Chapter 592: The Gang’s Banquet

Chapter 592 -591: The Gang’s Banquet

“Speaking of which, we might need to head North later to help Albert deal with the Orcs.”

The little owl on Colin’s shoulder shifted uncomfortably.

He could feel the eyes of passersby constantly on them.

“Oh, right, Colin,” Ale asked curiously, “Are the Orcs really that strong in a fight? Most of what I’ve read in books disparages them, so why are they still able to constantly harass the territories in the North? Why doesn’t the City-States Alliance just wipe them out?”

Colin couldn’t help but smile at her question.

He began to explain, “The main reason is that the lands the Orcs occupy are too barren and not really suitable for human life. That being the case, it’s impossible to completely wipe them out just by seizing their territory.

“From what I’ve read, the Orcs are so much trouble mostly because an Ordinary Orc is stronger than an Ordinary human. However, it’s rare for an Orc to appear who can stand up to a Legendary Adventurer. That’s why the Lords of the Northern Lands alone are enough to keep them beyond the Sunset Mountain Range.”

“So does that mean Kase is a pretty strong warrior among Orcs?”

“Definitely. I feel like he could probably even become a Chief or something.”

At that, they both pictured Kase as a Chief and burst out laughing at the same time.

—————–

Two more days passed in a flash, and the day of Don’s banquet arrived.

As usual, Colin donned his Armor, picked up [Burning Blood], and brought along the little owl perched on the table. Considering the day’s agenda, he decided not to bring his Elf Giant Sword.

The moment he opened his door, Ale’s voice came from across the hall. “Good luck, Colin.”

“Then I’m sure I’ll be lucky today.” With that, Colin headed downstairs.

As soon as he reached the courtyard, he saw Kase sitting at a table.

The Half-Orc had a complimentary breakfast and a plate of grilled lamb ribs in front of him. He was enthusiastically gnawing on one of the ribs, which had been grilled to a crispy, golden brown. With every bite, it sizzled and dripped with grease.

Seeing Colin approach, the Half-Orc waved. “Hey there, Colin.”

“What’s up, Kase?” Colin asked.

Kase asked, “There’s not much work lately, right? I was thinking of heading back to the Tribe for a bit to see the little ones.”

“I forgot to tell you. I took a bodyguard job. Also, Albert wants to hire us as bodyguards later. Word is, a war is about to break out with an Orc Tribe up North.” Colin casually grabbed a lamb rib from the plate. “You okay with that?”

“The Orcs over there drove my ancestors out. What problem could I have?” Kase said in a rumbling voice. “I’m heading out today. See ya, Colin.”

“Alright, see you.”

Clutching the lamb rib he’d swiped, Colin headed toward the slums. Before long, he was near the barbershop.

Before he even reached the barbershop’s entrance, a little boy in linen clothes slipped out of a side alley, approached Colin, and asked in a low voice, “Are you Don’s friend?”

“I am.” Colin nodded.

“Then follow me.” With that, the boy darted off into the distance.

Colin followed him from a distance.

After several streets, upon reaching the city’s Southern District, the boy finally stopped beside a carriage at a crossroads.

The black four-wheeled carriage looked quite luxurious, with brass trim along its body and curtains of black velvet hanging inside the windows.

The driver at the front of the carriage was a burly man with an Iron-Wrapped Short Staff hanging from his waist.

Under the driver’s gaze, Colin walked to the carriage, pulled open the door, and climbed inside.

The interior of the carriage was even more luxurious than its exterior suggested. The seats were wine-red cushions of soft leather, embroidered with gold thread, and a velvet carpet covered the floor. From the ceiling hung a hollow, spherical brass censer, from which faint white smoke slowly drifted through intricate openings, filling the entire compartment with a soft fragrance.

Colin kept a hand on [Burning Blood] at his waist as he sat down opposite Don.

Once he was settled, the driver’s shout came from the front, and the carriage began to move.

“Care for some aged white wine from Moran? Its rich aroma won’t disappoint, and it might help ease any tension you may be feeling.” Don picked up a decanter from the small table in the carriage. It held a white liquid.

“I don’t often drink much besides beer.” Colin casually picked up a glass, and Don promptly leaned over and poured a small amount into his glass.

“Er… thank you.”

After saying this, Colin pulled down his Throat Protector, brought the glass to his lips, and took a sip.

He savored it for a moment after swallowing, but still couldn’t make out any particular flavor.

Don, sitting opposite him, first took a moment to enjoy the wine’s aroma, swirled the liquid in his glass, and then began to drink it little by little.

Colin asked curiously, “Speaking of which, do you have to provide hostages to the other gang for a banquet like this?”

“Something like that. But that’s handled by the ‘Lighthouse Keepers.’ They’re a gang originally formed by a group of retired Adventurers who weren’t recruited by any official factions.

“They are the most reputable neutral guarantors in Thousand Masts City. Before this banquet, the Lighthouse Keepers specifically sent one of their own people as a hostage to both the Northern Gang and the local gangs.

“If either side violates the truce and starts a conflict at the banquet, the captured Lighthouse Keeper member is left at the other party’s mercy. In turn, the Lighthouse Keepers will immediately begin an endless campaign of assassination to settle the score with the side that broke the agreement,” Don explained patiently.

“Unrecruited Adventurers? That sounds rare. I’d think the City Guard wouldn’t let figures like that slip through their fingers,” Colin said.

“The identities of the Lighthouse Keeper members are a bit… complicated. Probably similar to your own squad’s situation.”

“If you put it that way, I understand.” Colin nodded.

“To be honest, I truly admire you. This city can’t even tolerate humans from the South, yet you’ve managed to come this far with a squad like yours,” Don continued.

The carriage fell silent for a moment.

Colin asked, “Speaking of which, how did the Hundred Eyes Gang get to where it is today?”

“Ah, that’s an excellent topic of conversation.”

A nostalgic look appeared on Don’s face. “I came to Thousand Masts City with the refugees from Moran over thirty years ago. Back then, we could only survive by hauling cargo at the docks. The dock gangs called us ‘Southies’ and forced us to pay higher protection fees.”

“Sounds a lot like what the ‘Northies’ go through,” Colin joked. “I have to say, the locals in Thousand Masts City are pretty fair in that regard.”