Chapter 126 - Flashy Introduction

Cale went out of their room and saw that the three men were already outside. They were already draped in their long black robes, but Cale knew that they kept on looking at him weirdly. Cale just chose to ignore them and stepped out of the inn.

"Let's go," Cale spoke calmly, but there was a trace of excitement in his silver eyes. His subordinates smiled and followed behind their lord. They were also eager to explore this new world. Besides, it seemed that Cale had grand plans for them.

Meanwhile, near Manu Town's entrance. Hundreds of strong-looking men and women from different races were standing neatly in attention. They listened attentively to the man discussing the mission. He was a handsome middle-aged man with short blonde hair. A huge black sword was strapped behind his back. The sword emitted a baleful aura even though it was still sheathed.

The man was Alucard, who was the top eleventh Adamantine-Rank mercenary of the Celestial Sword Empire. The sword behind his back was the infamous demonic sword that he used to take the lives of his enemies. It reeks the aura of death and demonic energy, but it was strangely subdued and meek whenever Alucard wields it.

"Brothers and sisters, you are the ones brave enough to follow us on this expedition. You might have already heard of it, but I will say it one more time for those that didn't know a thing. 

We will be fighting with thousands of goblins, and three Goblin Generals are leading this huge goblin army. 

I'm not sure about the presence of goblin shamans in that army, but the possibility is high. 

This mission is of utmost importance since this involves the safety of Manu Town. But if some of you wish to not join the expedition, then please step out..." Alucard swept his gaze on the warriors who had volunteered.

Most of them were vagabonds who hunts for savage beasts to sell for money. They were already used to placing their lives on the line, so it was not a problem for them to join the expedition. Especially with three Adamantine-Rank mercenaries leading them. Thus, after hearing that Alucard was hiring adventurers to follow them, many vagabonds were tempted and immediately set off to apply.

Vagabonds and adventurers were often mistaken as two the same sets of people. But there are a few things that are different about them. 

Vagabonds are wanderers that do all sorts of jobs as long as they were paid. They also prefer to travel from different places to another to search for wealth. 

On the other hand, adventurers hunt for savage beasts to exchange for money. They also settle in one place as their base, but they seek to travel on a regular basis.

Hundreds of vagabonds and adventurers came to apply for the expedition. They all knew the dangers of the mission, but the fifty gold coins reward was truly too enticing for them to ignore.

Alucard nodded his head after seeing that no one stepped out. He smiled faintly and spoke in a calm voice.

"There are about nine hundred and fifty-four here with us to join the expedition. This number may be lacking compared to the several thousand goblin soldiers, but we are stronger than them! Victory will be..." Alucard paused his speech. Behind the hired adventurers and vagabonds were six silhouettes draped in long black robes. Their aura was masked, so he was unable to discern their strength. But he knew that someone who could hide their auras from him was definitely strong. 

One of the robed figures stepped forward. He then glanced at Alucard, but his facial features were hidden by a silver wolf mask.

The figure wearing long back robe had a regal bearing and an air of profound mystery. His every action was full of elegance that could not be hidden as if it was deeply engraved in his bones. 

Alucard's gaze turned sharp and serious as he scrutinized the man who was walking straight towards him. He adjusted his position slightly to prepare for an attack in case something untoward happens. The two Adamantine-Rank mercenaries behind him also held the handle of their weapons while staring solemnly at the robed man.

"Ah, you guys are so stiff. My group only wanted to join you guys on this expedition. You can still add a few more people, right?" The masked figure spoke calmly, but Alucard and the two other mercenaries felt a sense of danger from the man. 

They had only felt this kind of sensation when facing stronger enemies that they were unsure of defeating.

"Who are you?" Those were the words that came out of Alucard's mouth after Cale spoke.

Cale was taken aback and he could not help but laugh softly. He removed the hood of his robe which made his long silver hair cascade down elegantly. It fluttered gently when the wind blew past him. 

Cale's lips curved up and he did a fist-palm salute to introduce himself. 

"Pardon my lack of courtesy. In our land, I was known by my people as Wolf King. And those guys are my subordinates." 

Alucard hurriedly returned the gesture and did a fist-palm salute. Coincidentally it was how the inhabitants of Shura show their respect to someone. 

