Chapter 357 256: Unexpected Event (Part 2)

Unfortunately, his claim was mercilessly debunked by a certain someone.

"I bet Zat didn't understand a word of that."

Centaur Gus's voice boomed like muffled thunder.

Standing over four blades tall, he was a giant among them and impossible to miss. Just a glance at the Double-Bladed Broadsword and Longbow on his back was enough to tell he was immensely powerful.

"Gus, you itching for a beating?"

Zat had always considered himself High Cliff Castle's number one general. He was somewhat afraid of his boss, but he didn't give a damn about anyone else. "How did I not get it?" he retorted hotly. "It's just that stupid rule about not chopping people up, right? You think I don't get chopping people up?"

"We'll have a sparring session when this is over," Gus replied, not giving him an inch.

"Hmph, who's afraid of who? I'm not scared of you!"

And just like that, in a few short sentences, the two had arranged a match.

Orak and Hog exchanged a look, a hint of amusement in their eyes.

Ever since Gus arrived at High Cliff Castle, the two of them had finally been freed from Zat's persecution.

Orak had fought too much in his youth and now subscribed to the philosophy that inner peace led to external improvement. He spent his days meditating to enhance his Magic Power and studying Magic, having no interest in brawling to prove his strength.

Hog, on the other hand, simply couldn't beat the brutish Beastman and had no desire to be a walking punching bag.

Now, those two would fight every few days for no reason, which at least kept them from bothering Orak and Hog. At first, Zat had been able to overwhelm Gus.

But ever since Gus also received the Gift of the War God, they had become evenly matched, with victories and losses on both sides.

It was hard to say who would win anymore.

Levi didn't bother with the two of them. They were a bunch of battle-hungry warriors overflowing with energy; it was impossible for them not to blow off some steam.

Initially, Gus might have been a bit weaker than Zat. But since joining the team, his kill rate had been terrifying, and his Level had quickly surpassed others, catching him up. The gap between the two wasn't very large anymore.

After all, the higher the Level, the harder it was to advance, so Levi wasn't surprised that Gus had managed to catch up.

The group started heading toward the planned dueling grounds again. Before long, however, Hog was the first to notice something amiss. He moved to his Lord's side and whispered, "My Lord, something's wrong. I smell blood."

When it came to the keenest sense of smell, no one present could beat Hog the Jackal Wolfman.

Levi nodded. He had also sensed something was wrong. He might not have smelled blood yet, but he could faintly hear the sounds of fighting up ahead.

He immediately went to Fulina's side and told her.

Everyone immediately grew vigilant, their hands hovering over their sword hilts.

They weren't afraid of an ambush. The nobles present were all from the Military Nobility, not the swine from the Noble Garden. Their Swordsmanship was masterful, and their Combat Qi was Profound.

With the exceptionally powerful Lord of High Cliff Castle and his Half-Beastmen, they could definitely hold out against a siege long enough for the main army outside White Castle to notice something was wrong and attack.

They could even seize the gate and coordinate an attack from both inside and out. After all, it was the Southern People who had broken the rights of guests first, so their own actions wouldn't be a violation.

As they drew closer, the sounds of battle grew more intense, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Levi, look! It's the enemy!" Liya cried out in alarm, tapping the back of Levi's hand and pointing to a corner of a distant building.

Everyone followed her gaze. A large group from the Southern Border Guard Army appeared in their line of sight, sprinting frantically in their direction.

"Panto, what the hell are you people up to?!" Andao demanded, stepping forward and placing his sword against the fat old man's neck.

In an instant, the continuous sound of clashing metal rang out as everyone drew their swords, creating a tense standoff.

"This..." Panto looked completely bewildered, clearly having no idea what was happening.

'Is Penny ambushing these Northern Nobles again?' he wondered. 'But why wouldn't she tell me?'

"Heh heh, this doesn't count as me breaking that stupid guest rights rule now, does it?" Zat said, grabbing the War Axe from his back, eager for a fight.

