Warriors will die if they charge.

Chapter 85 The Warrior Who Resigned Himself to Life

Moraz suppressed the news that the ship had turned into a burning torch and sunk into the Nileca River. He was so calm that it was hard to believe he was a mercenary leader with a volatile appearance. While comforting the women in his family, he also asked Fielding to find the culprit who burned the ship.

Kuran bluntly announced in the square that he had burned it himself, because it was the will of the Water Queen, who would not allow a baron to claim ownership of the town.

Fielding ignored Kuran's announcement. He knew the nature of the Fierce Dogs well; their first step would be to burn the ships, and their second step would definitely be to kill all the Vissi family members.

But the second step never came, and those delicate girls continued to stroll freely along the country lanes.

On the third day after the burning of the ship, Captain Fielding personally approached Marcus, bringing two bottles of fine wine. Just as Marcus had once sought him out to learn his craft, he patted the tough man's shoulder affectionately: "You've been doing well lately, haven't you? The little villa is doing quite well, with flower gardens and a wine cellar. It seems the town is developing better and better."

The captain's pointed remark earned Marcus a smug, bright smile. He walked into the living room with his mentor, who had guided him to become a soldier, grabbed two large wine glasses, took a big gulp, and remarked on the changes over the past month: "It's all luck, all luck. Without Uncle's help, I'd definitely still be stuck in that old bungalow on the muddy road, huddled with mosquitoes."

Fielding took the glass, sipped the wine, and observed the quaint living room.

In the center of the living room were two long benches, with an ebony coffee table between them. Two pots of pansies and dahlias were placed in painted ceramic pots. The flowers were brightly colored, indicating that they were regularly cared for.

Next to the kitchen door, there was a chair in a peculiar spot, always shrouded in shadow and never exposed to direct sunlight.

"Where is your elven wife? To be honest, I was surprised when Nora brought this up. First, a dwarf master came to our Riverside Town, and now an elf has appeared. You've encountered all sorts of strange things."

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"She's meditating, saying she needs to stay calm at all times. By the way, Uncle Fielding, what brings you here today?"

"Can't I come to see you for no reason, you brat? You should know that I was the one who gave you your first fighting staff."

"Haha, welcome, of course you're welcome."

After a few laughs, Fielding leaned back on the bench, crossed his legs, and said casually, "But I didn't expect you to be so bold as to burn the Vissi family's ship. That kid Kuran is probably wondering who was faster than him."

"He's testing you, don't answer," Trish thought to herself, hiding in the shadows of the kitchen door. He had been bought off by the Vissi family and had come to the courtyard to test Rye Wine's attitude toward outsiders.

Marcus was taken aback, then slapped his thigh and laughed, "It's alright, but what a pity. It was a good ship. If they had been willing to worship the Water Queen, even the most powerful mages with their terrifying fire magic wouldn't have been able to set it on fire."

"Actually, having something new every now and then can really liven up a town, don't you think, Marcus?" Fielding shook his head and sighed. "Like your dwarf friends, and your elf wife. Quite a few people already know about Trissy's drow identity. They were all quite afraid at first; she's very mysterious, always walking around town in a black cloak. But I just passed by Troca's shop this morning, and guess what he said about Trissy?"

"Hmm? I'm quite curious."

Fielding slapped his thigh, his half-black and half-white beard trembling on his lips: "He said that the women in Marcus's family have absolutely no idea how to spend money. They always pick the most expensive fruits, flowers, and raw meat, throw the money on the table, and leave without even asking for change. They're such spendthrifts, haha."

"She just hasn't adapted to life on the surface yet." Marcus shrugged, his nose twitching slightly. He caught a whiff of the drow's cool, orchid-like scent and knew she was definitely hiding in the kitchen.

"Well, actually, nobody really meant her any harm. After all, the evil and cruel things about the Drow are too far removed from the town; they're all just rumors. Everyone's gotten used to a woman in a black cloak spending money lavishly in the market, just like—"

Fielding paused for a moment before revealing his purpose: "Like those outsiders, more than ten years ago, the first adventurers came to the town. Hawke thought these guys with weapons were soldiers from the Lion Kingdom. Do you know how scared he was back then?"

But he also started doing business with those adventurers, sailing back and forth on the Nileca River and making a considerable amount of money.

At this point, even someone as obtuse as Marcus understood the metaphor in Fielding's words: don't think too badly of the Visey family; they might change the life of the town just as the dwarves and drows changed his.

Marcus crossed his hands over his stomach, his posture revealing his wariness: "Uncle Fielding, I know you once served in the army of the Griffin Kingdom. Let's be frank and tell the truth. You were forced to return to town because of some bad rumors and offending your superiors. In reality, you didn't spend much more time with that bitch Niloka than I did."

"If you try to persuade me to cooperate with the Visi family's arrangements, my answer is no. Even if they give me more gold, no, they can't even come up with more gold, you know? They failed in their business in Silver Mountain City and owe a lot of money. They used fabricated information to swindle funds to pay off their debts."

Fielding's expression changed instantly, but Marcus ignored his reaction and firmly stated his position: "My attitude is the same as Kuran's. We do not welcome nobles who committed atrocities against our fathers. The difference between him and me is that I do not want to kill people on my own initiative, but if they want to repeat the evil deeds of forty years ago for money, my sword will be drawn for the Water Queen at any time."

Fielding remained unmoved by these words, his thick, long eyebrows furrowing his eyes like those of an enraged beast: "You just said that the Visi family has a huge debt from doing business in Silver Mountain City? Where did you get that information?"

"On the ship I burned, they clearly loved making empty promises. You've been fooled, Fielding."

"Damn it!" Fielding swung his arms and left the living room in a huff, furious. He'd been tricked by a brat.

It was because he longed so much to return to that civilized land that he hoped the Visi family could use their noble reputation and money to help him regain the honor he had lost.

Trish emerged from the shadows into the living room, her gaze fixed on the mentor Marcus had repeatedly mentioned. Enraged after the truth was revealed, she stormed out: "Is he really—your mentor?"

"Undoubtedly, but as he said, a warrior must say no to life," and he had already resigned himself to his fate. Fielding taught me how to wield a sword, but failed to show me how to be a tough guy when I can no longer wield one.

Marcus shook his head and sighed. In fact, he understood Fielding's thoughts. People who have truly experienced civilized society would not like a place like Riverside Town, which is full of superstition.

But this is his only home in this other world. Compared to the feudal kingdom dominated by the king, the church, and the merchants, he still prefers Niloka, this savage and vibrant bitch.

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