Chapter 76
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Chapter 76: Shifting Winds
The prison fell silent for an instant before erupting into thunderous cheers.
"I recognize you! You’re the leader of Morning Star Mercenary Corps – Miss Odel with the dual pistols!" someone shouted excitedly.
"Miss Odel! Remember me? Kevin who brought you roses!" another called out, tension visibly easing from his posture.
In Arad Calendar 985, mere months after the Forest of Gran fires died out, the adventurer community remained small and mostly active within Belmar Duchy’s loosely governed territories. The rumored Palace’s heritage of Elven royalty had drawn nearly every mercenary corps to this region.
Being a tight-knit community, most adventurers recognized familiar faces. Though Morning Star Mercenary Corps ranked as third-rate, Odel’s reputation as the "dual pistols" half-Elf commander had spread far. The rescued prisoners flocked around her, mixing gratitude with attempts at flattery and camaraderie.
Yet everyone present understood Morning Star’s limitations. Forty members couldn’t possibly storm Blood Blade’s fortress-like base – not with its watchtowers, meticulous patrols, top-tier equipment, and those deadly machine guns.
Even elite groups like Mountain Wolf Mercenary Group (renowned for high-level members) or Iron Blood Mercenary Corps (featuring brilliant tacticians) would suffer heavy losses attacking this hundred-strong fortress. This calculation didn’t even include Blood Blade’s main forces or their shadowy backers in Blood Blade Thieves Guild.
Blood Blade operated on different scale entirely – noble-backed enforcers bullying adventurers to steal emerald leaves, knowing none dared oppose them. Yet now their base stood conquered, its prisoners freed.
Reality confirmed what seemed impossible: the unknown Hawk Brigade had succeeded where others failed.
What kind of force was this Hawk Brigade? Curiosity mingled with wariness and admiration among the adventurers. Their wonder turned to shock upon exiting the prison.
The Blood Blade base’s front lay in ruins. Its reinforced door had been blasted apart, dozens of elite members obliterated. Experienced eyes analyzed the destruction – shattered debris, cracked earth, scorch marks – all pointing to catastrophic magic.
"This first strike…" muttered a grizzled adventurer, "required at least level 40 Elementalist casting high-tier offensive spells."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Level 40 practitioners commanded respect even from nobility, often becoming nobles themselves through connections. Did Hawk Brigade really possess such power?
When adventurers tried questioning Odel, the usually forthright half-Elf just smiled. "Wait for Hawk Brigade’s return," she repeated, revealing nothing.
Left to investigate, the adventurers found stranger clues. Where were the defenders? A supply caravan’s fresh tracks indicated recent arrival, yet neither guards nor bodies remained. The base showed no battle damage beyond the initial breach – as if every defender had abandoned their posts.
This defied logic. Only one explanation emerged: Blood Blade’s defenses meant nothing to Hawk Brigade. The conclusion felt absurd yet inescapable.
As confusion mounted, multiple flagged teams appeared at the street corner, marching toward the breached base.
Odel and the Morning Star Mercenary Corps, who had been conversing with the rescued captives moments earlier, immediately entered battle state. Blades unsheathed and guns loaded, several Mechanics specializing in heavy weapons had already taken positions on Blood Blade Corps’ watchtowers. They aimed the cold barrels of unused machine guns toward the entrance.
The newly freed adventurers demonstrated veteran instincts despite being unarmed. They scattered instantly, diving behind cover without panic.
Had Midi failed?
Logically, Blood Blade’s mere hundred members couldn’t threaten someone exhibiting Midi’s ferocious battle prowess. Yet… what if?
Odel’s calm facade barely concealed her growing unease. Though Midi had ordered Morning Star Mercenary Corps to defend Blood Blade base until his return, the half-Elf fought the urge to conduct reconnaissance.
Would he be alright?
The plain-looking youth’s steady gaze flashed through her mind.
The tension broke sooner than expected. Approaching visitors raised white flags signaling peace. Sharp-eyed Odel recognized them: the bearded vice-leader of Iron Blood Mercenary Corps, the sullen dual-wielding swordsman from Mountain Wolf Mercenary Group’s security team, and representatives from One-Eye, Hurricane, and Black Blade.
Absent were the top mercenary leaders, all busy exploring Palace’s heritage deep in Forest of Gran. These deputies now represented Tucker Town’s strongest factions.
Excited murmurs swept through the crowd. Most captives belonged to small teams who’d only watched major corps plunder ruins. Never had they witnessed five top corps’ leaders gathering publicly.
Their purpose was obvious.
Hawk Brigade!
Town spies had undoubtedly reported Midi’s explosive battle. The swift arrival proved no corps dared overlook him.
"Come to loot Blood Blade’s treasures?" Odel holstered her dual pistols, her voice thorny as briars. She held no respect for these "top" corps who’d tolerated Blood Blade’s bandit-like rule while pursuing forest exploration.
The Iron Blood deputy grinned disarmingly, unfazed by her hostility. "Honestly? I wouldn’t dare touch anything here even if I wanted!"
The Mountain Wolf representative nodded grimly. "That boy’s terrifying. If we had someone like him, we’d crush Blood Blade too. You’ll understand our difficult choices when leading three hundred troops someday."
Odel’s stern expression softened slightly. Unlike ordinary adventurers, these leaders exchanged no gossip, preferring direct assessment over rumors.
The scene unfolded oddly: Morning Star defenders, scattered elite mercenary teams, and chattering adventurers coexisting uneasily.
Suddenly, a figure materialized on distant rooftops. Moving like wind-blown smoke, it crossed dozens of meters in breaths. Tower gunners failed to track the blur before it breached Blood Blade base’s entrance.
Messy-haired and ordinary-faced with vacant eyes – Midi Asreks. Over each shoulder hung heavy armor-clad men, left arms severed and wounds frost-sealed. Though unconscious, their lives weren’t endangered.
Gasps erupted. The maimed pair were unmistakably Blood Blade’s Guard Captain and caravan transport leader.
