Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 88 - 84: Breakthrough

Chapter 88: Chapter 84: Breakthrough

"You bastard!" Seeing his two companions taken down in an instant, the last drunkard stood up, his face twisted with rage.

He was a head taller than Luo’er, with a burly figure. He pulled a dazzling dagger from the bag that he used to carry his weapons and lunged at Luo’er with bull-like eyes.

Luo’er gritted his teeth, held his hands open, and tensed as he braced himself for the attack. The drunkard aimed a stab at Luo’er’s side, but due to his blurred vision from the alcohol, he missed by several inches. Luo’er seized the opportunity to grab the arm that held the knife and, using the force of the drunk’s lunge, threw the man over his shoulder. A perfect great shoulder throw slammed him onto the floor.

Following up, he stepped on the drunkard’s armpit, gripping one hand firmly around his wrist and the other on his elbow. A crisp crack resounded through the room, sending a shudder through everyone present. Luo’er had twisted and broken his entire arm from the shoulder.

Ahhhh!!!

The drunkard cradled his arm, screaming hoarsely in dreadful pain. Profuse cold sweat broke out due to the intense agony as he rolled around on the ground. All the while Luo’er watched him coldly until suddenly, another drunken man with a bloody nose wrapped his arms tightly around Luo’er from behind.

Seeing that struggling was futile, Luo’er abruptly jumped up, lifting his legs high, followed by a forward roll. A neat front somersault sent both men crashing onto the floor, with the difference being that Luo’er had someone to cushion his fall.

The drunkard was all over the place, and just as he was about to react, Luo’er, who had fallen on top of him, swiftly gave him a backward elbow strike right on his nose. Blood gushed out instantly, and the man held his nose, howling in pain on the ground.

Luo’er got up and looked down at the men screaming in pain. He dusted his hands off and took a deep breath. He felt relieved as if the frustration pent up inside him had dissipated somewhat.

The watching patrons let out stunned cheers. None of them had expected this half-elf to be that good with his fists. He had effortlessly knocked down three hulks. The tavern owner was silently observing from the side, indifferent as long as his tables and chairs weren’t damaged. Once everything was over, he would have the bartender throw these drunkards out.

Just when the tavern was all abuzz, a startling whistle came from the entrance, causing the patrons to scatter like rats as if plagued. Those who were meant to be drinking went back to drinking and those boasting resumed their tall tales, as if nothing had happened at all.

Luo’er found the sound of the whistle familiar but couldn’t place where he had heard it. Just then, three patrolling officers clad in light-armour barged in through the entrance. The leader was a petite officer with a helmet mismatched to her head size, and a short sword hanging from her waist.

"Who’s using weapons here!" the officer barked out loud, her voice clearly feminine despite its ludicrous sound. No one in the room dared to laugh though, not with the bulky officers behind her, each carrying an old bolt-action rifle.

"Kali?" Luo’er called out, surprised.

"Luo’er!" Upon seeing Luo’er, Kali’s face lit up instantly, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, of course, I have come back looking for work," Luo’er said casually.

"That’s great, actually, I have been looking for you. I wanted to repay you properly," Kali said excitedly.

"Your outfit..." Luo’er scrutinized her and asked, somewhat hesitant.

"How do you like it? It is specially made for me." Kali took a spin in front of him and said, "I am a newly elevated noble now!"

"What happened?" Luo’er did not grasp the situation at once. He remembered Kali was just a thief from the slums. When did she become a newly elevated noble?

"For my contribution, the Bishop requested the King to elevate me as a new noble. I am now working in the City Guard!" Kali explained.

"Bishop... contribution..." Suddenly, Luo’er remembered, "That letter?"

"That’s right! That’s why I wanted to find you so badly!" Kali said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Congratulations then," Luo’er said sincerely, then asked another question, "You didn’t tell the Bishop who gave you the letter, did you?"

" No, I did as you..." Kali’s words were cut short as Luo’er suddenly covered her mouth with his hand.

"Alright, alright, I got it. Let’s talk outside!" Luo’er glanced around and said.

"Okay!" Kali nodded. Then she looked at the drunkards on the ground and asked, "What happened here?"

"Nothing much, they insulted me, so I fought with them," Luo’er stated nonchalantly.

"Take them away to the prison!" Kali pointed at them and shouted. The two officers nodded and dragged the three drunkards out, their cries of pain echoing down the street.

"Let’s talk outside!" Kali, seemingly happy to see Luo’er, didn’t spare another glance for the three drunkards.

The two found a relatively secluded place and continued their conversation. After talking it over, Luo’er finally understood the ins and outs of the situation.

Apparently, he had sent Kali to report the situation to the Church Court and the diocese bishop named Fulund took it very seriously. Hence, he reported it directly to the Cardinal of Holy Heart City. As a result, the Church Court dispatched the Temple Knights to investigate. The knights they saw that day were the ones sent by the Church Court to look into Count Ganet’s private stash of weapons.

