Free Web NovelChapter 155: Chapter 98: Pale Elegy
But he quickly realized something was wrong. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Because after Catherine removed her Armor, she actually started to unbutton her inner tunic. Her slender fingers trembled slightly as she undid one button, then another, revealing a small patch of fair, bruised skin over her collarbone.
"Wait!" Lynch’s eyes widened as he took half a step back, asking in disbelief, "Senior... what are you doing?"
Catherine’s hand paused on the buttons. A mix of shame, indignation, and a trace of bewilderment filled her eyes. "Didn’t you want compensation?"
’After all, in some adventure novels, don’t the petty villains who get the upper hand always like to break proud, beautiful women who were once their enemies in this way?’
’She had already mentally prepared herself...’
’Although a hero would always leap out to save the damsel in distress at the last moment in the novels, Catherine knew that novels were just novels...’
’In reality, the hope was far too slim.’
"Uh..." Lynch looked at her "I’ve already prepared for the ultimate sacrifice, what more could you want?" expression, and was completely exasperated.
’Who wants *this* kind of compensation?!’
’What I want is money!!! Money, you get it?’
’Damn it.’
’Senior, what kind of trashy novels have you been reading?’
Lynch took a deep breath and rubbed his throbbing temples, trying to suppress the urge to kick her a few times.
"Senior, let’s not get too extreme, alright?"
Without waiting for her to react, he quickly put on a sincere smile. "Senior, as you can see, my Lakefront Town is truly dirt-poor right now."
"All I have right now is an empty designation—no soldiers, no equipment, and I have to figure out all the logistics and supplies myself."
"We’re fellow alumni! You’re my senior, passing through with a well-equipped, well-supplied elite battalion, and you see your junior in such a predicament... Shouldn’t you show some school spirit, sponsor me a little, and give your poor junior a hand?"
He blinked, making his words even more direct. "For example, out of the kindness of your heart, you could leave all your weapons, equipment, and supplies for me, your junior. Oh, and seeing as your junior is in such dire straits, you, my senior, have also graciously decided to support me with a dozen or two instructors to help train my militia. That guy who dared to kick my door—I like him, he’s got guts. And that senior Priest, he’s not bad either."
"What!?"
Catherine’s expression changed drastically.
’This junior, Lynch, wants to confiscate all of her unit’s equipment and supplies, and even detain a group of her officers?!’
’That’s the foundation of her future achievements.’
’She’d rather have the previous compensation terms; she could just treat that as being bitten by a dog.’
However, as the defeated party, she had no choice at all.
Ultimately...
「An hour later.」
At the main gate of Lakefront Town, a bitter wind blew.
The remnants of the "Radiant Battle Group, Tiger Camp, Third Battalion," now numbering less than eighty, stood shivering in the cold wind.
At this moment, they were experiencing the most humiliating and absurd scene of their military careers.
Their once-gleaming leather and iron Armor, their fine swords, spears, and shields, even their bows and Crossbow Arrows—every non-essential item, including spare clothes, personal coin purses, canteens, and mess kits... had all been stripped clean.
As for the warhorses they arrived on?
Gone.
The militiamen had led them all away, supposedly to "supplement Lakefront Town’s livestock."
Even the accompanying Priest apprentice was gone.
That young Priest was currently standing dazedly at the entrance of the garrison, being registered by Aus. He had become the future chaplain and medical instructor for Lynch’s "Ninth Battalion."
As for their banner, the battle flag of the "Tiger Camp, Third Battalion" that symbolized their honor and identity, it was still there. But the Soldier carrying it, like his comrades, wore only a thin, ragged tunic, shivering in the cold wind. His posture as he held the flag was limp and listless.
Catherine stood at the very front of the line, dressed only in a thin linen shirt and trousers, without even a cloak to ward off the cold.
A bone-chilling wind swept past, and she couldn’t help but shiver. But the cold she felt in her body was not even a fraction of the chill in her heart.
Her personal, medium-sized Space Ring had also been taken.
It contained not only her personal belongings and a large amount of Gold Coins, but also some of the supplies prepared for this bandit-suppression operation. Now, it was all Lynch’s loot.
Across from them, surrounded by a throng of Skeletons and flanked by the Lakefront Town militia, Lynch was toying with the Magic Crystal ball, a genuinely grateful smile beaming on his face. He said to Catherine, "Senior Catherine, words can’t express my gratitude. On behalf of all the soldiers and citizens of Lakefront Town, I sincerely thank you for your generosity and selfless aid. Not only did you leave us with precious instructor talent, but you also left us your unit’s ’surplus’ military equipment and supplies."
"Such noble character and dedication to justice truly fills your junior with admiration. Please rest assured, Senior. Your junior will definitely put this equipment, these supplies, and these instructors to good use. I absolutely will not let your painstaking efforts go to waste!"
With that, he waved his hand.
A Black Corpse immediately came over, carrying a large, bulging burlap sack, and dropped it at Catherine’s feet with a THUD.
"Senior, these are your personal belongings, along with some rations for the road. If you eat sparingly, it should be enough to last you until you get back to your main camp." Lynch added in a "concerned" tone, "Oh, and Senior, it’s cold. Be sure to stay warm on your journey."
The muscles in Catherine’s cheeks twitched uncontrollably.
