Chapter 116. Unexpected (1)
Black Wolf Toreld.
Once, he had gained a vicious notoriety for brutally hunting down runaway slaves from the underworld… or so Perne had told him.
Since the abolition of slavery, he had wandered here and there, so it was unclear what he was up to recently, but it seemed he was not someone to be taken lightly.
The moment Calia heard that name, she showed interest and immediately offered a bounty of two hundred million Elk.
‘It’s only eighty million Elk more than Bajes, but strength doesn’t necessarily match the price.’
After all, the bounty on Bajes was one that multiple victims had pooled their wealth together to request.
The fact that Calia, who had never suffered any harm from him and had only heard the name “ Black Wolf ”, offered that much, meant Toreld was far more dangerous than Bajes.
‘I hope he’s stronger than those guys at the inn in Orland.’
That was all Verden felt.
Leaving Rines at dawn, Verden headed toward the meeting place.
They were to meet at a pass inside the forest, then ride horses prepared on the other side, and head toward the abandoned old fortress where Toreld was.
He hadn’t heard who was coming. Not that he would know them even if he did.
Still, they couldn’t be mere hangers-on. Calia didn’t know Verden’s true skill.
Therefore, she must have sent someone who could capture Toreld alone, even without Verden.
He arrived at the meeting place.
Two ordinary-looking horses were tied to a tree, stamping their hooves, but their owner was nowhere to be seen.
As he scanned his surroundings, he sensed movement above.
At the same time, the rustle of leaves was heard, and a figure dropped down.
“You came right on time, good to meet you.”
A mask covering half his face.
A green hunter’s hat concealing his brown hair.
A familiar face.
The one from inside the inn at Orland.
“This is the second time we’ve seen each other, isn’t it?”
Owl.
He appeared before Verden.
***
Verden drew up his magic power.
Blue current flickered at his fingertips.
“Weren’t you a lackey of the Union?”
Owl firmly raised his hand.
“I didn’t even know what the request was before Orland spoke. I just dropped by because I heard rumors it was a big job. Otherwise, I would’ve left the inn without hesitation.”
“So you’re saying I’m misunderstanding?”
“A misunderstanding. Don’t you remember? When I left the inn.”
Verden recalled that moment.
Among the mercenaries of Gray that Orland had called in, the only man who hadn’t opposed Verden, and had simply slipped away from the inn, was Owl.
‘Come to think of it, I think he said he served someone else.’
Was that Calia?
In answer to Verden’s thought, Owl nodded.
“Quite a remarkable coincidence.”
“I agree. But true nonetheless.”
Owl took out a silver coin and handed it over.
Verden carefully examined the old coin. The face of an ancient king was engraved on it, a relic from before paper currency existed.
It was proof that he was sent by Calia.
Only after confirming did Verden suppress his magic power.
He returned the silver coin to Owl.
“It’s genuine.”
“Of course. By the way, I hadn’t expected you to survive that inn… let alone so unscathed. When Lady Calia mentioned your name, I was quite surprised.”
Back then, Owl had left Orland’s inn behind and departed the region.
He had no intention of getting involved, so he hadn’t even watched from afar, nor paid attention afterward.
Because, as he had said at the inn, he truly had come to serve the noble Calia.
“At the time, I thought the atmosphere felt dangerous, but it seems your skill was beyond the rumors. To think you took them all down alone, in that close range.”
Those gathered at Orland’s inn that day had been men of considerable toughness.
In the dark forest, if ambushing, Owl could have dealt with them alone, but face-to-face, the odds would have been far too low.
Yet a single Mage had done it.
‘Good thing I didn’t stay behind at the inn.’
That was what Owl thought.
“Anyway, I’m glad to be working with you now. Since time isn’t plentiful, shall we cut the greetings here and get moving?”
There was no objection.
Whatever the case, he was certainly someone sent by Calia.
Owl mounted one of the horses at once.
Verden soon mounted the other.
***
A white snowfield stretched out.
Verden and Owl galloped across it side by side.
“Do you know anything about the Black Wolf?”
“Roughly. I heard he’s a notorious slave hunter from the underworld.”
“Very accurate.”
Owl recalled the past.
“Almost eight years ago. No, since a year has passed, nine years now. I ran into him once at Roafra. Quite an impression he made, his whole body drenched in blood, hung with all sorts of magic items.”
Magic items.
That was the modern term for magical artifacts.
“What kind of magical artifacts?”
“Magical artifacts? You’re using such an old-fashioned word. Hmm, there were too many to name, but every one of them was a trophy taken from his prey.”
Toreld always preferred taking by force.
If he needed food, he brandished a blade. If he lacked money, he hunted down prey and killed them to take it.
The same applied when he wanted a magical artifact.
“He’s like a Goblin in human form, obsessed with plunder. And like a wolf, he hunts his targets on all fours, with both arms and legs, that’s why they call him Black Wolf. The fact that he survived so long in the underworld means not only is he strong, but also quick-witted.”
Not someone to take lightly.
If, during his time in hiding, he had secretly been trading with nobles, he might now possess even stronger magical artifacts than before.
To capture him, they had to strike with a surprise attack, subduing him instantly.
