Chapter 13: Freeing the City (part 2)

Subtitle: A Trainer And A Past Grudge

“I’m back”

I opened the doors wide as the familiar bar could be seen. The only difference though is the fact that only a few people were left in the bar. Rina immediately walked passed me and scanned the group. As for me, I quickly made my way to the counter. A mug instantly slid down the counter stopping right in front of me. Hmm… it smells nice.

“Thanks for the drink”

I quickly drank the entire thing. I could feel a cool feeling spread throughout my body. It’s like, my body was being rejuvenated. Ahh… I guess I have a new favorite drink.

“Wow, this is even better than the one before”

“I would think it is. Its content is perfect for something like you”

I flipped him another gold coin. Unlike our previous encounter, he simply let it roll off the counter which slid down unto the floor. I studied his gaze which had a mixture of emotions on it. I sighed. I was really rash. Never did it cross my mind to put my hood back on before coming back in here. Oh well. It’s not like it’ll become a problem that I wouldn’t be able to handle.

“Oh, I forgot to ask. Mind telling me why you have a western name?”

He had a confused look on his face until he seemed to remember our earlier conversation.

“Ahh… well, it’s nothing really. I actually had human parents. Because they came from the human nation, they gave me a western name. To honor them, I’ve kept it ever since”

“So, you’re not using it to hide yourself?”

“Ha, why would I need to do that? If anything, having a western name is flashier you know”

I couldn’t help but giggle a bit. He seemed like an honest man. Even if we are enemies, it’s good to see that he’s not the same old cold hearted type that you see in many stories. Also, we managed to get out of that awkward atmosphere from earlier. Then again, even if our conversation seems peaceful, Rina has been flaying her weapons around us as the mercenaries surrounded us from all sides. As for me and Uncle Raymond… I have a sword aimed right towards his chest while he has an axe near my neck.

“So, mind me asking. Why are you holding the Assassin guilds families here?”

He shrugged.

“It’s good pay. Plus, my company was given land for our own use. Because of that, we’ve actually settled down quite well. Of course, we guard our families well… unlike the assassin guild”

“Hmm… in other words, you’re just trying to live the way you know in this city?”

“Precisely”

I couldn’t really sense any malice from his words. In other words, he was telling the truth. Sigh. How am I supposed to handle this then? Oh wait, I was going to change the city a bit. Hmm… I should probably contact that noble soon. This city needs some reforms and changes to suit everyone. Of course, I’m still obliterating the gangs.

“How about this then. Why don’t you lot work for me?”

As soon as I said that, every man and woman in the bar laughed. I couldn’t help but feel dumb for a moment since I didn’t understand why they were laughing.

“Miss, perhaps… is this the first time you’ve ever heard of us?”

“Yeah. Why?”

Raymond chuckled to himself.

“When we sell our services to our customers, we always obey one single important rule…”

With this, he immediately threw his axe away. From his pockets, he produced two weapons that gave off a dangerous glint. Silver coated daggers.

“Never betray our customers trust”

Suddenly, everyone changed weapons. The mercenaries were now carrying several variants of silver based weapons. I could feel them… and they felt dangerous. I quickly jumped back as me and Rina stood back to back.

“Well, this might be a problem”

Rina immediately changed her clothes into a crusader class. As for me, I began thinking of several spells to use that won't destroy the place too much.

“Yeah, no figure. [Fireball]”

I raised my hand in front of me. A fire type formula spell appeared on the base of my hand. Before the spell was completed though, it suddenly sparked and shattered into tiny pieces. I stood there in daze as I stared at my own hand. I then felt my instincts kick in as I sidestepped an incoming slash.

“You’re pretty fast”

Raymond was instantly in front of me. Flourishing his daggers, he tried to stab at my body. I didn’t let him though as I blocked every single one of his attack with my sword. I could see the surprise look on his face, yet he was very determined to take me down. Ugh… I’m really lacking in technique. Well, what I lack in technique… I MAKE UP WITH PURE FORCE!

I quickly change the pace as I wildly slashed at the man. I could tell that he knows I’m a beginner in close combat. He’s even using my own force to help himself. Yet, if I just keep attacking. Somehow, one way or another. I can do it. We exchanged a couple more hits before he pushed me back. We then maintained that distance… but the atmosphere feels… different. It’s like its changing from a serious mood into that of a normal one. I just can’t seem to describe it. He then gave a slight chuckle.

