Free Web NovelChapter 286: Chapter 285: The Arrogant Mercenary
"Then we’ll rest here for the night and set out tomorrow," Colin said as he accepted the Scroll.
White Eagle instructed, "Regardless of whether there’s a problem or not, remember to contact me using [Sending] once you’ve finished your investigation. I’ll be able to make specific arrangements then."
"I might fail the Casting," Colin said with a shrug.
"Just do your best," White Eagle said with a deep sigh.
He added, "I look forward to a morning when you use [Sending] to tell me you were just being paranoid, and that the area around White Dove Monastery is still safe."
"I’m hoping for the same," Colin said.
’Although I feel like the chances of that happening are slim,’ he added silently in his heart.
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[Mission: Exterminate the Demons]
[Rating: Not Started]
[Reward: Not Calculated]
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The group packed their things and went back to the guest room they had slept in last time.
While it was a relief to catch their breath after half a day of travel, none of them felt particularly at ease as they lay in bed.
Soon, the first rays of the next day’s dawn shone through a gap in the curtains, falling upon the room’s floor.
After getting ready, the group walked out of the house and into the Church’s courtyard.
Two men wearing Armed Clothing with Armed Swords at their waists were standing by the stables.
They were holding fodder and feeding the two horses in the stables, while a Groom took the opportunity to strap Armor, luggage, and other items onto the horses’ backs. Aside from Adventurers who had to face danger at a moment’s notice, most people didn’t wear heavy Armor on a daily basis.
The two men were slightly slimmer and shorter than the people of the Northern Lands, with brown skin and slightly curly black hair.
From Colin’s perspective, they looked a lot like people from around the Mediterranean Sea.
’Besides their Armor, they even have horses to carry their luggage. These two must come from money.’
"Are those your warhorses?" Colin asked as he walked over.
"No, they’re just Ordinary pack horses," one of them replied. "They’re not very strong and they’re even more cowardly. They wouldn’t dare charge at an enemy. If you rode them into battle, you’d be done for."
"We should be setting off soon."
"You can take out some of your luggage; my horse can help carry the load," the man continued. "Also, allow us to introduce ourselves. I’m Morne."
The other man standing beside him spoke up, "Battier Basha."
’Both of those are common southern names,’ Colin thought. ’And in Rommon, I think the leader of that Blood Sand Mercenary Corps from the south is named Basha.’
That Mercenary Corps had many assassins skilled in picking locks and was considered one of the more powerful large Mercenary Corps in Rommon.
"Stop guessing. I’m the illegitimate son of the Basha you’re thinking of," Battier said, waving his hand and holding his head high. "And this here is Morne Dendragon, the illegitimate son of the leader of the Crimson Mercenary Corps."
Colin was somewhat surprised by their self-introduction.
Generally speaking, no matter how famous one’s father was, "illegitimate son" was not a respectable title. Most illegitimate children wouldn’t use their father’s surname until they had made a name for themselves.
They had no inheritance rights, so there was no point in even saying their surname. In fact, they would just be ridiculed as cowards by others.
’This guy introducing himself like that is like shouting "I’m a bastard!" in the middle of the street.’
Standing beside him, Morne sighed and said, "We should get going."
Colin didn’t dwell on it.
He turned and had the others take out some of their luggage to put on the two pack horses. Morne and Battier led the horses while the others carried their packs. The group set off, heading back the way they came along the merchant road toward the White Dove Monastery.
As they were leaving Rommon, Colin stopped by a materials shop and spent over fifty Gold Coins on Magic components.
Since he had the Scroll for the [See Invisibility] Magic, he was definitely going to learn it.
The Magic did exactly what its name suggested: it allowed the user to see anything invisible for one hour.
After all, he’d been scouted by an invisible Imp last time he went to Three Bays City. He couldn’t make the same mistake again. Once he used this Magic on himself, those Imps would have nowhere to hide.
After several days of walking, the swamps by the roadside gave way to forests and grasslands.
During the journey, the two illegitimate sons in the party were surprisingly well-behaved.
This put Colin at ease.
’It seems White Eagle didn’t send them out because they’re crazy or something. If it comes to a fight, they probably won’t hold us back.’
After all, most of the Mercenaries from Rommon were unruly and defiant. It would be a problem if they were disobedient during a mission.
Also, along the way, Colin had Orelia draw a simple map of the terrain around the Monastery, which would help them get their bearings later.
Estimating that they were getting close to the tavern they had asked about before, Colin stopped and said to the others, "Alright, we’re almost there. Let’s find a place to hide first."
The others nodded.
Led by Kase, they left the merchant road.
After trekking through the forest for a whole afternoon, they found a fairly well-hidden bear cave to take shelter in.
The cave was quite large. Tree roots crawled all over its earthen walls, and the entire party, horses included, could fit inside, although the two horses were reluctant to enter at first.
Colin tossed the luggage from his shoulders into a corner of the cave. The cave didn’t have a bad smell, and besides being a poor place to start a fire, there was nothing wrong with it.
The others were busy setting down their own luggage.
"Too bad the owner of this cave isn’t here," Kase said, sniffing the air. "Otherwise, we could’ve eaten well tonight."
"I doubt anyone’s craving bear fat, Kase."
"Who says? Doesn’t ice-face like it?" the Half-Orc laughed.
’It seems Kase has been making a lot more jokes these past few days. He’s probably trying to lighten the mood in the group,’ Colin thought.
After all, Orelia had been on edge recently, and Kase was only doing this because he understood her feelings. It was a clumsy attempt at comforting her, in a way.
’It’s just that his jokes aren’t funny at all, and they’re actually kind of awkward to listen to,’ Colin grumbled inwardly.
He cleared his throat and said, "Anyway, let’s talk business. First, we need to investigate where the White Dove Monastery has settled the refugees and stored the supplies. This will directly determine the situation inside the Monastery.
If we’re lucky, maybe the Priests have just stockpiled the supplies and are planning to send them north little by little. If that’s the case, we can finish this job ahead of schedule."
"Alright, just tell us what to do," said Battier.
