Free Web NovelChapter 264: The Capital
Glassera and Beatrix expected highly of the capital of the Wu region, but they were disappointed to see that the dream place was somewhat of an industrializing city. Smoke was everywhere from different kinds of factories that needed heat to work.
The buildings were already in bad condition. Workers were people who had been deprived of their right to work without pay; in a nutshell, they were slaves. The ground, as mentioned, was dark from different wastes spilling from the movements of the slaves that were carrying the materials they needed. The smell of the city was so nauseous that no one would be able to endure it the first time they set foot inside the city.
"We are here to earn money, not just as mercenaries. Right? We’ve already seen other cities where White Lead members were, right? We could work hard and be dispatched to those places. We still don’t know the system of White Lead, so let’s keep our morals to ourselves and just overlook this matter."
Glassera tried to persuade Beatrix to not think of it differently. After all, what they wanted was to earn money using their potential. White Lead wasn’t different from other places. Those who didn’t have the ability to fight should remain at the bottom and follow those who had the strength. They were talking livestock, in which case, even though Glassera didn’t want to understand, she had no choice but to just accept the fact.
"We are lucky that we don’t have to experience their life." frёewebηovel.cѳm
"Tsk. Whatever." Beatrix mumbled as they went on their way to where they should register themselves.
***
In joining White Lead, one must be strong and radical. Anyone who only had the ability to perform martial arts could not be part of the mercenary group. Hence, what was needed to qualify was combat intelligence. Thus, as Beatrix and Glassera joined White Lead, they had to take a few tests first before going into the actual papers of joining.
In a training ground, Glassera and Beatrix were waiting for a person who would be their examiner. From what they heard, he was someone who became known as a member of White Lead within just a month because of the talents he held. Not only in the martial arts, but also in the mystical arts. However, in this test, the two of them didn’t need to show off; they just needed to fight. Whether they could win or lose, the examiner’s decision would be their reference if they could join White Lead.
After a few minutes, a young man in his thirties arrived at the training ground. He had a trimmed beard, and the aura around him was astonishing. It was as if the air in the area became thick as he arrived. With every step he took, Glassera and Beatrix moved back.
"So, the two of you were wishing to join the ranks? Hmm... That is possible, but not common as the gender that commonly wants to join White Lead is all men. However, I am not here to stereotype you ladies. Let’s fight."
The test started, and they exchanged a few attacks. The examiner observed them well and the movements they made. Glassera used more of her physical strength, whereas Beatrix relied on her speed and deceiving movements. And just as the test finished, the examiner could only smile and then turned his back on them.
"You are accepted," he stated, which gave them a relieving feeling. "Keep in mind that warriors are dispatched, while those who are good at observation are left in the capital. You can share your thoughts with the reception on whether you want to be dispatched. But, I am giving you advice. Being a dispatched member doesn’t mean an easy life. You need to continue to press the authority of White Lead and show an example. That is your main job, except keeping Wu Region away from monster attacks."
***
The day after Beatrix and Glassera arrived in the capital city was the arrival of Jake and Brian. Jake had been expecting much of the capital, as, from his knowledge, the capital was supposed to be the center of the economy where buildings, businesses, and tourists were making the city thrive more. However, as his eyes fell on the things inside the city, he was led to disappointment.
His head tilted in perplexity as a space formed between his lips. He couldn’t understand how things had turned out this way, and when he glanced at Brian, it appeared like he was already acclimated to it.
"You might be confused about how the capital of the Wu region was like this, right?"
"Ah, my gaze didn’t mean that." Jake shook his hands.
Brian sighed. "You don’t have to worry about it. Even though my family is in control of the Wu region and directly in the capital, I know the flaws of the city. It is dirty and innocent citizens were used as labor slaves. I can understand if you are disappointed, even though you didn’t have much expectation of the region. Other cities didn’t have as many atrocities, but the capital was full of it."
"I have plenty of reasons why I left my family to have my own name." On Brian’s face, a sincere and disheartened expression was plastered. Jake could only let Brian express his emotions as they slowly walked in some direction that he led Jake.
"One of them was my family’s background. I don’t like being associated with them, which has made me focus on getting a name for myself. And the main reason why I left my family name and used my maternal family name was that the family of "Wubao" was the reason why the people in the Wu region suffered much."
"I cannot say for the whole continent since it might be what is happening to others. But I am not aware of theirs, but I am well aware of what is in front of me. I cannot do anything, which is why I have decided to leave."
Jake didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t ready for any emotionally driven conversations as he had made himself into a person who couldn’t be easily driven by soft emotions. However, even though he was the kind of person that would be easily irritated if disrespected, he didn’t know about other emotions.
He didn’t know how to cry... how to feel sad... or even how to feel happy about someone. In short, he was someone who could only sympathize with those he held dear.
Jake was just like the others. He was not unique in some ways, as his personality was just composed of things that he had observed. Loyalty? Anyone could offer it. Dedication? Anyone had it. Anything about his personality was just a combination of the average things that a person had.
Even though Jake could notice that Brian was getting emotional, all he knew was to be silent. He didn’t know about comforting someone, as a person like himself didn’t know how to be close to someone. Despite his personality being simple, sympathizing wasn’t one of his traits.
"Ah... Brother Brian, I can understand you. Anyone who has lived in this kind of lifestyle knows that getting the privilege experienced by slashing off another’s ability is not that beautiful. So I can understand that you have to leave your place."
Brian suddenly felt different from what Jake said. Throb...? It was as if a flower bloomed inside his system, and as he looked at Jake, his eyes could only flicker.
"Thank you for understanding..."
Furthermore, Brian had decided to return home because of the trouble he was giving Lucas. Lucas’s prowess was above all and he knew that. And seeing Jake obediently following his commands and even going to teach him was already a sign of his willingness to do something for Lucas in exchange. But, what could he offer to Lucas when he had nothing?
’Senior Brother Lucas did the best he could to guide me in learning martial arts. Apart from Jake teaching me, his presence and corrections on my forms were great and also priceless that anyone could not get.’
’I have nothing... So I guess going back to White Lead will be my way of getting things to give to Senior Brother Lucas. By getting a position in this mercenary group, I will be able to get more than before.’
One might question Brian’s decision, but no one had the right to question his determination and dedication to the path he chose. He saw the light in Lucas’s leadership. Despite the short time, he knew that Lucas was good and kind. The aura around him was not a joke. After all, when the first time he saw him, what came to him was the soothing aura Lucas had.
Brian had the ability to see if the path he was choosing was safe. He could escape threats and other things that could put his life in danger. But not all of his luck was centered on it. He could only do it by chance, but not everyone had the luck to escape danger as he could.
And as Brian chose this path in which he would re-establish himself in White Lead, he promised to himself that by following Lucas, he could get the name he wanted and the dream he desired to achieve.
