piratefiction Chapter 172 Old Jack's Mercenary Tavern
Chapter 172 Old Jack's Mercenary Tavern
Chapter 172 Old Jack's Mercenary Tavern
The following day, at the royal court of Susas, in the southern suburbs.
A horse-drawn carriage was parked by the roadside.
Kane changed into civilian clothes, concealed his scimitar in a long bag, and disguised himself as a coachman.
Ashland sat in the carriage, drinking tea.
The carriage slowly began to enter the city, and Kane drove while listening to Ashland's account from behind.
"The underground black market we're going to is one of the many black markets in the Susas Royal Court. The owner is called Old Jack, and he has many mercenaries under his command."
I only had contact with him once.
"Remember, once you're there, don't ask any questions or inquiries. Just follow my instructions."
"You'd better tone down your murderous intent and not reveal too much."
"What we need to do is hire them and bring Ella and the others back to the city."
They should have many options.
"However, we must keep our story straight, we cannot reveal their identities, and we must not mention that they are related to the assassination of that prince."
Kane asked, "Even with such a troublesome situation, are they still willing to take it on?"
Ashland said, "Not necessarily."
The black market is full of betrayal and scheming; it's full of ruthless villains who devour people without spitting out the bones.
All we can do is be vigilant and cautious.
"But in reality, in a place like Susas, who would turn to the black market unless they were truly desperate?"
Kane nodded.
In terms of factions, those who run black markets are mostly chaotic evil or lawful evil.
Even if they have a good reputation, it's not surprising that they would turn against you if the stakes for betrayal were high enough.
The carriage traveled through residential areas, woodlands, and commercial streets in the southern part of the city, the road becoming increasingly remote until it finally arrived at a neighborhood that stood out from its surroundings.
This place is desolate and dilapidated, quite different from the other peaceful and prosperous areas of the royal court.
The residents on the street exchanged wary glances.
"Keep moving forward, don't show any murderous intent, act like a servant."
Ashlan gave the instructions.
Kane smiled, ignoring the provocation in the woman's tone.
Ever since he accidentally saw her naked that day, she had been openly and subtly mocking him, but he didn't care about such a trivial matter.
Seeing that Kane remained unmoved, Ashland gave a soft snort and said no more.
The carriage eventually stopped in front of a tavern.
Kane paused for a moment when he saw the tavern sign, but quickly recovered.
He continued to play the role of the coachman, respectfully helping Ashlan out of the carriage.
Today she is wearing a magnificent robe embroidered with the emblem of the Susas Academy of Mages.
Kane pushed open the tavern door.
The interior was dimly lit and filled with smoke.
A group of mercenaries were inside smoking and playing cards, the strong smell of alcohol mixed with a hint of blood.
Kane noticed bloodstains on the wall that hadn't been wiped clean, and some mercenaries were dozing off, while others had wandering eyes.
But as the two walked in, all the mercenaries looked up and sized them up.
Kane was not surprised.
He had seen the exact same look in the eyes of the underworld forces in the city of war.
Clearly, compared to the mercenaries of Twin Harbor, the ones here are truly ruthless characters who have seen blood and fought against their own kind.
Kane followed Ashland, playing the role of a trembling coachman, his hands quivering slightly as he placed them on the bag containing the dagger.
His timid appearance drew sneers from several mercenaries.
"Hey, driver, are you scared? We're not going to roast you!"
A burst of laughter erupted from the tavern.
Ashland ignored it, and Kane certainly wouldn't either.
At this moment, a tall, white-bearded man stepped out and shouted, "Shut up, don't harass my guests."
A tall, burly mercenary grinned and said, "Old Jack, your guest is that lady, so the coachman doesn't count—oh, even though he's from your hometown."
Ashland glanced at Kane with amusement.
Kane was speechless, knowing this was her petty revenge.
The black market boss named Old Jack frowned as he stared at Kane.
"Are you a Nord?"
Kane simply replied, "Yes."
"Nordians, straighten your backs!"
Don't be a coward—this is Susas, don't let them look down on us!
Upon hearing this, Kane subconsciously looked up and saw Old Jack with his dark brown hair and rugged features; judging from his appearance, he was also a Nord.
He pretended to understand and nodded.
Ashland seemed satisfied with Kane being reprimanded, and turned to Old Jack, saying, "Old Jack, I have a mission to issue."
"Task?"
Old Jack looked at her and pondered for a moment.
"You are Ashran, Ashran of the Crimson Gold Merchant Guild of the Free City-State. What brings you here?"
"Never mind," he gestured to the bar, "let's sit down first."
The two sat down at the bar, and the bartender brought them drinks.
Kane remained standing at the back, playing the role of both coachman and attendant.
