Chapter 59: Familiar Faces – Hank

Chapter 59: Familiar Faces – Hank

Bruz City! After several months, it looked pretty much the same as when Airael first arrived.

As the capital of the Nick Kingdom, it hasn’t been heavily impacted by the war, bustling with life as ships come and go at the port.

Once they entered the city, Airael and her companions went to sell their horses at the local horse dealer.

“Miss, should we take a break?” Celia asked Airael as they walked down the street.

“No need! Straight to the port,” Airael replied.

This entire journey felt more like play than work, except for that first day’s weariness.

Thus, Airael felt no discomfort at all, and to be honest, she was itching to get back to the Elven Race and make some progress.

Linis was a good leader, but in Airael’s eyes, she was still a bit too conservative on many matters.

Her leadership philosophy revolved around maintaining stability and mediating conflicts among the Elven Lords.

But Airael believed that for the Elven Race to develop, mere stability wouldn’t cut it; reform was necessary!

With their small numbers and weak forces, it was high time they pooled their strength to tackle big issues.

Scattered strength would only make them appear weaker.

It’s essential to note that the emergence of demonic powers and firearms has already strengthened those once weaker races.

Upon arriving at the port, Airael didn’t expect to run into an old acquaintance.

With a smile on her face, she approached Hank and his group, saying, “Hank, it’s been a while! I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Hank and his crew were waiting for their employer to join them at the port.

Suddenly hearing a call, they turned to see three hooded figures approaching.

Hank didn’t recognize the two behind, but he could never forget the enchanting beauty beneath Airael’s cloak.

When Ailia walked closer, Hank snapped out of it and asked, “Lady Ailia, weren’t you with Axi?”

He had heard many tales of their exploits as a duo.

Mentioning Arthur made Airael’s expression shift slightly, visibly saddened for a moment before reverting to her usual demeanor. “I have some matters to take care of, so we temporarily parted ways.”

“I see! So, is Lady Ailia planning to head to the Elven homeland, Avalon?”

“Exactly!”

Airael wasn’t surprised that Hank pieced that together. After all, she sailed from Avalon to Bruz, and now from Machia to Bruz.

Anyone with a little sense would think of Avalon.

“Have you found a ship yet?” asked Hank.

“Not yet, we just arrived here,” Airael replied, glancing at the multitude of ships docked at the port.

A smile brightened Hank’s face, “Then would Lady Ailia like to travel with us again?”

“Wait! You’re also going to Avalon?” Airael asked, intrigued.

“Yes! Our mercenary group takes on long-distance escort missions, which can be quite dangerous,” Hank said, scratching his head with slight embarrassment.

Their strength was indeed strong, but compared to Airael and her companions, they were still lacking.

“If that’s the case, that’s fantastic! It saves me the trouble of finding a ship,” Airael said, agreeing gleefully.

While Hank might have had his own motives for this, Airael didn’t mind at all.

Soon, Airael and her companions joined Hank and his crew as they awaited their employer’s arrival.

They didn’t wait long before a middle-aged man approached, followed by a bodyguard.

After a brief exchange, the man led them aboard a ship, including Airael and her companions in the conversation.

Upon learning that Airael was a powerful Mage, the middle-aged man didn’t object.

They often took on customers and having a strong Mage as a bodyguard was a no-brainer to accept.

Thus, Airael boarded the ship smoothly, leaving Bruz behind.

Standing at the stern, watching the continent grow distant, Airael felt a strange mix of emotions in her heart.

Returning here again, she wondered when she might visit next.

“Miss, feeling reluctant?” Celia asked, breaking the silence.

“Not really, just reflecting,” Airael responded.

“Reflecting on what?”

“This journey hasn’t been very long, yet I’ve witnessed so much.”

Celia nodded, understanding the significance, especially regarding the battle with the Orcs and Dark Elves—it was truly a grand spectacle.

“Airael, the world is becoming increasingly chaotic; it won’t be long before we’re pulled into it. So we must prepare in advance,” Airael stated gravely.

Celia’s expression changed immediately.

If another war akin to the one from three hundred years ago were to break out, it would be a tremendous blow for the Elven Race.

“Well, enough about that! The world still has some order, and we have ample time,” Airael assured.

For this, she had to thank humanity.

Currently, humans were the world’s dominant race, having seized nearly all land resources for themselves.

As a result, the discontented races shifted their focus onto humans.

From the Orcs in the north to the Dwarves in the south, and the Dark Elves prowling on the seas alongside the Vampires hiding among humans, they all had their eyes on them.

Additionally, those who had yet to reveal their intentions likely thought similarly.

The reason humanity rose to power was due to stepping on the others.

In the meantime, while those races focused on humans, the Elven Race had time to develop itself.

Airael didn’t seek to restore the Elven glory of yore; she just wanted them to survive the impending chaos ahead.

Three days passed aboard the ship.

Aside from the first day, Airael had stayed in her room.

Just when Airael thought another day would go by like that—

Suddenly, the ship erupted into chaos.

As Airael and Celia stepped out to investigate, a mercenary rushed over, “Lady Ailia! We’re under attack by pirates!”

“I understand,” Airael nodded and made her way to the deck.

On the deck, she glanced at a pirate ship flying a black scythe flag not far away, feeling marvelously unimpressed.

Are there really this many pirates on the seas?

Twice now, she had encountered pirates on her voyages.