Chapter 27 - Actually, I Have a Cheat Too

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

Stirring the Waters

 

 

"So many people standing guard here. If we just go through, we'll definitely draw attention. If the Black Wolf mercenaries recognize you, that'll be trouble—and they might even recognize me," Ge Yan muttered as he surveyed the tight cordon around the forest entrance. He didn't want to be blamed for Carlos and the others' deaths, nor did he want to be noticed for his distinctive eyes and hair wherever he went.

 

"Wait here," Rex said curtly, walking off.

 

If Ge Yan hadn't trusted him by now, he'd think Rex was abandoning him. But after the past few days together, he'd developed an almost blind faith in Rex, so he comfortably hid himself and watched.

 

The two groups guarding the entrance were both trusted by their respective captains and were quite strong. This wasn't just an ordinary guard detail; they were here to prevent the person who took the Shadow Winged Tiger from escaping. If a fight broke out, it would be nearly impossible to regain the beast if the people left behind were overpowered. So Captain Locke had sent his confidant Marvin, while Black Crow had dispatched their vice-captain, Donglin, the second-strongest member of their corps.

 

Yet their current opponents were a growing crowd of independent adventurers. As more adventurers gathered, both Marvin and Donglin felt the strain. The mercenary groups' reputations had already taken a hit after the beast tide at Darkwind Ridge. Now, by sealing off the forest, they were stirring more resentment. Outwardly, they maintained a tough stance, but they knew that once they left the forest, the impact on their reputation would be immediate and severe.

 

"Listen to me!" called out an adventurer from the crowd, his voice brimming with frustration. "The Black Wolf and Raven mercenaries push us adventurers around only because they think they're stronger. To them, we're just a bunch of nobodies. It's outrageous! I say we all push back together. There are more of us—what are we afraid of?"

 

His indignant words resonated, drawing a wave of agreement from others. Some had suffered losses at the hands of mercenaries; others simply resented their arrogance. For a moment, the murmurs of support nearly drowned out all other voices.

 

Seeing the adventurers on the verge of action, both mercenary groups grew uneasy. If a fight broke out without their captains present, they wouldn't fare well.

 

"He's right!" shouted another adventurer. "Why should we stay silent? I saw with my own eyes that they let people with connections pass. Black Wolf and Raven only bully those of us without power. Why should we just accept this?"

 

"Well said!" another chimed in. "Let's take them on together! Who cares about Black Wolf and Raven? Even the Alice Mercenary Corps wouldn't dare pull a stunt like this, locking down the whole forest. You two upstart crews think you can? You've only been around for ten years—you're nothing!"

 

Hearing this, the Black Wolf and Raven members bristled with anger.

 

"What did you just say? Care to repeat that?" A hot-tempered Black Wolf mercenary glared at the man who'd spoken, barely restrained by his companions.

 

"I could repeat it as many times as you like, but it won't change the truth. Black Wolf and Raven pretend to be A-rank mercenary groups, but everyone knows you're quite new and the least experienced. You dare compare yourselves to old-mercenary corps like Alice? Don't make us laugh."

 

"You're asking for it!"

 

The man sneered, ready to retaliate, when a loud voice suddenly rang out from behind.

 

"We'll see who's asking for it. Rumor has it that Alvar, the grandson of Alice's vice-captain, Tangler, died in that beast tide at Darkwind Ridge. Someone saw it happen."

 

The crowd fell silent, then exploded a second later.

 

Tangler's grandson, dead in the beast tide? It was almost too absurd to believe. Tangler doted on his grandson and would never have sent him to Tasha Forest alone. If true, it was the most shocking news happening on the Azelra continent.

 

No one was more shaken than the Black Wolf and Raven mercenaries. No one in the forest hadn't heard of Alice's corps—they were famous for their protective, almost ferocious loyalty to one another. Tangler, in particular, was notorious for his obsessive protectiveness over his grandson. If this rumor was true, the Black Wolf and Raven mercenaries would face dire consequences.

 

Marvin and Donglin's faces turned pale as they thought of Tangler and the entire Alice corps.

 

"That can't be true," Marvin finally asserted. "Someone's trying to stir up trouble. Tangler's grandson wouldn't die so easily, and we haven't heard a word about it. It's definitely a rumor meant to muddy the waters." He dismissed the news, not realizing just how close he was to the truth.