Ashland glanced at the mercenaries around him, frowned, and said, "Talk here?"
"They're all my men, it's fine. Let's talk right here."
Old Jack said in a very old-fashioned way.
"Since you know the rules—this drink is on your tab."
Ashlan didn't care and said, "I need you to take a few men into the city."
They are now outside the city and must avoid the gate guards. I know you have connections.”
"several?"
"Three."
Old Jack raised his head and stared intently at Ashland: "The current situation is as follows: there is unrest in the duchy, the royal family has been assassinated, the mage academy is under martial law, and you need to find someone to enter the city."
""
Ashland said, "I know the ropes. Prices are negotiable."
She took out a bag of gold coins and threw it on the table.
"200 gold coins as a deposit. I will pay another 400 after the mission is completed."
The dull thud of the gold coins hitting the table made all the mercenaries look up, their eyes flashing with greed.
Kane's gaze sharpened; Ashland had been too reckless.
She may have been in legitimate business associations for too long and assumed that the black market would follow the rules.
Revealing your wealth before reaching an agreement only exposes your weakness and gives the other party an opportunity to take advantage of you.
Mercenaries in the black market have always believed in the law of the jungle.
Old Jack placed his hand on his money bag and looked at Ashland: "This price is reasonable."
Just as Ashland smiled, he changed the subject: "But things have changed. Now we need a deposit of 600, and another 600 after it's done."
2
Ashland's expression changed slightly: "When did the price change?"
Old Jack laughed, and a chorus of laughter echoed through the tavern.
Among the many mercenaries, only Ashland looked grim, while Kane remained expressionless.
But no one noticed the change in the driver's expression.
Old Jack said, "You have no other choice."
"Either pay us and we'll do it for you; or—"
"What do you want?"
"Either you pay money, and then we hand you over to the sheriff."
Ashland's face fell completely.
She instinctively reached out to grab the cane leaning against the bar, but couldn't move it—the bartender's hand was on the cane.
He smiled at Ashland, while old Jack's expression remained unchanged.
Kane was speechless.
Ashran, a spellcaster, surrounded by so many mercenaries, what good would it do to cast one or two spells?
He took a step forward, about to make a move, when a large hand pressed heavily on his shoulder, trying to restrict his movement.
Kane smiled and said, "Let go."
"Nord, don't think you can act recklessly here just because Old Jack is from your hometown," the tall warrior sneered.
"What you should do now is stay put and wait for your mistress's decision."
Kane looked up at the other person.
The warrior was much taller than him and seemed to have some blood from another race.
Kane's smile faded, and he repeated, "Let go."
The moment the words left his mouth, Kane's demeanor changed drastically.
The cowardly coachman from a moment ago has transformed into a battle-hardened warrior in the blink of an eye.
That overwhelming aura of bloodlust was something that the tall warrior had only ever felt from a very few top-tier warriors.
But—is it just an illusion?
He gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak: "What if I don't let go?"
"I'm sorry then."
Kane grabbed the other man's hand that was pressing on his shoulder with one hand, his blood rushing, and he suddenly exerted force.
click.
The slight sound brought silence to the surroundings.
The tall warrior named Oliver felt a surge of power coming towards him. He tried his best to resist, but his wrist was still slowly lifted up.
How is that possible?
He's Oliver, and he has a bit of mountain giant blood in him!
unless----
All the laughter inside the hall stopped abruptly, and everyone looked over in surprise.
Nobody's stupid—the ability to contend with the descendants of mountain giants means that—
Two hands struggled in the shadows, and finally the tall warrior's hand was pushed away little by little.
"That's enough, Oliver."
Old Jack spoke up.
Oliver released his grip, took a step back, and looked displeased.
Old Jack stared at Kane: "I never expected, Miss Ashland, that you would hire a second-tier warrior as a bodyguard and disguise him as a cowardly coachman."
He waved his hand: "You can go now. This deal is off."
Ashlan looked grim.
Kane's eyes flickered slightly as he quickly pondered.
Ashland's decision not to choose other black markets suggests that those places were more difficult to communicate with or more likely to leak information.
He hesitated for a moment, then took half a step forward and lowered his voice: "A cup of red life's symphony, in a place of silence."
Old Jack's pupils contracted, and he stared intently at him: "You're a member of the Dark Brotherhood?"
"Yes. And I need help—isn't this a secret friendship?"
Upon hearing the words "Dark Brotherhood," all the mercenaries in the tavern turned around and fixed their gazes on Kane.
Old Jack's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Kane and said, "Then let's talk according to the rules of the underworld."
"Of course."
The next moment, to Ashlan's astonishment...
Three mercenaries, including Oliver, surrounded him, while Kane opened his bag and took out the Susas scimitar.