章節 72: Chapter 72: The Escort
*Chapter 72: The Escort*
*It had been three days since Phina's ship left Adje, but they were moving at such a staggering speed that they had already covered more than half of the journey. The Killicks had replaced the usual rowers, making the ship much faster. Half of them were rowing, while others attended to various tasks such as maintaining the deck, cooking, or even fishing. Some would dive into the ocean, bringing back their chosen food to cook for the entire crew. The newcomers got along well with the ship's crew. Initially skeptical, Phina feared these Killicks might be even more brutal than those in the capital, but they turned out to be easier to live with. Only Brett remained constantly on guard, uneasy about the relaxed atmosphere. On that day, Dagur was in his cabin with Fryr, tending to his dark fur. Phina, meanwhile, was reading old books she had bought in Adje. Most Killicks were either sleeping or drunk from the previous night's celebration. Only Juno, on lookout duty, remained conscious despite his alcohol-induced dizziness. The young Killick scanned the horizon with his sharp eyes, showing signs of fatigue. He blinked once and saw a distant silhouette.*
"Whatever, they're too far away."
*He blinked again, and the silhouette had considerably approached; it was two light ships closing in at high speed.*
"Damn, I shouldn't have slept so long."
*He informed Brett on the deck, who was urinating overboard.*
"What?"
"Two ships to the left." *He said, coughing.* "Sorry, not feeling well."
"Pirates, you think?" *Asked Rickart.*
"I'm drunk but not blind. They all have a brigand look, and they're already sharpening their blades. Obviously, they're pirates."
*He could see inside the ship without a spyglass. Rickart pondered, 'Sometimes I envy your abilities.'*
"What do we do? Should I inform Dagur?"
"No need."
*The two pirate ships surrounded the main ship from both sides, while two other ships stood behind at a good distance. Boarding occurred without any resistance, partly because most guards were still drunk and partly because Brett wanted to handle it his way. The pirate captain boarded with about ten men.*
"Well, well, if I expected this. Do you surrender your loot?" *He asked.* "How kind of you; you didn't have to."
"Not really," *Brett replied,* "but I'll consider it next time."
"Watch your language, kid; my blade is itching."
*He scanned the surroundings and saw only ordinary people, but they stared at him without much fear, surprising him even more.*
"Where's your captain? I don't see him anywhere."
"There's no captain; I command the deck, that's how it is." *Brett responded.*
"Well, in that case..."
*He unsheathed his sword and struck at neck level to decapitate Brett, but Brett stopped the blade with his quickly drawn dagger. He then looked at the man with a killer's indifferent gaze.*
"Hey, hey, you're not an ordinary kid. I like that."
*They sheathed their blades.*
"Listen, friend," *Brett said,* "we can settle this amicably. We're in a hurry, so here's the deal. We pay you a ransom, like a right of passage; you go back to your ships, and everyone is happy."
*The captain looked intrigued.*
"A ransom, you say. How much are you offering?"
"200 gold pieces in cash. Right now."
*The captain smiled and unsheathed his sword again, and his men followed suit.*
"You're kidding me, greenhorn. I saw your company's emblem. Your merchant guild is loaded, and usually, your ships carry plenty of treasures and goods. Attacking you takes time, preparation, and resources. Do you really think I came here for a few gold pieces?"
"I suppose that's a no?"
"It's not a no; it's a go to hell. By the way, merchant company ships are heavily guarded, so imagine my surprise seeing you alone."
"Oh," *Brett smiled slyly.* "Heavily guarded is an understatement for our security."
*At that moment, the door of the adjacent cabin opened, and a tall shirtless young man came out. It was Mathias, holding a cup in his hand.*
"Hey, what's going on? Why are we stopping?" *He asked, cracking his neck.*
*He blinked several times and saw that there were no more humans on the ship.*
"Hey, what's this? Are you a bit more than usual?"
"Not your business. Go back downstairs, sober up."
*He yawned loudly, casting a glance left and right.*
"If you say so."
*Then he went back to his corner. Seeing him like that, it wasn't difficult for the pirates to figure out who this young man was. The captain was starting to feel uneasy.*
"Where's your captain? I don't see him."
"There's no captain; I run the show here." *Brett replied.*
"Well, in that case..."
