Chapter 20: A Wonderful Misunderstanding

Chapter 20: A Wonderful Misunderstanding

Upon hearing that identification proof and a task commission were needed, Airael cast her gaze towards Axi, who was off to the side.

She had neither of those items, so all she could do was rely on Axi.

The knight followed her gaze and turned his attention to Axi.

It was clear that his wariness had risen once again.

However, all of that changed completely when Axi produced the items and tossed them over for him to see.

As the knight looked at the mercenary badge in his hand, his pupils slightly smiled, and he no longer regarded the task commission. He turned to Axi and said, “Ah, it’s Lord Axi! My apologies for the oversight; please don’t hold it against me.”

Saying this, he dismounted and returned both Axi’s mercenary badge and task commission to him.

During this exchange, his knights also dismounted in unison.

Though they belonged to the noble class, and Axi was merely a civilian mercenary, it’s worth noting that this world places great emphasis on both rank and personal strength.

Naturally, strong individuals earned respect from others.

After all, the nobles were nobles largely due to their own or their ancestors’ strength, which granted them their current status.

Moreover, it should be mentioned that many nobles, including their ancestors, had barely achieved Axi’s level of strength.

Thus, no one would doubt Axi’s ability to accomplish great feats.

It merely depended on whether he wanted to and when he would act on it.

“You did the right thing!”

Axi nodded lightly, then reached out to take back his badge and task commission.

Ailia watched the scene unfold with a hint of surprise.

She hadn’t expected Axi to be so well-regarded in human society.

Relieved, the knight spoke up, “Lord Axi, may I ask what business you and this young lady… are here for? Is there any way I can assist?”

He stumbled slightly while mentioning Airael’s name, not knowing it.

Beyond that, he was filled with curiosity.

Wasn’t Lord Axi a renowned lone mercenary?

Why did he have a woman with him? Was she potentially Lord Axi’s girlfriend?

Thinking it over, the knight felt this was the only explanation.

After all, being a man, he must need a woman by his side.

This thought caused the knight to ponder deeply.

Who would’ve thought even a legendary figure like Axi couldn’t escape the desires that lie deep within human hearts!

“It’s nothing much; Ailia and I are just taking a look around.”

After realizing Airael’s “name,” the knight, especially after his inner musings, turned to Airael and said, “Lady Ailia, I apologize for not recognizing you and Lord Axi earlier.”

His demeanor was even more sincere toward Axi than before.

There’s a saying: never offend a woman, especially one close to a powerful figure.

Once a whisper of discontent begins, it can be more terrifying than a hurricane!

The knight deeply remembered this lesson.

However, it was all a misunderstanding.

Completely unaware of this, Airael replied coolly, “If you didn’t recognize us, it’s fine; I hope you won’t forget us next time.”

“Of course not!”

Having settled things with Airael, the knight grinned.

“By the way, you know both mine and Lord Axi’s names, yet we still don’t know yours. Isn’t that a bit unfair?”

“If Lady Ailia and Lord Axi wish to know my name, I would happily share it with you.”

The knight replied with a smile.

“And what is your name?”

Airael naturally asked out loud.

Axi, however, showed little interest.

He had encountered many knights like this.

Many knights, along with their noble background, wanted to develop deep connections with him, but he simply wasn’t interested in such matters.

“My name is Otem, Otem Fadeler, a member of the Fadeler family.”

Though he was introducing himself to Ailia, Otem subtly glanced at Axi while speaking.

Clearly, he cared more about Axi’s opinion than Ailia’s.

Ailia was simply someone he didn’t want to offend.

Unaware of the underlying dynamics, Airael found Otem’s name to be amusing.

“Why isn’t he named Ultraman instead?” she silently mused.

After this internal monologue, Ailia spoke up, “Ah, it’s Otem! Axi and I were just having a casual look around, so we won’t disturb you any longer.”

Otem nodded, “In that case, I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Otem mounted his horse and turned to depart with several attendants.

Once they left, Airael looked at Axi and asked, “Shall we continue to look around?”

Axi shook his head.

No amount of watching this kind of scene would prove useful; it wouldn’t help in repelling the orcs.

To deal with those orcs, they needed to come in swinging with real weapons!

Then Airael and Axi continued their journey.

At that moment, in the northern wilderness, the orcs gathered a large army and began to march south.

According to custom, the Nick Kingdom was their primary target, and the existence of Mark Fortress attracted a massive number of orcs to besiege it.

Other orcs split into several small squads, sneaking past Mark Fortress to raid food deep within the Nick Kingdom.

These orcs were also part of the elite units—the Wolf Cavalry and Wild Boar Cavalry.

As cavalry, they weren’t particularly adept at besieging cities, but their high mobility made them very suitable for raiding deep into enemy territory.

As for Mark Fortress, the orcs were not merely besieging; they also initiated several waves of attacks.

This resulted in significant losses among the orcs.

However, it also bolstered their stockpiled food supplies.

Meanwhile, the human soldiers on the city walls also suffered some losses.

Though it wasn’t severe, to the orcs, it felt like a win.

The fallen orcs could convert into rations, allowing the orc troops to sustain themselves longer.

Moreover, the deaths of the orcs reduced food consumption.

In such circumstances, Airael and Axi encountered a small squad of orcs heading south.

It was a squad of Wolf Cavalry.

Upon spotting Axi and Airael, the squad of several dozen wolf-riding orcs circled around them under their captain’s command.

Faced with the ferocious orcs and their wolves, Airael and Axi both remained remarkably calm.

It was their mounts that seemed a bit overwhelmed.

In response, Airael couldn’t help but reminisce about her little white unicorn.

That precious unicorn, who had accompanied her for hundreds of years, would never have been afraid in such a situation.