By the time Brakthar returned, the only people remaining were the masters of the four banners.

They did not interact as they all paid for their slaves, the Kobolds shooting the others smug looks over the fact that they were the ones to get the enchanter.

"This collar around the neck is keyed to this controller. It can force obedience from your slaves if you want it, and you can also remove the collar, but I won't encourage it..."

Karathra twitched several times at the mention of how they should treat their slaves. Barbarians had sour spots for slavery.

Not that anyone could blame them.

"Be quick, Bird! I need to get out of here!" Karathra snapped, cutting the man off from another round of yapping.

"Of course! Of course! But I'm not Bird, I'm Birdy!"

She snorted. "Where's the difference?"

The merchant did not give a reply, but at the same time, he didn't hurry as she expected, which made her shift her position several times.

"Maybe you can leave? I will meet you back at the village," Brakthar offered.

"No. The Chief said I should see this to the end, remember? And that's what I'm going to do."

Brakthar didn't say anything after that and just watched as Karathra growled, yet the merchant didn't attend to them until the other masters were done.

Only after the other banners were gone did he rub his hands and give them a bright smile. "Now then, let's attend to you guys!"

"Took you long enough. And if I didn't think you were smart, I would say you are purposely wasting our time."

Merchant Birdy grimaced a smile. "I'm not stupid, that's for sure. Let me tell you, a stupid person can't climb the rank I've reached in the Black Merchant. I have trading rights all the way to..."

Brakthar cleared his throat and said a bit forcefully, "The blacksmith."

"Oh! Of course, of course! Right this way. My attendants already counted the money and it's complete. Bring out the blacksmith!"

But contrary to what Brakthar and Karathra expected, it wasn't the blacksmith that was brought out from backstage.

A woman walked out by herself.

She was a tall woman with a regal posture and a face like still water. She looked at the barbarians calmly. "Birdy."

Merchant Birdy bowed. "This is Lady Pelica. She's an enchanter."

The instant Karathra set eyes on the human woman, her body had already entered fighting mode as she sensed the danger she represented. It was just like when Galthor spread his aura. This woman was someone above the master rank.

Her lips curled and her hand on her axe tightened as she calculated the steps it would take her to swing a successful blow from her weapon. "What is happening here, Merchant Bird? Where is our blacksmith?"

It was the woman who spoke before the displeased merchant said anything. "You mean my assistant that you just bought?"

Assistant?

What the actual fuk is happening!

"Explain yourself, Bird!"

Again, it was the woman who answered. "Be a little mean to him. It was I who set all of this up. I wanted to meet you, Captain Karathra."

Karathra's lips curled. "Karathra. I am no captain."

"But you were a captain."

"That was before. You can call me Commander Karathra now. It is the will of the Chief."

Lady Pelica blinked. "Galthor is really the Chief? I thought it was all an elaborate setup where he's the figurehead and you're actually the one pulling the strings."

Karathra's eyes narrowed. "Don't speak of the Chief like that. I might take offense."

Lady Pelica raised her hands. "No offense. It's just that, the way Vorgul speaks of Galthor... well, it didn't sound very favorable."

"You know the former Chief?"

"Yes. I was one of the people that led him into joining the Howling. I'm one of his backers."

Of course, the former Chief had backers of his own, but they didn't provide financial aid like the others. In truth, they didn't provide overwhelming aid at all.

"The Chief is dead. Galthor is the Chief now. What do you want?"

"I want to speak with Chief Galthor. We need to talk."

Karathra looked at the woman in front of her, and all she could feel was distrust. "You want to meet with our Chief? No. Whatever deal you had with the Stronghide ends with Vorgul Stronghide. We do not know you."

Lady Pelica smiled faintly. "You might not know this, but I am the one who bought and brought you to Vorgul. I'm glad to see how wonderful you've turned out."

Karathra still did not move from her stance, even as her eyes widened. "Give me a good reason to meet with him."

"Because this Revolutionary Base, as well as you guys, might be in trouble soon."

Karathra looked at Brakthar, and he looked back. The latter cleared his throat. "Where is our blacksmith?"

"Although he's my assistant, he's one of many, and he's currently on punishment to be a slave for a few years. Come out, Han."

The blacksmith came out with his head bowed. "My lady."

"Go on, follow your new masters."

The situation had suddenly turned into something else. The slave they bought was nothing more than a spy for a mysterious lady that had just appeared.

Now what? When Karathra accepted the mission earlier, she thought it would be one of the easiest things, so how exactly did it turn into all of this?

She cleared her throat. "I see. Brakthar, you go on and report to the Chief about what's happening here. I'll join you shortly after."

They all watched Brakthar depart at a light jog and remained silent for a while. Karathra did not hide the fact that she was giving Galthor the chance to prepare.

"But honestly, I thought you would be the real Chief. Even when I was told that Galthor is the Chief, I still couldn't believe it. Vorgul held you in the highest regard."

Karathra's heart ached at the reminder of her former Chief, but none of it showed on her face. "His legacy will live on."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.