TL mistakes.

Chapter 65 – Mercenaries’ code

Brendel was throughly familiar with the background knowledge in the game. While Amandina’s understanding was restricted to the books, Brendel was was a complete veteran. Even though the captain apparently did not use his full strength, Brendel accurately discerned his true strength.

[About a Mid-tier Silver Rank fighter. At this level, he can match the White-Mane army captain of a full corp, and nearly reaches the strength of a commander. This fact makes it clear that this group of mercenaries cannot be underestimated.]

Leto and the other mercenaries were retired, but they possessed the strength of a Mid-tier Iron Rank fighters, and Brendel thought they were no weaker than the group here when they were at their peak.

He had tried asking Leto a few times about their background, but Leto did not wish to talk too much about it.

On the other side, Capo observed Brendel and felt a strange feeling crawl over his heart. His instinct was almost innate. When he looked at his black irides, they were as calm as though the event earlier did not happen. He had visited many places and seen many important men, consisting of Aouine’s n.o.bles, great merchants, people from the desert and even a couple of mysterious wizards. None of them matched the youth’s demeanor, who gave a faint smile like everything was under his control.

It was a look full of confidence as though he knew everything.

For one moment, the veteran mercenary felt as though the youth had seen through all his secrets. He frowned and shook his head, trying to get rid of the ridiculous notion out of his mind. He did not know that was the truth, and Brendel had seen through everything just by observing him a little longer.

In this age, not many people knew Randonian Fencing, including Capo himself. He had learned the swordsmans.h.i.+p when he was young, and he thought it was ridiculous that it was impossible for the youth to know about it unless he was a grandmaster swordsman.

He noted the girls beside Brendel.

[Their clothes seem to indicate they are from Bruglas… While the citizens of the Grinoires region have similar clothes throughout the region, they are relatively different from the mountain folks.]

Capo wanted to speak about this point, but Brendel had stolen his initiative.

“I take it that you mercenaries are not from this village?” Brendel’s eyes looked past Capo on purpose to look at the mercenaries behind him.

Amandina and Romaine stood quietly on Brendel’s left and right when he spoke. Amandina had learned enough political etiquette to know that it was not the time for her to speak, while Romaine obediently blinked her eyes without saying anything through a merchant’s instinct.

Capo looked blankly at him for a short moment.

“Yes, and you?”

“We would pa.s.s through Chablis a few times every year. Even though we’re not locals, we’re at least familiar with this place. The truth is I was wondering why Chablis had so many tourists of a sudden.” Brendel lied through his teeth. “Until I saw what happened earlier did I realize you were mercenaries—”

Amandina’s eyes glinted behind his back, but she did not change her expression. Romaine listened with smiles, as though what Brendel said was the truth, befitting of her profession.

“We’re here to accept the invitation to subjugate the lizardmen bandits.” Brendel answered smoothly and calmly without breaking a sweat, making it impossible to see through any mistakes. The veteran mercenary did not think there was any issues with Brendel’s reply, and it was not a secret as to why they came here.

But Capo still held on to his wary characteristics and did not continue talking about the lizardmen bandits.

“You pa.s.s by Chablis a few times every year? You must be a merchant. If there’s anything our mercenary group can do for you, please feel free to hire us and we will provide the best service for you.”

He turned his head around to look back as he spoke: “But I have to apologize now. We have a small problem on our side, and I’m afraid I need to leave immediately. If you have the time, I can represent as my commander and welcome you to come to our camp any time.”

Brendel smiled. Capo was obviously irritated that he was wasting his time, and wanted to seek the youth who escaped earlier. He pretended that he did not notice the hidden meaning behind Capo’s words, and expressed himself like he understood something: “I see.”

“This must be a coincidence.” Brendel immediately added.

Capo was ready to leave, but he stopped upon hearing these words: “What?”

“It’s like this.” Brendel smiled and continued his reply: “TO be honest I’m not here for business this time. I’m here to search for a particular item.”

Capo frowned and stopped moving.

“What are looking for?”

“i’m just looking for a rock slate that has ancient text written on it. This particular item is within the Baern ruins, and describes a historical incident about the Silver Elves. As you know, the ruins have been occupied by the lizardmen about one year ago.” Brendel spoke evenly, as though this event actually happened.