volume 2 - Chapter 70 (2/2)

“How did you know of this, you…..!”

Redi’s brows creased together and he wanted to question Brendel, but he saw him in a contemplating manner, and immediately realized he made a mistake. He grunted heavily: “Hmph. You concern yourself too much with this matter. I will inform your transgression to the commander.”

[Blah, blah, whatever. I wonder how many idiots like you are out there.]

But a smile appeared on Brendel’s face: “I merely ask because I had the chance to meet Ser Eke, if you must know.”

[I don’t gave a s.h.i.+t.] Redi was furiously grinding his teeth, but there was no other expressions about putting on a taciturn face.

“I heard that you are from the same homeland as the Saint of the Silver Sword, Gory Keyes.” Brendel suddenly said.

“That’s none of your……”

The white-haired youth finally realized that Brendel was mocking him. He ceased talking and added a dismissive snort. Since he realized he could not have the upper hand against Brendel, he turned around and pulled his partner away, with the intention of leaving Brendel behind to find the way on his own, and it would be even better if he was unable to find his way.

Brendel kept laughing in his mind.

[It seems that b.a.s.t.a.r.d Gory has an ardent admirer.]

He had tried to learn his sword skills from Gory, but he failed to get any quest related to his techniques, and even suffered considerably under the old man’s temper.

[I wonder if he knows that old man’s real nature. He really loves to gamble, but he’s always unlucky and he completely denies making a bet when he loses… But there might be an opportunity to get one of his skill someday. It’s a pity he is traveling in Kirrlutz currently, otherwise I might try to find him.]

…….

Makarov and Buga exchanged long looks with each other. In the end it was Makarov who asked: “Ser Brendel, they are?”

He pointed at the twelve mercenaries who wore different uniforms.

[Mother Marsha above, we locked down the inn’s entrance and exit. We had scouts at the town’s gates, but how did these conspicuous men escape our notice? Did they arrive long ago before us? But we have been here for three days and these men did not appear!]

He stared at the men who carried axes, spears, s.h.i.+elds, longswords along with full headgear.

Brendel did not understand the conflict in Makarov’s mind, so he merely shrugged as he explained with a smile: “These are my men. I believe I had mentioned before that I have mercenaries under me. Hmm….. They hail from distant lands, and as you know as a merchant, I had the chance to travel to different kingdoms. These mercenaries are from a minority tribe from the eastern Kindoms. Please do not mind what they wear.”

The smile never left his face, as though something like that really happened.

Amandina and Romaine threw furtive glances at him.

[Brendel actually has contact with minorities from the faraway lands! Incredible!] Romaine’s innocent mind praised him wholeheartedly.

But Amandina had different thoughts. Even though she knew he had another group of mercenaries under him, they were most likely from Arreck and not minorities.

[There’s something amiss. Even though Brendel said Ciel had to go back to Karsuk for a certain matter, there’s something wrong somewhere.] Amandina buried these thoughts in her heart as she did not want to question her lord.

Makarov and Buga who had more experience than Amandina obviously came to the same conclusion, but they did not understand how these mercenaries came about. Their Silver-ranked scouts even found Eke, but these new mercenaries who looked like they only had Iron-ranks fighters amongst them actually bypa.s.sed every scout.

Makarov subconsciously knitted his brows together. His opinions rated Brendel three grades higher, and he appeared to be on the realms of mystery.

“Then, Commander Makarov, should we set off?” Brendel asked.

“Certainly.” Makarov nodded with some difficulty. He was determined to place Brendel in the center of his own mercenaries to keep close watch over him. He was originally confident that he could keep trouble to a minimum, but there were twelve ‘Silver-ranked’ mercenaries who escaped detection, led by a youth who he himself was physically capable as a Silver-ranked fighter who was armed with incredible talent in the sword.

He felt a headache coming up. He looked back at Buga with a little blame in his eyes: “My old friend, this was the result of your investigation?”

Buga shrugged.

Makarov had asked Buga to search the mercenaries that Brendel had mentioned, but there was not even a hint about them, but there were twelve of them that suddenly sprung up. Even though they looked like they only were ‘Iron-ranked’ fighters, but Makarov did not believe his own eyes. These men were strangely dressed and he thought they had the means to hide their own strength.

Buga also shook his head inwardly when he saw the mercenaries.

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