“You sure are straightforward. To think I’m being pushed back by a girl that only does vertical and horizontal slashes… it really hurts my pride you know. Also…”

He pointed at my sword. Eh, is there something wrong with it. I look at my sword to see nothing wrong with it.

“… That’s a rapier. It’s primarily a jabbing weapon, not a slashing weapon you know”

I tilted my head to the side.

“A jabbing weapon? What? I never knew that?”

“Then why are you using it in a fight if you don’t even know how to use it?!”

I instantly felt a hit on my head. I crouched down on the floor as I held the new bump on my head. I looked up to the man who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He had his fist in the air above my head, his daggers back in their sheath.

“Uwuuuu… that hurts you know. Even spirits get hurt you know”

“Seriously, are you actually a spirit? Did those men actually get done in by a pitiful spirit like you? I really can’t see it you know, seeing that you don’t have any combat experience with a rapier. Not only that, you seemed panicked when you realized you can’t use magic… really, how have you been living so far?”

He placed his hand over his head like a teacher who gave up on his student. What is this atmosphere? It almost feels as if everyone was pitying me. I stared over at Rina and the rest who had stopped their own fight to look here. I caught a glimpse of their eyes before they broke eye contact with me. They were looking at me with pity! Even Rina! I mean sure, I probably won’t be able to win without magic… but still… you know. Swords seem too simple. I think… Ah… I’m panicking am I? I’m not making any more sense am I? I swear I’m strong. I know it. Just… I just need magic and all… Ahh, please don’t look at me like that!

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“To think we had a good mood going… ah, such a mood killer”

I couldn’t help but be depressed. The sole fact that the enemy gave up because he felt pity in my use of weapons… I come from a different world ok. Of course I know what swords, bows and guns do. I just… I just didn’t know that there are several kinds of swords I can use, each with their own style of use. Also, you can’t just expect me to become an expert swordsman from the beginning. I mean, I can probably fight better as a wolf… maybe. I sighed as I took another drink to sweep away my sorrow.

“Speaking of which, how come I wasn’t able to use my magic”

“Even you don’t know about that. Just where have you been living? Also, you”

He immediately pointed towards Rina.

“Eh, me?”

“Yes you. Just what have you been teaching your sister? To think the poor lass doesn’t even know nullification magic, are you stupid?”

“Nullification magic? What’s that?”

“…”

“…”

“Are you guys a family of idiots?”

I felt an arrow jab itself into my heart. Is it information that everyone is supposed to know? Well, sorry for being an otherworlder… then again, he doesn’t know that.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“We… have circumstances. You can say, our memories were wiped for quite some time”

“Sounds tough. I guess it’s unreasonable to call you two idiots then. But still, even to go as far as not knowing what a rapier is. I don’t know if I should laugh or cry for you two”

This guy really knows how to add salt to the injury.

“Anyway, can you at least tell me what nullification magic is?”

“It’s just a simple answer. It nullifies magic. The process itself can’t be invoked in a single go. That’s why, we usually have it embedded into items so magic won’t work in a set radius”

“… I can’t believe you’re actually telling me this”

He shrugged.

“Not like I’m fighting you again. As lame as your technique was, your power isn’t a joke”

“Huh, then what about your 'never betray your customers trust' talk from earlier?”

“Ahh, about that. Well, our latest contract expired an several hours ago”

“… eh?”

I couldn’t help but freeze. What did he mean by, expired?

“Oh, you have a pretty dumb look on your face. You’re probably wondering what I meant. Well, it’s easy. The Lancers are no longer under any contract”

“EHHHHH, Then. Our fight? What was it about then?”

He shrugged again.

“No reason, I just wanted to try fighting a spirit for once. You know how hard an accomplishment it is to meet a spirit, let alone fight one. Man, I sure am glad that you’re pretty weak for me to handle. Hahahaha…”

Every time he would laugh, he was patting me in the shoulder. This guy… Wait, Rina. Why are you looking at me that way? Can’t you at least comfort me… wahh, don’t turn your eyes away!

“Well, anyway. You wanted to free the families’ right?”

“Ah, yeah. Forgot about that. So, can you kindly let them go?”

“Yeah, why not. Also, about your earlier proposition… what’s the numbers?”

“First you shame me in a fight and now you want to make a profit out of me. What makes you think I’ll…”

“I’ll pitch in free lessons in sword techniques if you hire us”

“… 20 silver a month”

“Hmm… make it 50”

“30!”

