69 Chapter 69. Garrick Guarnere

"Leo! We have been travelling for so long already. Are there any settlements nearby?" Wenella complained as they had been travelling towards the Capital non-stop for four days.

"We are nearly there. Only two more days of travelling are left," Leo replied as he pointed northwards.

"Oh look, there's a village there. We can take a break there,"

And as they calmly dashed effortlessly across the dense green forests, the vague outline of a small village could be seen in the far distant horizon and thick soot smoke could be seen rising from the little chimneys of the small stone houses.

The group made their way towards the village and when they reached the entrance was when they realized that this place was more like a small town instead of a village. The streets were bustling with workers as they returned from work and many of them walked into the town's inn to spend time with fellow co-workers.

"Let's go. I think the inn is our best bet to find news on this," Leo spoke as he tugged on Wenella's shirt and the trio walked into the inn.

Sounds of drunken laughter and happy conversations flooded their ears. The inn was almost fully packed with most of the customers being workers and other simple agricultural workers.

"Welcome dear guests, I'm Ara Chaefiel. I'm the bartender here. What would you guys like today?" the pretty female bartender immediately walked forward as Leo arrived at the counter.

"Hi, we would like to know who is the most well-informed on news here. We want to know about the latest news," Leo spoke directly.

"I see. Well then, you will have to consult Richard. He should know the most about the latest news," Ara replied as she pointed towards a table that had two men sitting across from each other conversing.

"You want food first?" Ara asked suddenly.

Leo simply shook his head as he politely declined and made their way to the table.

"Um… Excuse me, could you inform me which one of you is Richard?" Leo asked respectfully.

Immediately the two men's conversation drove to a halt as they turned their head towards Leo and Wenella and the sleeping Laura.

"That's me," one of them replied with a smile that revealed his glistening white teeth.

"We would like to know about news on the Capital. Can we join you guys?" Leo asked.

"Haha! What a coincidence! I was just about to ask him about that. Join us! Feel free to take a seat," the man on the other end replied as he welcomed them.

Not wasting a second, they quickly sat down and Richard began explaining the situation, "the situation in the Capital is not good right now. The Crystal Empire is refusing to provide help in this war and so the situation is looking bleak for the Lapis army."

"Is there anything different going on in the Capital?" Leo suddenly asked as he tried to be specific.

"Maybe regarding the royal family?"

"Oh yeah! That reminds me, one of the nephews of the king was killed. There's rumors going around about who the killer could be. Currently, all security in the Capital has been tripled, it would practically be impossible for them to escape if they are there," Richard spoke as he suddenly realized it.

Fear and disturbance filled Leo and Wenella's faces as they did not expect to hear such disastrous news.

"I envy the royal family. They get to live in the Capital all gloriously while I am stuck here barely making a living. I wish I had a better job," the man who was sitting alongside Richard spoke out complainingly.

"Hahaha! Not to worry my friend," Richard laughed as he told them, "I have a friend who works for a mercenary and he constantly sends me messages about how he is doing. I got his message the day before yesterday. He said that the situation in the war is so bad that the Kingdom is looking to the mercenaries for support. The war has been going on for over ten years now and it's turned into a war of attrition. It seems like the Ruby kingdom is dead set on destroying this kingdom. He told me that his group decided to go there."

Suddenly, Leo's mood immediately turned bright again as he was suddenly filled with energy and vibrance. Without even bothering to wait, he suddenly asked Richard, "How do we sign up for the war?"

The other man did not even react to this and an annoyed expression came on his face, "How does that relate to my job?"

"Woah! Little brother, are you serious? What reason do you have to suddenly want to join in the war? It's all killing and death. There's no point, you will just lose your life," Richard warned as he was caught off guard by Leo's question.

"It's for personal reasons," Leo simply replied with a warm smile and no intention of revealing the reason.

"I see. Well then it is not impossible for you to join the battle. The war force has been made so that mercenaries and sect disciples can participate. You guys just need to get to form a mercenary or join one, then go to the war front and there should be a counter where you can sign up there. You will be given a badge and it will keep track of all your kills and you will get placed on a ranking. It's been said that the top thousand will get rewards that will be presented personally by the king at the end of the war if we manage to force them back," Richard effortlessly explained.

"Amazing! We will get rewards!? I really need this opportunity then. Hey, little brother! How about we go together? I need to support my family, I want to give my kids the best that I can give them, just staying in the village is not enough for me," the man suddenly spoke as his heart was suddenly filled with hope.

Leo did not immediately answer which made the man slightly uncomfortable but eventually he agreed as he felt bad for his family.

"Great! It's nice to know that I won't be going to the battlefield alone. I'm Garrick Guarnere, I have a wife and three kids. What about you little brother. Now that we are going to be friends, why don't you introduce yourself and your mother?" the man spoke excitedly.

Shock filled Leo's face as he desperately tried to force his laughter back.

A large chop came from Wenella as she struck the top of Leo's head, "Little rascal, don't you think of laughing."

She then turned to Garrick and replied, "I am Wenella and this is my disciple, Laura. And this lost cause is Leon Ariena, we are not related at all," she annoyedly introduced.

"Haha! I see, it's nice to meet you Leon and Wenella," Garrick greeted with a bow.

"The pleasure is all mine, please call me Leo," Leo greeted back as he rubbed his crown with a pained expression.

"Hahaha!" Richard's laugh suddenly interrupted the scene.

"Not to be mean or anything but with your strength Garrick, you will only make it to the middle strength mercenary groups. You won't stand a chance at it," Richard advised.

"This-" an extremely conflicted expression formed on Garrick's face as he could not refute Richard's point at all.

Hearing this, Leo suddenly turned serious as he observed Garrick and found that he was a emission realm cultivator. He could relate to that Garrick was thinking. He also had a brother that he had to care for and he would do absolutely anything to help his life be better.

A smile appeared on his face as he happily patted Garrick's back, "No need to worry about that at all. Wenella will take care of us. We will make our own mercenary group and get first place."

"Haha! I like your confidence brother," Garrick laughed as he hoisted up his beer cup and drank happily.

"Anyways, if you are really interested and want to leave then meet me tomorrow afternoon here. I'll give you a map and you guys can leave together or alone," Richard spoke as he also joined in the toast. He did not have any intention of joining the war but he did want to help Garrick and Leo's group.

"Great! I'll take my leave for now then," Leo excused himself and booked a room in the inn to sleep for the night and Wenella quickly followed and went into another room.

"Come on! Drink up!" Garrick's manly aged voice sounded as he lifted his beer.

"Garrick, are you really considering this?" Richard suddenly asked with a heavy tone of seriousness.

"Yes. My son has never gotten to see a shop, let alone good clothes. I want to fight to give them a better life," Garrick spoke assertively.

"But you could die,"

A long pause set in as Garrick suddenly stopped and looked out the sunset. He slowly spoke, "If my death means their happiness, then I will gladly go."

"Reckless man... Sigh... Make sure you have a good talk to your wife and kids about this," Richard sighed as he helplessly gave up on trying to convince Garrick.