At the break of faint dawn—
Kudo and his group had gathered.
It was a warehouse near the wharf, close to Goro's rchant guild.
Not only myself and the Berserkers, but Kudo and his people were also suited up in armor.
It was the leather armor brought from Urada castle for the soldiers.
Even if struck by an arrow, it wouldn't kill instantly.
"Did everyone move?"
"They all relocated last night. Goro must've noticed. He was watching us."
"It doesn't matter. How many have gathered on that side?"
"It's swarming like crazy. Over a hundred rcenaries arrived just yesterday. They've filled the rchant guild's building and the surrounding ones. There must be more than five hundred."
Over 500. That was now—after today, with all the new rcenaries coming, it'll surely surpass a thousand.
"My squad and I will go in first. Kudo, you and your people, once the fight breaks out, take care of the archers in each building, then co inside."
Kudo glanced at his subordinates.
"You're saying you'll take on five hundred with five n?"
"Why? Getting worried now that it's real?"
"That's not it. Their guys aren't brawlers like us. Sure, we'll fight tooth and nail, but with just five—honestly, it'll be tough."
"Just make sure your people don't get hit by arrows."
Kudo nodded.
"Damn it, let's do this! No matter how strong a rcenary is, anyone can be overwheld if mobbed. Once you're down, you're finished!"
"Let's go."
No need to hide my identity, so I didn't bother with a mask.
I even wore armor and carried a greatsword.
Slaughter wasn't my intention, but there was no other choice this ti.
The rcenaries needed to know that even the na Hader should make them shake their heads.
They needed to realize that standing in our way ant death. After all, rcenaries were just hired hands.
I stepped into the alley.
Already, a large number of rcenaries were waiting at the far end of the empty alley. The sun hadn't even risen.
Step, step.
My footsteps echoed through the alley.
Behind , four Berserkers followed.
On the rooftops, rcenary archers were stationed, many wielding crossbows.
These were repeating crossbows, and their arrows packed a punch.
But once Kudo's people pushed in behind shields, those guys would panic.
Once spears started thrusting at them, there'd be nowhere to run.
No sign of Tris's patrols anywhere. Goro's side must've sent official docunts too.
They needed to make this fight part of the territorial war to legally hire rcenaries.
Srrrng. Srrrng.
Roughly a hundred rcenaries blocking the alley all drew their weapons at once—two-handed swords, spears and shields, axes, maces, you na it.
A burly man stepped out among them.
He was the captain of the rcenary corps.
"Still hungover from last night? Why are you all roaming around at dawn! Go ho and hold your fat wives!"
"Hahahaha!"
Laughter erupted among the rcenaries.
They were the famous Geroz rcenary Corps, said to be the continent's best.
They'd been security for the divine order and on the Isle of Indulgence.
Especially, that captain had been a security deputy-commander at the Isle of Indulgence.
After escaping the castle, he'd rushed here first under the divine order's command.
"We have no business with you! If you block us, you're participating in the second territorial war of the five houses!"
"That's nonsense! We're just on guard duty!"
"I warn you again! Whoever joins this war opposes our house. None shall be left alive!"
"Do you even know who's backing us?"
"That's right! Hahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
Laughter again.
Only Goro's leader had any idea of our fighting power.
Those rcenaries, the divine order—they had no clue about our strength.
"One last warning! If you have a family to provide for, if you want to retire and live peacefully, leave now! I'll count to ten! This is your only chance!"
"Hey, do you guys even know what these back-alley toughs want?"
"Aren't those the young master's drinking buddies?"
"Hahahaha!"
"One! Two! Three!"
My shout echoed down the alley.
Gradually, the laughter faded and tension spread. The rcenaries sensed it too.
They knew that myself and the Berserkers were different.
"Four! Five! Six!"
Magical power began to radiate from the Berserkers.
That was the final warning.
This was when the rcenaries' faces froze.
"Captain! They're releasing magic power!"
"Don't waver! There's only five of them!"
"Seven! Eight! Nine!"
A mont of silence.
I shattered that quiet.
"Ten!"
Thwack—
The mont I yelled "ten
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