Free Web NovelChapter 1091: Chapter 474: Skaven Ratmen versus Vampire Count
PS: Writing about war really drops subscriptions, sigh~
In the muddy and decaying environment of the Withered Swamp, Angerong led his Horned Eagle Beast and carefully moved with the bounty hunter Brunner. Angerong was clearly quite interested in the bounty hunter’s lifestyle: "So, you knew this was a dangerous commission, yet you still took it on?"
The bounty hunter moved quickly, his attention highly focused as he remained alert to every aspect of his surroundings. Listening to Angerong, Brunner nodded: "Opportunities to earn a thousand gold crowns from one reconnaissance are rare. I’m a bounty hunter, Mr. Angerong, I need to make a living."
"I’ve heard your name many times, Brunner. You once single-handedly dealt with a Dark Prince in Musillon, took down a Green-skinned Warlord rampaging in the Black Mountain Range, and snatched a High Elf relic from a Dwarf mine." Angerong had heard of Brunner’s reputation in Tiriel; this bounty hunter was renowned throughout the Old World for his credibility and skill.
"That’s nothing special. In our line of work, the most important thing is credibility." The bounty hunter was instead more curious: "Mr. Angerong, I’ve never heard your name. Based on your prowess, you shouldn’t be so unknown."
"Ha, who knows." Angerong was indifferent: "I am Laine’s direct brother, you should know that?"
"Laine? Count Glamorgan Laine Macado? The Lady of the Lake’s Divine Chosen Champion?!" The bounty hunter’s tone was filled with surprise, but he soon spoke with great understanding: "No wonder, no wonder you’re so powerful. I was wondering how suddenly such a strong human could appear."
"Hehehe~" Angerong thought having a well-known younger brother felt quite nice, it gave him a sense of pride.
The two continued their journey for a while, Brunner seemed not fond of talking much, so Angerong had to ask further: "How long have you been investigating?"
"Two weeks, Mr. Angerong." The emblem on Brunner’s Golden Fierce Sun Helmet emitted strong Divine Power. Since this was a non-confidential mission, and Angerong’s strength was trustworthy, the bounty hunter was willing to share more: "Along the way, I encountered several troubles, those damn rats found me. After I dealt with a Grey Prophet and two Rat Giants, they sent assassins to kill me. I almost died several times."
"So I helped you fend off the Skaven assassins’ attacks?" Angerong’s face turned a bit dark.
"Skaven assassins will eliminate all non-native beings entering this land." The bounty hunter understood Angerong’s implication, his falcon-like eyes observed the swamp trails and the now barely visible marching traces: "Even if it wasn’t my fault, you would definitely encounter them, so I ask for your help. Working together would be safer; once the mission is accomplished, I’ll pay you three hundred gold crowns. It’s a deal."
"Hmm." This was a relatively acceptable explanation, Angerong nodded.
Real combat isn’t a game, even for a Holy Sanctuary Powerhouse like Brunner, he could still be killed by one precise backstab from a Skaven assassin. Just because he possesses Holy Sanctuary strength, doesn’t mean he has dozens of times the Life Value of a normal person to withstand multiple dimensional stone dagger stabs, nor can Skaven assassins only deal minor damage due to failing to breach his defense - such assumptions are false.
Total invulnerability is the privilege of divine artifact armor, like the Masterwork Vibranium Plate Armor blessed by the Emperor that Surya owns.
The bounty hunter Brunner’s impressive strength at best grants him faster reactions, stronger vitality, a bigger margin for error, and stronger attack power.
"About two or three years ago, war broke out in the depths of the swamp, a Vampire Count led an army trying to search for something here." Brunner described the mission situation: "Because of this, Skaven forces have clashed with the Undead Army multiple times. Even that Vampire Count was once killed by the Skaven’s hands, but the war continues as the Vampire Count resurrected and led the army back into the swamp searching for something once more."
"Just last year, the situation changed, Skaven forces started losing their absolute advantage in the war, it seems the Vampire Count found what he was looking for and gathered more undead forces to intensify the offensive." The bounty hunter continued: "So, Prince Miraglino Your Majesty entrusted me to scout here."
"No longer has absolute advantage?"
"Yes, the intelligence I acquired revealed that last year, the Skaven’s faith in the Mouse God seemed to be severely impaired by some extremely powerful entity. Recently, the Grey Prophets failed to receive Divine Oracles and were denied Divine Art blessings. Moreover, without the Mouse God’s will suppressing them, Ratman Warlords started large-scale civil wars again, severely reducing the numbers and strength of Skaven forces. Who knows which almighty being could have wounded the Mouse God."
Angerong: "..."
He seemed to recall something.
"Is this how you always live, relying on commissions?" Angerong somewhat abruptly changed the subject: "With your level of skill, you could earn a noble title anywhere, right?"
"Actually, I do have a noble title, but I enjoy adventure. Sitting at home won’t easily earn you much." The bounty hunter was evidently a bit impatient with this question: "How much wealth can I earn just by collecting rent? I’m willing to sell my blade and gun to anyone, as long as the price is right—except I don’t accept assassination and slaughter of humans."
