Chapter 14：Gryan Stoutmantle

For a whole two months, Stormwind City did not send out a single soldier, and neither did the Westbrook Garrison. As a result, Moonbrook had fallen and Westfall was plunged into chaos.

Just as everyone had given up hope, a 59-year-old Gryan stood up.

As if he was still in his glory days, when he still led a squad in the Knights of the Silver Hand, Gryan formed a militia composed of farmers, retired soldiers, and a few specially requested individuals at an extraordinary speed.

With that, the People's Militia of Westfall was established. It was an army that was created by the people of Westfall and served to protect the people of Westfall.

Back then, Gyran had appeared to the victims just like the Holy Light he had devoted his entire life to. He illuminated their lives that were devoid of hope and banded them together, preparing them for battle against the Defias Brotherhood.

Frankly speaking, however, the band of thieves were actually a disorganized force. As such, Old Gryan was able to lead the people to defend the final stronghold, Sentinel Hill, dealing a massive blow to the Defias bandits. In the end, Old Gryan had dispatched a small combat force in the hopes that they would be able to assassinate the Defias Brotherhood's mastermind, Edwin Vancleef.

Indeed, the Defias Brotherhood, which had spread throughout Westfall, permeated Elwynn Forest, Duskwood, Stranglethorn Vale, and even Stormwind City, had finally met a fearsome opponent, Old Gyran.

That was who Old Gryan was.

That was Gryan Stoutmantle.

That was the person who Old Saldean had respected.

However, all of this was beside the point.

Sean was well aware that as the commander of the People's Militia and the Marshal of Sentinel Hill, Gryan had no reason to appear in Saldean's Farm.

'Is he patrolling the area?'

'No, Westfall is such a huge place, and Gryan only has 300 or so subordinates. There's no way he's here for a patrol.'

'To replenish their food stocks?'

'No, that can't be it. Stormwind City doesn't provide Old Gryan any resources, and while Old Gryan accepts any form of help he can get, he's still unable to pay his subordinates. So, there's no way he can afford food, and as a result, all the troops stationed at Sentinel Hill were suffering from hunger.

'So, what is he here for?'

Sean could not wrap his mind around Gryan's visit.

"Old man, why is Marshal Gryan Stoutmantle here?" Sean asked, interrupting Old Saldean's long speech.

"Oh, didn't I mention it to you?" Old Saldean had a confused expression on his face, and it was only after he saw Sean's resolute nod that he answered, "Oh okay. So, here's the thing, something huge happened yesterday! For some reason, the Kobolds from Jangolode Mine and the Murlocs on the Gold Coast fought against one another! I heard that the Kobolds were the ones who attacked the Murlocs, and the Murlocs suffered heavy casualties. However, the Kobolds didn't fare any better, and due to their clash, Marshal Gryan Stoutmantle has personally come down along with his troops to patrol the area."

Sean nodded absently.

'So that's why!'

Sentinel Hill was located in the center of Westfall, whereas the Jangalode Mine was located in the Northwest, and the Gold Coast was the coastline on the northern end of Westfall.

Since Old Gryan's goal was to investigate the battle between the Kobolds and the Murlocs, he would indeed pass through the sparsely located farms on the northern end of Westfall. As such, Old Gryan's visit to Saldean's Farm was not without reason.

Old Saldean added with an excited expression, "Oh yeah, I mentioned this to you last time, I'll be heading to Goldshire within the next two days. You'll be tagging along with me, and while we're there, I'll introduce you to the Engineers there and make you their apprentice, so that you can learn all sorts of Engineering-related knowledge. Well, our opportunity has finally arrived! After Marshal Gryan has patrolled the Jangolode Mine and the Gold Coast, he'll be heading to Goldspire to purchase a bulk of armor and weapons. I plan on going together with him, since it's safer that way, and I'll be bringing you along as well!"

Upon hearing Old Saldean's words, Sean's heart began to thump with excitement.

After Old Saldean's first mention of the Goldshire visit, Sean had already started planning his next move.

At that point of time, Sean had several good items, namely, the Refined Iron Dagger, the Kobold Shaman's Staff, and the Dalaran Apprentice's Robe. Although they were only White Quality items, they were considered quite decent. Moreover, unlike the Refined Iron Dagger, Sean was unable to use the two other items. As such, he would rather sell them off and obtain other items he needed more.

Thus, he would need to visit a crowded town to perform this action. Coincidentally, however, Goldshire, the town closest to him was the perfect place to do so.

Although tagging along with Old Saldean was fine and all, traveling along with Gryan Stoutmantle was even better. Not only would doing so guarantee their safety, but should the opportunity arise, Sean might even be able to interact and make friends with Gryan Stoutmantle. That was the best possible outcome.

After all, be it on Earth or Azeroth, networking with others was still an important aspect of life.

Sean was overjoyed.

However, not long after, Sean's face had turned a ghastly pale, and his body was frozen stiff.

The moment he met Gryan Stoutmantle, Gryan immediately brought Sean into the warehouse and pointed at the three minecarts Sean had ordered the Kobolds to obtain. In a frigidly cold tone, he asked, "Sean, would you mind explaining these three minecarts? How did you get your hands on them?"

"If I were to say that I picked them up by chance, or that the minecarts have always been here, would you adults believe me?" Sean feigned a look of innocence as he narrowed his eyes and raised his ea— No, his two tiny hands.

Gryan Stoutmantle stared at Sean for a few seconds before shaking his head and answering, "I doubt it. You sly brat, do you really think that just because you hid the minecarts within this warehouse, no one would notice it? I have a witness!"

'A witness?'

Sean was dumbfounded.

'Did someone really catch me in the act? That's not possible. I was extremely careful yesterday, and by the time I returned, the sky was already dark. Who would be free enough to linger around the warehouse and notice me?'

'Unless…'

'Wait, could it be? Did Gryan Stoutmantle plant men in Saldean's Farm?'

Sean stared at Gryan Stoutmantle suspiciously. When he noticed the sly expression on Gryan's face, he could hear the gears snapping into place in his mind, as he had finally understood the situation.

'This cunning fox is trying to trick me!'

'He doesn't have any witnesses!'

Sean feigned a terrified expression as he hurriedly waved his hands, saying, "No, no, that's impossible! I was operating the shredder yesterday, and since I wasn't able to locate any usable lumber, I only returned at night. However, even then, I didn't notice any minecarts! That's weird, where did these minecarts even come from? What a mystery!"

The most effective lies were those that were laced with the truth. Out of everything Sean had said, only a small part of it was false, whereas everything else was true. It was only via this method that Sean could make his lie seem believable.

Sean immediately admitted that he had operated the shredder the previous day. After all, there was no use in hiding it, as Gryan only needed to ask around to get the answer. Moreover, as Sean was still a newbie in using the machine, and since he was still a child, it was normal for him to be unable to locate any viable source of lumber!

Sean could not help but praise his own intellect.

However, his celebration was cut short, as Gryan Stoutmantle had brought out a lump of ore from nowhere and displayed it in front of Sean. He then stated, "You slick lil brat, so you DO admit that you've used the shredder yesterday, right? Well then, how do you explain this ore that I found on the machine?"