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Chapter 59

I had sat back down as soon as the man let go of me, so Mara and I were the only ones seated at our table. All of the rowdy men had stood up, fondling their weapons as they looked at the group of three. I could sense that the woman was a high-level evolved and the two knights were flawless. This was not an ordinary group of people. I had noticed their levels when I first walked in, but it hadn’t mattered to me then.

“And who might you be, young miss?” The bald man asked, looking at the woman who had just uncloaked herself.

“My name is Erika Blanch. I’m an investigator sent from the capital.” She spoke in a haughty voice, seemly unconcerned with her group being outnumbered four to one.

“You hear that, boys? We have an academy girl here.” Several of the men chuckled. “May I ask what such a fine lady is doing out here in the sticks?”

“Right… we were sent out along with several dozen other investigation teams under Lord Nikola’s orders.” The girl seemed unaware of his mocking tone. “A few weeks ago, there was a tribulation that was interrupted.

I couldn’t help but shift in my seat, but I kept my head down and continued to listen.

“Tribulation?” He asked, grinning.

“She must be talking about the day the sky went dark back a few weeks ago.” One of the guys spoke up.

The man blinked. “Oh, yeah… for a moment there, it felt like the world was going to end. That was a tribulation? I’ve experienced tribulation, and they ain’t nothing like that.”

“This one was large…” She spoke, her eyes flashing with excitement. “Larger than any we’ve ever seen before. I heard the Provost say that this one exceeded the laws of this world. That’s why it was interrupted. The last time a tribulation that powerful happened, it had to be the formation of Audra Lightning Province nearly six thousand years ago!”

The man had been toying with her, but the more she spoke in earnest, the more annoyed he looked. He didn’t care about what she had to say at all.

“Well, young lass, we’re not without our own identity. We’re the Blackbolt mercenary group. Lord Nikola employs us to help secure the Ramphart region.”

“Oh, is that so?” Erika asked, her expression darkened. “And what does that have to do with these two who are just having a meal?”

“What are you saying?” He smirked. “These two are suspected of disrupting the peace.”

“How so?” She demanded.

“They’re two strangers who have unexpectedly entered town. They could be planning all kinds of trouble. They could be robbers. I’m merely worried about the town’s wellbeing. We have every right to investigate. Are you getting in the way of our official orders?” He casually asked, unperturbed by her increasing glower.

“I’ve been watching you since we arrived. You’ve caused nothing but trouble for the tavern keep. You seem to be the robbers. You haven’t paid him a single coin!”

“My lady, you wound me.” He held his hand on his chest. “I plan to pay the tavern the tab once our night is done. I wouldn’t want him miscounting or for money to be displaced, now would I? As for our behavior, bring the tavern to keep out here right now and if he has a complaint I’ll personally apologize!”

Erika glanced back at the counters, only realizing that the tavern keep had long since fled into some back room. Her expression flashed with uncertainty. It was clear to me that she was young and inexperienced. The knights next to her were supposed to protect her, but they seemed to be uncaring if she embarrassed herself. These mercenaries were far too smooth-tongued, and she was at a disadvantage.

Of course, it hadn’t been her business from the beginning, and she had stuck her head where it didn’t belong. I didn’t care to save her from her own mistakes. I was already protecting one foolish young girl. I had no desire to adopt another.

“Well, that is as it may… I will vouch for these two.” She declared. “You don’t need to bother with them.”

His smile finally slipped off his face. “Is that so? You’ll take responsibility for their actions?”

“I will!” She declared, stepping in front of us like he was going to make a lunge.

“You sure you can back that up?” He took a step forward.

Schling. She didn’t move, but the sound of two swords coming out of their sheathes rang throughout the room. Both of the knights behind her had their swords out and aimed at his neck.

“I’m sure.” She declared triumphantly.

His expression turned ugly, but after a moment he smoothed out his face and held up his hands, retreated a step.

“Alright… so be it.” He responded, backing away with his hands up. “Let’s go guys.”

“Eh, but…” One of the men tried to argue, only for the guy sitting next to him to smack him across the back of the head.

