Chapter 437
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Chapter 437: A Thousand Miles Away
Beneath the surface of the ocean, a dragon boat sailed quietly.
Inside, a group of mercenaries, deprived of sunlight for nearly a month, longed for fresh air.
“Big sister, we’re about fifteen minutes away from our destination,” a mercenary reported.
The one-eyed, middle-aged woman nodded, slamming her glass onto the bar with a dull thud.
The dragon boat’s living quarters were modest but sufficient to sustain a hundred people for three months. Entertainment, however, was scarce—alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling were the only diversions available.
Tanis, the leader of the group, leaned back in her chair, reflecting on the monotony of their mission. For over twenty days, she had barely interacted with the VIP they were tasked to protect.
The American Lion Mercenary Corps was her life’s work, carefully built and fiercely maintained over a decade. Tanis had once commanded a force of over 170 members, but the weight of leadership and financial strain led her to downsize, prioritizing quality over quantity.
Her journey to this point had been anything but easy.
She hailed from a now-extinct tribe on a small island in Europa, where remnants of ancient elf magic were passed down through generations. Her homeland fell without resistance when a foreign duchy’s archaeological expedition invaded, scattering her people.
Forced into exile, Tanis sought to start anew. Her skills in archery, animal taming, and elf magic proved useful, but they couldn’t sustain her in a world dominated by warfare. A stint in the military ended in violence when she killed a superior attempting to assault her. Branded a deserter, she fled and became an assassin, only to watch her employer fall afoul of political powers.
Eventually, she formed her own mercenary group, carving out a life of blood and survival in the war-torn Non-Blood Continent.
Now, at 35, she had seen and done more than most. This mission, escorting a princess from the Demon Kingdom back to her homeland, was one of her riskiest endeavors yet.
Tanis finished her drink and approached the VIP’s cabin. She knocked on the door, which was answered by a panda.
The sight of the animal softened her otherwise hard expression. Tanis loved animals, and the panda’s presence was a welcome distraction from the cold, stoic demeanor of the woman inside.
The elegant figure at the desk barely acknowledged her. Chao Lu, the princess of the Demon Kingdom, was engrossed in her writing.
Initially, Tanis found her aloof and difficult to serve. But over time, she came to respect the princess’s quiet resilience. While others marveled at the sights of the South Sea Dragon Palace, Chao Lu remained in her quarters, poring over books and analyzing reports.
“We’re almost there,” Tanis said gruffly. “Get ready. Once we disembark, there won’t be time to linger.”
“Understood,” Chao Lu replied, not looking up.
The dragon boat docked at a remote harbor shrouded in frost. Tanis, standing on the deck, raised her arm. A hawk, nearly as tall as her own towering frame, perched on her shoulder.
Through the hawk’s eyes, she scanned the area. The harbor appeared deserted, safe for now.
“All clear,” she confirmed.
The mercenaries began disembarking, their movements careful and practiced. The chill of January bit at their skin as frost clung to every surface. For some, the snow-covered landscape was a novelty; for others, it was a harsh reminder of the unforgiving north.
Tanis was about to give the all-clear when a flash of red caught her eye.
A shot rang out.
Blood sprayed across the dock as a mercenary fell, the bullet having passed through his bottle of vodka and out the back of his head.
“Down!” Tanis roared. “Take cover!”
Chaos erupted as the group
scrambled for safety. Their
position had been
compromised. Whether due to
betrayal or careful
surveillance, the result was the
same: they were surrounded.
“We need to retreat!” Tanis
shouted. “Back to the dragon
boat! We’ll find another port!”
The mercenaries retreated in
disarray, their losses
mounting.
Once aboard, a mercenary
approached Tanis with a slip
of paper tied to an arrow.
“It’s a surrender demand,” the
mercenary explained grimly.
Tanis read it, her face paling.
The letter warned that escape
was futile; their enemies
would be waiting at the next
port as well.
“Let me see,” Chao Lu said
softly, extending her hand.
Tanis handed over the letter,
her jaw clenched.
After a long silence, Chao Lu
spoke.
“You should hand me over.”