When everyone heard that the silver-haired man called himself as Wolf King, they drew gasped of surprise. 

Only a few people received the 'King' title. A few princes from the empires, or people who had been termed as such due to their overwhelming strength.

But they were unsure which of the two was the silver-haired man classified into. They never knew that it was merely Cale's personal choice to be called as such.

So after his introduction, everyone gaze at him respectfully. Even Alucard and the other two mercenaries were looking at him with respect.

"Sire, my name is Alucard. That lovely mage there is Amelia. She is rank twenty-first in the Adamantine leaderboard." The mage Amelia blushed at Alucard's introduction, but she still curtsied as a form of respect towards Cale.

"This man here is Falkor, one of the best spearmen of our empire. He is rank fourteenth in the Adamantine leaderboard." Falkor did a fist-palm salute while glancing solemnly at Cale. The silver-haired man deserved his respect. Aside from his mysterious background, the man also had an indiscernible strength.

Cale nodded at two Adamantine-Rank mercenaries behind Alucard while doing a fist-palm salute.

"And to answer your question, I am more than happy to accept your group as part of this expedition." Alucard smiled at Cale. 

Cale then gestured towards his subordinates to come forward. They then removed the hoods of their robes. But their facial features were similarly covered by masks. 

Alucard and the others were curious about their identities, but they knew that it was not a good thing to ask. Especially because Cale's group didn't look weak at all. 

"That red-haired beauty is Zarinvienne, a Saint with demon blood." Zarinvienne curtsied elegantly after Cale's introduction. Her fiery red hair fluttered along with the wind.

"The one with snow-white hair is Nocturna, a Saint with an elven bloodline." Nocturna curtsied after the introduction.

"The tallest among them is Brogen, also a Saint-Class level fighter." Brogen bowed slightly.

"Next is the man with gray hair. His name is Atlas, a human who is also a Saint-Class level fighter." Atlas did a fist-palm salute.

"Lastly, that guy with long black hair. His name is Zero, and he is also in the Saint realm." Zero calmly nodded his head.

Everyone was taken aback. All of his subordinates were actually Saint-Class level fighters! Then just how strong is this Wolf King who was commanding these Saints?!

Even Alucard was tongue-tied at Cale's introduction.

"When do we set off, sir Alucard?" Cale spoke calmly. 

Alucard removed the stunned look on his face and put on a serious facade. 

"We will set off immediately. We will finish the battle as soon as possible because we will be at a disadvantage during the night."

"Sounds good. We will follow your lead, Alucard." Cale said generously while moving back to his group.

Alucard did a fist-palm salute towards Cale before glancing at the crowd of vagabonds and adventurers. 

"Brothers and sisters, let's go!"

The one thousand strong party set off to search for the goblin army. It was still morning, so the were only a few savage beasts lurking.

They stepped out of Manu Town and went towards the forested area right outside the town.

Mosts savage beats prefer to hunt during the night. Their senses were sharper in darker environments and they could also hunt for prey more effectively. Using their enhanced senses and superior bodies, they catch their prey unprepared. Because of this, only a few vagabonds and adventurers hunt during the night.  

The group encountered a few stray savage beasts which were immediately taken down by the hired people. Alucard and Cale's group did not even need to intervene. 

Most beasts also chose to stay away from them after seeing that their group was composed of strong people.

Their morale was sky-high after effortlessly slaying beasts along their path. But Alucard and his companions were still scrutinizing their surroundings solemnly as if they were searching for something.

"Zero, get those goblin scouts for me. I detect several presences up ahead hiding behind those bushes." Cale spoke emotionlessly while pointing at a certain location, but Alucard and the two other mercenaries were surprised. They did not feel any presence at all, but to think that Wolf King was able to sense something from this distance. 

Cale didn't know what they were thinking, but even if he knew, he would not clarify anything. It was actually not him who had felt the presence of those goblin scouts, but Asteria. 

Her detection ability was even stronger than Cale's.

Zero bowed his head at Cale before he vanished from his spot. His speed was like the gust of wind, traceless and fast. 

Alucard became even more curious about the identities of these people.

'Just who are they?' He thought to himself while peering through the distance that Cale pointed earlier.