Unexpectedly, Count Ganet, fearing his guilt would be discovered, engaged in battle with the Temple Knights. After a fierce fight, Count Ganet was thrown into prison and a large stash of weapons was found in his castle, enough to equip three Earth Brigades.

Kali was highly praised by the Cardinal of Holy Heart City. He invited her to become a follower in the name of the Church Court and had King Gudelv grant her the status of a newly promoted nobleman. This is a status usually earned on the battlefield.

After hearing her story, Luo’er couldn’t help but marvel at life’s unpredictability. Just two months ago, Kali was a mere pickpocket and now, in a blink of an eye, she’s rocketed from society’s bottom rung to a newly promoted noblewoman.

Although her status isn’t hereditary and isn’t particularly prestigious, as long as her status remains, she is destined to be different from the common people. After her investiture, Kali moved to the more organized and cleaner Western District. She received her own house and was assigned as a patrol officer in the city guard.

Kali wanted to invite Luo’er and the others to her house as a token of gratitude, but Luo’er graciously refused, citing lack of time. Watching Kali take her leave, Luo’er fell into deep thought.

Clearly, with Kali becoming a noblewoman, they now had an additional foothold in Holy Heart City, not having to feel rootless like when they first arrived. What’s more, Kali was still beholden to them. Should something require her assistance in the future, she’d find it hard to refuse their request.

Having thought it through, Luo’er felt much relieved, smiled and turned around to continue gathering intelligence in the bar.

In the evening, all the team members finally gathered. They discussed the day’s gains while enjoying their dinner.

With the addition of the new cook, their meals had significantly improved. While they still mostly ate plain potatoes, at least they were no longer hard to swallow.

Luo’er shared with everyone about his encounter with Kali, which made everyone happy for Kali’s situation.

"Judging from the current situation, there have indeed been troop movements in Holy Heart City. Witnesses reported seeing a Royal Knights Regiment of about 5,000 men leaving Holy Heart City, marching towards Masya." Hu Daoke reported.

The Royal Knights Regiment is an elite force directly commanded by the king. Like the Temple Knights, they are one of the top units of Holy Heart City. The fact that Gudelv was willing to dispatch so many men underscores the seriousness he attaches to the rebellion in Masya.

It was rumored that this king in his forties murdered his own father to ascend the throne. His one request had led to disarray within the UN Security Council that began a few months ago and has not ceased to this day.

"We overheard the conversation of a few Blaiqi merchants who just returned from Yazhi City. They saw traces of the massive Royal Knights Regiment in Salan Village. Since Salan village is along the compulsory route from Holy Heart City to Masya, it confirms that the Knights Regiment is indeed heading to reinforce Masya." Baiyue quietly reported the intelligence they had gathered.

"What is Gudelv’s intention to give so much importance to Masya’s rebellion and even get the Earth’s military involved to maintain stability?" Luo’er furrowed his brows, speaking to himself.

"Who cares, at least now we know that the troops from Holy Heart City are indeed being dispatched to Masya. Next, we need to find out about the Mage Regiments." Hu Daoke casually said.

Whenever the Mage Regiment was mentioned, Luo’er would sigh. It was extremely difficult to collect information about the Church Court’s Mage Regiment in such a complicated place. Ordinary people have no way of knowing the Church Court’s disposition of the Mage Regiment. The drunken louts in bars who usually talk big would be the last ones to believe.

"The Mage Regiment is stationed in the Uptown District at the confluence of the two rivers. That place can only be occupied by noblemen. It’s impossible for ordinary people to know anything about the Mage Regiment." Cheng Ziang frowned as he spoke for the first time.

"However, I did come across some information." After a pause, he continued.

"What is it?" Luo’er asked.

"The Sacred Heart Magic Academy is starting their admissions, exclusively for nobles." Cheng Ziang said, watching him.

"Nobility..." The group glanced at each other because they could hardly be considered nobles; especially Luo’er who, far from being a commoner, isn’t even a peasant.

"Initially, to understand the status of the Mage Regiment, infiltrating the Sacred Heart Magic Academy is the best choice. If we simply check the graduation records, we can deduce the Mage Regiment’s approximate number of troops annually. After which we can verify the number of mages stationed outside the Academy, that would let us know whether they have deployed the Mage Regiment to Masya." Cheng Ziang analyzed.

"That’s easier said than done... how do we infiltrate?" Luo’er looked restlessly at the others.

"Yes, after all, we’ve long since given up on the nobility’s ways." Hu Daoke quipped, propping his chin in his hands.

"Seems like we do have a noble friend, don’t we?" Cheng Ziang looked significantly at Luo’er.

"Nobility?" Luo’er was taken aback, exchanged a look with Tangmo by his side. Suddenly, he remembered.

"Kali!"