The road was long, winding through rolling hills and dense stretches of forest. The morning sun painted the sky in hues of orange and gold, casting long shadows across the dirt path.
Yuuto and Selene traveled in relative silence, both focused on the journey ahead. The town of Redbrook lay at the end of this road—a place where they could gather information, recruit allies, and prepare for the battles to come.
Selene had mentioned that Redbrook was a bustling trade hub, positioned at the crossroads between several regions. That meant opportunities—both for profit and for power.
Yuuto smirked to himself. A perfect place to begin.
---
As they neared the outskirts of the town, they spotted a small caravan ahead—two wooden carts pulled by sturdy brown horses. Several guards stood watch, gripping spears and swords, their expressions wary.
One man, dressed in a fine green coat with golden embroidery, noticed them and stepped forward. He was middle-aged, his mustache well-groomed, and his sharp brown eyes filled with suspicion.
"Halt. Travelers?" the merchant asked, voice cautious.
Yuuto gave a small nod. "We're heading to Redbrook."
The merchant sighed. "Bad timing, I'm afraid. The town has become… difficult."
Selene frowned. "Difficult how?"
The merchant glanced at his guards before lowering his voice. "The Iron Fang Mercenaries arrived two weeks ago. They're causing trouble, taking what they want, and the local lord—Baron Roth—is doing nothing about it."
Yuuto's expression darkened. A mercenary group ruling through fear?
He had no patience for that kind of power.
Selene crossed her arms. "And the baron? Is he weak, or is he working with them?"
The merchant hesitated, then sighed. "Weak, most likely. His soldiers are few, and the mercenaries outnumber them. Most townsfolk are too afraid to resist."
Yuuto smirked. Good.
Chaos meant opportunity. If Redbrook was being strangled by Iron Fang, then it was ripe for someone else to take control.
The merchant studied Yuuto's expression and grew even warier. "If you're smart, you'll avoid trouble."
Yuuto simply smiled. "We'll see."
With that, the merchant gestured for his men to move, and the caravan continued down the road.
Selene shot Yuuto a sideways glance. "You're planning something."
He chuckled. "Redbrook has a power vacuum. If we want to establish a foothold, this is the perfect place to start."
Selene smirked. "Then let's see how deep the rot goes."
---
Entering Redbrook
The town gates loomed ahead—wooden walls reinforced with iron plates. A few guards stood watch, though they looked tired, their armor unpolished and their hands gripping their weapons loosely.
Redbrook was larger than Yuuto expected. Beyond the walls, stone buildings rose between wooden shops and market stalls. The streets were busy but subdued, with merchants selling wares under the nervous gaze of Iron Fang mercenaries.
Yuuto and Selene blended in easily, walking past merchants hawking fabrics, spices, and tools.
But the true heart of the town's decay was immediately obvious.
Several mercenaries lounged outside taverns, leering at passersby. Some extorted coins from shopkeepers, while others shouted threats at anyone who dared resist.
Selene exhaled sharply. "They're acting like they own the place."
Yuuto smirked. "That just means we need to teach them who really owns it."
But first, they needed information.
His gaze drifted toward a large tavern near the town square—The Rusted Boar.
A place where mercenaries drank and loose tongues spilled secrets.
"Let's start there," Yuuto said.
Selene nodded.
---
The Rusted Boar
The tavern was loud, rowdy, and reeked of ale.
Yuuto and Selene stepped inside, immediately drawing attention. Most of the patrons were mercenaries—Iron Fang men. Their gray and red armor marked them as belonging to the same group.
Some eyed Selene hungrily, but Yuuto's cold stare made them reconsider.
They took a seat at a corner table. A serving girl approached, her hands trembling as she placed two mugs of ale before them.
She glanced around before whispering, "You should leave. The Iron Fang don't like strangers."
Yuuto met her gaze. "And if I want to stay?"
She hesitated, fear flashing across her face.
Before she could answer, a group of three mercenaries swaggered over, their leader—a burly man with a **scar running down his cheek—**grinning as he leaned on their table.
"Well, well. Fresh meat," the man sneered. "You must not know the rules here. Outsiders pay a toll."
Yuuto leaned back, unimpressed. "And if I don't?"
The man's grin widened. "Then we break you."
Yuuto sighed. "You should've picked an easier target."
The mercenary's expression twisted in confusion—right before Yuuto slammed his fist into his face.
The sickening crunch of bone echoed through the tavern as the man was sent flying into a nearby table.
Silence.
Then—chaos.
The other mercenaries roared in rage, drawing their weapons. The tavern erupted into violence.
Yuuto moved like a phantom. He dodged a sword strike, twisting behind an attacker before grabbing a mug and smashing it against his skull.
Selene wasn't idle either. She grabbed a dagger from her belt, parrying an incoming strike before driving the blade into her attacker's thigh.
One by one, the mercenaries fell.
Blood splattered the floor. Tables were overturned.
And when the dust settled, Yuuto stood among broken bodies, his black-steel longsword resting on his shoulder.
The surviving patrons stared in shock.
The serving girl gasped, trembling.
Yuuto smirked.
"Tell your boss," he said, stepping over the fallen mercenaries.
"There's a new power in Redbrook."
---
Outside the tavern, Yuuto and Selene walked calmly down the street.
Selene exhaled, grinning. "Well, that was a good start."
Yuuto chuckled. "We've made our presence known. Now, let's see who comes looking for us."
And he didn't have to wait long.
In the distance, a group of Iron Fang mercenaries was gathering, their armor gleaming in the afternoon sun. Leading them was a tall man with golden eyes, a greatsword resting on his shoulder.
Yuuto's smirk widened.
The real battle was about to begin.
---