“40, take it or leave it”

I gritted my teeth. Ugh… the price sounds pricey. Then again, we have a lot of gold coins in the bank. I guess its fine considering I gave him two gold coins for drinks. Then again, I was doing that to rile him and the other people up. Also, if you look at the positive side, I get around… 10 no, twenty mercenaries who managed to fight in equal grounds with Rina. Not only that, but sword lessons. I guess it’s not that bad a deal. I sighed as I showed him coins worth 40 silver.

“Thank you for your patronage. Now, as for the families…”

A door instantly opened. There, several people were being led out.

“That should be all of them. I would highly encourage you though to tell the assassins guild to look over their families better”

“Yeah, I’ll make sure to do that. Hey, Rina. Can you tell Roland that the families are safe?”

“Will do”

She instantly disappeared. As for me, I turned back towards Raymond.

“As for you, I have one more question to ask”

“Well, I am technically under your service, so ask away”

I smiled.

“Good. Now then, can you tell me everything you know about the Alpha Deus and the Queen?”

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[Stranger POV]

“What’s the status?”

“The supply depot is holding out. I believe they can hold for two more days before the Phoenix completely overruns them”

I gritted my teeth as I stared at the layout of the city. Right now, several key areas were under attack. The supply depot, the armory and the leathery. The supply depot was under attack by a small group of mercenaries. They all wore yellow bands showing that they were part of the yellow dragons. As for the armory, they were under attack by the black heart gang. With their black armor, they seem to blend in with the darkness. As for the leathery, they were being attacked by the scorpions. The reason they were named scorpions was the fact that they mainly used halberds that were coated in poison. They were also the most ferocious of the black phoenix seeing as they’ve beaten the militia time and time again.

This time though, they were facing the dwarven elites who were tasked in protecting the leathery. That’s why I’m not really worried about that. What I’m worried about is the supply depot.

“We need to send more men. Is there any available units ready for deployment?”

“None sir. Currently, every other units is engaged with small pockets of mercenaries”

That’s really bad. At the rate were going, we would lose one of the most important key structure in the city. If only I had placed the dwarven elites in the depot instead. But, since the leathery is a bit more important than the depot, I took the risk. Now, the dwarven militia and the regulars are stuck in a bitter battle against the black heart.

“Reporting from the front”

A young dwarf immediately ran in the room. He kneeled towards me, a standard show of respect towards their superior.

“Speak”

“Hah. The supply depot is safe. The bandits have been routed”

“Eh?”

I couldn’t help but stutter a bit. Did he just say that the black heart were defeated? Before, the current status was ‘being overrun’. Now it’s victory? Just how can that happen in a span of five minutes?

“How is… tell me exactly what happened”

“Yes sir. A new force has appeared. In one fell swoop, they’ve captured virtually every single personnel of the black heart gang”

“Reinforcements? I thought all available units were currently busy?”

“The force does not belong to us… rather…”

He seemed to pause a bit. Hmm… why does he look nervous?

“Well? Who are they? Speak”

“They called themselves the Lancers of Osnorio”

I instantly froze. The Lancers of Osnorio… a mercenary group famed for their strength and tenacity. This group had won their fame for single handedly destroying an elite force of the dwarven kingdom. Even when they only had twenty members, they still managed to defeat the three hundred strong dwarven army. To add insult to the wound, it was reported that the elites lost forty of their men while the mercenary had no injuries. Really shameful. To have them help us now out of all times… just what is going on? Actually, how did they even get here? I cursed at the guards. I swear I’m retraining every single one of them.

“I don’t care if they helped us. I want them captured”

“Ah… actually, their leader wants a meeting with us”

“A meeting? Like I would meet with…”

“It’s a girl”

I could feel a vein instantly pop. A girl… the nation’s pride warriors were beaten by a girl and her small band of soldiers. I don’t believe it… no I refuse to believe this. How can it be possible? I could feel myself shaking in anger.

“Accept the meeting. Run back and tell her to meet us here. Also, make it specific. Only she can come. She can bring one attendant but that’s it”

“Hoh”

The messenger bowed before leaving the tent. I then looked at my lieutenants.

“I don’t care if they helped us or not. I cannot forgive them for the harm they’ve caused to our nation’s pride. Gather ten spearmen and ten archers. We’re capturing the leader”

They all nodded as they ran off in different directions. As for me, I couldn’t help but smile. With this, I might be able to get back at those fools. A girl for a leader. Hah, this should be the easiest thing we’ve ever done in a while.

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Author Notes:

Sorry for the long wait. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.