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Chapter 38: Yorktown
🕑 Added 2025-01-09 21:05:13 +0000 UTCIt was clear that the Giant Axe Adventurers were not a wealthy group. They seldom had spare money to spend on drinks. When Charlot treated them to alcohol, not only were the three male members of the group delighted, but even the blonde-haired Hanna and the short-haired Hermonsa, with her slightly brown locks, were overjoyed.
Old John brought over a roasted wild boar shank as a bonus for Charlot’s purchase of the drinks. Everyone carved thin slices off the meat with small knives to pair with their drinks, and the atmosphere quickly became lively.
About two hours after Charlot entered the village, a seven-person team also arrived. These individuals were all clad in black coats similar to those worn by Wells and Addison—distinctive attire of the Fiery Steed Detective Agency. These coats were not only highly resistant to water and wind but could also withstand some sword strikes. Moreover, they featured numerous concealed pockets, making them ideal for travel.
Winterburn, the leader of the group, said, “It’s too late to continue. Let’s stay in this village for the night.”
“Addison, find out if anyone in the village can offer lodging.”
Winterburn, aged forty-eight, was a fourth-tier Transcendent and a mid-level officer in the Fiery Steed Detective Agency. He was well-known among his peers and held considerable authority within the agency.
Addison hurried off and returned shortly afterward. “Old John at the edge of the village has room for lodgers.”
The group wasted no time in taking action. When they knocked on Old John’s door, Charlot, who had already gone to bed, was startled awake by the noise. He immediately activated his Eye of Insight, extending its range to cover Old John’s entire house.
“Fiery Steed Detective Agency? How did they catch up so quickly?”
Charlot’s heart pounded in alarm. Hesitating, he decided not to flee immediately. Any rash move now would be akin to admitting his identity.
The Fiery Steed team, meanwhile, showed no signs of realizing their target was right under their noses. Winterburn only briefly inquired about the earlier lodgers, learning that they were an adventuring party, and asked for some food. After a quick meal, they retired to separate rooms arranged by Old John.
Charlot dared not sleep again. Closing his eyes, he quietly circulated Blood Glory, enduring a restless night.
At dawn, the Fiery Steed detectives set off on their way, finally allowing Charlot to breathe a sigh of relief.
Not long after, the members of the Giant Axe Adventurers began to stir. As seasoned adventurers, their vigilance was apparent; they were all aware that another group had arrived late at night. However, since nothing happened, they chose not to react.
Charlot joined the group for a simple breakfast, and they soon set off toward Yorktown.
Charlot found himself struggling to adjust. Back in Strasbourg, he rarely traveled on foot, having grown accustomed to public carriages. Now, the journey to Yorktown had to be made entirely on foot. The mountain roads were impassable for carriages, and even if they weren’t, the Giant Axe Adventurers wouldn’t hire one. Hiring a carriage for a long journey outside the city was far too expensive.
Despite being a third-tier Transcendent, Charlot still found the trek exhausting. He thought to himself, “I need to work harder on my training. I must condense the Blood Vortex in my right leg and master the runes for Swiftstep Technique and Spider Technique as soon as possible.”
“Or perhaps I could just buy a carriage and drive it myself…”
Winterburn’s team had, by then, reached the estate Charlot had designated the previous day. After spending over an hour searching the area and confirming that Charlot was not there, they continued their pursuit along another road.
Although the Fiery Steed Detective Agency had many detectives, they only had one Transcendent on the diviner’s path, Wells. Before setting out, they had consulted a sorcerer, who could only provide a general direction without much detail.
Unaware that he had narrowly escaped danger, Charlot finally arrived at Yorktown, grumbling along the way.
Yorktown was a fairly large settlement with nearly a thousand inhabitants. In the town center stood a massive wooden lodge built from logs by the renowned demon hunter, White Wolf. In front of the lodge, forty to fifty people were already gathered in small groups, murmuring among themselves.
The arrival of the Giant Axe Adventurers was met with unanimous hostility—yet another group of competitors had appeared.
Charlot had grown quite familiar with his five companions during their journey. He learned that their leader, Mason, aspired to become a demon hunter, while the other four members were there to support him.
As a low-ranking adventurer group, they had all learned some form of Knightly Breathing Techniques, but only Mason and Hermonsa had managed to condense power seeds. Hermonsa, being younger, still had a chance to progress. Mason, however, was over forty and had little hope of breaking through and becoming a battle energy knight.
Hanna, on the other hand, seemed particularly interested in Charlot. She chatted with him the most throughout the journey.
Charlot knew the reason—he had revealed himself as a Transcendent and a knight with combat energy. To Hanna, he seemed like a promising romantic prospect.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that Charlot was exceptionally handsome.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have won the favor of Annie Bretagne.
After all, the outcomes of a hero saving a beauty could range from receiving her hand in marriage to an eternal bond of gratitude in the next life...
The Giant Axe Adventurers claimed a spot near the massive lodge. Mason sought out a familiar face to gather information and returned with news: “White Wolf won’t be arriving tonight. He’s still a day’s journey away and will only be here tomorrow.”
“Most of the people here have already found accommodations in the town. Those who couldn’t are staying here to keep watch. Looks like we’ll be camping out here tonight as well.”
The others were unfazed. Compared to the wilds, the town’s open space was far safer. The group quickly built a small campfire and rested, relieving the day’s fatigue.
Charlot had no interest in becoming a demon hunter. Hanna, too, felt she had no chance. When she suggested they find a place to have a drink, Charlot readily agreed. To his surprise, Hermonsa decided to join them.
After notifying Mason, Charlot led the two women away, leaving the two male teammates grumbling under their breath.
Although Charlot had traveled all day, as a third-tier Transcendent, a bit of Blood Glory circulation quickly alleviated his fatigue.
The two women, however, had no such advantage. Their weariness was plain to see.
After visiting two inns in Yorktown and finding both full, Charlot decided not to try a third. Instead, he bought a heap of food and a large keg of ale from the second inn and returned to the lodge with the two women.
Sharing the food and ale with his teammates, Charlot soon dispelled any lingering dissatisfaction from the two men.
After eating a little, Hanna lay down on her pack and quickly fell asleep. Hermonsa, slightly more energetic, stayed up to chat for a while but soon succumbed to exhaustion. Mason and the other two male teammates were similarly worn out.
Charlot volunteered to take the first watch, proposing that they take turns through the night.
Even in the town, keeping a watch was still necessary.
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