TL: A bit late since the trip took longer than expected. TL quality might get shaky since I bought so korean Soju... Yup. Seriously shaky... Next update (TSTBGAM) will co later since I will be down for the count.
Chapter 7 – Leader
The densely packed refugees successfully escaped from the north gate. They were spread out in the Pine River’s region and marched towards the valley plains, appearing like a trail of ants under the moonlight.
The misty lands ahead was the very south of the Hunting Deer mountainous range. In this area, there was a small mountain called the Silver Sparrow. There were beautiful Grinores fir trees growing in it, and these trees were shaped like a tower that point straight at the sky. Bears and bristling wolves frequently appeared in this area, and players tend to party in the ga to handle any sudden dangers that occur suddenly.
Brendel believed the first step was to enter this area to avoid any dangers that would co from the valley plains. Madara’s forces had been completely unleashed, and they would absorb raise even more undead from the people they killed.
[The greatest nightmare would be seeing an endless sea of skeletons in the valley plains... Fortunately that has not co to pass.]
But under the foggy night, there were signs of skeleton riders appearing in and out of the shadows, signifying a terrible on. These skeletons ca directly from the heart of Madara’s land, and it was difficult to create them during this era. However, these creatures were common in the ga world’s era where magic and swordsmanship beca increasingly complicated with repeated wars.
Brendel stared at the quick shadows that darted in and out of the fog. They spied at the masses and disappeared after a short while, only to reappear sowhere closer to the throng of refugees. Brendel beca a little worried and instructed Freya to check on the refugees behind them, as well as to protect the flanks. He soon went to check on the refugees himself.
Freya’s suggestion to steal the nobles’ horses appeared as a great suggestion to the rcenaries, proving that she was willing to risk everything to fight alongside with the rcenaries. If Brendel had not taught her various things, she would not have managed to pull this off.
She was the first to charge into the market which was still being pelted with arrows, then cleanly severed the rope that raised the bridge to allowed the citizens to escape. From then on, Leto and the other rcenaries decided to stay behind and bet on her.
In comparison, the youth who was constantly praised by that young girl appeared to be ek in their eyes. He rely traveled quietly in the horse carriage beside the driver with his hand on his sword, brooding quietly while Ciel, a young man who wore a long robe was dozing off in the carriage. Romaine was peering out curiously at the environnt, while taking care so of the children who sat in there.
She did not feel tired at all, only feeling her heart beating quickly. It was exciting and thrilling to escape from the undead with such a mysterious night. It was the adventure that she had been waiting all along.
Mano’s mouth curled and twisted. He stamped a ‘useless weakling’ on Brendel’s forehead in his eyes once he saw that Brendel did not know how to ride a horse.
[This noble brat must be so sort fake strategist who has never been in a war. How do you even command an army when you can’t even ride?! ... No, this cannot do. I can’t let a naive girl like Freya fall prey to his lies.]
He poked at his companion beside him and gestured at him, then to two horses. The companion looked at his eyes and imdiately understood. The truth was the group of rcenaries had the sa mindset. Furthermore, Brendel even let Freya order them to protect the refugees. Even though they were silent on the issue, their hearts were displeased. Why were they bringing this burden along with them? Now that all the rcenaries had a horse, they should actually dash straight away to safety and stay far away from the undead blight.
In fact, so of them had already suggested this thought to Leto, but the bar owner dismissed their grumblings and sent them straight off to Freya instead. There was a code of honor amongst the rcenaries. Freya was the one who led them to steal horses successfully, and they had an agreent prior to this, and thus they could not simply just leave.
The rcenaries continued to wait since they agreed to see if Brendel had a strategy in mind, but if he did not fulfill that agreent....
The skeleton riders appeared thirty seconds faster than the previous ti, before disappearing quietly into the night. The huge crescent moon was sowhere to the east, and it illuminated the fang-shaped mountains that were shrouded in fog. Brendel looked at the pocket watch after the skeleton rider disappeared, with the edge of the pocket watch casting a cold glint on his face.
“Why are you quiet?” He turned his head towards Freya who rode beside him. She looked uneasy ever since she rejoined him, and constantly kept her head down.
