12 12. Trash Is Trash

"Am I really that handsome?" Hunter drawled, squinting at the poster.

"..."

Kavius glared at his brother with annoyance, "Stop jesting. This is serious! Being wanted means you can't journey anywhere—you can't use the airship to reach Lameen."

"Wasn't that already not an option?" Hunter asked back, "I already figured that much the moment we ran from Edge Town. Besides, I fought with a Captain. That's likely a crime in itself."

It was true, sadly. Kavius gritted his teeth and glanced left and right, wanting to tear down the poster. Things were constantly going from bad to worse.

Creak! Creak!

Tring! Tring!

All of a sudden, their attention was drawn to some metallic creaking and the ringing of a bell. A boy was approaching, and to Hunter's surprise, he was riding a bicycle, ringing its bell.

"Tsk, out of the away," the boy growled at Hunter and Kavius. "I don't want trouble."

He was short, or perhaps Hunter and Kavius were too tall. When he got off his bicycle, the boy didn't even reach Hunter's chest. Scrawny, red-haired, and having freckles dotting his pale face, he didn't appear to be well-off financially either—his dirty clothes were a giveaway.

Right before them, the boy parked his bicycle beside Hunter's poster. Then he placed the bicycle on its custom rear wheel stand and climbed onto the seat to gain some height.

Splash!

He poured some glue on the wall and pasted another wanted poster right beside Hunter's.

"Pfft…" Hunter snorted, struggling to contain his laughter.

"Hee-haw, Hee-haw, Hee-haw…" Brownie brayed, laughing loudly with all his teeth out. 

It was Kavius' wanted poster, and compared to Hunter's, it was severely lacking in quality. The artwork was... did they even try?

No, they absolutely didn't bother trying to make it accurate. It was a fucking doodle, not a poster. 

"Poor brother," the boy mumbled as he finished pasting the poster on and stood back to look at it. "A face only a mother could love."

"Hee-haw, Hee-haw~"

Kavius' face was worth looking at, eyes narrow, lips pressed tight. He didn't say anything the entire time, knowing any word spoken would only make them laugh more.

"Kid," Hunter called to the boy and flipped a coin at him. "Appreciate you liftin' my spirits."

"..." The boy stood in shock. He stared at Hunter's face in curiosity and then back at the poster. "Same eyes… Why's there mud on your face?" 

Indeed, Hunter had once again used the dirt to hide his curse mark. That was the easiest and the most believable way to hide it. Though his gaze still unsettled some, they paid him little heed.

"We were ambushed by thieves and lost," Hunter lied as he strolled closer to the boy, his imposing figure unsettling the skinny kid. In his experience, dealing with kids was straightforward as long as you knew what to say. "But a generous brother handed me this."

Hunter showed the pamphlet given by Henry Xeldan to him. "I'm trying to enlist the Xeldan Brotherhood for payback on them thieves. You got any idea where they're holed up?"

The boy nervously looked left and right and whispered back at him, "Come closer, tall mister."

Hunter crouched, "Go on."

"Go north to the waterfall," the boy said. "B–But… Don't tell anyone I told you."

"Why? Are you scared?"

"No, but… but Redcapes despise the Brotherhood. Redcapes are wicked. The Brotherhood helps us so much," the boy stammered.

Hunter hummed, understanding the villagers' reluctance to give him any information. If the entire village was protecting the Brotherhood, it all made sense. But just the fact that the Brotherhood was able to resist the Redcapes somehow was proof enough that it was a worthy refuge until they had enough money to leave.

"Ah, those pesky Redcapes," Hunter grumbled, giving the boy's shoulder a pat and looking at the posters. "Who're these two fellas? Akursed? And this one here, the ugly mug? Akursed's Stooge?"

That was the name Kavius had been given on the poster.

"I don't know. I'm just paid to put them on here. Redcapes wanna catch them; I think…" the boy said, admiring Hunter's poster. "They must be mighty to fight Redcapes. Ah! I should go, lots of posters to stick."

Hurriedly, the boy grabbed his bicycle and kicked off its stand, waving at them and thanking them for the coin. 

Trrr~

Hunter immediately ripped Kavius' poster off the wall, and raised it at Kavius' face. "A thousand Revs, huh? Ain't half bad. The only one who could've given our accurate description is that old Elder Karl—what'd you do to him to get this?"

[Elder Karl Favorability Overflowing

Reward: 10 Trash Points]

"..."

"Forget it. I got my answer." Hunter shrugged and folded the poster in his pocket. "Let's go find the Brotherhood."

