Chapter 159: Sortie

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Mercenaries weren’t considered rare in this world. In fact, the history of this occupation could trace back to the Gondor Empire’s era of darkness. No matter how the dynasties were replaced or how civilization had risen or fallen, it seemed that people would always need such military personnel who operated in the gray zone to fill up the vacancies in the operations of that society. They were the nobles’ ‘bloody gloves’, the merchants’ ‘warriors for hire’. When they didn’t have any employers, they would be the fugitives in the wilderness.

Mercenaries were legal, and there were even an official guild and a crude registration system. However, almost every mercenary had done something illegal, but what was that? In this uncivilized and backward world, the ‘law’ itself wasn’t something upright or just either…

According to the information relayed back by the scouts, there were roughly twenty well-equipped mercenaries targeting a refugee group that had a population of about one hundred individuals. Furthermore, the mercenaries had at least three low-ranked Knights and around two Mages overseeing the group. Even if the rest of the mercenaries didn’t have any occupation, their combat ability should still be better than regular soldiers. Such ‘elite’ mercenary groups were truly rare and had attracted Gawain’s curiosity and suspicion. In order to eradicate these unlawful mercenaries, Gawain quickly ordered Sir Philip to organize a team of 30 individuals and was preparing to lead on them a ‘campaign’ personally.

It didn’t matter where those mercenaries came from; they were threatening the refugees of this land, which meant they were threatening the future population of Cecil territory. Gawain wasn’t going to permit such a situation to carry on as those people were all potential labor forces!

It might seem like they were making a big fuss over a minor issue for a legendary Knight to lead 30 fully equipped Cecil Combatants to deal with 20 mercenaries, but Gawain had his own intention.

Those 30 fully equipped Cecil Combatants were the new-generation ‘magic infantry’ that had just changed their gear. The first batch of standardized magic equipment already had its own production line, while these 30 soldiers were equipped with the brand new heat-ray guns and combat field packs. Although they had gone through basic shooting and coordination training, this was actually an inexperienced team. Even if half the members were veteran soldiers, they lacked experience with their new weapons. Gawain believed this new kind of warrior that could casually shoot out high-energy beams would have superior combat ability as compared to the traditional soldier. It was why he wanted these soldiers to be inspected in actual combat.

Thirty ‘magic infantry’ soldiers were gathered at the southern bank of the White River. Behind them was the bridge, which was recently completed, to cross the river. After hearing the news, the residents rushed over. Even those serfs and slave workers who had yet to obtain their status as free residents were also gathered at the nearby vicinity. They looked with curious eyes at the army that was different from their normal impressions.

The soldiers were wearing tidy, magical light armor that were reinforced with magic. Each soldier was equipped with a peculiarly shaped steel vambrace on the left hand. On their backs, the traditional marching sacks were replaced with a new-generation, hardened combat field pack. The magical longswords and the spare blades were fastened onto their waists and the sides of the field packs. Each of them looked awe-inspiring.

Gawain had used strict discipline and a reward and punishment system to train these soldiers over a long period of time. They too knew that as the first batch of ‘magic infantries’, it was a kind of special honor; therefore, they were all standing upright. Even though a large group of commoners were gesturing and pointing at them with exclamations of surprise and admiration, none of them turned around.

Sir Philip walked over and said, “Your Excellency, the soldiers and the supply carriage are ready. We can depart at any time.”

Gawain nodded and took a glance at Amber who was beside him. This time, apart from Amber and Philip, he didn’t bring any additional manpower. He believed that with 30 magic infantry soldiers and him to hold the line, the over twenty mercenaries wouldn’t be able to do anything to them. “Then let’s…”

Before Gawain finished, he suddenly noticed a slight commotion among the commoners in the distance. A loud voice echoed from the crowd. “Excuse me, excuse me… Thank the Holy Light for bestowing spare time to me… The Holy Light, ah, you stepped on my foot… Excuse me, thank you. Please see it as for the sake of the Holy Light…”

Gawain was astonished to see the crowd getting split in the middle. The Arnold Schwarzenegger-style Cleric called Wright was rapidly approaching in this direction.

He was wearing the shabby Holy Light Cleric’s robes. The unfitting robes were tightly hugging his body, while his muscle contours that were impossible to conceal bulged from under the robes. It looked as if he was preparing to end his life together with a few heretics.

“Oh Holy Light! I am here—” Wright arrived at the front of the army and looked up at Gawain who was riding on the horse. However, he was stunned after just a few words. “It’s you? Aren’t you… the supervisor at the construction site?”

Without Gawain’s permission, no one had told this Cleric that this land’s feudal lord was actually the big fellow who had sat and chatted with him at the pile of bricks…

Gawain didn’t think that he would meet again under such conditions. Furthermore, he wouldn’t be able to conceal his identity anymore. As such, Gawain smiled and nodded. “I didn’t cheat you previously. I am indeed this land’s supervisor… A feudal lord is also considered a supervisor, right?”

“Oh Holy Light! You are this land’s feudal lord?! The legendary Gawain Cecil who jumped out from the coffin due to your unworthy descendants?!” Wright exclaimed while drawing the symbol of the God of Holy Light in front of his chest and said, “I thought you were a foreman!”

Gawain: “…”

Sir Philip drew his sword with a swish and said, “Missionary! Mind your words! Or else…”

“Cough, cough.” Gawain quickly stopped Philip from issuing the duel request and said, “Don’t be agitated. This… is one of the rumors that I asked Byron to disseminate previously.”

Amber rolled her eyes and said, “You reap what you sow. It is unknown what kind of other commoner versions of you will continue to appear in the future.”