 

"Right. We can vouch that Tangler's grandson wasn't here," Donglin chimed in, grasping Marvin's intention. At this moment, all he could do was back him up, keeping the situation contained. As long as they maintained control, there might still be a way out.

 

"Witnesses? Nonsense! You just want to stop word from spreading. You've angered Alice, and they'll never let you off. Listen up, everyone—Black Wolf and Raven are finished! We don't need to fear them anymore. Follow me, let's fight our way through!"

 

Sensing their intent, the adventurers drew their weapons, pointing them at the mercenaries of Black Wolf and Raven. The air grew thick with anticipation, and many, feeling the surge of courage, raised their weapons and charged.

 

It was too late for Marvin and Donglin to stop them. With adventurers already upon them, they were forced to draw their swords, and chaos broke out. Blood was spilled, and before long, several people were injured. Some, seeing red, lost themselves in a frenzy, and the situation spiraled out of control. Marvin, though aware this was all part of someone's scheme, couldn't contain it. All he could hope for now was that Captain Locke would arrive soon.

 

Meanwhile, Rex returned to Ge Yan's side.

 

Ge Yan gaped in amazement, struggling to process it. Rex had said a single line, yet it had sparked a brawl. Who would have thought that the rumor they've heard in passing could have such a big effect at this moment? Had it been up to him, he'd never have thought to use it that way.

 

Taking advantage of the pandemonium, the two slipped out of Tasha Forest without anyone noticing. They weren't the only ones seizing the opportunity, either.

 

By the time Captain Locke and Black Crow's forces arrived, most adventurers had either fled or scattered. What was supposed to be a trap turned into nothing more than a larger mess, sowing even more resentment against them.

 

Black Crow's face was as dark as his name suggested. Had he known that collaborating with Black Wolf would end like this, he'd never have agreed. Without a word, he turned and left with his few remaining men.

 

"Captain, there's something I have to tell you," Marvin said, approaching Captain Locke with a troubled expression. He knew the captain was furious, but he couldn't delay any longer; waiting even another hour might lead to worse consequences.

 

"What is it?" Captain Locke demanded, his face stormy. He knew he couldn't blame Marvin; no one had anticipated things would go this way.

 

"It's about Alice…"

 

"Captain!" A figure burst from the forest, interrupting Marvin. It was one of the men Captain Locke had sent to find Cecil and Jimmy. He was disheveled, smeared with blood, clearly having encountered some danger.

 

Captain Locke's gaze shifted to him, darkening. "Why are you alone? Where are the others?"

 

The mercenary broke down into sobs. "They… they're all dead."

 

"What happened? I sent you to find Young Master Cecil. Didn't you find him?" Captain Locke's rugged face twitched, a hint of anxiety slipping through. He couldn't catch the sacred beast, and now this was his last hope.

 

"We found these…" The mercenary took out two swords.

 

Captain Locke's eyes widened as he snatched one of them, his breath catching. "This is Young Master Cecil's sword! You found him?"

 

"We found these two swords at Moonlight Ridge, near the Gale Demon Wolves's den, along with Young Master Cecil's jade token," the mercenary explained, producing a bloodstained tablet. The tablet, like the sword, was Cecil's personal item, inseparable from him. With these two things as evidence, there was no need to ask—Cecil had surely perished. As for Jimmy, no one seemed concerned about his fate.

 

Captain Locke's vision darkened; he'd never imagined himself cornered to such a desperate extent.

 

Marvin quickly supported him and asked, "Besides the belongings of Young Masters Cecil and Jimmy, did you find anything belonging to Carlos or Ariel?"

 

The mercenary hesitated briefly before nodding. He recalled that they had already found the two young masters' swords, and suspected that the beasts that devoured the bodies were likely a Gale Demon Wolves. Given the young masters' limited strength, it seemed impossible that they could have escaped from the creatures' jaws. However, he kept these doubts to himself.

 

"Captain, if that's the case, it's highly likely that Carlos and Ariel are still alive," Marvin said, sounding hopeful.

 

"Return to the town." Captain Locke handed the sword and token to Marvin, determination flashing in his gaze. He couldn't give up until the very end. Yet, as he clung to that last sliver of hope, he had no idea a bleaker revelation awaited him in Triss Town.

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