Chapter Eighty: Forcing the Garrison Troops to Surrender

Wolf followed Buddy into the town, where he learned that Alex had already ridden out with more than a dozen town guards toward the City of Light. The news of Captain Brent’s death had not yet spread, so the townsfolk continued their daily work and lives as usual.

Buddy led Wolf to the town guard barracks. One of the guards stationed at the gate hurried over, “Master Buddy, you’re back? Where is Master Zack? What about the captain’s body?”

Buddy did not answer, instead asking the guard, “Rabbi, how many men are left in the barracks?”

“Reporting to Master Buddy! Alex took sixteen guards close to him and left for the City of Light. Then Cassio led about thirty others away, each returning to their own homes. At present, only fifty-one remain in the barracks, myself included!” Rabbi replied, then glanced at Wolf, “And this gentleman is...?”

“Rabbi, go gather everyone still in the barracks!” Buddy ordered, ignoring his question entirely.

“Yes, sir!” With the captain dead, Zack and Buddy were now the highest authority among the guards. Rabbi, a mere rank-and-file, would not dare disobey.

“Master Wolf, please come in.” After Rabbi left to notify the guards, Buddy respectfully showed Wolf inside.

The remaining guards were quickly assembled. As Zack and Buddy had been at the rear of the group, and Alex had been in too much of a hurry to notice, no one yet knew that Buddy had killed Zack and betrayed the guard.

When all fifty-one guards, Rabbi included, stood in neat rows awaiting orders, Buddy cleared his throat and said, “Brave warriors, you are all elite soldiers who have passed strict trials to join the town guard! Each of you has worked hard for the honor of the guard, hoping one day to become as strong as Master Brent!”

At these words, all the guards, including Rabbi, proudly straightened their backs.

“However...” Buddy’s tone shifted, “Even someone as powerful as Master Brent has lost his life.”

The guards’ faces darkened at this. Their faith had died, and it was hard to accept.

Buddy surveyed them and continued, “With the captain dead, the town guard is merely a name. Who among us can shoulder this heavy responsibility now?”

“Of course, Master Alex!” someone called out. “Once he brings back reinforcements from the city guard, he can avenge the captain!”

“Well spoken! Who just said that?” Buddy asked with a pleasant smile.

“Master Buddy, it was me!” A young man with brown hair stepped forward.

“So it’s Chris...” Buddy smiled slightly. “Come stand before me.”

“Yes, sir!” Chris, thinking himself praised, hurried forward with delight.

But in the next moment, Buddy drew his sword.

A flash of blood, and Chris fell with a heavy thud, not even uttering a sound.

All were silent, staring at the sudden scene, unable to comprehend.

“Master Buddy...” Rabbi stammered, “You—you killed Chris...”

Buddy snorted indifferently, “Alex’s dog. What does it matter if he dies?”

His gaze swept over them, and none dared utter a word.

After a while, a guard finally spoke, trembling, “Then... whom does Master Buddy think should bear this responsibility?”

“Fool! Of course, it should be Master Buddy!” Rabbi, quick-witted, shouted loudly.

“Yes, yes! Master Buddy’s strength far surpasses Alex’s!”

“Even if Alex is talented, he’s not qualified to be captain now! He can’t even defeat many of us!”

“Master Buddy is most suited to be captain!”

With the main force decimated, the remaining guards were scattered and weak. Intimidated by Buddy’s power, they all pledged to follow him and support him as the new captain.

But Buddy snorted coldly, “Captain of the town guard? I have no interest! That title can go to Alex and let him be pleased with himself.”

“Then what does Master Buddy mean...?” Rabbi asked cautiously.

Buddy surveyed the guards, all of whom nervously swallowed. With his strength, Buddy could easily kill any one of them.

Seeing their fearful faces, Buddy was satisfied and gestured behind him, “This is Wolf, a warrior of the Wolfmen!”

“A Wolfman?! One of the legendary Wolfmen?!”

“I’ve heard that the Wolfmen are born warriors—an ordinary Wolfman can defeat dozens of trained imperial soldiers!”

“Dozens? Even hundreds of soldiers can’t stand against a Wolfman!”

“Is he really a Wolfman? He looks no different from an ordinary person...”

The guards murmured among themselves as they looked at Wolf.

Suddenly someone cried out, “Didn’t Alex say the captain was killed by a Wolfman? Could it be...?”

In an instant, all the guards looked at Buddy in disbelief.

“That’s right!” Buddy laughed lightly. “I have pledged myself to Lord Keen, and it was I who killed Zack!”

“Heavens!” The guards’ faces changed dramatically, stunned and lost.

“Then... what does Master Buddy want from us?” Rabbi mustered his courage to ask.

Buddy swept his gaze across them and spoke slowly, “I am to incorporate you into Lord Keen’s forces. Anyone who objects, step forward!”

At this, the guards glanced at each other, none daring to move.

Chris’s death had already served as a warning; whoever dared step forward now would surely be cut down by Buddy.

If all fifty guards joined forces, perhaps they could defeat Buddy. But behind him stood a Wolfman—one who had slain the captain!

The captain had been invincible among the guards; even if all attacked together, he could easily defeat them. Yet this invincible captain was slain by the Wolfman before them!

Faced with Buddy and the Wolfman, who would dare challenge them?

“No objections?” Buddy asked with a faint smile.

None dared oppose him. Though many guards thought so in their hearts, none showed it.

“Excellent!” Buddy nodded in satisfaction. “From today, you will be incorporated into Lord Keen’s personal guard, no longer town guards! Rabbi!”

“Master Buddy!” Hearing his name, Rabbi hurried forward in fear, not daring to come too close lest he be killed.

Seeing Rabbi’s cautious demeanor, Buddy chuckled, “No need to worry. As long as you loyally follow Lord Keen, you’ll live well enough! Now, go fetch all the weapons and armor from the armory, and find the captain’s gold card for me!”