Kavius silently glared as Hunter pocketed that embarrassing poster. He knew this wasn't the last of seeing that damn thing. "Fine, let's move."

'Strange, the favorability ain't goin' down this time.' Hunter mused and walked towards the edge of the village. Keeping to the back streets, they made a swift exit from the village and headed out into the farmlands beyond.

Towards the north, just at the edge of the Nine Ring Forest, they stumbled upon a serene stream that steadily expanded as they followed its path upstream to the forest. Gradually, the distant rumble of a waterfall filled the air, accompanied by a chill in the breeze.

The terrain grew more rugged as they ascended alongside the stream, eventually reaching the same level as the cascading waterfall. There, the stream widened considerably, resembling more of a lake than a river. However, despite its appearance, the water churned fiercely, albeit shallowly.

Soon, they arrived at the scenic view of the waterfall. It was massive, with three sides, creating a mist-shrouded abyss at its center. Though they were a good distance away, the violent force of it was noticeable. 

"Maybe you should tidy up your face now," Kavius suggested. 

But Hunter continued on, "Can't, unless we've joined them. We don't know if that Henry fella was tellin' the truth."

A healthy dose of paranoia and suspicion went a long way. Soon enough, they spotted smoke in the distance, leading them to a vast campsite with numerous tents, both small and large, surrounded by wooden fencing. There were also some horsemen patrolling the perimeter.

"Brownie, just act like a regular donkey while we're here," Hunter instructed. "Kavius, you better get used to calling me Hunter at all times from now on. We never know; they might be hired to catch us."

Kavius had never considered the possibility before, but the more he pondered it, the more likely it seemed. If his father sought them out, the northern regions would undoubtedly be his primary target.

"L-Let's rethink this." 

"We need money to get outta here, or at least a way to swap some gold for cash," Hunter persisted. "Besides, even if you get nabbed, you'd still be a Prince. As for me... Rex ain't around no more."

'Is he speaking the truth? Rex is gone?' Kavius gazed at him in silence, his thoughts unspoken. "I can't. Father's first wife was infertile, so he married my mother, a concubine. But she died 'mysteriously'… I have no home."

"Doesn't your father love you?" Hunter asked.

"He holds power, women, and gold dearly, above all else. I have more fingers than moments I remember him speaking with me like a father." Kavius remarked, his voice tinged with disdain for his father.

Hunter's interest was piqued, and asked about his side of the family. "What about my mother?" 

"Queen Yernis? I don't know. I rarely saw her, let alone spoke to her. She was deeply involved in court affairs, even more so than your father. Very stern, all servants said she never smiles or shows emotions," Kavius reminisced, his mind drifting back to his childhood days. "I suppose she had been plotting against the King for a while, given how swiftly she allied with my father."

"And what was my father like?" Asked Hunter, since all he remembered about his real father in the real world was a faint memory of an exhausted, stress-filled face. "Was he also corrupt?"

"No, not at all. Everyone adored the King to the point he could roam around Kelib City without his guards and remain unharmed. But he was foolish..." Kavius glanced at his brother, "Ah, I didn't mean to—" 

"It's alright."

"Oh, he was a great swordsman in his youth, said to be the next powerhouse of Kelib. But an accident crippled one of his legs, limiting his rise. He wasn't much good at diplomacy either, especially since a war erupted with Karwik a few years ago." Kavius continued speaking until they reached the gates of the encampment.

"Hush…" Hunter silenced him, noting two patrolling armed horsemen approaching. His eyes constantly surveyed the camp, guessing how many people were there. The tents alone numbered almost a hundred. 

"What brings you here?" The patrolling men inquired as they approached, their armor gleaming even under the dim light. "We no longer entertain personal requests. Make your way to the—"

Hunter took out the pamphlet from his pocket and showed it, "We're here to join the Xeldan Brotherhood. A man named Henry Xeldan gave this time and sent me here."

One of the guards dismounted the horse and snatched the pamphlet from him. "Where did he hand it to you?"

"North of Edge town." 

The man examined the paper with unusual attention, prompting Hunter to suspect a hidden meaning. Perhaps it had a coded message verifying its authenticity. If that was the case, it was more like a direct recruitment invitation.

"It's real." The guard shared it with the other one. "I'll take you to the commander. Follow me."

Walking in, Hunter and the other two followed the man into the guarded encampment. From there, he got a better view and started counting people. Thankfully the guard didn't get on his horse and walked with them.

'Likely more than two hundred,' Hunter reckoned. 'No wonder them Redcapes can't handle these guys. It feels like an armed militia 'round here.' 