He grumbled, but he grabbed his things along with the rest of them. Soon, the bald man and the rest of his mercenaries left the room. When the last one went out the door, the knights put their swords back in their scabbards. Only then did the girl let out a breath, her body trembling slightly. She turned back to me and put on a smile.

“I’m sorry about that. There have been a lot of conflicts recently and most of the army has been sent abroad. Lord Nikola has mercenary groups to maintain the peace, but they’re little better than thugs, especially in small towns like this that can’t afford their militia.”

“Mm…” I responded.

Seeing me not respond, she glanced over at Mara, putting on a smile. “You look like you also come from the capital. I don’t believe I’ve seen you before?”

Mara shook her head but didn’t respond. Her smile flickered a bit.

“Do you… have a name?” She asked.

Mara glanced my way. I gave a small nod, and she turned back.

“Mila.”

“Mila, it’s a pretty name. If you come to the capital, Mila, I can give you a recommendation for the Academy. You have to pass several exams, but if you do, you’ll be treated quite well. The Academy has many areas of training, and you will even have opportunities to travel.”

“You’re wasting your time.” One of the knights spoke up. “If the academy exam was so easy to take, then any country bumpkin would be in it.”

She shot him a glare before turning back to her. “Even so, I think you’re too pretty to be this far out in the country unprotected. Ah, no offense to your brother.”

Mara still wasn’t answering her, staring down at her table. I didn’t want to talk to her either, but I knew that sometimes it was more trouble if you said nothing. Even the knight who had spoken was scowling at us. If he decided we were being rude to the young miss, it’d only be more trouble.

“They’re gone?” A voice cut in before I could speak. “They didn’t even pay.”

“I sent them on their way,” Erika spoke proudly. “You won’t have to worry about them again.”

He looked up at her and then let out a sigh. “I’m afraid, the damage is already done.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll cover it.” She gave a nod to the tone of the knights, who took out a coin purse and then tossed it on the counter.

The barkeep let out a noise of surprise, picking it up and looking at a bag full of gold. It didn’t look like much considering how much he charged us before, but if he was charging fairly, this was a small fortune.

“Th-this… I can’t accept it.”

“It’s fine. They are part of the government too. We must hold every faction accountable, or there is no cohesiveness in our leadership.” She declared. “I rest easier knowing you were properly paid.”

“Ah… thank you… thank you…” He put the money away, bowing several times. “My lady, I’m sorry, if I knew earlier you came from the capital, I would have offered better hospitality.”

What he meant was that he would have fed her something better than the crap that he overcharged for. However, I didn’t care to correct him.

“It is fine.” She smiled. “I understand that times are tough right now. Three back-to-back wars have put a strain on all of us. We’ll be heading out soon.”

“Y-yes…” He hesitated, clearly having something else he wanted to say. “Which direction will you be heading?”

“We are heading back to the Arcford. The tribulation was so large that we couldn’t even figure out the epicenter. Other than a town that was attacked by bandits and a few burned farms, I can’t find any proof of a high-level paragon here.”

“R-right…” The man nodded, his eyes shifting slightly. “Be safe, my lady.”

“Thank you!” She declared brightly before looking at Mara. “Please, consider my offer. You can’t even take a test without a recommendation. If you study hard on the way, you may make it.”

When Mara didn’t respond, her lips tightened slightly, but she nodded and left the tavern. I watched as the tavern keep walked over and watched them leave. After a minute, he ran into the back. I couldn’t help but grunt.

“What is it?” Mara asked once we were both alone.

“The mercenaries are going to attack and capture her. That bald bastard is probably running to their leader now. The barkeep is going to tip them off to her location.”

Her eyes widened. “Why would he do that?”

“Why else? A few more silver. Even though she gave him money, that money has already been handed over. How much more could he get if he tipped the mercs off? That’s two knights to kill for experience, not to mention all the wealth they carry… and of course… the girl herself. Humans never change.”

“Will you…” She stopped, making a face.

“It’s no concern of ours. It’s time to leave. I’m sure they’ll be looking for us too. If we head in the opposite direction, we should be able to avoid them while they’re busy with those three.”

She bit her lip as she looked at me, but then she gave a short nod. This was merely the way the world worked.