If he started rampaging, they might not only fail to seize him, but be the ones to fall instead. Owl, recalling what he had seen of Toreld, warned of his danger.
But that wasn’t what Verden was concerned about.
“How do we split the magical artifacts or property he’s carrying?”
“…?”
Owl looked at Verden.
“That’s what you’re curious about right now?”
Of course.
After all, whether Black Wolf or whoever, his capture was already a foregone conclusion. That wasn’t arrogance, it was the confidence Verden had built up over nearly a year.
After a brief silence, Owl spoke.
“Lady Calia said, aside from capturing Black Wolf, we’re free to handle it as we wish… hmm, that’s tricky. We can’t know what he has.”
It was vague indeed.
Even if each took what they needed, the value of the items would differ drastically.
Verden said,
“Then let’s split the property fifty-fifty, and decide the rest on the spot. It’s not like either of us will stab the other in the back.”
“Of course not. If I ever tried such a thing, Lady Calia would have my head. Yes, that plan sounds the most reasonable.”
Their agreement was sealed.
All that was left was to capture Black Wolf Toreld.
Verden and Owl dug in their heels, urging their horses forward.
***
The ruins of a crumbled fortress wall.
Magic stone lamps glowing here and there. Multiple magical artifacts guarding it. An abandoned castle, but heavily fortified.
Inside, two men sat with muddy-looking tea before them.
Black Wolf Toreld.
He rested his feet on the desk, snickering as he spoke.
“I sent word to Count Plishr, but instead of a lovely maid, he sent me a fellow who looks like he’s in a foul mood. Your face doesn’t look good either. Was the tea I gave you that bad?”
“Where’s the Mage?”
The dark mage’s cold gaze locked onto Toreld.
“My, so impatient. Shouldn’t you show this first before glaring at me like that?”
Toreld rubbed his thumb and forefinger together.
Instead of replying, the dark mage pulled a hefty bundle of cash from his coat and tossed it onto the desk. Toreld snatched up the bills, quickly estimating their worth.
Even at a glance, it was far more than the bounty listed on the wanted poster.
Toreld grinned.
“Khiihi, you’re far more agreeable than you look. If I offended you at our first meeting, I apologize. Want me to pour another cup of tea?”
“The Mage?”
Toreld tapped the ground lightly with his foot.
“He’s being well kept in the underground prison below. But, well, there’s a bit of a defect.”
“Defect?”
He scratched his head.
“He fought like hell trying to escape, really annoying, like a fly buzzing in your ear. In the end, I cut him a bit deep in the left knee and right shoulder… ah, and I just happened to be wielding the Lizard Sword at the time, so…”
Lizard Sword.
A wound made by this weapon would not heal easily. Potion efficacy would drop, and unless the wound was thoroughly cleansed, infection was highly likely.
The dark mage narrowed his eyes.
“Is he still alive?”
“He is, for now. He’ll probably croak on the way to the Count’s domain, but anyway. Truth is, treating him would take a lot of work. So, if you add a little extra—”
“If he’s alive, that’s all that matters.”
“Huh?”
The dark mage rose from his seat.
“No, I mean, he’ll die soon. Don’t tell me… you’re not planning to take him to the Count’s domain?”
“That’s none of your concern. And one more thing.”
Thud.
The dark mage tossed another bundle of cash at Toreld.
“No matter what sounds you hear from the underground, do not approach. Understood?”
Leaving those words behind, the dark mage left the room.
Toreld blinked blankly, then stroked the money bundle, chuckling.
“Well, if the guest insists, so be it. Hey, go show that man to the underground prison.”
A subordinate waiting by the door bowed and exited.
As the footsteps slowly faded, Toreld gave a nod to another underling. It was an order to secretly watch whatever was happening in the castle’s underground.
Contradicting what he’d just said? …So what?
‘Promises are made to be broken.’
Toreld reclined on the sofa.
To earn this much money just by catching one man. It almost reminded him of the old days, when he hunted slaves.
“Very nice.”
His laughter, intoxicated by the memory, echoed throughout the room.
***
As they neared their destination, a fierce snowstorm howled.
Having sold their horses in the last village, Verden and Owl trudged up the mountain through the snow. The weather was rough, but fortunately, after climbing to a certain altitude, the blizzard ceased as if it had never happened.
“We’ve arrived.”
A ruined fortress hidden in the mountainside.
One of the strongholds that had been mercilessly trampled when war broke out between the Kingdom and the Republic long ago.
Owl narrowed his eyes.
He carefully read the flow of the wind, then nodded.
“The wind is blowing straight toward us. It’s calm here, but the closer to the fortress, the stronger it gets. Perfect for masking our scent.”
In other words, ideal conditions for infiltration.
Owl drew a bow, seemingly made from the bone of a magical beast, while Verden gripped his Oculus.
“Do you need enchantment magic?”
“No, I’m fine. It might make drawing the bowstring easier, but if my senses change, my accuracy will drop.”
For an archer, precision was life.
Unfamiliar body enhancements could be poison.
Nodding, Verden used enchantment magic on himself. Strength filled his whole body.
Prepared, the two approached the fortress in silence.
Está interesante, lo voy a seguir.