Chapter 135: Surprise Surpise!
The streets of Whitemane City were busier than ever before.
’’Move those supplies to the Western wall! Hurry up!’’
’’You three! Report to the barracks immediately!’’
Orders were being shouted left and right as soldiers hurried through the streets.
Some carried crates filled with arrows and other equipment, while others were busy transporting food and medical supplies towards the city walls.
Roderic had barely made it halfway down the main street when a group of mounted scouts came galloping past him.
’’Make way! Make way!’’
Civilians hurriedly stepped aside as the horses continued racing towards the city gates.
Unlike the soldiers, however, the ordinary citizens weren’t nearly as enthusiastic about all the commotion.
Vendors were hurriedly packing up their stalls, while shopkeepers were closing their doors despite the sun still being high in the sky.
Parents were calling their children inside, and several families could be seen carrying whatever belongings they could manage into their homes.
Some had even begun boarding up their windows.
Roderic watched the scene unfold as he continued walking.
’Well, at least they’re taking things seriously,’ he thought, scoffing softly. ’Though it would’ve been nice if they trusted us a bit more.’
A deep sigh left his mouth as he shook his head.
’To be fair, I would’ve probably done the same if I were them.’
News of the Deres army had spread far and wide.
And the massive number difference was one of the first things everyone talked about.
’Guess one miraculous victory isn’t enough to make everyone believe in us blindly.’
Without thinking much more about it, Roderic continued making his way through the city.
Fortunately, the place his retainers stayed at wasn’t too far away.
After another few minutes of walking, he finally arrived at a modest building near the training grounds.
Without bothering to knock, he pushed open the door.
’’Gentlemen!’’ he called out cheerfully. ’’Hope I’m not interrupting anything!’’
Four heads immediately turned towards him.
Two were in the middle of making breakfast, while the other two patiently waited around the table.
Frederic was the first to stand, immediately lowering his head slightly.
’’Young master,’’ he greeted.
The other three quickly followed his example, each dropping whatever they were doing.
’’Young master!’’
Roderic just smiled as he looked at them.
There was something different about the four men.
Their movements were more relaxed, and none of them seemed particularly nervous despite the approaching enemy army.
Compared to the trembling voices they had when greeting him a few days ago, the difference was obvious.
’Their first battle really must’ve done them good, huh,’ he thought.
Roderic couldn’t have wished for a better result.
Life was far too short to spend it constantly living in fear and doubting yourself, after all.
’’I’m glad to see everyone’s in such high spirits,’’ he said, clapping his hands together. ’’But you can all sit down now.’’
The others didn’t hesitate and sat down right away.
Roderic pulled an empty chair back for himself.
After everyone sat down, his gaze slowly swept across the table.
’’I came here because we’ve got some things to discuss,’’ he said, his voice lowering.
Frederic nodded right away.
’’Is it our role in the upcoming battle?’’ he asked seriously.
Roderic remained silent, his head tilting from side to side.
’’Yes and no,’’ he replied hesitantly.
Each of his retainers raised an eyebrow.
They tried not to make it obvious, but they couldn’t help but stare strangely at Roderic.
’’First off,’’ Roderic said, raising a finger. ’’We won’t be participating in any battle today.’’
Surprise flickered across each of his retainers’ faces.
’’We won’t?’’ Paul questioned, almost sounding disappointed.
Roderic shook his head lightly.
’’Nope,’’ he said casually. ’’That’ll all be handled by Arthur and the other officers.’’
’’Then what will we be doing?’’ Peter asked, tilting his head faintly.
For a moment, silence fell around the table.
A smile slowly began growing on Roderic’s face.
’’We’ll be heading out for our share tonight,’’ he announced loudly.
Hints of understanding began appearing on each of their faces.
’’So we’ll be targeting the supplies?’’ Frederic asked thoughtfully.
Roderic’s gaze drifted towards him, slightly surprised.
’’Not a bad idea,’’ he said slowly. ’’But that won’t be our main target tonight.’’
Frederic looked up, now surprised himself.
’’If I may, what else could we possibly do?’’ he asked. ’’Their officers are too strong as knights for us, and an attack on their troops will end with our deaths.’’
The room fell silent as Roderic simply smiled.
His four retainers couldn’t help but look at him with curiosity, unsure what other options there were.
’’Well, we won’t be targeting their officers,’’ Roderic finally said with a grin. ’’Instead, we’ll be targeting their mage.’’
The four men nodded almost instinctively.
’’I see,’’ Frederic muttered. ’’That makes sen—’’
He froze in place.
Slowly, his head began turning back towards Roderic.
’’Pardon...?’’ he muttered with a cracking voice.
Roderic smiled cheerfully.