*The captain unsheathed his sword and struck at neck level to decapitate Brett, but Brett stopped the blade with his quickly drawn dagger. He then looked at the man with a killer's indifferent gaze.*
"Hey, hey, you're not an ordinary kid. I like that."
*They sheathed their blades.*
"Listen, friend," *Brett said,* "we can settle this amicably. We're in a hurry, so here's the deal. We pay you a ransom, like a right of passage; you go back to your ships, and everyone is happy."
*The captain looked intrigued.*
"A ransom, you say. How much are you offering?"
"200 gold pieces in cash. Right now."
*The captain smiled and unsheathed his sword again, and his men followed suit.*
"You're kidding me, greenhorn. I saw your company's emblem. Your merchant guild is loaded, and usually, your ships carry plenty of treasures and goods. Attacking you takes time, preparation, and resources. Do you really think I came here for a few gold pieces?"
"I suppose that's a no?"
"It's not a no; it's a go to hell. By the way, merchant company ships are heavily guarded, so imagine my surprise seeing you alone."
"Oh," *Brett smiled slyly.* "Heavily guarded is an understatement for our security."
*At that moment, the door of the adjacent cabin opened, and a tall shirtless young man came out. It was Mathias, holding a cup in his hand.*
"Hey, what's going on? Why are we stopping?" *He asked, cracking his neck.*
*He blinked several times and saw that there were no more humans on the ship.*
"Hey, what's this? Are you a bit more crowded than usual?"
"None of your business. Get back below deck and sober up."
*He unnerved.*
"I... Is... Is he..."
"Yes, he is what you think."
"But... But he..."
"Yes, there are about a dozen like him in the hold. It's our 'escort,' you see. So, do you still think 200 gold coin for your life is too little?"
"No, quite the contrary; it's too generous."
*The two men were about to shake hands to seal the deal when the captain's hand flew in the air, severed by an axe. Mathias had returned to the deck with the rest of the clan, all armed. Seeing him disembark, the other pirates became frightened.*
"I changed my mind... KURAHEE."
*The Killicks unleashed savage screams as they goes on a furious rampage on the deck. It was a one-sided massacre as the blood of their victims painted the floor where the axes cracked skulls. From the bottom of the ship, one could hear the screams of pain from the poor pirates.*
"Don't pay attention to them, Fryr. *Dagur said to his dark wolf*."
*In her cabin, Phina read a book while Juroi stood there as a guard.*
"Oh, looks like there's action up there. *Juroi said*."
"Do you want to go?"
"Me? Impossible. *He said, smiling*. It will be soon over."
*On the deck, it was already cleaned up as they leaped onto the neighboring ships. Edna landed on the left ship, creating a hole in the hull, coming face to face with the rowers, while Garune and Kalil landed on the deck with the others. The crew barely had time to realize what had happened before the massacre resumed. In a few minutes, the ships on the left and right caught fire. On the deck, Brett had just impaled a pirate who had jumped on him in hopes of taking him hostage.*
"Tch... What a waste of time. *He murmured*."
*Seeing the flames, the two remaining ships at a distance understood that the situation had escalated. The captain used his spyglass and could see something on board that he hadn't imagined.*
"What... What... Killicks?"
"What? Impossible; I thought there were none in these waters."
"Well, look for yourself."
*He passed the spyglass to his second, who also couldn't believe it. But as he observed, he saw Juno perched on the lookout pointing his bow in their direction.*
"Huh... Is he aiming at me? *He wondered*. Impossible; we're too far..."
*The arrow immediately flew; the shot was so powerful that it decapitated him. The captain observed his second on the ground and understood that he was genuinely in danger.*
"Captain, look at this."
*He turned and saw a figure leaping into the air before landing directly on the inside of the ship. In no time, he found himself face to face with Mathias, who had landed on the deck. Trembling with fear, his hand moved towards his lance.*
"Bad idea, friend."
*He retracted it instantly.*
"What... What... Do you want?"
"I quite like your boat, friend. *He said with a wide smile*. Mind if I borrow it for an indefinite period?"
*In the end, the crew of the ship was spared. The Killicks began to loot the remaining ships, but there wasn't much to gain. They threw the bodies into the sea and kept the main ship, which was almost as large as Phina's. The remaining pirates were left alive. Faced with such carnage, Brett protested to Mathias. He had gathered the loot on the deck of the new ship and was sorting through it.*
"Freaking... Why did you do that? *He asked*. I was about to settle it amicably."
