Burning Sentinel Hill (I)

The sun rose as usual the next day. Alpha stood leisurely beneath the balcony, basking in the sunlight with a cup of richly aromatic coffee in hand. He felt better than ever. With a creak, the door opened, and Adona walked in. Seeing how relaxed Alpha was, he could not help teasing him. "Oh? You're in such a good mood today. Looks like you did pretty well yesterday."

Alpha shrugged indifferently. "Not bad. Say, Adona, the longer we've known each other, the less I feel I can see through you. You've changed quite a bit before and after. How should I put it? This is your true nature, isn't it, you sly fox?"

"Hehe, likewise. I can't see through you either. You feel like you're shrouded in mist too. You're not as relaxed inside as you make yourself look. Stupid wolf, don't move. Careful, or I'll accuse you of assaulting a superior." Seeing Alpha about to splash him with the cup in his hand, Adona hurriedly said.

Alpha set down his cup irritably. "By the way, I want someone from you—Siso. I find him quite useful, and I'll need his help with my investigation later."

Adona gave a surprised sound. "No problem, as long as you can persuade him."

On the training ground, Siso, who was in the middle of training, suddenly shivered. Thinking about what he had gone through yesterday, he trembled again. It had truly been a nightmare. Who would have thought Lord Alpha was that werewolf? Remembering all the times he had practically courted death, he could not help feeling a lingering fear. Still, Lord Alpha was really incredible.

"Siso!"

The moment Siso heard someone call him, he immediately answered, "Here!"

"Come to the council hall. The lord wants to see you," the messenger ordered.

"Yes," Siso quickly replied.

Siso slowly made his way toward the council hall, hoping only that it was not about yesterday.

But heaven did not grant his wish. The moment Siso stepped into the hall, he viciously cursed himself, because Alpha was smiling at him. He definitely had not checked the almanac before leaving today. What rotten luck. Siso wailed inwardly.

"Greetings, my lord. May I ask what this is about?" Siso asked, clinging to a last shred of hope.

Unfortunately, Adona gave him none. "There's a mission for you. Lord Alpha needs some manpower to assist in his investigation, and he strongly recommended you as his assistant. I'm a considerate lord. I won't force my subordinates to do things they don't wish to do. If you refuse, then forget it."

Seeing the teasing look in Alpha's eyes and recalling the oath he had made last night, Siso straightened up and answered, "It would be my honor, sir. I will not fail the mission."

Adona could not help being surprised as he looked at the soldier before him. Then he turned back to Alpha and saw his confident expression, instantly understanding. "He's yours, Alpha. You may both leave."

"Yes," they answered in unison.

Alpha left first, with Siso close behind.

"What did I tell you? If I say I can do it, I can do it. Just work honestly under me, boy," Alpha said without turning around.

Siso stared at the man ahead of him, itching to punch him. But remembering last night's pain, he had no choice but to give up. Still, he could not help retorting, "So what? One day, I'll beat you."

Alpha paused at the determined words behind him. The corners of his mouth lifted. "I look forward to that day."

That afternoon, Alpha and Siso arrived at a nearby farmstead. "This is Sadin Farm. It used to be the richest farm in this region, but now it's the territory of a band of bandits," Siso explained dutifully.

Alpha studied the farmstead thoughtfully, then suddenly said to Siso, "Take off your armor."

"Huh?" Siso froze. "What did you say?"

Alpha repeated, "Take off your armor. That suit is too conspicuous. It isn't good for our operation."

After hearing the explanation, Siso removed his armor and hid it behind a rock. Watching him, Alpha said, "Since you're working under me, you need to understand this: my orders are absolute. I won't allow anyone to disobey them. I hope this is the first and last time. Understand?"

His tone grew increasingly stern.

"Yes," Siso replied.

It was the first time Siso had seen Alpha so serious. He had always thought this man was merely an ordinary adventurer, but he had not expected him to possess such an imposing presence.

Sadin Farm was an abandoned farmstead, crowded with all sorts of people. "Hey, looks like two little lambs have come to us," a short, rat-faced man said to his companion.

"Looks like we'll make another profit today." His companion picked up an axe and walked over. "Stop! Who are you people? How dare you come here? Meeting me is your good fortune. Hand over the toll, now."

The person in the back of the pair was about to step forward, but the gray-haired young man in front stopped him. The gray-haired man said, "We're Cunning Wolf's men. We heard the Brotherhood was here, so we came specifically to find them."

The short man said, "Cunning Wolf? Never heard of him. There are no Brotherhood members here. You heard wrong. Hand over the toll, now."

Alpha said, "That only shows how ignorant you are. You don't even know Cunning Wolf? I'd say you're just gatekeepers. Go find someone in charge. We have important news for the Brotherhood."

After saying that, he stood there without moving.

The two bandits exchanged a glance, unable to tell whether he was speaking the truth. They could only say, "Wait here."

Then the short man went inside.

Seeing the situation, Siso quietly asked Alpha, "How did you know there were Brotherhood members here? We've patrolled this place so many times before and never found anything unusual."

Alpha rolled his eyes at Siso. "Instinct. Believe it or not."

Siso immediately did not want to speak to this man anymore. No, this wolf.

"Please come with me. The chief is waiting for you."

Before long, the short man came back out with another man. That man spoke respectfully and made an inviting gesture.

Once inside, Siso realized all his previous patrols had been for nothing. There were actually so many bandits here. Where had they usually been hiding? The bandits around them held weapons and watched the two closely. At the far end stood a scar-faced, burly man dressed in wolf pelts. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse. "How come I've never seen you before? How is Cunning Wolf?"

Alpha answered calmly, "Lord Cunning Wolf has been missing the fine wine here lately. I'm Lord Cunning Wolf's newly appointed steward. My name is Alpha, and this is Siso, my apprentice."

Scarface stood and walked toward Alpha, his gaze far from friendly. Behind him, Siso's muscles immediately tensed, and his right hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at any moment.

"Come on, Brother Alpha. You should've said so earlier! I've got plenty of good wine here. Come, come have a few drinks. We'll drink first and talk business afterward. Really, if you were coming, you should've sent word ahead so I could prepare." Scarface patted Alpha's shoulder with one hand and waved forward with the other, his face full of smiles.

Alpha discreetly winked at Siso, then walked inside side by side with Scarface. Siso sighed inwardly and followed them in, his heart filled with questions.