707 The Student of a Legendary Knigh (1/2)

A glistening wide river ran in the middle of the desolate plain and mountains. Glamorous ships that were fully loaded with cargo were sailing towards Calcate City. Whenever they reached the places where the waves were too turbulent for them to sail against the current, many stevedores would gather and pull the rope together, hauling the ships over the obstacles.

Despite the wind that would chill any normal person, those workers were all half naked, with vague steam rising from their skin.

”If I hadn't left home to be a mercenary, it's possible that I may have become one of them, a worker on the Niegening River…” Katrina was listening to the familiar work song, when she suddenly heard a coarse male voice.

The river was the 'main artery' for the Schachran Empire, which had bred many prosperous cities as their mother river. It originated from the snowy mountains that were controlled by the Vladimir family in the northwest province, flowing past the northern province, and meandering all the way to the southeast, until it entered the Schachran Empire at the border of the Schachran Empire and the northland.

Katrina turned around and looked at the young male next to her with a smile. ”Everybody has a chance to change their fate. It depends on themselves whether or not they can seize it. It's obvious that you are an expert who defeated your weakness. If you hadn't made up your mind to press forward with waves, Yakov, you would never live beyond 35 like most of the workers.”

Yakov was a mercenary with yellow, short hair. He wasn't thirty yet, but his beard made him look old. Tall and brawny, he was nicknamed by his fellows as 'Brown Bear'.

”Was it also your motivation to become a mercenary?” His eyes moving away, Yakov asked back.

Because the Schachran Empire was unpopulated and frequented by magic creatures and bandits, long trips could be dangerous, particularly in the north. Therefore, it was quite eye-catching for a beautiful girl to be on a trip by herself. By the same logic, she would receive a lot of attention if she joined a business team without any partner.

In order not to be suspected by the clerics of the North Church and the nobles, Katrina prudently chose to pretend to be a mercenary. With fake certificates, she joined a team that was to protect some businessmen on their way to Calcate City. Yakov was the leader of the team, a knight who had triggered the blood power of frost giants by himself.

Katrina was about to reply, when a pleasant female voice interjected, ”Let me guess. Are you trying to run away from your marriage? A girl as gorgeous as you must be from a noble family. Has a powerful scoundrel got his eyes on you and forced you to marry him, and you had to flee as a mercenary?”

”Anna, you've heard too many tales from the bards…” Amused, Katrina looked at the female archer next to her who was wearing leather armor.

Anna was a mercenary no more than twenty. She had blond hair, green eyes and a pretty face. She was as convivial as Heidi, so Katrina made friends with her easily after they met. She was also very curious about Katrina who was tall and elegant. Having grown up in the tales of the bards, she instinctively believed that Katrina must have a complicated past.

Little did she know that it was also the speculation of most mercenaries in the team. Although Katrina was good at swords, and some female mercenaries were as beautiful as her, she was very graceful and emanated the obscure air of knowledge when she considered questions. That was rare for mercenaries.

Yakov had once worked with an official sorcerer best known for his insights, but he did not feel such a vibe from the guy.

Anna chuckled. Looking at Calcate City that was getting close, she asked expectantly, ”Sister Katrina, we will settle in this place with Boss Yakov. What about you, are you going to leave?”

Yakov had activated his blood power in an adventure earlier. He had returned to be knighted. After that, he would be given a manor and a fief on the desolate plain. Those in his team who were willing to stay would become his squires or butlers.

For most mercenaries, such an opportunity was not easy to come by. Naturally, they agreed to stay without any hesitation. With the support of a noble, it would be easier for them to activate their blood power.

Yakov and the few mercenaries pricked their ears as they waited for Katrina's answer.

Katrina smiled and rubbed Anna's gold hair. ”I've come to Calcate City for fortune. Maybe, I will get what I want in a few months. After that, I will return to the place I belong to, where my family and my friends live. I will always cherish the memory of my adventure with you.”

Many resources and magic creatures were hidden in the forest and the desert near Calcate City. That's why so many business teams and mercenaries were active here.

Many adventurers had come in search of gold mines or other undiscovered treasures to be rich overnight. Most of them left in disappointment or lay forever in the depths of the forest, but there were still lucky dogs who returned with trophies. They motivated more and more adventurers to come.

Many local specialties were important for sorcerers' studies and alchemy. That's why the official sorcerer came to explore. However, he was involved in a demon worship case and killed in Calcate City. if he hadn't come with partners, the Congress wouldn't have known that such a sorcerer went missing at all, much less sending investigators.

”Family… friends…” Anna muttered gloomily, ”Sister Katrina, you must come to see me often while you are still in Calcate City.”

Yakov said in a low voice, ”Katrina, whenever you need help, don't hesitate to find me. We're partners.”

Katrina nodded. Seeing that the atmosphere was turning heavy, she hurried to change the topic by asking Anna about Calcate City. She was only ten when she left this place and only had a vague memory about it.