CH 21

Chapter 21 Gray Tower(2)

Translator: BaeBae Editor: BaeBae

Caught off guard at Juan’s response, Huksel looked away and slowly opened his mouth.

“I’ve heard of a strange rumour going around.”

“Rumour?”

“Apparently a demon appeared in Tantil and slaughtered colosseum Director Daaron after ordering the monsters to massacre the civilians. Even the knights were no match for this demon.”

“………”

“Not only that, the bishop personally led the search for this demon in Tantil, sealing the city for a week but couldn’t catch him. They’ve even requested assistance from the capital in order to catch this demon…. And in truth, rumours suggest the demon is a……….”

“….a black haired boy?”

Juan smiled bleakley and finished Huksel’s sentence for him. Huksel felt as if a knife was placed on his throat. His other comrades already had their hands on their weapons.

“You’ve heard of the rumour?”

“First time hearing it.”

It wasn’t a lie as Juan had avoided human settlements on his way here. But considering the chaos he created in Tantil, he had already expected rumours to have spread.

Juan had already assumed Huksel and his companions had put the two together when they noticed him back in the village.

As nervous as he was, Huksel carefully examined Juan.

“Like I said, I’m not here to fight. I’m here to give you an offer.”

“And what would that be?”

Juan found himself a little interested in Huksel.

Demon or not, Juan was still just a thirteen year old black haired boy.

Sina felt more strange as time passed.

“The central church has never aided incidents in the past even when it was bigger. It seems it’s not only bishop Rieto nim that is taking an interest in this case.”

At Sina’s words, inquisitor Kato grinned and pointed to the sky.

“Everything flows as the emperor wishes from his throne above.”

Sina’s expression hardened.

It didn’t mean much when ordinary citizens said but central priests used the term, it had a deeper meaning behind it.

The term meant the involvement of high ranking officials in the Holy city of Torra.

Sina was even more confused.

Why was the capital taking an interest in matters far on the outskirts of the empire.

“It seems we are about to leave. We can’t have the flag bearer being late. Let’s hurry.”

Sina nodded. The pursuing group in search of ‘Tantil’s demon’ had the blue rose order positioned at the very front. The expedition team was all ready.

Sina leaped onto her horse.

She was unsure why Kato told her about the capital’s involvement in this incident. Its meaning was one or another. Either a threat or being empathic.

Though one thing was sure. Either way, this expedition would have major implications on her life.

The flag pole suddenly felt more heavier in her hands.

*****

It was the third time Huksel had visited the Gray tower. The first two trips both didn’t end well for him. He was lucky to have even survived.

He felt he’d used up all his luck in the first two attempts, but yet again Huksel was returning for the third time.

‘This time I must succeed.’

Huksel thought of a particular female worker at a bar. He recalled her bloated belly.

The expected date for birth had passed. A cute baby would have already been born.

However, all he had for his wealth was a growing debt from gambling.

After seeing her pregnant, he’d come to term with reality. Although he was motivated to do all he can for his new family, apart from being a mercenary he didn’t have any other skills.

Travelling around as a mercenary didn’t allow him to stay with his family. He needed a lump sum of money.

And that was when a woman came asking to join her Gray tower expedition.

After his second trip, he never wanted to even think about doing it again but the woman gave him a substantial cash for the necessary preparement and only asked for half of the treasure.

Even if they’d failed the expedition, she’d promised compensation. It was a tempting offer, too good to be declined.

“Boss, are you sure about the kid?”

“………He’s survived alone after coming to the empire. He’ll have a few skills in him Benson.”

The man Huksel replied to; Benson, snorted back.

From his team, Huksel felt Benson was most wary of Juan.

Kicked out of a guild for rummaging through a party’s belongings, Benson didn’t exactly have the right to say much.

“Let’s be honest boss, you also thought he wasn’t alone right?”

Huksel thought Juan would have other companions that had come from beyond the border. But after observing Juan’s attitude and seeing as they haven’t made their appearance, it didn’t look like it.

They were leaving the fate of the expedition in the hands of a boy.

“You know, after the boss said those remarks about selling the emperor, I understand your situation, so I wont say much more. But, that bastard……..I’m sure you saw him giggling at us.”

“Yeah I saw it. He’s from outside the empire. It would be normal for him to not respect our emperor as much as us.”

“Yeah, but did he have to laugh?! The more I look at him, he’s not your typical weirdo. Tell me you guys also sense anything strange about him right?”

Huksel gave no reply. Benson came right up to him and spoke.

“What about this…… We tie him up and send him to Tantil?”

Before setting out, they’d heard from their mercenary guild that there was a large bounty for every blackhaired boy.

It looked as if Benson wanted the safe bounty over the dangerous expedition.

It wasn’t like Huksel hadn’t given this any thought.

“Let’s just watch him, for now.”

Benson sighed at hearing Huksel’s words.