He had not expected to encounter so many refugees who were willing to follow him, but Freya’s tily arrival with so many rcenaries had helped him out, and he wanted to praise her for that.
[Originally there were just a few dozens, but the refugees have grown to two or three hundred. Since there is a herd ntality, they would be more and more people joining ... Hmm...]
On the other hand, Freya was afraid that her independent action would cause Brendel to be unhappy, but she was afraid to voice out her opinion. She originally wanted to simply surpass him, but now she only wanted to perform as favorably as she could in Brendel’s heart. This change in ntality was too subtle for her to notice it.
“Y-you’re not blaming ?” She raised up her head with wild eyes after noticing there was nothing odd in Brendel’s voice. Her light brown eyes were clear and reflected the moonlight greatly, showing off the evident surprise in her eyes.
“Is there sothing I should bla you for? You did really well.”
“But I was late.”
“Any plans will have their monts where things don’t go right. As long as you don’t cross the limit it’s fine. I’m a little late myself.”
“Erm, I......”
The two of them suddenly went quiet as they noticed a rcenary approaching them. He greeted Brendel politely like a commoner would greet a noble. He then raised the two horses’ reins up. “My lord, please choose a horse and ride. It will be easier for you if a fight breaks out.”
Brendel observed him for a few seconds, before guessing what he had in mind. He jumped down the carriage, raised his head towards him and asked: “What are the vital points for riding a horse?”
The rcenary was montarily surprised when he got down, but imdiately showed deep condescension in his eyes when he heard his words.
[Mother Marsha above, this silly halfwit is making laugh. If you don’t know how to ride one, don’t act as if you know how to. Do you really think you can learn how to ride one in a day? Heavens, there are only a few nobles who can’t ride a horse!]
It was especially shaful in the eyes of a soldier who fought in battles for not knowing how to ride.
However, in order to let him make a fool out of himself in front of Freya, he still taught him in detail.
[Even if I tell you everything, you would never be able to ride one so quickly, otherwise we riders should just knock our heads onto a wall.]
“First, you should go the side of the horse, see that stirop? Since you’re doing it for the first ti, you should place your feet slowly onto it before –”
The mont he opened his mouth to instruct him, Brendel already received the notification on whether he would like to spend 15 AP to learn riding. He appeared to be unfamiliar on mounting the horse when he placed his foot on the stirop, but when he lifted himself up over the horse, he pulled the reins and started trotting around, as if he had rode for years.
[Well, level 3 horse riding is sufficient to do combat on a horse. I spent 45 AP in total.]
Brendel wanted to learn the skill a long ti ago, but he did not know that Freya knew how to ride one, otherwise he would have asked her a long ti ago. He could not help but long for the ‘Probe’ ability.
When he turned towards the rcenary, he saw him glaring back with a face full of humiliation and anger.
————————– Princess POV ———————————-
“Wait,” The princess interrupted Oberbeck’s narration. “Did you say he was an amateur when he climbed up the horse?”
“Indeed so, my lady. If I am not wrong, he was very unused to the action of climbing a horse, similar to many beginners. Oberbeck answered politely.”
“Can a person really learn a skill like this in monts?” The girl could not believe it. Even though that she thought herself as smart, she still spent half a month in doing so.
“Unless he wanted to intentionally deceive that man, I am afraid the truth is simply that.” Oberbeck felt that it was unbelievable as well, but he did not believe the young man was able to fool him.
“Surely he did that on purpose. This man is really a master at manipulating hearts.” The princess murmured to herself.
[That might not be true.] Oberbeck answered in his heart, but he did not say it out loud and rely continued the story.
——————————Back to Brendel————————–
Ciel who watched the encounter between them, also jumped down from the carriage, cast a glance at the rcenary and took over the reins. He mounted the horse elegantly. He was a squire and riding was a necessary skill for him. Even though he was not considered as an elite rider, he was considerably experienced in it.
Freya watched the two of them, thinking that he was good in everything but was just too fond of deceiving people. The girl felt a little flushed when she rembered the incident where he taught her first aid.
The rcenary looked the lord and his squire showing off their riding skills, and he felt he was played a fool and had a deep shade of purple in his face. Mano who was behind them noticed that his companion was in a disadvantage, so he quickly rode up and ca to their sides.
