Assassination

After two days of traveling together, Havent had once again become familiar with the members of this hastily assembled mercenary squad.

Riding his horse at the back of the group, he chatted with the mercenary who had carried a spear that day.

"Andel, what's it like at the Armor Defense Line?"

Andel took the wine pouch Havent offered and took a big gulp. The rich taste of the ale sent a shiver of comfort down his spine. He felt a sense of closeness towards the generous young man.

"The Armor Defense Line! It's really nothing special. Mostly, I haven't seen the outside. I was just a quartermaster before, I never went up on the city walls.

But I can tell you about some things inside the Armor Defense Line. I remember you said you're from the North Territory, Will, right?"

Havent nodded at Andel, signaling him to continue.

Andel, who didn't have the bad habit of speaking without thinking, slowly began to speak under Havent's eager gaze:

"In our North Territory, every adult male must serve at the Armor Defense Line when they turn 18. You look like you haven't been there yet, little brother, so it's good that I can tell you. With your abilities, Will, maybe you could do well at the Armor Defense Line in the future and even become some kind of patrol squad leader."

Havent was taken aback by Andel's description. He hadn't known that every young person in the North Territory had to serve after coming of age.

"Speaking of which, the lords of our North Territory treat us citizens quite well. For someone like me, I only need to serve five years at the Armor Defense Line before retiring. At the end, they even give a generous retirement bonus.

I never went up on the walls myself, but I heard from my former captain that the main troops get better subsidies. He said they could exchange battle merits for various things. My captain was injured and came down from the front lines to become a transport captain. He had a longsword mixed with magic metal, tsk tsk tsk, that was truly a good item.

Will, you're so young and skilled too. If you just stay at the Armor Defense Line for a few years in the future and be careful, you can get quite a lot too. Anyway, the years I served were quite peaceful. The Armor Defense Line is like a big city, it's really huge..."

Havent found Andel's wistful sigh a bit amusing. However, it seemed his father and the others treated the people of the North Territory well. At least Andel, even after retiring, hadn't said anything negative.

Perhaps after he returned from the Imperial Capital, he should go and see the Armor Defense Line. Just as Havent was lost in thought, he heard a few whistling sounds cutting through the air.

Havent instinctively ducked on his horse, feeling the sensation of an arrow grazing his back. He immediately rolled off the horse and onto the ground, looking to see what had happened.

Nearby, Andel, who couldn't dodge in time, collapsed to the ground with several arrows embedded in his chest, coughing up blood.

Havent crawled to Andel's side like a gecko.

"Hey, how are you, Andel?"

Havent looked up, then nodded at Andel as he watched the masked figures approaching from a distance.

"Congratulations, you got it right, but there's no reward. Can you stand up? We need to run."

Watching the remaining mercenaries pull the young master and the old butler out of the carriage and flee into the depths of the forest, Havent also helped up Andel, who was lying on the ground.

But it was clear that the ambushers had planned meticulously. Several masked figures emerged from the depths of the forest, forcing them back. Seeing the masked figures surrounding them, the mercenary captain stepped forward with a heavy heart.

"Everyone, we were entrusted by Baron Suir to escort the young master of the territory. How dare you attack us. Aren't you afraid the Baron will find out about you later?"

In response to the mercenary captain's questioning, the masked figures only offered silence.

Seeing the masked figures eyeing them menacingly, the mercenary captain gritted his teeth again and said:

"Everyone, how about letting us go? I promise we'll act like this never happened. We're willing to hand over all our belongings."

Dov, the mercenary captain standing at the forefront, froze for a moment upon hearing a familiar voice. The masked crowd parted, and a gorgeously dressed woman walked out from the middle.

"Lady Edwinna, why are you doing this? The Baron intended to send Young Master Lori away. Why do you insist on killing him?"

The beautiful woman opposite glared hatefully at the child hiding behind the mercenary captain.

"Shut up, you damned illegitimate child! What right does he have to be called young master? The heir of Suir will forever be my son."

Havent, supporting Andel, hid behind and watched quietly, mentally complaining:

Shit, how could I be so unlucky? I have to run into this kind of drama. That woman looks mentally unstable. I need to be careful when the fighting starts.

Things unfolded as Havent had predicted. After the beautiful woman finished her hysterical shouting, she coldly said to the surrounded group:

"Kill them all and get rid of that damned illegitimate child."

As the beautiful woman's words fell, the masked figures raised their weapons and advanced towards Havent and the others.

Watching the masked figures slowly approach with their swords and blades, Havent drew the longsword at his waist and stayed close to Andel.

"Andel, can you still run? We'll run into the woods later. I have medicine on me, and I can treat you after we get away."

Hearing Andel's continuous coughing, Havent turned to look. The robust North Territory veteran's face was now pale, and he kept spitting blood from the corner of his mouth. Seeing Havent looking at him, he revealed a blood-soaked smile.

"Will, I don't think I can make it. I'll cover you later, cough cough~ you run quickly. You're still young, you shouldn't die in this meaningless battle."

Seeing Andel's resolute eyes, Havent's nose stung.

"By the way, Will, when you go to the Armor Defense Line in the future, be sure to go to Vine Street. The bathhouse maids there are truly amazing!"

After saying that, he raised the steel spear in his hand and roared as he charged at the masked figures.

"Andel of the second squad, first company, fourth quartermaster battalion, Twelfth Regiment of the Armor Defense Line, attacking the enemy!!!! Will!!!!! Keep up!!!!"

Andel thrust his spear forward, exuding an indomitable aura. Facing the battle saber that swung towards him, he didn't dodge. He took the blow squarely with his broad shoulder, clamping the blade with his head. The muscles in his arm bulged, and the spear pierced through the masked man's body as easily as a chopstick through tofu.

With a roar, Andel hurled the masked man impaled on his spear towards another masked assailant.

"Run, Will!"