"I heard your little agreement, you know. Why do you think I suddenly showed up on the deck? I was just sleeping next door."
"Oh, right, you have keen hearing. And so?"
"The guys needed to sober up. Besides, for most of them, it was their first fight; I wonder how they feel. *He said, looking at them with a worried expression*."
"Sober up? You attacked these guys to sober them up?"
"Your boss promised to pay us. 200 gold coins are a lot of money. Equivalent to 20 thousand Adrei in total."
Ndt: Killick and Adrun currency
"Is money the only thing that interests you?*Brett said*. I had the situation well in hand."
"Hey, watch your words. *He said, a little annoyed*. We're not fighters like you. Unlike the Legionnaires who live on massacres and wars, when we go home, we have to put bread on the table, replant fields, prepare wood for winter, feed slaves, and take care of cattle."
*Brett froze for a moment, seeing his indignant reaction.*
"You wouldn't last a winter day on Adje. *Mathias said angrily*. So, yes, I need money."
"I'm sorry; I couldn't know that..."
"You humans have a bad tendency to judge us wrongly."
"Well, all the stories about you are the same. Massacre, rape, pillage."
*Mathias sighed and turned away, bored with his reasoning.*
"Wait, you said something about not being a fighter. What were you talking about?"
*Mathias looked at him a little surprised.*
"What, you don't know? It's not our job to make war; it's more like a civil obligation for us."
"Like military service?"
"Something like that. It's true that all Killicks are technically warriors, but we belong to a different caste."
"A caste? *Brett asked*."
"Yeah, there are three. Your boss's fiancé, for example, is from the Scholar caste. They govern the people and take care of everything related to politics, education, arts, and other studies."
"Dagur isn't a warrior? Is this a joke? *Brett thought*. What are you talking about? *He asked, completely shocked*."
"We're the working class, you see. Farmers, artisans, blacksmiths; we keep Adje running. *He announced proudly*. Well, that's enough about us; I have to count the loot, so get lost."
*Brett tried to integrate the information into his head while he observed the carnage caused by those who were supposedly peasants. He sighed, satisfied that they were on his side. However,h e was beginning to understand their motivation and had some respect for them. Juroi then appeared on the deck and looked at the carnage.*
"What's going on? *Brett asked*."
"Lady Phina asks if there's a valid reason for her ship to be immobilized in the middle of the ocean. Otherwise, she asks you to get back on course immediately."
"Tell her it will be done in a minute."
"Alright. *He said, smiling*."
*As he walked away, the other Killicks watched him, surprised.*
"Is it me, or has he become snobbish? *Edna asked*."
"That's what happens when you mingle too much with humans. *Kalil said*."
"No. *Mathias said*. He's always been like that; it's his thing... playing a role."
*Meanwhile, in Salomeh, Prince Elfinn, who was also the Minister of War, read reports when one of his subordinates knocked on his door.*
"Your Majesty? The Killick escort you requested has just arrived."
*He packed up his things and went to the courtyard. There, he found about twenty Killick warriors in imposing crimson armor with golden trim. From his balcony, Emory could observe the scene with Sheehan at his side.*
"That's a lot of Killicks for a man who claims to hate them. *Emory said*. But I suppose he prefers quantity over quality."
"You are wrong your highness *said Sheeha*, that guy... He's super strong."
*Emory twitched upon hearing this. On his part, Elfinn observed the Killicks and noticed something; they were all wet up to their necks.*
"May I ask why you're presenting yourselves to me in this state?"
"It's because we swam here."
*Elfinn widened his eyes in astonishment.*
"Swam... with your armor? From Arsiaga to Salomeh? Okay, I suppose that's normal for brutes like you. Why didn't you take boats or flying horses?"
"Death horses. *He continued*. And such horses belong to the Elites; it would be too expensive to rent them for such a young Legion as ours. And swimming was faster than coming by boat."
"I see. *He said thoughtfully*. And how should I address you, my dear?"
"Hakim. Captain of the 2nd company of the Dedalus Legion."
"Just Hakim? Another one rejected by his parents... Or is it the other way around? Did you reject them?"
"I allow myself not to answer because this question is too personal. *He said simply*."
"Fair enough. *He said with a satisfied smile*. I admire your spirit, Hakim. Follow me; we have things to do."
*End of the chapter*
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