“Young man, how long more do we need to protect these n?” He was quite straightforward, and asked Brendel directly.
“From here to the Valley of Sharp Boulders. If we can bring them to the other side, we can basically ensure their safety.”
Brendel started urging his horse forward so that he could catch up with Freya.
“Perhaps you can’t do it, but I can.”
Mano also followed him, while he asked curiously.
“How are you going to do that?”
Brendel pulled out his sword and pointed at an area high up.
“There are skeleton riders up there and they are the elite scouts of Madara’s army, and they co directly from Madara’s core lands. Bring so n and chase them away. The refugees need at least half an hour more before they are able to reach the Silver Sparrow Mountain, and I want to ensure there is no threat to the flanks.”
Mano looked blankly at Brendel as he did not expect that his question was the excuse for Brendel to give him a command. He looked at Freya as their agreent was with her, not Brendel.
“Brendel?” Freya was willing to believe his words, but she found his attitude to be too demanding.
Brendel sheathed his sword and replied: “I say, most of you, or perhaps everyone of you, is just thinking for yourself on how to escape here safely. There’s no need for to say any more since you’re unwilling to bring these refugees out with . You have an agreent with Freya, right? Speak up. If you are able to convince , I’ll let everyone leave with a horse.”
Mano straightened his back up. He finally realized this ‘Noble youth’ was not a simple man. He had dictated the flow of the conversation with just a few sentences. As a leader who had led a group of rcenaries back then, he was employed by various nobles, but he had never seen one with such an impressive air about him.
“Since we’re rcenaries, we’re willing to work for you if you can pay us. However, under such extraordinary circumstances, we have to consider ourselves first, there’s nothing shaful about it.” The veteran rcenary replied naturally.
“Indeed. But I have to refute your point of view. Do you truly believe that you would be able to escape from here just because you have a horse? Madara’s army also consist of aerial units. Have you seen spirits and bone eagles? These creatures, which are the eyes of the undead wizards, fly and patrol the area. Do you know how to avoid them?”
Brendel patted his sword. He did not believe these rcenaries understood the frightening aspects of the undead army. Just because they killed a few skeletons and vampires, they understood Madara’s army system? In that case he undead wizards should just take a hamr and destroy themselves.
Leto and his daughter had followed Mano closely when they saw him approaching Brendel. He frowned at Brendel’s words.
“Then you have a plan?”
“I am uncertain of the outco. I doubt anyone has a perfect plan for this. But my chances in the forest are much higher, so I have to consider how to stop the skeleton riders from following us. If they attack our flanks, the refugees will not be able to move quickly.”
Mano and Leto went into a silent deliberation. They felt that his words were true.
Brendel suddenly urged his forward forward, climbing up onto a high spot. He turned back to the rcenary and took a ruby out from his pocket: “If you truly want to have a chance at surviving, then follow . If you choose to run away, then only those who are blessed by the gods would be able to make it out. My order is very simple.
Listen to my commands, and protect Freya so that she can lead these refugees out of the valley of the other end. All of you are rcenaries, so this ruby is my initial deposit. If you succeed in my request, they would be more where it cos from.”
He threw the ruby up and it landed in an arc beside Leto’s feet. Freya pointed at herself in confusion, and she asked loudly: “? Brendel why is it ?” She looked at the refugees in confusion. They were obviously brought by Brendel, so she simply could not understand why she was the one to lead the refugees out.
It was not that she was unwilling, but she did not know if she could do it if there were so many people. She was starting to beco uneasy.
[I’m just a small militia captain. Now I’m leading dozens of experienced rcenaries, which suddenly jumped up to hundreds and might even reach a thousand??!]
Brendel rely smiled as he had already planned things out. He rode back to Leto and Mano, beckoning them.
“Go now. Gather your n and choose how you want to die. Go your separate ways and encounter the Madara’s army and beco an undead as well, or take my money and beco a real rcenary who chooses to protect the weak, cutting a bloody pathway for them.”
He turned his head back again. The skeleton riders once again appeared under the moonlight. This ti they were faster by ten seconds.
(TL: Stirop, Middle English, = stirrup. It’s the foot platform that a rider will step on before lifting himself and placing himself over the horse.)
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