6kv Chapter 173 What is Despicable?
Chapter 173 What is Despicable?
Chapter 173 What is Despicable?
The field was quickly cleared.
At Old Jack's request, the tables and chairs were moved away, and Ashland and he stepped aside.
Kane gave him a look, and Ashland silently stepped back.
Her face darkened, and she pointed her curved sword at the three men opposite her, then abruptly turned to old Jack: "What do you mean?"
Old Jack's white beard trembled as he looked at Ashland and said, "Miss of the Crimson Gold Merchant Guild, it seems you really don't understand. In order to fight against the authorities, we underground forces have a tacit understanding of cooperation."
When a faction faces a crisis, it can request assistance from other factions.
"Is this what they call teamwork?" Ashland frowned. "But three against one, isn't that a bit too underhanded?"
Old Jack looked at her with amusement: "What is despicable? Is it despicable for a hunter to use a bow and arrow to kill a wild animal?"
Was it despicable for Susas to use a magic-powered giant cannon bought from the Free Cities to blast Nord soldiers?
Is it despicable for the aristocracy, high above the masses, to use the law to oppress the poor?
There has never been absolute justice in this world. Please shut up, young lady.
Ashland's face turned ashen, but he was unable to refute her.
On the other side, Oliver glared fiercely at Kane: "Nord man, I don't care which brotherhood you're from or whether you're old Jack's fellow countryman."
All I know is that you shouldn't be here. Now, get out.
"But what does that have to do with you?" Kane said.
Oliver said fiercely, "This is Sussas! We mercenaries all depend on Sussas for our livelihood."
Whether it's the Duke or the Mage Academy, that's Susas's own business.
"You chose this exact moment to infiltrate the capital; you must be plotting something."
Kane smiled. "Then your boss is also a Nord. Following your logic, doesn't that mean he's also involved in some conspiracy?"
Oliver's expression changed, and the two soldiers who had surrounded him also looked at him.
He shut his mouth and said in a deep voice, "I won't question any of Old Jack's decisions. So—let's do it!"
He swung his greatsword and slashed down fiercely.
Kane's blood flow accelerated, and he dodged to the side.
Bang! The heavy blade smashed a shallow crater into the ground.
Kane dodged the attack, noticing that the warrior named Oliver was as strong as a typical second-tier warrior, only slightly slower.
He wasn't surprised that alien races like goblins and demons were often stronger than humans at the same level.
Oliver, who had different bloodlines, was stronger, but his swordsmanship was not particularly skillful.
Kane stepped forward, his scimitar flashing as he aimed straight for the center.
Oliver, however, launched a wide, sweeping attack, his greatsword slashing down again with no intention of defense, seemingly ready to trade injury for life.
Kane frowned slightly, then suddenly bent down, spun around, and a crossbow bolt grazed past his back. Another soldier had already drawn his crossbow and launched a sneak attack.
At the same time, the giant sword pressed down on him again.
Bang! Kane drew his sword to parry, and then kicked away a third man who was rushing in from the side.
The greatsword was swung, dust flew everywhere, but Kane was unharmed.
"Are you a flea?!"
Oliver roared, his greatsword still blazing, and the other two surrounded him again.
Kane remained calm, leaving a shallow cut on Oliver's arm as he dodged; he always managed to avoid attacks at the last second.
To outsiders, however, it appeared as if he was struggling to defend himself and nearly being stabbed, only managing to inflict minor wounds on Oliver.
Ashland was unaware of his composure.
She only saw Kane struggling to cope with the attack from the three men, while the mercenaries around him cheered, cursed, and some even placed bets on how long he could last.
Ashland's face darkened further—finding the black market dealer was originally her idea, but now things had taken an unexpected turn.
She glanced at old Jack instinctively, as if she wanted to say something, but found that the black market owner's face was even more gloomy than her own.
What happened?
Old Jack offered no explanation. Ashland suppressed his doubts.
About fifteen minutes later, old Jack spoke up: "Stop."
The four people in the arena were still locked in combat.