Gus had already nocked an arrow, the Thunder Element surging around him, ready to be unleashed at any moment.

"Boss, should we wait for them to make the first move?" Zat immediately asked.

Before Levi could comment on how surprisingly quick on the uptake Zat was, he noticed something was off. "Wait, it looks like they're fleeing for their lives?"

The Southern Soldiers were stained with blood, their faces masks of panic. Seeing the path ahead blocked, they immediately changed direction, scattering every which way.

Everyone was left completely baffled by the scene.

"Panda, Count of Monvert, take your men and these prisoners and open the city gate," Fulina decided quickly after a moment of thought.

In this situation, the trial by combat was clearly off. Although they didn't know what had happened yet, anyone could guess that the Southern Territory was experiencing some kind of internal conflict.

News of the turmoil here would soon reach the city walls. To prevent any accidents, Fulina chose to secure the gate first.

"Levi, you and Andao take some men and go see what's happening," she continued.

The two nodded and, without hesitation, led their respective subordinates deeper inside.

They occasionally encountered fleeing soldiers on the way, but the moment the soldiers saw them, they would turn and run in another direction. Finally, at the Lord's signal, Gus shot an arrow into a deserter's thigh.

"What in the world happened here?" the Lord demanded, looking down at him.

"My lord, those Mercenaries are your inside men, why are you asking me?" the soldier wailed, clutching his pierced thigh with a look of utter despair.

"Get lost," Andao said, letting him go. He ignored the man's grateful, tear-filled eyes and turned to the Lord of High Cliff Castle beside him.

The two exchanged a silent look before Andao spoke first. "Levi, are these Mercenaries trying to take advantage of the chaos? Or...?"

"I don't think so. Kolon is already surrounded by us, and your cavalry is all over the outside. My Jackal Wolf Scouts and Centaurs have also been patrolling the perimeter. Even if they wanted to cause trouble, they wouldn't be able to escape," the Lord said. Though it was just a guess, his words hit the nail on the head. "It's more likely that they see the South's defeat as a foregone conclusion and are preparing to offer up White Castle as a trophy to join our side."

"Then what should we do?" Andao asked instinctively.

"We'll find out if we capture a mercenary, won't we?"

"Look at me, I'm all muddled," Count Andao said, slapping his forehead.

The group hurried toward the castle's main keep. The closer they got, the more bodies littered the ground. Soon, a group of people locked in combat came into view.

The two sides had distinctly different equipment. One side wore finer, standard-issue gear, their Armor stamped with a tulip insignia—clearly, they were Southern Soldiers.

The other side's equipment was a hodgepodge of different styles. Some wore Armor, others Leather Armor. They were obviously Mercenaries.

Although the Southern Soldiers were better equipped, they were at a disadvantage in numbers and were quickly swarmed and finished off by the Mercenaries.

"Take them all for me," the Lord commanded.

The Mercenaries, who hadn't even had time to celebrate their victory, were sent crying for their mothers by Gus, who charged in and single-handedly routed them. They immediately dropped their weapons and surrendered.

Zat, who had only made it halfway there, looked at Gus's four legs, then down at his own two, and was overcome with frustration.

'I need to get a mount like the boss,' he thought.

When they reached the surrendered Mercenaries, one of them unexpectedly tried to claim they were allies. He latched onto the Lord's leg and said fawningly, "My lord, we're on the same side! Lord Ororen has decided to surrender to the Northern Territory and has specially captured White Castle from within as a trophy for you lords."

If the man had kept his mouth shut, it might have been fine. But the moment he said that, the Lord became so furious he could spit. He sent the man flying with a kick. "Who the hell is on the same side as you!"

'Damn it,' the Lord thought. Whether it was stealing the show at the trial by combat or taking White Castle by force, he had already earmarked that military merit for himself.

And now, some unknown punk had swooped in and snatched it from him. Who wouldn't be pissed off in his shoes?