Philip and Gawain: “…”

After an awkward moment, Gawain couldn’t help but shift everyone’s attention and said to Wright, “I apologize that I didn’t tell you my true identity during our first encounter. I merely wanted to have a conversation with you as a normal person so that I can understand more about the divine occupation holders of this era.”

“I can understand. It is a prudent and wise action.” Wright revealed a natural smile and said, “It seems like I don’t have to continue worrying about the document as it really was delivered to the hands of the feudal lord.”

Gawain smirked and looked at this missionary with curiosity. “Why are you looking for me? You should be able to see that we are about to set off for a campaign.”

“I am here precisely for that reason.” Wright straightened his body and said, “I wish to depart together with the army.”

Gawain was greatly surprised by this. “Why? You are not my soldier nor an advisor of the territory. Why would you wish to go with us?”

“How can an army set off without an accompanying Cleric?” Wright said it as though it was expected. “Furthermore, as the only Cleric from the Church of Holy Light, I am obligated to use my power to assist each and every individual in this territory, especially when carrying out justice. I heard that you are about to rescue refugees that are starving in the wilderness. I must be involved with such matters.”

Gawain’s brows couldn’t help but twitch. Wright’s every word and statement were in accordance with the virtue and ideology of his creed. However, in this era, how many of the Clerics and Priests from the Church of Holy Light would actually treat such creeds seriously? This fellow… No wonder he was chased out from the central church.

Just by thinking, Gawain had guessed that this unfitting person wouldn’t be treated well in the church.

Philip — who had similar convictions, was pious, and pursued the Knight’s spirit — was filled with admiration towards Wright’s speech. This young and inflexible Knight seemed to have forgotten that he had drawn his sword earlier and wanted to have a duel. Philip sang praises, “That is truly the speech of a righteous person. Cleric Wright, you are not just a good Cleric, you also possess the Knight’s spirit!”

Gawain sized up Wright and thought rapidly in his mind.

His first reaction was to reject this eccentric Holy Light Cleric.

This was a military operation: even if it was a small-scale operation to eradicate a small group of mercenaries, it should still be strict and solemn. Gawain instinctively felt that it was inappropriate for a Holy Light Cleric to suddenly request to ‘cut in line’. However, after a brief consideration, Gawain felt that it was fine to bring along this Cleric.

Perhaps, it was a good chance to observe the Cleric. Moreover, Wright’s words made sense… It was necessary for the army to have an accompanying Cleric.

The soldiers might already have the healing medicine that Pittman and his helpers have concocted, but it was definitely better to have a professional healer in the group. Since the old Druid was currently conducting the crucial experimentation to boost the medicines with plants and to mass-produce it, Wright just happened to compensate for the empty position.

As long as this Cleric was able to obey commands.

“Don’t worry. This isn’t the first time I am taking the role of an accompanying Cleric.” When Wright heard of Gawain’s request, he smiled with confidence. “The central region might be peaceful, but it is normal for the feudal lord to organize armies to eradicate bandits and monsters in the mountains. I am frequently sent by the Church to be the accompanying Cleric. I am very familiar with all these.”

Gawain looked at this Cleric who was covered in sinews; he was rather suspicious about this Cleric accompanying the army… or charging at the front lines.

In the end, the team had an additional Holy Light Cleric who was strange and eccentric.

Under the eyes of the residents, the team departed.

At the same moment, across the northern mountains, forests, and wilderness of the White River, across the starving refugees in the wilderness and the insatiable bandits who treated the refugees as prey was the clan castle that the Kant Clan had inherited for generations. Even though several centuries had passed, the castle was still standing erect silently on the hill beside ‘Quelin Town’.

This glorious clan had governed this land for over three hundred years. Before the Cecil Clan regressed, they were considered the rare ‘independent clan’ in the southern region. After the Cecil Clan declined, the Kant Clan was fortunate enough to escape the storm that turned the entire southern region upside down. They were still established firmly in place until today.

Three hundred years was enough to grind down the most majestic castle into a weather-beaten state. Even after multiple repairs and renovations, the Kant Castle inevitably revealed its age. Those traditionally narrow and long windows were embedded in the thick stone walls. Even though it was noontime, every room in the castle was still filled with great darkness.

The aged Viscount Victor Kant was seated in his study while a hint of sunshine poured in from the narrow window behind him. It made his crooked body even gloomier. His head was lowered as he flipped through the stack of parchments that he had just finished writing. Those papers were filled with symbols and graffiti-like words that had an unknown purpose. Subsequently, he lifted his head and spoke to the equally aged butler, “Mister Carter, have those ‘hounds’ found new prey?”

“Yes, My Lord.” The old butler bent over slightly. “At the southern side of the mountains and forest, there is a group of malnourished and homeless people. They still do not know of their imminent fate. But those hounds have yet to make a move.”

“They want money, more money.” Victor Kant’s head was trembling as though he was furious, yet his tone was delighted. “Dogs need food as a reward to work for the owner. It is the same for those dogs with two legs… Give them their ‘food’ then. Mister Carter, send someone with a bag of money and look for those hounds. Tell them to do it quickly, and bring those refugees to me. If they continue to delay, there will not be anymore collaborations. This is the Frost Month, and they should clearly know that there will not be as many opportunities to earn such money.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

After the old butler left, Victor Kant lowered his head again and buried himself into those chaotic symbols and words. The afternoon sun was having a hard time illuminating the study through the narrow windows. It felt as though there was a thick layer of mist that was dark and fuzzy.

In this dark and fuzzy sunlight, Victor Kant’s shadow was elongated by the study table, making his shadow indistinct and inhuman…

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