Old Jack grabbed a chair from the side and smashed it over there.
Bang! The wooden chair was shattered to pieces by the giant sword.
The fighting finally stopped.
Kane stepped back two paces, and Oliver and the others looked at old Jack.
"There's no need to fight anymore," old Jack said. "You've already lost."
"Lost? How is that possible?" Oliver looked around and saw that many mercenaries also looked dissatisfied, feeling that Old Jack was favoring his fellow countrymen.
Old Jack pointed at Kane: "Look at him, his breathing hasn't faltered at all from start to finish. And you guys? You've got several cuts on your bodies, and he hasn't even changed his rhythm."
He paused. "If the blade is poisoned—how long can you stand there?"
The three of them froze instantly.
If it really is a poisoned blade—besides, Kane wasn't even covered in dust.
None of the mercenaries present were fools.
Oliver gritted his teeth, glared at Kane, lowered his head, stepped aside, grabbed the bottle, and started chugging.
The other two warriors grinned at Kane before leaving the arena.
Kane nodded slightly and walked back.
Old Jack said, "You've earned recognition, you tough soldier. I'll take this job."
Ashland's gaze towards Kane lit up upon hearing this.
Kane nodded, looking at old Jack's familiar face, and said, "Thank you for your support, sir. However, I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you privately."
"A private talk?" Old Jack frowned.
Ashlan looked puzzled.
Kane said, "Just think of it as a gift for—that rock cookie on the sign."
"Rock Cookies? What are those?" Ashland pressed.
Kane smiled: "A very delicious cookie."
Ashran's expression turned serious.
Old Jack's expression suddenly hardened: "—I understand. Come on to the back."
He glanced at Ashland, "But she can't."
Ashland was about to speak when Kane said, "Understood. I'll take Miss home first, then come over."
Old Jack gave Kane a deep look, then turned and told the mercenaries to clean up the area.
Kane and Ashland left the tavern amidst the mercenaries' gazes, a mixture of awe and curiosity, and boarded a carriage to return to the city.
During the journey, Ashland asked, "Just how many things are you still hiding?"
"I'm just an ordinary person," Kane said, "an ordinary person who wants to make this world a better place."
"Only the dead would believe your nonsense," Ashran scoffed, but didn't press the matter further.
Night was falling.
The tall warrior Oliver was drinking alone at home, feeling sullen.
Just as they were drinking, there was a knock on the door.
I opened the door, and a familiar mercenary was standing outside.
"Flying squirrel? What are you doing here—come in."
A mercenary named Flying Squirrel sneaked in.
He looked at Oliver: "You're discouraged after just one mistake? A true strongman doesn't get discouraged by a single defeat."
Oliver grunted, "Spit it out."
The flying squirrel laughed: "I've come to show you the way."
"road?"
"Yes. Duke Eisenberg's merchant guild is recruiting mercenaries from all walks of life."
We can leave old Jack and go to his side.
Oliver smashed the bottle down, sending shards flying.
He suddenly reached out and grabbed the flying squirrel by the neck, pinning him against the wall.
Given the disparity in size, the flying squirrel was almost lifted off the ground.
"I will never betray old Jack," Oliver said through gritted teeth.
The flying squirrel, with its throat gripped, hissed, "Old Jack—clearly favors his Nord compatriots."
And you? The most capable mercenary in the tavern, you've lost all face today. Did he say a single word in your defense?
Aren't you even a little bit resentful?
Oliver clenched his teeth and loosened his grip slightly.
The flying squirrel felt the pressure on its neck ease slightly and gave a smile: "As long as you are strong enough, you will be treated as an honored guest wherever you go."
The Duke of Eisenberg's merchant guild has just released a new batch of bounty contracts.
"A bounty contract?"
"right.
""
The flying squirrel took a breath. "Apprehend all those with ulterior motives who have infiltrated the capital."
How about it? This is a great opportunity to clean up your act and get back on your feet.
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He looked at Oliver's unpredictable expression and his smile deepened.