Chapter 103: People on the move

“What is this rubbish?”

Meletoba Donian scowled as he read through the report that Glain brought him. He was filled with rage.

“Failed? The strongest of the Black Brotherhood failed? They couldn’t even find them properly? WHAT! Are they kidding me?! Against MELETOBA?”

Glain shivered as he saw his master shaking angrily.

“Y-Yes. I heard they sent 300 mercenaries, but only 40 survived. What’s more is that those 40 men were captured by the Khaloda Village guards.”

“Captured? Are they the real Black Brotherhood I know?”

Meletoba let out an dry laugh at the news. Glain continued in fear.

“Y-yes. They barely arrived at the village. All of them were extremely hungry and thirsty. The informant bribed the guards and barely managed to get the information out.”

“Hah.”

Meletoba was frustrated. Glain continued once more.

“What’s strange is that the guards aren’t saying anything about the arrest until now. Jackson, the lieutenant there, ordered them to keep their mouths shut.”

“What about the Brotherhood?”

“I think they sent out a group to find out what happened and to see if they succeeded.”

“Are they trying to recoup some of the money? Those idiots…”

“They are like Keroxes, so I assume that is the reason. I also think they cannot believe what happened also. I also heard that Count Khalodian has made a move.”

“Brant?”

“Yes, sir. There was a report that said the count moved out of his castle toward the village with 100 calvary and 150 soldiers with three knights. I think he moved because of the arrest.”

Meletoba began caressing his white beard at the report.

“I need more information. Who was at Khaloda? Was it Norman?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Make him find out what is going on. Spend much as we need. Feed anyone who will share the information. Quickly.”

“Yes, sir. There’s one more thing. There’s been a rumor going around in the noble circle.”

Meletoba turned to Glain with interest.

“What rumor?”

“It’s about the noble from the Daehan Empire who visited Khaloda Village. They brought some fascinating items such as beautiful dishes and special tea leaves that began gaining popularity amongst the noble ladies. There was a request of such items from us also.”

“So?”

Glain could not answer and Meletoba frowned.

“Hmph! It’s probably only a trend. It will die out. We can’t rely on such items when we can’t constantly trade for it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now go on. Go get that information.”

“Ye,s sir.”

Glain moved out and Meletoba looked at the map. The map had a part that he had colored red. It was the part of the land that he had been planning to take from Count Khalodian.

“Dammit!”

His eyes glared with rage. He could see his brothers laughing at him at his feeble attempt to gain his own land.

“Dammit… Shut up!”

Meletoba shouted in the empty room as he could not stop his imagination.

“I will not forgive you… NEVER!”

He was like a madman. His eyes were bloodshot and his expression was not like that of any normal person.

*

Joonbum woke up at two o’clock midnight to begin exercising. Everyone was still asleep, but it was the start of the day for him.

‘It’s automatic.’

He didn’t need any alarms to wake up from his sleep after four hours. The strange thing that happened after he moved here was that his bad habits went away. He no longer smoked a lot and he no longer bit his nails. He also did not ground his teeth while sleeping and he rarely dreamed in his sleep. He quickly fell asleep when he laid down and his senses were still active when he was sleeping.

His body underwent a lot of change also. He was now very strong and flexible. His growth stopped around 6’5″, and he now had a broad body with long arms and legs. He also gained strength unlike before.

“Wow! Again?”

“Monte! You sure train a lot!”

“He’s crazy! How long has it been already?”

“James, that why you’re still like that. Look at him! He’s trying so hard!”

“Monte! How about you duel with me!”

“Sure!” Joonbum answered and picked up a blunt wooden sword and a shield. Kraxon, who picked up his sword and shield, cracked his neck, making a loud popping noise.

“I bet on Monte.”

“Kraxon has experience! I’ll bet on Kraxon.”

Onlookers began betting as both men watched themselves, then charged. It was loud as the two swords struck each other’s shields.

“Wow! Kraxon! Nice!”

“Monte! Be careful! You can’t just block it straight-on!”

Joonbum backed off and shook the impact that he felt through his left hand.

‘He sure is strong. I can’t take it head on. Let’s dodge it or let it slide.’

Joonbum thought quickly and moved to his left and right. People were astonished by his moves. Kraxon shouted before he swung his sword. It was dull, but it still was dangerous if it hit. Joonbum pulled his body backward and resumed his stance. He then stepped forward as he threw his arms like a whip.

Kraxon pulled his sword to guard against the incoming attack and Joonbum’s sword struck it as if it were a promised sword fight. Everyone seemed to be excited at such a fight.

“Wow! He’s fast!”

“Monte’s something! I told ya! Look at him move!”

“He never loses his balance!”

“It’s because he’s flexible.”

“I’m so scared of that long arm.”

Joonbum and Kraxon’s sparring continued. But pretty soon, Kraxon gave up as he was out of breath and another man issued a challenge instead. It was only after five more men that Joonbum gave up fighting. The name Monte was now famous in the village.

“Please, take me in.”

“I want to learn.”

The result was unexpected.

“Haha, they’re here again!”

“Monte, they want to learn! Take them in before they go to someone else!”

Mercenaries shouted at him teasingly. It was common to work under a skilled mercenary to start a career as a mercenary. So the new mercenaries had to follow skilled men to learn.

‘I guess they have nowhere to go.’

“I’m not skilled nor experienced enough. So…”

“No! Please! Take me in!”

“I want to learn from you!”

Joonbum was troubled.

“I will be leaving in a few days. Please…”

“I will follow you!”

“I will follow you too.”

Both men answered eagerly.

‘I should run… or wait. I do need men anyway. Should I take them in?’

Joonbum began to change his mind and glanced at the men in front of him. It was a good chance for him to have trustworthy subordinates. The Ainos were not meant to be hired, so he needed to hire humans. But it was hard to find a trustworthy knight or a man.

Joonbum carefully examined both men.

‘They seem strong enough. But they look too old. Maybe they’re in their thirties?’

Joonbum thought that they were too old. He asked, deciding not to take them in, “How old are you guys? I am only twenty-five years old.”

The men, Daryl and Louise, looked at each other for a moment and answered quickly.

“I am twenty.”

“I’m twenty-one.”

“What! They must be lying!”

“They look so old!”

“They must be joking!”

Everyone around shouted in disbelief. Joonbum thought the same thing. Both men shouted in protest.

“We’ve looked like this since we were fifteen!”

“I know! Everyone from our village can prove it!”

Joonbum turned his eyes away, nodding sadly.