Swords, spears, and magical staffs adorned the hands of the men, a plethora of weaponry amidst the camp. Some wore armor of metals or leather, while others draped themselves in mysterious black cloaks, concealing their faces beneath hoods.

He became a point of interest in an instant, however. His clothes were too abnormal. The yellow shine of his safety vest caught everyone's eye.

Led deeper into the camp, they soon reached a massive canopy tent, its sides open to the elements save for the roof. At its center stood a grand wooden table, where an elderly man sat. His white hair flowed wildly to his shoulders, thick brows furrowing above a scarred cheek, and an eye hidden behind an eyepatch. 

Draped in a worn, royal golden cape, the man exuded the aura of a seasoned warrior, a veteran.

There were a few more men around him, speaking to him with reverence in their eyes, passing documents or taking them from the table. 

Thud!

The guard leading Hunter stomped the ground in salute. "Commander, these men wish to join the Brotherhood. Henry sent them here from the north of Edge Town."

With a creak, the old man rose from his chair, the wood protesting beneath his weight. Though shorter than Hunter, his presence was imposing. His broad shoulders oozed muscles and might, despite being covered in armor. 

"Akursed?" The commander's voice rumbled low yet carried a crackling authority, his single eye narrowing as it scrutinized Hunter.

Hunter nodded. 

"Show me the mark," the commander demanded.

Sensing the attention of the gathering men, Hunter swiftly uncorked his leather water carrier, splashing his face until his cursed red mark was revealed.

'What's with the reaction?' Hunter saw all the men there gasping, some shaking their heads and others sighing. 'Is a face curse mark that rare?'

"Cursed." The old man shook his head, arms clasped behind his back. "Truly cursed, my boy. I can see why Henry gave you the invitation. The world is too vile for our kind, just a look at us brings madness into their minds."

"Ah! It's you!" 

Hunter heard, noticing someone pointing at him from the crowd. He looked, and no doubt, it was Henry Xeldan. 

The old man boomed again right then. "I am the commander of this Brotherhood, Leonidas Xeldan. I will allow you into my Brotherhood…"

'Where's the but?'

"But... You must prove yourself worthy of the name—Xeldan," Leonidas declared, motioning to the men standing beside him, all bearing the rugged appearance of seasoned warriors. "A task for the two of you."

'A fight?' Hunter saw the men making some space on the dirt ground, forming an empty circle with him, Kavius, and Brownie at the center. 

"Your brother will venture into the village and tally every man, woman, and child, noting their names, ages, and addresses. If you survive and remain standing until his return, you shall join our ranks," Leonidas proclaimed, dragging his chair to the platform's edge beneath the canopy, reserving his seat for the spectacle.

Right then, a man came with a stack of papers and a pencil and handed them to Kavius.

"What are your names?" Asked Leonidas. 

"Hunter." 

"Kavius."

"Then, Kavius, make haste. Your friend shall face off against the man who summoned you—step forward, Henry." Leonidas gestured dismissively as if they were inconsequential beyond his entertainment. "Be aware, Henry is one of my captains… Best of luck."

'Darn it, it's like that crackhouse gang case all over again.' Hunter cursed, drawing parallels with his previous work. 'Guess I'll have to drink the poison.'

He glanced over at Kavius and gave him a reassuring nod, "Take Brownie with you."

"Forgive me." Kavius apologized. "This was my idea."

"We ain't got no other choice, buddy." Hunter sighed and summoned his greatsword, earning a few murmurs from the crowd, their eyes greedily eyeing his ring. "Be quick!"

With seriousness all over him, Kavius quickly caught Brownie's reins and ran straight to the village. Meanwhile, Henry Xeldan emerged, clad in his full suit of armor save for his helmet, his bastard sword unsheathed.

However, Henry approached Hunter beforehand and spoke in hushed tones, "Pay no heed, the commander. He's merely jesting. It would take your friend at least a week to collect all the names, as the villagers are all paranoid." 

[TIM Alert: Human Trash Detected

Name: Henry Xaldan]

'What?!' Shocked, Hunter looked straight at Henry's average face. 'Human trash?'

"I'll go easy on you." Henry patted Hunter's shoulder and stepped away, nodding at Leonidas.

'What the heck am I supposed to do with that information?' 

"What are you two waiting for? Start dancing," Leonidas boomed, patting his hand on the armrest of his chair.

Ting!

[New Quest: Trash Is Trash

Details: Cripple Henry Xeldan

Reward: 500 Trash Points]

"..."

_________________________

A/N: See Kavius' Wanted poster here.