’’Their mage,’’ he repeated. ’’We’re going to kill him tonight!’’
For several seconds, nobody said a word.
Then Peter suddenly shot up from his chair.
’’MAGE?!’’ he shouted loudly. ’’They have a mage?!’’
’’Keep your voice down, will you?!’’ Roderic snapped. ’’Do you want the entire city to hear us?’’
Peter immediately covered his mouth.
However, the disbelief on his face remained.
It wasn’t much different for the others.
Coming from common backgrounds, the most they knew about mages came from fairy tales and stories from travelers.
And each of those stories had the same thing in common.
Mages were terrifyingly powerful.
’’Young master,’’ Frederic began cautiously. ’’Surely you’re joking?’’
Roderic pointed back at his face, his expression turning super serious in an instant.
’’Do I look like I’m joking?’’ he asked.
Frederic stared at his face for a moment.
’’...A little,’’ he replied hesitantly.
Roderic’s expression fell slightly.
’’Well, I’m not,’’ he said with a shrug. ’’We’re heading out the back once night falls.’’
That made everyone fall quiet.
Paul rubbed his forehead slowly, clearly deep in thought.
’’How do we kill a mage?’’ he asked quietly. ’’Don’t they command lightning and shield themselves with blazing fires?’’
Glancing over at him, Roderic raised an eyebrow.
’’Most can’t do that,’’ he said, nodding once. ’’The same goes for the one we’re going to kill.’’
He leaned forward slightly.
’’Besides, I’ve already prepared something to deal with him.’’
’’You have?’’ Frederic asked, his eyebrows slowly rising.
Roderic nodded enthusiastically.
’’Of course!’’ he said, gesturing to the side. ’’In fact, John here is going to be the one to deliver the killing blow.’’
John looked up, visibly startled.
’’...Me?’’ he asked.
’’That’s right!’’ Roderic said, clapping his hands together. ’’The rest of us will be responsible for protecting you.’’
The four men looked at one another, clearly confused.
’’But young master,’’ Peter suddenly asked. ’’How are we even going to find the mage?’’
Roderic’s smile stiffened.
That was one problem he hadn’t quite solved yet.
’’Don’t worry about it,’’ he said, waving his hand dismissively. ’’I’ll figure something out.’’
But even as he said that, his mind kept churning.
Finding a single person among thousands of soldiers, especially someone whose appearance they didn’t know, wouldn’t be easy.
His expression gradually darkened.
’If he’s still wearing his hood, the scouts can find him,’ he thought. ’If not, I should be able to find something useful in the System Shop.’
Just then, a cheerful voice suddenly rang out from the staircase right behind him.
’’I could help!’’
A shiver ran down Roderic’s spine.
’’WHAT THE FUCK?!’’ he cursed, launching himself out of his chair.
CLATTER!
The chair toppled backward as he spun around, both blades already leaving their sheaths.
His retainers reacted almost immediately.
Frederic drew his sword, while Peter, Paul, and John scrambled to their feet and reached for their own weapons.
All five turned towards the staircase directly behind where Roderic had been sitting.
And there, halfway down the stairs, stood a familiar young boy with soft blond hair and a delicate face.
On the boy’s face sat a bright, jolly smile that sent shivers down everyone’s spine.
’’Hello, young master!’’ Finn greeted happily, raising a hand in a friendly wave.
Roderic stared at him for a moment.
Then at the staircase coming from the second floor.
’This guy...’ he thought, a shiver rolling down his spine. ’I didn’t even hear him come in!’
Roderic glanced up, his expression dead serious.
’’...Finn?’’ he asked slowly.
The young boy’s smile widened instantly.
’’That’s me!’’ he said enthusiastically.
’’HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GET IN HERE?!’’
Finn blinked innocently.
’’Through the window upstairs,’’ he said.
Roderic’s expression froze.
’’...The window?’’ he repeated slowly.
’’Yes! It wasn’t even locked!’’ the boy said, sounding rather pleased with himself.
Roderic slowly tightened his grip around his blades.
’’And why,’’ he asked through gritted teeth, ’’were you climbing through the window of my retainers’ house?’’
’’Well, I wanted to speak with you, young master!’’ he replied instantly.
Behind Roderic, Peter looked utterly bewildered.
’’Young master... do you know this person?’’
Roderic nodded slowly.
’’Kind of,’’ he muttered.
Finn’s smile didn’t diminish in the slightest.
’’Anyway!’’ he continued cheerfully. ’’I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation!’’
Roderic’s eyes narrowed.
’’How much did you hear?’’ he asked.
’’Oh!’’ he said. ’’Everything!’’
The room fell silent.
Finn clasped his hands together excitedly.
’’And like I said, I think I can help you find that mage!’’