Fellow travelers often become rivals, and the relationship between the three major mercenary groups in Huoalesi City has always been tense.

Blood Thorn and Wild Wolf Fox, both with nearly a century of heritage, have been old rival mercenary groups, engaging in open and covert battles long before the rise of the Blue Siren.

The rapid rise of the Blue Siren Mercenary Group carved out a share of the market occupied by the two groups, naturally blocking their paths and increasing friction. Mercenaries often resolve disputes through force rather than peaceful negotiation, as compromise is seen as a sign of weakness.

When Tristie activated his battle aura, Tony, Angus, and a few mercenaries also prepared for combat.

Other mercenaries in the bar, close to the two groups, moved aside to avoid getting involved but stayed to watch, holding their drinks and looking forward to the show.

Even the bar's owner, Nightingale, showed no intention of intervening, merely watching the commotion from behind the bar.

Fights among the testosterone-fueled, drunk mercenaries were common in the bar. As long as no weapons were drawn and no lives were lost, Nightingale didn't intervene, knowing that any damage would be compensated. No mercenary dared to default on a debt to Nightingale, as her former suitors, if still alive, were now leaders of various mercenary groups.

As Tristie was on the verge of erupting, the bar door was pushed open again.

"Nightingale, why is it so lively here today?" Adeline, draped in a luxurious mage's cloak, walked in gracefully.

Nightingale immediately smiled; she had a very good relationship with Adeline, another female mercenary.

"You've come at the right time. Tony got a little drunk and had a verbal spat with Vice-Captain Tristie."

Nightingale's scolding of Tony was actually a way to give Tristie an out, hoping to defuse the situation.

"What a coincidence, Vice-Captain Tristie is also here. Let me buy a round for the 'Blood Thorn' brothers!" Adeline said with a light smile.

Tristie had no choice but to withdraw his battle aura, aware of the formidable combat power of a mid-level mage. Moreover, with Adeline joining, his side might not be able to compete with the Blue Siren mercenaries.

"Vice-Captain Adeline's generosity is appreciated, but 'Blood Thorn' can afford a few drinks," Tristie huffed, leading his men to another table.

The potential fight dissipated with Adeline's unexpected arrival.

"Who's this little guy? Your new magic apprentice?" Nightingale suddenly noticed the small boy following Adeline.

Arthur, now dressed in a short green samurai outfit with brown soft leather boots and his black hair neatly tied back with a green ribbon, presented a clean, smiling face.

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Not just Nightingale, but also Tony, Angus, and the others were surprised, hardly recognizing Arthur, who looked nothing like the wild boy they had seen before.

"Hello, Aunt Nightingale," Arthur greeted politely.

"What a handsome little fellow! If I were younger, I'd have been smitten with you too!" Nightingale pinched Arthur's cheek.

Arthur instinctively tried to dodge but couldn't escape.

"He's the new assistant hired by Brother Randall. Aunt Nightingale, your roasted meat is famous far and wide; I brought him to experience it," Adeline explained with a smile.

"Oh, poor kid, Randall is a bit of an oddball! But Aunt Nightingale's roasted meat will make you forget all the unpleasantness!" Nightingale twisted Arthur's cheek again before turning back to the kitchen.

Adeline led Arthur to join Tony and Angus at their table.

Tony was still visibly upset, muttering, "I don't get it. Why were you so polite to 'Tristie'? You should have joined us in giving those Blood Thorn guys a good thrashing!"

"Such pointless bar brawls, even if we win, what then? In the end, wouldn't Captain Cain have to clean up the mess? Tony, we're mercenaries, not street thugs. Our efforts must have corresponding rewards!" Adeline sternly reprimanded Tony.

"Uh-huh," Arthur, stuffing his face with roasted meat, nodded in agreement.

Tony, not daring to retort, smacked the back of Arthur's head, "What do you know?"

After swallowing his meat, Arthur rolled his eyes at Tony, "I think Adeline is absolutely right. Even orcs know not to engage in futile fights."

"Futile fights? You think I don't know those stupid orcs? They're always fighting each other when there's nothing else to do," Tony reached out to hit Arthur again.

This time, Arthur was prepared and quickly ducked under the table, "That's for honor, vying for the title of the strongest warrior in the camp."

"Our dispute with 'Blood Thorn' is about honor, the honor of being the strongest mercenary group in Huoalesi City. So, what do you suggest we do according to orcish rules?"

"Then issue a formal challenge to them!" Arthur, crouching under the table, looked up at Tony.

"A challenge?" Tony paused, then smirked, "Fine, you represent the Blue Siren and challenge those Blood Thorn guys."

"Okay." Arthur crawled out from under the table and headed straight for Tristie.

"Tony!" Adeline glared at Tony.

"It's okay, if that kid dares to get close to 'Tristie' and them, I'll..."

Tony's words were cut off by a crisp voice.

"I, representing the Blue Siren Mercenary Group, formally challenge the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group. Do you dare accept?"

Tristie's teeth gritted in fury, the look of murder in his eyes directed at Adeline and Tony. Allowing a child to challenge him was an outright humiliation!

"Don't be a coward. Do you dare accept the challenge or not?" Arthur repeated.

"Coward" was a term orcs used to provoke each other, and to Tristie, it was like another stab in the chest.

Tristie slammed the table, "We accept. Adeline, Tony, who's coming to die?"

"Captain Tristie, you seem to be mistaken. It was I who issued the challenge; you'll be facing me," Arthur stated seriously to Tristie.

Tristie laughed at the absurdity, "They sent you to die?"

"No, I volunteered. Please don't jump to conclusions before the duel is over."

Tristie's battle aura erupted again, pressuring Arthur to stagger back two steps, "Do you realize I can kill you with just one finger?"

Arthur raised his fists, ready to fight, "You can try!"

Tristie raised a finger, a pale blue battle aura extending more than a foot long, slowly aiming for Arthur's forehead.

Adeline, Tony, Angus, and the others all stood up, too late to intervene.

Arthur, seemingly petrified, did nothing to dodge the incoming attack.

Tristie, at the last moment, unexpectedly withdrew his battle aura. Killing a child here would make him the laughingstock of all mercenaries in the city.

Tristie looked up at Adeline, "Are you sure you want this child to challenge?"

"No, I'll do it!" Tony genuinely hadn't expected Arthur to dare challenge Tristie.

Adeline, however, held back the advancing Tony and slowly nodded, "Yes, we're sure."

Adeline suddenly realized the child was gambling, and it seemed he had already won half the bet...