Lord of Rot

”My lord...” The mercenary leader looked on as Leech ignored him, speaking only with Old Toe. Though he was annoyed, he didn’t dare make a scene.

They were, after all, still inside Iron Stone City.

If they were outside the city, perhaps their mercenary corps would have played the part of bandits today and taught this young noble a harsh lesson about life.

Unfortunately, the circumstances weren’t right. Attack a noble inside Iron Stone City? They didn’t have a death wish.

”Red Stone Mercenary Corps?” Leech looked at the mercenary leader.

”Yes, my lord.”

”I can’t give this sword to you,” Leech said. ”I’m buying it.”

It was clear Leech had no intention of spending a single coin; he was here to use his name.

”My lord, may I ask your name?”

His squire, Robo, standing to the side, announced, ”Before you stands the Baron of Porcupine Territory, the Divine Favored, Lord Leech Clarence!”

Leech listened from the side. ’Robo’s declaration is quite impressive,’ he thought. ’The only problem is, my own list of titles is too short. When will I be like Daenerys, able to reel off a long, imposing string of titles?’

The Red Stone Mercenary Corps fell silent.

The onlookers also began to whisper among themselves.

Of course they knew of Baron Porcupine. He had been making quite a name for himself this past year.

First, when Wado Eighteen, a bastard from Waterfall Land, stole a few of his slaves, he led a troop of men straight to Waterfall Land. His temper was even more explosive than the old Baron Porcupine’s, and he completely disregarded the disparity in their strength.

Then, just a few days ago, Baron Porcupine led an army to attack Pebble Castle and won a great victory.

There wasn’t a single mercenary who returned to Iron Stone City that didn’t admire Leech.

”So it’s Lord Leech.”

The mercenary leader forced a smile. ”Since you’ve put it that way, my lord, we will take our leave for today.”

’Let them off today, come back tomorrow.’

’They never said they would let Old Toe off the hook.’

’A noble had helped the smithy fend off trouble today, but what about tomorrow? The day after? The noble couldn’t possibly stand guard here every day.’

Obviously, the mercenaries weren’t the only ones who understood this. Old Toe and his daughter were also well aware.

At least the danger for today had passed.

Old Toe handed the Silver Steel Sword to Leech and said, ”Thank you so much for your help, my lord. This sword is yours.”

Leech took the Silver Steel Sword and said, ”You should be considering what to do from now on.”

”From now on?” The faces of the father and daughter turned grim.

Fanong Gold wanted to comfort Chuina, but he knew it wasn’t his place to speak. The Red Stone Mercenary Corps feared Baron Leech, but they certainly wouldn’t fear him.

”How about this,” Leech proposed. ”You can come to Porcupine Territory. No one will bother you in my domain.”

Chuina looked at her father. She thought it was a good option.

They already lived near the slums; the prosperous life of Iron Stone City had little to do with them.

’If we could receive the protection of a lord, going to Porcupine Territory wouldn’t be so bad. After all, I’d just be smithing wherever I went.’

”Thank you for your kindness,” Old Toe said, quickly bowing his head. ”My daughter and I would be very happy to start a new life in Porcupine Territory.”

Leech broke into a satisfied smile. ”In that case, I welcome you.”

In Leech’s eyes, Chuina was a talent—not a Transcendent yet, but a talent who would very likely become one in the future.

Besides, Old Toe had deep ties with the Hunters.

For the sake of the Silver Steel Sword alone, he was willing to help the Hunters. After all, his own relationship with them was quite good.

Leech was very interested in the Hunters, but unfortunately, the organization wasn’t interested in nobles. For now, their only connection was a monetary one.

”Alright, have them pack up tonight.” He instructed Robo, who was at his side, ”After they’ve finished packing, have them move to our lodgings for one night.”

This was to prevent the mercenaries from doing anything rash. If they came looking for trouble at night, no one would be there to protect the father and daughter.

Robo nodded. ”Yes, sir!”

Hearing that Chuina would be leaving Iron Stone City for Porcupine Territory with her father, the bruised and swollen Fanong Gold became dejected.

”Fanong Gold.” Chuina walked over to her lover.

Old Toe sighed but said nothing. ’Let them talk,’ he thought. ’The chances of them meeting again are slim.’

Leech entered the smithy.

Inside, there was only a small furnace, and the forged ironware consisted entirely of farm tools. It was clear that Old Toe and his daughter’s business wasn’t doing well.

”Are you a Hunter?” Leech asked casually.

”I’m not,” Old Toe said, shaking his head. ”Chuina’s mother was. This sword was hers too.”

Old Toe glanced outside. The crowd had dispersed. He wasn’t sure what Chuina and Fanong Gold were talking about, but the mood seemed off.

His voice was low, ensuring only Leech could hear. ”When I met Chuina’s mother, she was already pregnant. But she was also gravely injured. I had no way to save her and not enough money. In the end, I just listened to her last wish. She said I could show this sword to people. If someone wanted to buy it, I could sell it for some money, and I could also entrust Chuina to that person.”

”It’s been over ten years, and the person who was supposed to come for the sword never appeared. So, I raised Chuina as my own daughter. Now, she’s all I have.”

Old Toe looked at Leech. Leech didn’t look much older than Chuina; he couldn’t be the person who was supposed to buy the sword.

Leech didn’t say whether he believed Old Toe or not.

Just from her appearance, Chuina’s features were delicate, though her frame was a bit broad. She didn’t resemble Old Toe at all.

”Have you noticed that there’s something about Chuina’s body that isn’t like an ordinary person’s?” Leech asked.

”You mean her terrifying strength? I don’t know what’s going on with that. She just eats a lot and is very strong,” Old Toe said, shaking his head.

”It’s not just that she eats a lot. It’s that she is very likely to awaken and become a Transcendent.”

’Chuina must be like Stacy and the others—people who can become Extraordinary through their own innate talent.’

”A Transcendent?” Old Toe’s face was a mask of confusion.

Leech didn’t explain. He drew the Silver Steel Sword, and just as he expected, there was a line of text on the blade.

Every Hunter’s Silver Steel Sword has one, serving as a warning to every Hunter.

And on this particular Silver Steel Sword was written: ”Though my body dies, my will does not.”

”What else did she tell you?” Leech sheathed the sword and asked Old Toe, ”Did she tell Chuina to find her companions?”

”She drew her last breath before she could finish giving instructions,” Old Toe said, shaking his head.

”Then what about you?” Leech asked. ”You raised Chuina, after all. I imagine that as her father, you must have thought about what kind of future you want for her.”

”I want her to live a peaceful life,” Old Toe said. ”To get married, have children... and then, when I’m on my deathbed, for her to sit by my side and see me off, just as I welcomed her into this world.”

”A peaceful life?” Leech said. ”Then Porcupine Territory will definitely be able to grant your wish.”